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A classic appetizer made into a hearty soup! Creamy, cheesy, and packed with potatoes, jalapeños, and bacon, this jalapeño popper soup is the perfect comfort food for lower temperatures.
I love a good, hearty soup. If it’s easy to make, that’s even better! After you try this amazing jalapeño popper soup, try this cheeseburger soup, 8-can chicken taco soup, or broccoli cheese soup!
Creamy Jalapeño Popper Soup
This delicious soup is packed with flavor. It’s got crispy bacon, diced jalapeños, and onions in a creamy base with a hint of garlic. Then those Yukon gold potatoes, chopped to perfection, add a hearty twist that turns the classic jalapeño popper appetizer into a full-on meal.
When it comes to easy and satisfying, this recipe hits the bullseye. It’s a breeze to whip up in a large pot, letting the flavors meld and mingle effortlessly. I’ve also included instructions on how to make this in the slow cooker or the instant pot, depending on what you have time for! And if you need more dinner inspiration, here is my full list of soup recipes to make all fall and winter long!
Ingredients in Jalapeño Popper Soup
Each ingredient here has a role to play in turning a classic snack into a cozy, filling meal. Exact measurements are in the recipe card below!
- Chopped Bacon: Bacon brings that savory, crispy goodness, but if you prefer a lighter option, turkey bacon works just as well. I like to use pre-cooked bacon to make preparing this soup even easier.
- Deseeded Jalapeños: The fiery kick that makes the soup pop! Adjust the number based on your spice preference, or swap for milder peppers like poblano if you’re aiming for a tamer heat.
- Diced Onion: For some sweet and savory flavor. Shallots will also work.
- Minced Garlic: The flavor enhancer that brings that zing! Fresh garlic is a must, but in a pinch, garlic powder can do the trick.
- All-Purpose Flour: Used as a thickener.
- Low-Sodium Chicken Broth: The liquid gold that forms the soup’s flavorful base. You can also use vegetable broth or beef broth if that’s all you have on hand! It will just change the flavor a little.
- Half and Half: So the soup has a nice creamy texture without being too rich.
- Chopped Yukon Gold Potatoes: Yukon gold potatoes add a buttery, creamy texture to the soup.
- Softened Cream Cheese: The creamy ingredient that brings everything together.
- Shredded Cheddar: Adds richness, flavor, and the perfect melty texture!
- Salt and Pepper: Season to taste!
- Toppings: sliced jalapenos, bacon, and green onion, shredded cheese for garnish- the best finishing touch! Get creative and customize with your favorite toppings – maybe some crispy fried onions or a dollop of sour cream? Go wild and make it your own!
Let’s Make Some Soup!
Break out your soup pot and get ready to make this amazing jalapeño popper soup! It’s like your favorite loaded baked potato soup, but with a kick. So delicious!
- Cook Bacon: In a large Dutch oven or pot add the bacon and then cook over medium-high heat. Reserve the bacon grease.
- Sauté Veggies: Add the jalapeños and onions to the pot and cook for about 3 to 4 minutes, or until tender.
- Add in Garlic: Stir in the fresh garlic and then cook an additional 30 seconds.
- Create a Paste: Add the flour and stir to create a paste.
- Pour in Broth: Pour in the chicken broth and half and half. Continually whisk until mixed well.
- Boil Potatoes: Add the chopped potatoes. Heat over medium-high heat, and bring the soup to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for about 25-30 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender. Stir the soup occasionally while it simmers.
- Mix in Cheese: Remove the pot from the heat then add the cream cheese and shredded cheese. Stir until the cheeses are melted and combined.
- Season: Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add Toppings and Serve: Garnish your jalapeño popper soup with desired toppings and then serve warm!
Can I Make it in the Slow Cooker?
Yes! I love making this in the slow cooker!
- Start by sautéing the bacon until it’s delightfully crispy, then transfer it to your trusty slow cooker.
- Toss in those diced jalapeños, onions, and garlic, and sprinkle in the flour. Give it a good stir.
- Add in the chicken broth, half-and-half, and potato chunks.
- Then set your slow cooker to low, cover, and let it simmer away for 6-8 hours. Once it’s done, mix in your cheese and toppings and serve!
Can I make this in the Instant Pot?
Yes! If you are short on time, making jalapeño popper soup in the instant pot is a great way to make dinner in a hurry.
- Start by setting your Instant Pot to sauté mode, tossing in that glorious bacon and cooking until crispy.
- Remove some of the bacon fat, then sauté your jalapeños, onions, and garlic.
- Sprinkle in the flour to create a roux, and gradually add in your chicken broth and half-and-half, whisking it all together.
- Drop in those potato chunks, seal the pot, and pressure cook for about 8-10 minutes.
- Quick-release the pressure, stir in the cream cheese and shredded cheddar, and season to perfection.
Storing Leftover Jalapeño Popper Soup
Have some leftover soup? Don’t worry! You can keep it in the fridge or freezer and then enjoy it later. It’s so easy to reheat and retains its flavor and texture perfectly.
- In the Refrigerator: Transfer soup to an airtight container or bag and store for up to 4 days. Reheat over the stove on medium heat, stirring frequently until warmed though.
- In the Freezer: Transfer jalapeno popper soup to an airtight freezer bag, leaving enough space for it to expand. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
More Hearty Soup Recipes
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Jalapeno Popper Soup
Ingredients
- 1 pound bacon, chopped
- 4 to 6 jalapeno peppers, deseeded and diced
- 1/2 cup onion, diced
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 3 cups half-and-half
- 6 yukon gold potatoes, peeled and chopped into 1 inch-pieces
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened and cut into pieces
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- Kosher salt, to taste
- freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- toppings: sliced jalapenos, bacon, and green onion, shredded cheese for garnish
Instructions
- In a large Dutch oven or pot add the bacon and cook over medium-high heat. Reserve the bacon grease.
- Add the jalalpenos and onions to the pot and cook for about 3 to 4 minutes, or until tender.
- Stir in the fresh garlic and cook an additional 30 seconds.
- Add the flour and stir to create a paste.
- Pour in the chicken broth and half and half. Continually whisk until mixed well.
- Add the chopped potatoes. Heat over medium-high heat, and bring the soup to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for about 25-30 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender. Stir the soup occasionally while it simmers.
- Remove the pot from the heat then add the cream cheese and shredded cheese. Stir until the cheeses are melted and combined.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Garnish with desired toppings and serve warm!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I’m currently making this now and I have a question. It says, reserve the bacon grease. Does that mean keep it in the pot or separate the grease?
I was going to ask the same thing! I’m thinking it goes back in with the flour because without it’s not very paste like. But not sure.
This is so good, thank you.
Delicious!!! I added some bay leaves and oregano because I love to incorporate herbs any chance I can get. Thanks for this recipe, it is now a family staple!
Herbs make everything better! Thanks for giving the recipe a try! 😊
Bomb!
We loved this soup. I made a few changes. I subbed poblanos for the jalapeños for less heat. Since there are only 2 of us now, I basically halved the recipe. Used 2 slices of thick bacon, 4 Yukons, 1 can chicken broth and 1 cup milk. I followed the instant pot instruction except didn’t add the milk until after the potatoes cooked. No need to do the roux as I mashed the potatoes slightly after cooking for that creamy texture. Got some good ideas from this recipe.
Ausome jallepeno soup. Have so many peppers in my garden. Can’t wait to make! Thanks! Jane
Not bad. I suggest not adding 1\2&1\2 till after potatoes cook. Otherwise quite nice.