You’ll love this creamy potato soup — it’s one of my favorites and you’d never guess it’s dairy free. Smooth, comforting, and ready in about 30 minutes, this blended soup uses canned coconut milk for richness without any coconut flavor.
Note: originally published in 2017 and republished with new photos.
Even when the days are still warm, cooler mornings call for soup. This 30 Minute Dairy Free Potato Soup is blended until silky smooth, with one cup of diced potatoes reserved and stirred back in for pleasant texture. The result is a luscious, creamy bowl that’s lower in calories than traditional cream-based potato soups — and you won’t miss the dairy.
What you need
- Potatoes (russet, yellow, or gold)
- Chicken stock or broth
- Onion
- Unsweetened canned coconut milk
- Dried herbs (thyme or chives)
- Seasonings: salt, pepper, garlic powder
Preparation is straightforward: peel and dice the potatoes into roughly 1-inch cubes, add them and sliced onion to a pot with chicken stock, and simmer until tender (about 5–8 minutes when diced). Remove one cup of the cooked diced potatoes and set aside. Blend the remaining potatoes, onions, stock, and one cup of unsweetened canned coconut milk until completely smooth. Return the reserved diced potatoes to the pot, season to taste, and heat through.
Why use unsweetened canned coconut milk?
Canned full-fat coconut milk adds body and creaminess without imparting a coconut taste when used in this amount. Make sure the can is unsweetened — sweetened varieties will change the flavor and aren’t suitable for savory soups.
Can I substitute another milk?
You can substitute regular cow’s milk, almond milk, or refrigerated coconut milk if you prefer, but those are thinner than canned full-fat coconut milk. If you use a thinner milk, use a bit less and adjust the texture while blending. The starchy potatoes help create a creamy texture even with thinner milks.
Topping suggestions
My favorite toppings are crispy bacon bits and chopped green onion or fresh chives. If you don’t need to avoid dairy, a dollop of sour cream and shredded cheddar are delicious as well. A small drizzle of canned coconut milk on top also looks and tastes nice.
Freezing and storage
This soup freezes, thaws, and reheats very well. Consider doubling the recipe to keep a batch in the freezer for quick meals.
30 Minute Dairy Free Potato Soup
Ingredients
- 2.5 lbs potatoes, peeled and diced (russet, yellow, or gold work best)
- 32 oz chicken stock or broth
- 1/2 white or yellow onion, sliced
- 1 cup canned coconut milk, unsweetened (full-fat)
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/4 tsp dried thyme or dried chives
Optional toppings: fresh chopped chives, crispy bacon, drizzle of canned coconut milk
Instructions
- Add chicken stock, sliced onion, and diced potatoes to a soup pot. Bring to a boil, then simmer about 5–8 minutes until potatoes are easily pierced with a fork. Avoid overcooking so you don’t lose too much liquid.
- Remove 1 cup of the cooked diced potatoes and set aside in a separate bowl.
- Blend the remaining potatoes, onion, stock, and 1 cup canned coconut milk until smooth. If the soup is too thick, add a little extra stock while blending to reach the desired consistency.
- Pour the blended soup back into the pot, stir in the reserved diced potatoes, then add salt, pepper, garlic powder, and dried thyme or chives. Heat through.
- Ladle into bowls and top with fresh chives and crispy bacon, or your preferred toppings.
Notes
If your potatoes get a bit overcooked, you can recover the texture by adding extra stock while blending. Use full-fat canned unsweetened coconut milk for the best creamy texture — the label should read coconut, water, and a stabilizer like guar gum. Give the can a good stir when opened if it has separated.
Nutritional information is based on a 1-cup serving. If the soup is the main course, a 2-cup serving may be more appropriate.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 cup — Calories: 210 kcal; Carbohydrates: 24 g; Protein: 7 g; Fat: 10 g; Saturated Fat: 8 g; Sodium: 617 mg; Fiber: 4 g. (Values are approximate.)
More 30-minute soups to try:
No Bean 30 Minute Chili
30 Minute Dairy Free Tomato Basil Soup
Healthy 30 Minute Hamburger Soup
The Best No Bean Turkey Chili
30 Minute Lemon Chicken Soup