Red Lobster Bacon Potato Soup Copycat Recipe

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Red Lobster’s potato bacon soup is the king of all soups. I fell in love with how mighty potatoes paired with bacon can turn into a feast. Therefore, right after trying it at Red Lobster, I found the recipe to recreate it at home.

How To Make Red Lobster Bacon Potato Soup At Home

I tried multiple variations of the available recipes until I found the one I am going to share today.

I figured out that Red Lobster prepares this soup using a unique blend of spices and seasonings to enhance the flavors. Finally, they top the soup with croutons, chopped bacon, or fresh herbs to make it look good and taste better.

So, wait no more and learn how to make Red Lobster’s bacon potato soup!

What's In The Post

Equipments Required

Stock Pot – You will need a stock pot to cook the soup.
Ladle – A ladle will help you stir the soup.
Knife – I recommend using a sharp knife to chop the veggies for the soup.

Red Lobster Bacon Potato Soup Ingredients & Substitutions

Note: The ingredients used in this recipe will help you prepare four servings of Red Lobster bacon potato soup. Therefore, you can adjust the quantities according to your requirements.

Half-Pound Potatoes: You can use any variety of potatoes to prepare this soup, such as russet. However, I recommend using Yukon Gold potatoes as they have a buttery flavor and hold their shape well when simmered in broth.
Half cup Thick Cut Bacon: Choose thick-cut bacon with a good balance of meat and fat.
2–3 Teaspoons Bacon Drippings: Reserve bacon drippings as they add a smoky flavor to the soup.
1 Cup Onions
1 Clove Minced Garlic
⅔ Cup All-Purpose Flour: You can also use wheat flour, almond flour, or cornstarch in its place. However, the soup’s flavor will slightly differ.
1 Cup Chicken Broth: Chicken broth is easy to make at home, so this recipe uses it. However, you must use seafood broth if you have access to it, as that’s what the restaurant uses.
2 Cups Half and Half: If you don’t have half and half, use heavy or light cream instead.
1 Diced Celery Stalk
¼ Cup Chopped Fresh Parsley
1½ Teaspoons Dried Basil
1 Teaspoon Salt
1 Teaspoon Coarsely Ground Pepper
Shredded Cheddar Cheese for garnish

Preparation And Cooking Time

Preparation Time	Cooking Time	Total Time
10 Minutes	25 Minutes	35 Minutes

How To Make Red Lobster Bacon Potato Soup At Home

Step 1

Add shredded bacon to a stock pot.

Step 2

Then add chopped onions to the pot.

Step 3

Sauté the onion until they turn translucent. Then add chopped celery and parsley.

Step 4

Follow up with flour and give the mixture a good stir.

Step 5

Allow the mixture to cook for 2 minutes, and then add chicken broth to the pot and bring the mixture to a boil.

Step 6

Now stir diced potatoes into the soup.

Step 7

Now add parsley to the soup along with half and half.

Step 8

Now season the soup with salt and pepper.

Step 9

Lastly, add bacon to the soup.

Red Lobster Copycat Bacon Potato Soup Recipe

Step 10

Voila! Your Red Lobster Bacon Potato Soup is ready.

Expert Tips That I Recommend

I usually add a bouquet of fresh herbs to enhance the soup’s flavor complexity while it simmers.
If you enjoy extra-creamy soup like me, add shredded cheddar cheese at the end so it melts into the soup.
Sometimes, I also like to add a rustic touch and fiber to my soup. That’s why I leave the potato skin on.
To intensify the bacon flavor, I stir in some reserved bacon drippings and use it as a topping.
If you enjoy a kick of spice in your soup, I recommend adding green chilies or jalapeños.

FAQs About Red Lobster Bacon Potato Soup

Why is your bacon potato soup runny?

You can end up with a runny potato soup for several reasons. First, you may have added more chicken stock than required. Second, you may not have added enough thickening agents like flour or cornstarch. Third, you may not have added the required amount of potatoes. Therefore, you must ensure that all the ingredients are added in appropriate proportions.

Is it essential to cook the bacon before adding it to the soup?

Yes, it is recommended that bacon be cooked before adding it to the soup. This imparts a rich flavor and turns crispy, which contrasts nicely with the creamy texture of the soup.

How do you thicken this bacon potato soup?

Bacon potato soup can be thickened easily using the right amount of roux. If it still looks runny, add a cornstarch slurry to thicken it. Alternatively, you can add some mashed potatoes to the soup or heavy cream to correct the consistency you like.

Why is your bacon potato soup not creamy?

One of the main reasons why your soup is not creamy can be due to the fact that you haven’t added enough cream. Additionally, you may have added less roux or potatoes. Therefore, you must ensure that all the ingredients are added in the right proportions. To fix the problem, you can puree half the soup using an immersion blender.

How can you fix your soup if it turns out to be too salty?

The easiest way to fix a salty soup is to add cream, milk, or sour cream. This reduces the saltiness of the soup and makes it more creamy. Likewise, you can add more stock or water to the soup to dilute the salty flavor. Another option is to add a small amount of acid, such as lemon juice or vinegar, which will help to cut the salty taste.

What do you do if the soup turns out too thick?

You can add more chicken broth or water as needed to make the consistency of your soup thinner.

Nutritional Information Per Serving

Red Lobster’s bacon potato soup is absolutely delicious. However, you must consume it in moderation as it has high sodium, especially if you have been asked to reduce your sodium intake.

Calories	510 kcal
Carbohydrates	39 g
Protein	7 g
Sodium	1700 mg
Fat	35 g
Dietary Fiber	4 g
Cholesterol	115 mg
Sugar	4 g

The best part about this recipe is that you can easily swap the ingredients to suit your dietary preferences.

Recipe Variations For Different Diets

Gluten-Free: If you follow a gluten-free diet, you can replace all-purpose flour with cornstarch to make this soup gluten-free.
Vegan-Friendly: Know someone following a vegan diet? Don’t worry; you can still use this recipe to make them into a delectable soup by replacing half-and-half with nondairy milk and Cheddar cheese with vegan cheese.
Keto-Friendly: Following a keto-friendly diet, you can replace potatoes in this recipe with cauliflower.
Vegetarian: To make this soup vegetarian-friendly, simply replace chicken stock with vegetable stock and remove bacon.

Storing And Reheating This Recipe

Storing

Refrigeration: Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 3 to 4 days. The best part about storing this soup is that its flavor improves the next day. You can also freeze this soup for a month. However, I don’t recommend doing so, as the texture of potatoes spoils upon de-freezing.
Kitchen Counte: This soup’s shelf life is not more than 3 hours if left on the kitchen counter, as it contains cream. Therefore, you must consume it within this time frame or store it in the refrigerator.

Reheating

Stovetop: To enjoy the soup again, you can reheat it on the stovetop at medium-high heat for about 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
Microwave: You can also reheat this soup in the microwave for convenience. Place it in a microwave-safe bowl and cover it with a lid. Heat the soup on medium-high heat, stirring once in between.

What To Serve With This Recipe

Mixed Green Salad: A fresh Salad with a tangy vinaigrette provides a refreshing contrast to the rich, creamy soup.
Garlic Bread: Soup paired with Garlic Bread is a no-brainer. Slice a French baguette and slather it with butter and garlic for the most delicious pairing.
Grilled Sandwich: For a complete meal, pair this soup with a simple Grilled Cheese or Grilled Chicken Sandwich.
Chicken Pot Pie: Chicken pot pie needs no introduction. We recommend trying Gordon Ramsay’s chicken pot pie, which pairs absolutely delicious with this soup.

Printable Version

More Red Lobster Recipes You Can Try

Red Lobster Chicken Copycat Pasta — Red Lobster Chicken Pasta

Red Lobster Wild Rice Pilaf Cooked — Red Lobster Chicken Pasta

Conclusion

It’s time for us to conclude this article and for you to show your culinary skills by making this recipe. So, treat yourself to Red Lobster’s bacon potato soup. Making this soup is simple if you follow the instructions carefully.

My only suggestion is to use the freshest ingredients for the best flavor. After trying the soup, do come back to share your feedback with us while we experiment with more recipes for you.