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    Home » Soups and Salads

    Vegan Baked Potato Soup Recipe

    January 21, 2018 By Melissa Huggins / 81 Comments

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    This Vegan Baked Potato Soup is creamy, cheesy, smoky & fully loaded with veganized classic toppings. It's pure comfort in a bowl!

    Overhead photo of two bowls with vegan baked potato soup in them

    If you're a potato lover like me, you must make this Vegan Baked Potato Soup Recipe! It has all the flavors of a fully-loaded baked potato, except it's in soup form. What could be better?

    I must confess though, I didn't bake the potatoes for this recipe. I did try it, and it tasted delicious, but I found it to be more time consuming than anything. Cooking the potatoes in the pot yielded similar results, so I went with the easier and quicker route.

    The method is similar to my Vegan Potato Leek Soup recipe, it just has different flavoring and toppings. It takes about 25-30 minutes on the stove too, so it's perfect for weeknight meals.

    Photo of recipe ingredients on a striped dish towel

    INGREDIENTS FOR VEGAN BAKED POTATO SOUP

    A typical non-vegan baked potato soup recipe is cooked with bacon, bacon grease, butter, cream cheese, and heavy cream. Holy heart attack! This makes it over-the-top rich, super thick and definitely unhealthy. The ingredients provide a smoky, cheesy and creamy soup, but these flavors and textures can be created in a healthier way.

    Take a look

    For the cream base, I used unsweetened soy milk and raw cashews. When blended together, it creates a super creamy and slightly thickened consistency. That's all the soup needs since the potatoes become thick and creamy when blended.

    I prefer soy milk for this soup, but you can use any non-dairy variety. Also, If you can't have cashews, you can substitute the soy and cashew mixture with full-fat coconut milk instead.

    For the smoky bacon flavor, I added a small amount of liquid smoke and smoked paprika. The flavor is very subtle and won't overpower the soup. If you're not a fan of liquid smoke, you can omit it altogether. You can always add ¼ teaspoon more of the smoked paprika.

    To give the soup base a cheesy and umami boost, I added a few tablespoons of nutritional yeast (a.k.a nooch). It also adds a nice golden color to your delicious soup. For the cheesy tang, just squeeze some lemon juice in at the end.

    I think russet potatoes have the best consistency for this recipe. Some potatoes can become slightly gummy when blended and that isn't fun.

    Side view of two bowls with vegan baked potato soup in them.

    HOW TO MAKE VEGAN BAKED POTATO SOUP

    To start, you'll have to soak the cashews in water for 2-4 hours. Alternatively, you can soak the cashews in very hot water. Boil water in a small pot. Remove from heat, add cashews, and cover for 15-20 minutes until they're softened.

    Now blend the soy milk & cashews (discard soaking water) together until very smooth and creamy. Set aside.

    In a large pot, heat oil & butter over medium heat. Sprinkle with salt. Now add onion and sauté until translucent, about 3-5 minutes. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes. Now add potatoes, smoked paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper. Sauté for 2-3 minutes.

    Pour in the vegetable broth to cover potatoes and add bay leaf. Stir in nutritional yeast and *optional liquid smoke. Raise heat so it starts to boil. Now reduce heat to a medium simmer. Cook for about 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender.

    Remove from heat and stir in cashew cream. Taste for seasoning and add more if needed. Stir in lemon juice if desired (*1 tablespoon at a time). Using an immersion blender (or regular blender), blend until creamy and smooth. You can leave a little texture if desired.

    Close up photo of one bowl of vegan baked potato soup.

    TOPPING IDEAS

    Load it up with your favorite toppings! I added vegan bacon, chives, vegan cheddar cheese shreds, and vegan sour cream. Fresh green onion adds a nice flavor too.

     Alright potato lovers, let's do this! 

    I’d love to hear from you

    If you make this Vegan Baked Potato Soup Recipe, I’d love to hear what you think in the comment section below. It would really make my day. You can also follow me on Instagram and share your creation with me. Just tag me @veganhuggs and hashtag #veganhuggs so I don’t miss it.

    Recipe

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    5 from 40 votes

    Vegan Baked Potato Soup

    This Vegan Baked Potato Soup is creamy, cheesy, smoky & fully loaded with veganized classic toppings. It's pure comfort in a bowl!
    Prep Time15 minutes mins
    Cook Time25 minutes mins
    Total Time40 minutes mins
    Course: Soup
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 5 people
    Calories: 305kcal
    Author: Melissa Huggins

    Ingredients

    Cream Base (see note for alternative)

    • ¾ cup soy milk , unsweetened (or any non-dairy milk)
    • ½ cup raw cashews

    Soup

    • 1 tablespoon vegan butter
    • 1 tablespoon grapeseed oil , or preferred oil
    • 1 small yellow onion , diced
    • 4 cloves garlic , minced
    • 5 medium russet potatoes , peeled & cut into ½" chunks (about 2 lbs)
    • ¾ teaspoon smoked paprika
    • 1 teaspoon thyme
    • 1 teaspoon sea salt , more to taste
    • Fresh cracked pepper to taste
    • 5 cups vegetable broth , reduced sodium
    • 1 Bay leaf
    • 1-2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
    • ½ teaspoon liquid smoke *optional
    • 1 tablespoon lemon juice *optional

    Toppings

    • Vegan bacon
    • Chives
    • Vegan sour cream
    • Vegan cheddar cheese shreds

    Recommended Equipment

    • Large Pot
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    Cream Base

    • If you don't have a high-powered blender (like a Vitamix), you will need to soften the cashews first. To soften, boil water in a small pot and remove from heat. Add cashews and cover for 20 minutes.
    • Now drain, rinse and discard soaking water. Place the cashews in a blender along with the ¾ cup soy milk. Blend on high until very smooth. Set aside.

    Soup

    • In a large pot, heat oil and butter over medium heat. Now add onion and sauté until translucent, about 2-4 minutes.
    • Add minced garlic and sauté for 30-60 seconds until fragrant.
    • Add potatoes, smoked paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper. Sauté for 2-3 minutes. 
    • Pour in the vegetable broth and add bay leaf. Stir in nutritional yeast and *optional liquid smoke. Raise heat so it starts to boil, then reduce heat to a medium simmer. Cook for about 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork tender.
    • Remove the pot from heat and discard the bay leaf. Now stir in cashew cream. Using an immersion blender (or regular blender), blend until creamy and smooth. Taste for seasoning and add more if needed. Stir in lemon juice if desired.
    • Top with sour cream, chives, vegan cheddar shreds and vegan bacon bits. Enjoy!

    Notes

    1. Cashew Cream - You can replace the cashew cream (soy milk and cashews) with 1 cup of full-fat canned coconut milk.
    2. If you're using the rice paper bacon, top it on the soup last. If it sits too long in the soup, it won't be as crispy.
    3. Yields about 7 ½ cups of soup.
    4. Nutritional info doesn't include toppings. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1bowl | Calories: 305kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 583mg | Potassium: 961mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 350IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 85mg | Iron: 3.1mg
    Tried this recipe?Follow me @veganhuggs and mention #veganhuggs!

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    Comments

      5 from 40 votes (11 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Kaz

      March 14, 2025 at 3:30 am

      As someone who can't have cashews or coconut... am I doomed to be soup-less ?! Any other suggestions please as this looks amazing !
      Thanks in advance

      Reply
      • Melissa Huggins

        April 16, 2025 at 12:32 pm

        Hi Kaz, You can use any type of thick-ish non-dairy milk or creamer (unsweetened). Califia is a great brand to try. 🙂

        Reply
    2. Alexa

      January 12, 2025 at 10:12 am

      5 stars
      Made it with canned coconut milk. This recipe was insanely good. Top notch flavor balance and so creamy and filling.

      Reply
      • Melissa Huggins

        April 16, 2025 at 2:08 pm

        I'm so happy you loved it, Alexa! Thank you for taking time to share feedback. 🙂

        Reply
    3. Kristen

      October 10, 2024 at 11:45 am

      5 stars
      I've made a few baked potato soup recipes, but this was the best I've had. I didn't have bay leaves, and I used vegan chicken bouillon instead of vegetable. This is a great meal for last minute dinners and cozy leftovers. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Melissa Huggins

        December 19, 2024 at 12:24 pm

        Hi Kristen, This is such a nice compliment! Sound perfect with the vegan chicken bouillon. Thank you for sharing feedback. 🙂

        Reply
    4. Heather

      January 24, 2024 at 9:46 am

      5 stars
      This is me and my family's favorite potato soup yet! So easy to make, and so delicioius! I made this in my glazed dutch oven, and didn't want to chance the immersion blender in there, so just mashed up some of the potato chunks with my spoon. I also only added a bit of coconut milk, because it was already so creamy and luscious from the potatoes - so good, so easy. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Melissa Huggins

        June 01, 2024 at 2:48 pm

        Hi Heather, I'm so happy everyone loves the soup. Thank you for sharing wonderful feedback. 🙂

        Reply
    5. Patti

      November 04, 2023 at 5:56 pm

      5 stars
      This is our favorite fall and winter comfort food! We leave the potatoes in chunks but it is still creamy. It’s so good. It’s a little time consuming, but well worth the effort. I promise!

      Reply
      • Melissa Huggins

        November 09, 2023 at 1:27 pm

        Hi Patti, I's so happy it's a family favorite. Thank you for giving it a try and sharing your feedback 🙂

        Reply
    6. Angela

      March 01, 2023 at 3:55 pm

      5 stars
      This is awesome, I have made it several times. I have only used coconut milk and it comes out great every time.

      Reply
      • Melissa Huggins

        March 03, 2023 at 8:12 am

        Great to hear Angela! Cheers to more recipes. 🙂

        Reply
      • Brittany

        September 10, 2023 at 1:54 pm

        5 stars
        This is deeeelcious! We made a batch in preparation for some cooler weather. Such an easy, healthy, flavorful baked potato soup! Thank you 🙏🏼 (ps I actually make TVP bacon bits and used those to top instead)

        Reply
        • Melissa Huggins

          October 10, 2023 at 12:03 pm

          Hi Britany, I'm so happy you loved the recipe. Sounds perfect with the TVP bacon bits. Thanks you for trying it and sharing your feedback. 🙂

    7. Monique

      September 07, 2022 at 9:25 am

      5 stars
      DELICIOUS - MORE DELICIOUS - MOST DELICIOUS 👌👌👌👌👌
      @vegan hugss

      Reply
      • Melissa Huggins

        September 09, 2022 at 11:10 am

        Thanks a lot, Monique!

        Reply
    8. Courtney R

      April 21, 2022 at 4:08 pm

      Made this recipe again (apparently I made it last year but I don’t remember!) and I can hear my hubby in the other room just “Mmmmmm! Mmmmm! I’m gonna have another bowl!”. We loved it, again!

      Reply
      • Melissa Huggins

        April 26, 2022 at 4:13 am

        LOL, that is exactly the reaction we want! Thanks for trying the recipe Courtney. 🙂

        Reply
      • Catharine A Foley

        December 24, 2023 at 5:36 am

        5 stars
        I make this soup every Christmas Eve for the family. This is the 4th year now and it's beco.e a family tradition.
        Thank you for the lively recipe

        Reply
        • Melissa Huggins

          December 29, 2023 at 9:46 am

          Hi Catharine, I'm so happy this soup is part of your Christmas Eve tradition. Thank you for sharing your wonderful feedback. Merry Christmas! 🙂

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