Soup season, but make it spicy. This jalapeño popper soup is creamy, dreamy, and totally weeknightable. We skip pork, add turkey bacon (or smoked paprika), and let potatoes do the thickening. Cream cheese + cheddar = the gloss you want. Control the heat: seed the peppers or leave a few seeds in your bowl – your choice. Pile on tortilla crunch, scallions, and a squeeze of lime, then flex that Homemade Soup energy. It’s giving Easy Soup Recipes meets Health Dinner Recipes (because you control the dairy and add-ins). Grab a spoon, it’s a vibe.
Time Breakdown
- Prep: 15 min
- Cook: 30 min
- Total: 45 min
- Servings: 6
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 6 slices turkey bacon, chopped or 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 onion, diced
- 3–5 jalapeños, minced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 cups (450 g) diced potatoes
- 4 cups (960 ml) broth (chicken/veg)
- 1 tsp cumin, ½ tsp salt, ½ tsp pepper
- 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, cubed, softened
- 1 cup (120 g) sharp cheddar, shredded
- ½ cup (120 ml) milk or half-and-half
- ½ lime, juiced
- Toppers: scallions, cilantro, tortilla chips, jalapeño slices, extra cheddar
Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.
- Dutch oven
- Knife & board
- Measuring tools
- Ladle & bowls
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Crisp: Cook turkey bacon in oil; remove. (Using smoked paprika? Add later.)
- Sauté: Onion + jalapeños 3–4 min; add garlic 30 sec.
- Simmer: Potatoes, broth, spices → 12–15 min till tender.
- Cheesy glow-up: Off heat, melt in cream cheese; low heat, add cheddar + milk. Don’t boil.
- Finish: Lime, taste, toppings, turkey bacon back in. Serve hot.
Pro Tips
- Thicker: Mash a few potatoes right in the pot.
- Protein boost: Stir in shredded rotisserie chicken.
- GF-friendly: Naturally gluten-free, just check broth and chips.
- Spice play: Add chipotle powder for smoky heat.
Nutrition
| Serving Size | Calories | Protein | Carbs | Fat | Fiber | Sugar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 bowl | ~355 | ~16 g | ~29 g | ~19 g | ~3 g | ~5 g |