High-Protein Cream of Potato Soup is a creamy potato soup built around white beans and Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream. This one rotates through my kitchen regularly, especially when the weather turns cold. The potatoes break down as it simmers, thickening the base naturally, and the garlic and rosemary bloom into something warm and savory. It works well for weeknight dinners, meal prep lunches, or any time you want something filling that comes together in one pot.
Why This Recipe Works
Potatoes naturally thicken the soup as they cook, while blended white beans add extra body and protein. Greek yogurt brings a light tang and creaminess without making the soup heavy. The result is a creamy bowl that reheats well and stays satisfying for simple dinners or meal prep.
What Goes In
- russet potatoes, about 2 pounds — high starch for body
- canned cannellini or great northern beans, 1 can (15 oz) — low sodium preferred
- plain Greek yogurt, 1 cup — whole-milk gives best texture
- onion, 1 medium — yellow or sweet
- garlic, 3 cloves — fresh, minced
- low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth, 4 cups — controls final saltiness
- olive oil, 2 tablespoons — mild, not extra-bitter
- fresh rosemary, 1 sprig — leaves only, finely chopped
- smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon — optional for depth
- cooked shredded chicken or turkey, 1 cup — optional for extra protein
- lemon juice, 1 tablespoon — brightens final soup
- kosher salt and black pepper — to taste
How the Dish Comes Together
- Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat until it shimmers.
- Add the chopped onion and cook 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until soft and lightly golden at the edges.
- Stir in the garlic and rosemary and cook 30 seconds more, the smell will turn warm and herbaceous.
- Add the diced potatoes and toast them for 2 minutes with the aromatics, edges will pick up slight color.
- Pour in the broth, bring to a boil, then lower to a simmer and cook 12–15 minutes, until potatoes are easily pierced with a fork. The liquid will smell like concentrated potato and herbs.
- Drain and rinse the beans, then add half of them to the pot and mash with a potato masher until the soup thickens and small bean pieces remain. You will see the soup become noticeably creamier.
- Transfer half the hot soup to a blender with the remaining beans and blend until smooth, or use an immersion blender for a few pulses; the texture should be silky but not gluey.
- Return the blended portion to the pot, stir to combine and warm through for 2 minutes, the surface will look glossy and cohesive.
- Remove from heat and stir in the Greek yogurt and lemon juice, whisk quickly until smooth, the yogurt will add a gentle tang.
- Fold in the shredded chicken if using, and season with salt and pepper, tasting to adjust seasoning. The final soup should be creamy with intermittent bean and potato bits.
Nutritional Snapshot
- Serving size: about 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 360 per serving (estimate)
- Protein: 28 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fat: 12 g
- Fiber: 7 g
Values are estimates. Results may vary depending on specific ingredients and portions used.
Serving Ideas
- Ladle over a scoop of cooked quinoa and top with chopped parsley to turn it into a grain bowl.
- Finish each bowl with a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil and a sprinkle of smoked paprika for a subtle smoky note.
- Toast thick slices of whole grain bread and serve alongside for dunking, the crust adds contrast.
- Stir in a handful of wilted baby spinach right before serving for color and extra greens.
- If you enjoy bean-based soups, try my creamy butter bean soup for a similar high-protein option with a softer bean texture.
Storage and Reheat
- Fridge: Cool to room temperature, store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: It freezes acceptably for up to 3 months, but texture lightens after thawing because the yogurt separates a little.
- Reheating: Warm gently on the stove over low heat, stirring often; add a splash of broth if it thickens too much.
- Note: Flavors round out after a day, the soup tastes less sharp and more integrated after resting.
What to Do With Leftovers
- Spoon over rice or farro for a fast next-day lunch with contrasting grains.
- Use as a filling for an open-faced hot sandwich with arugula and sliced tomato.
- Stir into cooked pasta with a splash of pasta water for a quick, creamy weeknight meal.
Before You Start
- Use russet or another high-starch potato, waxy types give a thinner, less satisfying body.
- Reserve some beans whole and mash the rest, full blending makes a gummy texture.
- Add yogurt off heat and temper it with a few spoonfuls of hot soup first, to prevent curdling.
High-Protein Cream of Potato Soup
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Healthy
Description
A creamy potato soup made with white beans and Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream, perfect for cold weather and meal prep.
Ingredients
- Russet potatoes, about 2 pounds
- Canned cannellini or great northern beans, 1 can (15 oz)
- Plain Greek yogurt, 1 cup
- Onion, 1 medium
- Garlic, 3 cloves, minced
- Low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth, 4 cups
- Olive oil, 2 tablespoons
- Fresh rosemary, 1 sprig, finely chopped
- Smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon (optional)
- Cooked shredded chicken or turkey, 1 cup (optional)
- Lemon juice, 1 tablespoon
- Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat until it shimmers.
- Add the chopped onion and cook 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until soft and lightly golden at the edges.
- Stir in the garlic and rosemary and cook 30 seconds more.
- Add the diced potatoes and toast them for 2 minutes.
- Pour in the broth, bring to a boil, lower to a simmer and cook 12–15 minutes.
- Drain and rinse the beans, then add half of them to the pot and mash.
- Transfer half the hot soup to a blender with the remaining beans and blend until smooth.
- Return the blended portion to the pot, stir to combine and warm through for 2 minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in Greek yogurt and lemon juice.
- Fold in the shredded chicken if using, and season with salt and pepper.
Notes
For best texture, use whole-milk Greek yogurt and avoid waxy potatoes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 30mg