Healthy Potato Soup (With Bone Broth and Turkey Sausage)
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If you're craving a cozy bowl of comfort food that's nourishing as well as delicious, this healthy potato soup is the perfect recipe. Made with bone broth, lean turkey sausage, and plenty of vegetables, it's a hearty meal that's lighter than traditional versions but still rich in flavor. This soup utilizes our homemade bone broth for the most flavorful and nutrient-dense soup base. Be sure to check it out!
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Potato soup is something we can all get behind when the weather turns cold. It's warm, comforting, and it makes us feel like everything is going to be ok (that's not just me, right?).
I'm all for a bowl filled with potatoes, bacon, and cheddar cheese, accompanied by a side of crusty bread, but sometimes we need something a little more balanced. So, I came up with this recipe for healthy potato soup with bone broth and turkey sausage to curb everyone's craving for the traditional soup while nourishing us from the inside out.
Why You'll Love This Healthy Potato Soup
- Comforting but light - This healthy potato soup has all the creamy, hearty goodness you want from potato soup, but with lighter, nutrient-dense ingredients that won't leave you feeling weighed down.
- Packed with protein - Turkey sausage adds satisfying flavor and a protein boost, making this soup a full, balanced meal on its own.
- Gut-friendly nourishment - Bone broth brings depth of flavor and extra minerals, plus it's known for supporting digestion and overall wellness with no additional steps! You can swap regular chicken broth with bone broth, and no one will know the difference (although I think it makes everything taste better).
- Easy and versatile - Made with simple ingredients you probably already have on hand, this recipe is also easy to adapt with your favorite vegetables or spices.
- Family-friendly - Mild flavors and creamy texture make this a hit for kids and adults alike.
- Freezer-friendly- Just omit the half-and-half until you're ready to serve.
Key Ingredients in This Healthy Potato Soup
- Onions - The foundation of flavor in almost any soup, onions add natural sweetness as they cook. They're also rich in antioxidants and compounds that may help support heart health.
- Roasted Garlic - Roasting garlic brings out a mellow, slightly sweet flavor while still offering immune-boosting compounds and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Carrots - Naturally sweet and colorful, carrots provide beta-carotene (a powerful antioxidant that converts to vitamin A) along with fiber for digestive health.
- Fresh Thyme - This aromatic herb adds earthy flavor and freshness to the soup. Thyme is also known for its antimicrobial and immune-supportive qualities.
- Potatoes - The star ingredient in healthy potato soup! Potatoes make the soup creamy and comforting, without the need for heavy cream. They're a great source of potassium, vitamin C, and fiber-especially if you leave some of the skin on.
- Turkey Sausage - Leaner than pork sausage but still full of savory flavor, turkey sausage gives the soup satisfying protein while keeping it lighter.
- Bone Broth - More than just liquid for simmering, bone broth adds collagen, minerals, and gut-friendly nutrients that elevate the health factor of this soup. I highly recommend that you make your own homemade bone broth or buy good-quality bone broth, likeKettle & Fire.
Tools you May Need
Tips & Variations
- Make it vegetarian - Swap the turkey sausage for hearty beans (like white beans or chickpeas) for protein. Use vegetable broth instead of bone broth to keep it meat-free.
- Go dairy-free - This soup is naturally creamy thanks to the potatoes, so you don't need cream. For an extra rich flavor, stir in a splash of unsweetened almond milk or coconut milk.
- Boost the veggies - Add spinach, kale, or zucchini at the end of cooking for extra greens and nutrients without changing the flavor too much.
- Spice it up - For a little kick, stir in red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, or a pinch of cayenne.
- Change the protein - Not a turkey sausage fan? Try chicken sausage, ground turkey, or even shredded rotisserie chicken for a delicious alternative.
- Texture preference - For a rustic feel, leave the soup chunky. For a creamier soup, blend a portion and stir it back in to thicken naturally.
How to make Healthy Potato Soup
Step 1: Add one tablespoon of olive oil to a Dutch oven. Brown the turkey sausage in the Dutch oven and break it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks until it is no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside.
Step 2: Add the remaining one tablespoon of olive oil to the Dutch oven and add the onion and carrots. Sauté until the vegetables are fork-tender, about five minutes. If you want to sub minced garlic for the roasted garlic, add it now and saute until fragrant, about 1 minute. If using roasted garlic, squeeze the roasted garlic cloves into the vegetable mixture and stir to combine.
Step 3: Add the bone broth, potatoes, and thyme to the pot, cover with a lid, and bring to a low simmer. Cook until the potatoes are tender, about 30 minutes.
Step 4: When the vegetables are cooked through, remove the thyme and use an immersion blender to blend the veggies until the soup is smooth and thick. You can also ladle the soup into a standard blender, mash with a potato masher, or omit this step for a more rustic soup.
Step 5: Return the sausage to the pot, add half-and-half or coconut milk, and simmer for another 5-10 minutes. Top each bowl of soup with Parmesan cheese.
Storage & Reheating
- In the fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. The flavors get even better as it sits!
- In the freezer: This soup freezes well for up to 3 months. Let it cool completely, then portion into freezer-safe containers or bags. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Reheating: Warm over medium heat on the stove, stirring occasionally. If the soup has thickened, add a splash of broth or water to thin it out. You can also reheat individual bowls in the microwave in 1- 2 minute intervals, stirring between each interval.
Serving Suggestions
- With crusty bread: A warm slice of our Easy Sourdough Bread with Mozzarella and Sun-Dried Tomatoes, or our Soft Honey Sourdough with Milk, is perfect for dipping into the creamy broth.
- With a green salad and light vinegrette
- Add toppings: Fresh parsley, thyme leaves, a sprinkle of shredded cheese, or a dollop of plain Greek yogurt all make great finishing touches.
- Pair it up: Serve with a crisp side salad for a balanced meal, or keep it cozy with roasted vegetables on the side.
- Kid-friendly option: Add a sprinkle of shredded cheddar or parmesan on top - the cheesy finish makes it extra appealing for little ones.
FAQs About Healthy Potato Soup
Can I freeze potato soup?
Yes! This healthy potato soup freezes beautifully in freezer-safe containers or bags. Store for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and warm gently on the stovetop with a splash of broth or water if the dish has thickened.
What's the best potato to use for soup?
I used russet potatoes for this recipe, but Yukon golds are a great choice because they are naturally creamy and buttery. Red potatoes hold their shape better if you want a chunkier soup.
Why is potato soup healthy?
This version of potato soup is more than just comfort food - it's nourishing too. Potatoes provide potassium, vitamin C, and fiber, which help support healthy blood pressure and digestion. The addition of bone broth provides gut-friendly collagen and minerals, while turkey sausage offers lean protein to help balance blood sugar and keep you fuller for longer. Combined with carrots, garlic, onions, and thyme, each bowl is loaded with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that support overall wellness.
Healthy Potato Soup (with Bone Broth and Turkey Sausage)
Equipment
- 1 Immersion blender
- 1 Dutch oven
- 1 wooden spoon
Ingredients
- 2 tbs olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 bulb garlic, roasted (see note 1) or 3-4 cloves of garlic, minced and sauteed
- 2 large carrots, diced
- 1 ½ pounds yukon gold or russet potatoes, diced
- 1 pound turkey sausage
- 4-5 cups bone broth (see note 2)
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme
- ½ cup half and half or canned coconut milk
- parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- Add one tbs of olive oil to a Dutch oven. Brown the turkey sausage in the Dutch oven and break it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks until it is no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside.
- Add the remaining one tablespoon of olive oil to the Dutch oven and add the onion and carrots. Sauté until the vegetables are fork-tender, about five minutes. If you want to sub minced garlic for the roasted garlic, add it now and saute until fragrant, about 1 minute. If using roasted garlic, squeeze the roasted garlic cloves into the vegetable mixture and stir to combine.
- Add the bone broth, potatoes, and thyme to the pot, cover with a lid, and bring to a low simmer. Cook until the potatoes are tender, about 30 minutes.
- When the vegetables are cooked through, remove the thyme and use an immersion blender to blend the veggies until the soup is smooth and thick. You can also ladle the soup into a standard blender, mash with a potato masher, or omit this step for a more rustic soup.
- Return the sausage to the pot, add half-and-half or coconut milk, and simmer for another 5-10 minutes. Top each bowl of soup with Parmesan cheese.
- Enjoy!
Notes
- To roast garlic, cut the top off of a bulb of garlic so the tops of the bulbs are exposed, but the paper still holds them together. Wrap in foil or place in a small oven-safe dish, then drizzle with two teaspoons of olive oil and bake at 425°F for 45 minutes. When the garlic cools, you will be able to squeeze the soft, roasted garlic bulbs into the soup easily.
- Check out our recipe for homemade bone broth for the most flavorful and nutrient-dense base for your healthy potato soup.
You're going to Love this Healthy Potato soup!
This healthy potato soup is proof that comfort food doesn't have to be heavy, and healthy doesn't have to be boring. With the richness of bone broth, lean protein from turkey sausage, and the natural creaminess of potatoes, it's a wholesome recipe your whole family will love. Give it a try, and don't forget to top your bowl with a sprinkle of cheese for that perfect finishing touch.
