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Instant Pot Loaded Potato Soup is hearty, flavorful and perfect for chilly days or as a comforting meal. This recipe is easy to prepare in the Instant Pot, making it a quick and convenient meal for busy weeknights.

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Check out my Instant Pot Chicken Barley Soup and Instant Pot Sausage And Spinach Soup for more Instant Pot soup recipes.
Instant Pot loaded potato soup is a popular and tasty soup that is easy to make using an Instant Pot. The potatoes are cooked until tender in the Instant Pot, which helps to speed up the cooking process and infuse the flavors of the other ingredients.
This soup is a perfect meal for cold days or as a comforting dish anytime.

Why You'll Love This Recipe
- It's easy to make. This recipe is simple and straightforward to follow, and the Instant Pot makes the cooking process quick and hassle-free.
- It's hearty and comforting. Loaded with chunks of tender potatoes and warm spices, this soup is a comforting and satisfying meal that is perfect for cold or rainy days.
- It's versatile. This soup makes a great lunch or dinner, and it can also be served as a side dish or appetizer.
- It's delicious. With the combination of butter, onion, garlic, and various seasonings, this soup is packed with flavor. Plus, the addition of toppings like bacon, cheese, and green onions takes it to the next level.
Ingredients You'll Need

- Butter: Adds richness and flavor.
- Onion: Provides a savory and slightly sweet flavor, and adds texture.
- Garlic: Helps to enhance the overall taste of the soup.
- Russet Potatoes: The star ingredient of the soup, they provide a hearty and filling base.
- Dried Thyme: Adds an earthy, slightly sweet flavor.
- Nutmeg: Provides a warm and slightly sweet flavor that complements the other ingredients.
- Chicken Broth: Adds richness and depth of flavor to the soup, and helps to keep the potatoes moist while cooking.
- Salt & Ground Black Pepper: Used to season and enhance the flavor of the soup.
- Milk: Adds a creamy and rich texture.
- Cornstarch: Helps to thicken the soup and create a smooth and velvety texture.
- Sour Cream: Adds a tangy and slightly tart flavor to the soup, and helps to balance out the richness of the other ingredients.
Step-By-Step Instructions

Step 1:
Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode and add the butter. Once the butter has melted, add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté for 2-3 minutes, until the onion is translucent.
Step 2:
Add the diced potatoes, dried thyme, and nutmeg to the Instant Pot. Stir to combine.
Step 3:
Pour in the chicken broth, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine.
Step 4:
Close the Instant Pot lid and set it to high pressure for 10 minutes. Once the cooking time is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes before manually releasing the remaining pressure.
Step 5:
In a small bowl, whisk together the milk and cornstarch until smooth.
Step 6:
Stir the milk mixture into the soup in the Instant Pot. Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode again and stir until the soup has thickened.
Step 7:
Stir in the sour cream until well combined. Serve the soup hot, topped with your favorite loaded potato toppings like bacon bits, cheese, and green onions.
NOTE: You can print the FULL recipe with all ingredients & detailed instructions below!

Expert Tips
- Use the right potatoes. Russet potatoes are the best choice for this recipe as they have a high starch content, which helps to create a creamy and smooth texture.
- Cut the potatoes evenly. Cutting the potatoes into even-sized chunks will ensure that they cook evenly and prevent some pieces from becoming overcooked or undercooked.
- Sauté the onions and garlic first. Sautéing the onions and garlic in butter before adding the other ingredients will help to bring out their flavors and create a savory base for the soup.
- Adjust the consistency of the soup. If you prefer a thicker soup, you can add more cornstarch or less milk. If you prefer a thinner soup, you can add more chicken broth or milk.
- Let the soup sit for a few minutes. Once the soup is done cooking, allow it to sit for a few minutes before serving. This will help the flavors to meld together and create a more cohesive taste.
Variations
- Vegetarian: Substitute vegetable broth for chicken broth and skip the bacon toppings.
- Gluten-free: Use a gluten-free chicken broth and substitute cornstarch with a gluten-free thickening agent, such as tapioca starch or potato starch.
- Spicy: Add chopped jalapeños, red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to the soup for an extra kick.
- Cheesy: Add shredded cheddar cheese to the soup, either mixed in or as a topping.
- Creamy: Use heavy cream instead of milk for an extra creamy and indulgent soup.
- Ham and Potato: Add diced ham to the soup for a hearty and flavorful twist.
Storing & Freezing
Storing: Let the soup cool down to room temperature, then transfer to an airtight container. Store the container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freezing: Let the soup cool down to room temperature. Transfer the soup to an airtight container or freezer-safe bag. Store the container or bag in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Recipe FAQ's
Yes, you can make this soup on the stovetop. Simply follow the same recipe instructions but cook the soup in a large pot on medium heat until the potatoes are tender.
Yes, you can skip the sour cream altogether or use a non-dairy alternative, such as coconut cream or vegan sour cream.
You can use cornstarch or flour as a thickening agent. Mix the cornstarch or flour with a little bit of cold water until it forms a paste, then add it to the soup and stir until it thickens.
Yes, you can use water instead of chicken broth, but using chicken broth will give the soup a richer flavor.
More Soup Recipes You'll Love
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You can also find my FREE Instant Pot cheat sheets here.

Instant Pot Loaded Potato Soup
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon butter
- ½ medium onion chopped
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 2 pounds russet potatoes peeled and chopped into ½" cubes
- 3 sprigs dried thyme remove leaves from stem
- ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
- 28 ounces chicken broth
- 2 teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup 1% milk
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- ½ cup sour cream
Instructions
- Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode and add the butter. Once the butter has melted, add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté for 2-3 minutes, until the onion is translucent.
- Add the diced potatoes, dried thyme, and nutmeg to the Instant Pot. Stir to combine.
- Pour in the chicken broth, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine.
- Close the Instant Pot lid and set it to high pressure for 10 minutes. Once the cooking time is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes before manually releasing the remaining pressure.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the milk and cornstarch until smooth.
- Stir the milk mixture into the soup in the Instant Pot. Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode again and stir until the soup has thickened.
- Stir in the sour cream until well combined. Serve the soup hot, topped with your favorite loaded potato toppings like bacon bits, cheese, and green onions.
Notes
- Use the right potatoes. Russet potatoes are the best choice for this recipe as they have a high starch content, which helps to create a creamy and smooth texture.
- Cut the potatoes evenly. Cutting the potatoes into even-sized chunks will ensure that they cook evenly and prevent some pieces from becoming overcooked or undercooked.
- Sauté the onions and garlic first. Sautéing the onions and garlic in butter before adding the other ingredients will help to bring out their flavors and create a savory base for the soup.
- Adjust the consistency of the soup. If you prefer a thicker soup, you can add more cornstarch or less milk. If you prefer a thinner soup, you can add more chicken broth or milk.
- Let the soup sit for a few minutes. Once the soup is done cooking, allow it to sit for a few minutes before serving. This will help the flavors to meld together and create a more cohesive taste.
- Storing: Let the soup cool down to room temperature, then transfer to an airtight container. Store the container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freezing: Let the soup cool down to room temperature. Transfer the soup to an airtight container or freezer-safe bag. Store the container or bag in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.

Jessica
This looks amazing! I can’t wait to try it!!
Debi
The IP makes things so much easier. I don't know why I don't use it more, but this soup was perfect for dinner this week. Thanks for sharing it!
Candice
I just love how easy all your recipes are, Erika! This one is no different... easy to make, easy ingredients, and packed with flavor... yum! Will be making this again.
Ramona
I really love the idea of this soup, what could I use instead of canned soup as I really don't like that - this looks really delicious and it makes me so hungry now.
simplylowcal
Thanks, Ramona. You could mix cream cheese and milk together, with a little chicken bouillon paste to replace the cream of chicken soup.
Laura
Amazing!!
Jess
My all-time favorite soup for those cold winter months!
Chris Collins
Now this is my kinda soup! Love that it's made in the IP too!
Katherine
This soup looks so creamy and tasty!
Marie-Charlotte Chatelain
Oh wow this sounds like the best way to warm up on a cold day
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry
I love soup at this time of the year and this one is divine. I will definitely be making this time and time again - delicious!