This is the real mountain-style potato soup—simple, humble, filling, and made from pantry basics. No fancy ingredients. Just comfort, warmth, and tradition passed down through Appalachian kitchens.

🧺 Ingredients (Serves 4–6)

• 2 lb (900 g) potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 4–5 cups water (or light broth)
• 1 cup milk (or evaporated milk for richer soup)
• 2 tbsp butter
• ½–1 tsp salt, to taste
• ½ tsp black pepper

Optional (Very Traditional Add-Ins)

• Cooked bacon grease (1 tbsp, instead of butter)
• Crumbled bacon
• Green onions
• Cornbread on the side

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Cook the Potatoes

1. Add diced potatoes and onion to a pot.
2. Pour in water just to cover.
3. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer.
4. Cook 15–20 minutes until potatoes are very tender.

Step 2: Mash for Thickness

1. Using a spoon or potato masher, mash some of the potatoes right in the pot.
2. Leave plenty of chunks—this soup is rustic, not smooth.

Step 3: Add Milk & Fat

1. Stir in milk.
2. Add butter or bacon grease.
3. Season with salt and black pepper.

Step 4: Simmer Gently

• Simmer on low heat for 5–10 minutes
• Do not boil once milk is added

Taste and adjust seasoning.

⭐ What Makes It Appalachian

• Uses water instead of broth
• Thickened by mashed potatoes, not flour
• Very few ingredients
• Often finished with bacon fat
• Served with cornbread, not crackers

🍽️ How It’s Traditionally Served

• Big bowl of soup
• Crumbled cornbread stirred right in
• Bacon or green onions on top
• Eaten slow, usually on a cold day

🔄 Old-Timer Variations

• 🥛 Use evaporated milk for extra richness
• 🧄 Add a pinch of garlic (modern touch)
• 🧀 Add cheese only if you’re feeling fancy
• 🌶️ Add hot pepper vinegar at the table

❄️ Storage

• Keeps 3–4 days refrigerated
• Thickens overnight—add a splash of milk when reheating

This soup proves one thing:
Simple food feeds the soul best.

If you want, I can share:

• 🥓 Coal miner–style version
• 🥣 Crockpot Appalachian soup
• 🍞 Cornbread exactly how it was made in the hills
• 🥔 Depression-era variations

Just tell me 🌾