Cajun Potato Soup

I’ll be honest—this Cajun Potato Soup might be one of the most flavorful soups I’ve ever made. It’s creamy, smoky, a little spicy, and filled with hearty chunks of potato that soak up every bit of that Cajun goodness. The first time I made it, I wasn’t expecting much beyond a simple potato soup—but that hit of spice and richness changed everything. Now, it’s my go-to when I want something that tastes like home-cooked comfort with a kick.
A Little About This Recipe
Cajun Potato Soup is a southern-style twist on classic potato soup. Instead of being plain and mild, it’s bold and deeply savory. You’ve got onions, bell peppers, and garlic building that classic Cajun flavor base, followed by smoky sausage and tender potatoes simmered in a creamy, seasoned broth. Every spoonful has a little heat, a little creaminess, and a whole lot of heart.
Why This Recipe Is Special
What sets this soup apart is balance. It’s spicy but not overwhelming, creamy but not heavy, and rustic in the best way. You get layers of flavor from the sausage, the Cajun seasoning, and the vegetables, all tied together by that silky broth. It’s comfort food with personality—a meal that warms you up and wakes up your taste buds at the same time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bold Cajun Flavor: Smoky, spicy, and savory in every bite.
- Creamy and Hearty: Perfectly thick without feeling heavy.
- Simple Ingredients: Everything’s easy to find at any grocery store.
- Customizable Heat: You control the spice level to your liking.
- One-Pot Wonder: Fewer dishes, more flavor, less fuss.
Tools You’ll Need
Here’s what makes this recipe smooth to prepare:
- Large pot or Dutch oven: To brown sausage and simmer everything evenly.
- Wooden spoon: For stirring without scratching your pot.
- Chef’s knife & cutting board: To chop veggies and potatoes.
- Measuring cups & spoons: Keep your Cajun seasoning balanced.
- Ladle: For serving up big, comforting scoops.
- Whisk: To blend the cream and broth smoothly.
Ingredients
(Serves 4–6 people)
- 12 oz (340g) smoked sausage or andouille sausage, sliced
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (30g)
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced (red or green both work)
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (16g)
- 4 cups chicken broth (960ml)
- 2 cups diced potatoes (about 450g, peeled or unpeeled)
- 1 cup heavy cream (240ml)
- 1 cup whole milk (240ml)
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning (or more to taste)
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Salt to taste
- 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
- Optional: a dash of hot sauce for extra spice
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Brown the Sausage
Heat a large pot over medium heat. Add the sliced sausage and cook until browned on both sides, about 5–6 minutes. This step is key—those brown bits at the bottom of the pot? That’s flavor gold. Once browned, remove the sausage and set it aside.
2. Sauté the Veggies
Melt butter in the same pot. Add the onion, bell pepper, and celery. Sauté for 4–5 minutes until softened and fragrant, then stir in the garlic. Cook for another 30 seconds. At this point, your kitchen should smell incredible—like a Louisiana kitchen on a Saturday night.
3. Build the Base
Sprinkle in the flour and stir well to coat the veggies. This thickens your soup later. Cook for 1 minute to get rid of that raw flour taste.
4. Add the Broth and Potatoes
Slowly whisk in the chicken broth, scraping up any brown bits from the bottom of the pot. Add the diced potatoes, smoked paprika, Cajun seasoning, pepper, and a pinch of salt. Stir well. Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 15–20 minutes until the potatoes are tender.
5. Blend (Optional)
If you want a creamier texture, you can use an immersion blender to partially blend the soup. I like to blend about half—it gives the soup a rich, velvety texture while keeping some potato chunks intact.
6. Add the Cream and Sausage
Stir in the heavy cream, milk, and browned sausage. Simmer for another 5–7 minutes to thicken slightly. Taste and adjust seasoning—add more Cajun spice if you’re feeling bold.
7. Serve It Up
Ladle into bowls and top with chopped green onions or a dash of hot sauce. If you like it extra smoky, sprinkle a pinch of smoked paprika on top too.
Serving Ideas
- Serve with crusty bread or cornbread for dipping.
- Add a handful of shredded cheddar or Parmesan for a cheesy twist.
- Pair it with a light green salad or coleslaw to balance the richness.
- For a full Cajun dinner, serve alongside blackened shrimp or Cajun grilled chicken.
Variations & Customization
- Vegetarian: Skip the sausage and use vegetable broth. Add beans, corn, or mushrooms for extra body.
- Lighter Version: Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream, or skip the cream and rely on blended potatoes for thickness.
- Extra Heat: Add cayenne pepper, hot sauce, or diced jalapeños.
- Smokier Flavor: Use smoked sausage or add a few drops of liquid smoke.
- Cheesy Cajun Soup: Stir in a cup of shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack before serving.
Storage & Make-Ahead Tips
- Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of broth or milk to loosen.
- Freeze: This soup freezes well for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight and reheat slowly to prevent curdling.
- Make-Ahead: You can prep the veggies and sausage a day in advance, then just simmer everything together when ready.
Pro Tips & Mistakes to Avoid
Here’s the insider stuff that makes the difference between “pretty good” and amazing Cajun Potato Soup:
- Always brown the sausage well—it builds that deep smoky base flavor.
- Don’t skip the trinity (onion, bell pepper, celery)—it’s the heart of Cajun cooking.
- Avoid boiling after adding cream—it can separate or curdle. Keep it on low heat.
- Adjust seasoning at the end; Cajun blends vary in saltiness.
- If the soup’s too thick, add broth. Too thin? Let it simmer a bit longer uncovered.
Recipe Summary
Yield: | 4–6 servings |
Prep Time: | 10 minutes |
Cook Time: | 30 minutes |
Total Time: | 40 minutes |
Calories per Serving: | ~480 kcal |
A Warm Closing Note
If you love the comfort of potato soup but crave bold, smoky flavors, this Cajun Potato Soup is the best of both worlds. It’s rich, cozy, and just spicy enough to keep things interesting. Every time I make it, I end up ladling a little extra into my bowl—and I promise, you will too. Try it out this week, tweak it to your taste, and let me know how yours turns out. Comfort food’s always better when shared, especially with a little Cajun kick.
6
servings10
minutes30
minutes480
kcalCajun Potato Soup is a southern-style twist on classic potato soup. Instead of being plain and mild, it’s bold and deeply savory. You’ve got onions, bell peppers, and garlic building that classic Cajun flavor base, followed by smoky sausage and tender potatoes simmered in a creamy, seasoned broth. Every spoonful has a little heat, a little creaminess, and a whole lot of heart.
Ingredients
12 oz (340g) smoked sausage or andouille sausage, sliced
2 tablespoons unsalted butter (30g)
1 yellow onion, diced
1 bell pepper, diced (red or green both work)
2 stalks celery, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (16g)
4 cups chicken broth (960ml)
2 cups diced potatoes (about 450g, peeled or unpeeled)
1 cup heavy cream (240ml)
1 cup whole milk (240ml)
1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning (or more to taste)
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
¼ teaspoon black pepper
Salt to taste
2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
Optional: a dash of hot sauce for extra spice
Directions
- Heat a large pot over medium heat. Add the sliced sausage and cook until browned on both sides, about 5–6 minutes. This step is key—those brown bits at the bottom of the pot? That’s flavor gold. Once browned, remove the sausage and set it aside.
- Melt butter in the same pot. Add the onion, bell pepper, and celery. Sauté for 4–5 minutes until softened and fragrant, then stir in the garlic. Cook for another 30 seconds. At this point, your kitchen should smell incredible—like a Louisiana kitchen on a Saturday night.
- Sprinkle in the flour and stir well to coat the veggies. This thickens your soup later. Cook for 1 minute to get rid of that raw flour taste.
- Slowly whisk in the chicken broth, scraping up any brown bits from the bottom of the pot. Add the diced potatoes, smoked paprika, Cajun seasoning, pepper, and a pinch of salt. Stir well. Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 15–20 minutes until the potatoes are tender.
- If you want a creamier texture, you can use an immersion blender to partially blend the soup. I like to blend about half—it gives the soup a rich, velvety texture while keeping some potato chunks intact.
- Stir in the heavy cream, milk, and browned sausage. Simmer for another 5–7 minutes to thicken slightly. Taste and adjust seasoning—add more Cajun spice if you’re feeling bold.
- Ladle into bowls and top with chopped green onions or a dash of hot sauce. If you like it extra smoky, sprinkle a pinch of smoked paprika on top too.
Notes
- Always brown the sausage well—it builds that deep smoky base flavor.
Don’t skip the trinity (onion, bell pepper, celery)—it’s the heart of Cajun cooking.
Avoid boiling after adding cream—it can separate or curdle. Keep it on low heat.
Adjust seasoning at the end; Cajun blends vary in saltiness.
If the soup’s too thick, add broth. Too thin? Let it simmer a bit longer uncovered.