There’s nothing quite like coming home to the warm, comforting aroma of a hearty potato soup crock pot. This recipe is a true classic for cozy evenings, chilly days, or whenever you crave a bowl of creamy goodness that feels like a hug in a bowl. What I love most is how the crock pot does all the heavy lifting—no standing over the stove, no fussing, just simple ingredients that turn into a rich, velvety soup that the whole family will adore.
Table of Contents
Why Make This Potato Soup Crock Pot?
Making potato soup in the crock pot is all about ease and flavor. Slow cooking allows the potatoes to break down into tender bites while blending with broth, seasonings, and cream for that irresistible silky texture. It’s budget-friendly, filling, and can be customized with toppings like cheese, bacon, or green onions. Plus, it’s one of those recipes that tastes even better the next day, making it perfect for meal prep.
Why Will You Love This Potato Soup Crock Pot?
- Effortless cooking: Toss everything in the crock pot and let it work its magic.
- Family favorite: Both kids and adults love its creamy, hearty taste.
- Versatile: Dress it up with toppings or keep it simple and wholesome.
- Budget-friendly: Uses pantry staples and inexpensive ingredients.
- Comfort food at its best: Rich, creamy, and perfect for cold weather.
How to Make Potato Soup Crock Pot
Ingredients:
- 6 medium russet potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian option)
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup cooked bacon, crumbled (optional)
- 2 carrots, diced (optional for extra flavor and color)
- 2 celery stalks, chopped (optional)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon paprika (optional)
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (for thickening, optional)
- Fresh parsley or chives, chopped, for garnish
Directions:
- Prepare your crock pot. Lightly grease or spray the inside to prevent sticking.
- Add the base ingredients. Place diced potatoes, onion, garlic, carrots, celery, broth, butter, salt, pepper, and thyme into the crock pot. Stir well.
- Cook low and slow. Cover and cook on LOW for 7–8 hours or HIGH for 4–5 hours, until potatoes are tender.
- Thicken the soup (optional). About 30 minutes before serving, whisk flour with ¼ cup cold water to make a slurry. Stir it into the soup.
- Add creaminess. Stir in the heavy cream and shredded cheddar cheese. Let it cook for another 20–30 minutes until creamy and smooth.
- Blend (optional). For an ultra-creamy soup, use an immersion blender to puree part of the soup, leaving some potato chunks for texture.
- Finish and serve. Stir in crumbled bacon (if using), garnish with fresh herbs, and serve warm.
How to Serve Potato Soup Crock Pot?
This soup pairs beautifully with:
- Warm crusty bread or dinner rolls
- A crisp green salad for balance
- Toppings like extra cheese, bacon, green onions, or sour cream
The Best Way to Store Potato Soup Crock Pot
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave.
- Freezer: Potato soup can be frozen for up to 2 months, but cream-based soups may separate slightly when reheated. To fix, stir in a splash of cream when reheating.
Tips to Make Potato Soup Crock Pot
- Use starchy potatoes like russet or Yukon gold for the creamiest texture.
- Don’t skip the seasonings—garlic, onion, thyme, and paprika add depth.
- Adjust thickness by adding more broth if too thick, or blending more if too thin.
- Cheese tip: Add cheese at the end to avoid clumping.
- Meal prep hack: Chop potatoes and veggies the night before, store them in water in the fridge, and dump them into the crock pot in the morning.
Variations
- Loaded Baked Potato Soup: Top with sour cream, extra bacon, cheese, and chives.
- Vegetarian Potato Soup: Swap chicken broth for veggie broth and skip bacon.
- Lighter Version: Use milk instead of cream and less cheese.
- Spicy Twist: Add diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
Potato Soup Crock Pot
Equipment
- crock pot
- cutting board
- knife
- Measuring cups and spoons
- immersion blender (optional)
- ladle
- mixing bowl (for slurry)
Ingredients
- 6 medium russet potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
- 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup cooked bacon, crumbled (optional)
- 2 carrots, diced (optional)
- 2 stalks celery, chopped (optional)
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp salt, adjust to taste
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 0.5 tsp dried thyme (optional)
- 0.25 tsp paprika (optional)
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour (optional, for thickening)
- Fresh parsley or chives, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Lightly grease or spray the inside of your crock pot to prevent sticking.
- Place diced potatoes, onion, garlic, carrots, celery, broth, butter, salt, pepper, and thyme into the crock pot. Stir well.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 7–8 hours or HIGH for 4–5 hours, until potatoes are fork-tender.
- Whisk flour with 1/4 cup cold water to make a slurry. Stir it into the soup 30 minutes before serving to thicken (optional).
- Stir in heavy cream and shredded cheddar cheese. Let it cook for another 20–30 minutes until creamy.
- Optional: Use an immersion blender to puree part of the soup for a creamier texture, leaving some chunks.
- Stir in crumbled bacon if using. Garnish with fresh herbs and serve warm.
Notes
Nutrition
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FAQs
1. Can I use frozen potatoes for crock pot potato soup?
Yes! Frozen diced potatoes (hash browns) work perfectly and save prep time.
2. Can I make this soup dairy-free?
Absolutely. Use coconut milk or almond milk instead of cream and skip the cheese.
3. How do I make this soup thicker?
You can mash some of the potatoes directly in the pot, use a flour slurry, or blend half of the soup with an immersion blender.
This potato soup crock pot recipe is the ultimate comfort food—creamy, hearty, and made with love right in your slow cooker. Whether you serve it for a weeknight family dinner, a cozy weekend meal, or as part of your meal prep routine, this dish will never disappoint. With minimal effort and maximum flavor, it’s sure to become a staple in your kitchen.