Easy & Creamy Slow Cooker Potato Soup: The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe
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As the colder months approach, there’s nothing quite like a warm, hearty bowl of soup to bring comfort and joy. This **Easy Slow Cooker Potato Soup** is a standout recipe, offering rich flavors and a creamy texture that makes it an instant family favorite. It’s the perfect addition to your collection of crockpot soup recipes, promising a delicious dinner with minimal hands-on effort. Imagine coming home to the delightful aroma of tender potatoes simmering away, ready to be transformed into a deeply satisfying meal.
The true beauty of this soup lies in its simplicity and the abundant, wholesome goodness it delivers. Every spoonful is packed with perfectly cooked, tender chunks of potato, enveloped in a luxuriously creamy and cheesy broth. For those who can’t get enough cheese, this recipe generously encourages adding extra shredded cheddar, crispy bacon, and fresh green onions as toppings, turning a simple soup into a loaded delight. This is a wonderfully straightforward soup recipe, requiring just a few easy steps to prepare a meal that will warm you from the inside out and please everyone at your table.
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Potato Soup Recipe
This creamy potato soup is more than just a meal; it’s a comforting experience designed for ease and flavor. Here’s why it’s destined to become a staple in your kitchen:
- **Ultimate Convenience:** The slow cooker does most of the work, allowing you to set it and forget it. Perfect for busy weeknights when you want a homemade meal without the fuss.
- **Rich & Velvety Texture:** The combination of tender potatoes, heavy cream, and sour cream creates an incredibly smooth and luscious consistency that coats your palate with every bite.
- **Deep, Developed Flavors:** Slow cooking allows the ingredients to meld together over hours, resulting in a rich, savory broth that is packed with comforting taste.
- **Customizable Toppings:** Whether you love extra cheese, crispy bacon, fresh herbs, or a dollop of Greek yogurt, this soup is a blank canvas for your favorite additions.
- **Family-Friendly Appeal:** Potatoes are universally loved, and this soup’s mild, creamy flavor makes it a hit with kids and adults alike.
- **Excellent Leftovers:** Like many slow cooker dishes, this potato soup tastes even better the next day, making it ideal for meal prep and enjoying throughout the week.
- **Hearty & Filling:** It’s a substantial meal on its own, capable of satisfying even the hungriest appetites, especially when paired with some crusty bread.
Ingredients for the Best Creamy Slow Cooker Potato Soup:
Gathering these simple, fresh ingredients is the first step toward creating this wonderfully comforting soup. Each component plays a vital role in achieving its signature creamy texture and savory flavor profile:
- Potatoes: I prefer to use **Russet potatoes**, peeled and diced into roughly 1-inch cubes. Russets are starchy, which helps to naturally thicken the soup as they break down slightly during cooking, while still maintaining tender chunks. **Yukon Golds** are another excellent choice, offering a slightly buttery flavor and a creamy texture that holds up well. Ensure they are uniformly diced for even cooking.
- Onion: A single **yellow or white onion**, finely diced, provides a subtle sweetness and aromatic depth to the soup, building a foundational layer of flavor.
- Broth: You will need **chicken broth or vegetable broth**. Using a high-quality, low-sodium broth allows you to control the seasoning precisely and lets the natural flavors of the potatoes shine through. Opt for vegetable broth if you’re making a vegetarian version.
- Butter: **Unsalted butter**, sliced into pats, contributes richness and a smooth mouthfeel. If using salted butter, remember to adjust the additional salt to taste later in the recipe.
- Seasoning: The basic seasonings include **minced garlic**, **kosher salt**, and **black pepper**. Freshly minced garlic delivers the best flavor, while kosher salt offers a clean taste. Feel free to adjust the amount of salt and pepper to suit your palate after the soup has cooked.
- Cream: To achieve that irresistible creamy consistency, both **heavy cream** and **sour cream** are essential. Heavy cream provides luxurious richness and body, while sour cream adds a delightful tanginess and helps balance the richness, contributing to a truly decadent soup.
- Cornstarch slurry: This is your key to a perfectly thickened, lump-free soup. It’s easily made by whisking together **cornstarch and cold water**. This mixture will ensure your soup thickens beautifully without any starchy clumps.
- Toppings: No loaded potato soup is complete without generous toppings! Stock up on **shredded cheddar cheese** (sharp or mild, depending on preference), savory **cooked crumbled bacon** for a salty crunch, and fresh **sliced green onions** (scallions) for a vibrant color and mild oniony freshness.
How to Make the Ultimate Slow Cooker Potato Soup:
Making this slow cooker potato soup is incredibly simple, allowing you to enjoy a comforting, homemade meal with minimal effort. Just follow these straightforward steps:
Step 1: Layer Your Base Ingredients in the Slow Cooker
Start by adding the peeled and diced potatoes, diced yellow or white onion, chicken broth (or vegetable broth), all your seasonings (minced garlic, kosher salt, and black pepper), and the sliced butter directly into your slow cooker. Give everything a good stir to ensure the ingredients are evenly distributed and the potatoes are well coated and submerged in the flavorful broth. This initial mix sets the foundation for the delicious flavors to develop.
Step 2: Slow Cook Until Potatoes are Tender
Cover your slow cooker and let the magic happen! Cook on the LOW setting for approximately 6 hours, or if you’re pressed for time, set it to HIGH for 3-4 hours. The goal is for the potatoes to become wonderfully tender, easily pierced with a fork. Cooking on a lower setting for longer often yields a more flavorful and consistent result.
Step 3: Prepare the Cornstarch Slurry
About 20-30 minutes before the end of the cooking time, prepare your thickening agent. In a small bowl, combine the specified amount of water and cornstarch. Whisk these two ingredients thoroughly until you have a smooth, lump-free slurry. This is crucial for achieving a creamy consistency without any starchy clumps in your finished soup. Set this mixture aside.
Step 4: Whisk Together the Creamy Base
In a separate medium-sized bowl, combine the heavy cream, sour cream, and the previously prepared cornstarch slurry. Whisk all three ingredients together vigorously until they are completely smooth and well incorporated. This creamy blend will be responsible for the soup’s rich, velvety texture.
Step 5: Incorporate the Cream Mixture into the Soup
Carefully pour the heavy cream, sour cream, and cornstarch mixture into the slow cooker with your tender potatoes and broth. Stir everything together gently but thoroughly until the creamy blend is fully integrated into the soup. You’ll notice the soup starting to transform into a more opaque and rich consistency almost immediately.
Step 6: A Final Simmer for Perfect Thickness
Replace the lid on your slow cooker and let the soup continue to cook on the LOW setting for an additional 20 minutes. This final simmering period allows the cornstarch to fully activate and thicken the soup to a beautiful, luscious consistency. It also gives the creamy ingredients time to warm through and meld perfectly with the existing flavors.
Step 7: Serve Hot and Garnish Generously
Once the soup has reached your desired thickness and is piping hot, it’s ready to serve! Ladle generous portions into individual bowls. Now comes the best part: topping it off! Invite everyone to customize their soup with a generous sprinkle of shredded cheddar cheese, a handful of crispy crumbled bacon, and a scattering of fresh sliced green onions. Enjoy your incredibly comforting and flavorful homemade slow cooker potato soup!
How to Store This Loaded Potato Soup for Freshness:
One of the fantastic aspects of this slow cooker potato soup is its excellent storage capabilities, making it perfect for meal planning or savoring delicious leftovers. Proper storage ensures both safety and flavor retention.
Fridge: To store leftovers for a few days, first allow the loaded baked potato soup to cool completely to room temperature. Once cooled, transfer it into an **airtight container**. It will keep beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally. You might find it has thickened considerably in the fridge; if so, add a splash of milk, chicken broth, or vegetable broth to reach your preferred consistency.
Freezer: This potato soup is also freezer-friendly, offering a convenient option for quick future meals. After allowing the soup to cool entirely, ladle individual portions into freezer-safe plastic bags (squeeze out as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn) or sturdy freezer-safe containers. For bags, lay them flat in the freezer for easy stacking and space-saving storage. The soup can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw the soup overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat gently on the stovetop, stirring frequently. Be aware that potatoes can sometimes develop a slightly mealy texture after freezing and thawing; if you prefer a smoother soup, you can use an immersion blender to re-emulsify it after thawing and reheating.
Tips and Tricks for Making This Simple Crockpot Potato Soup Recipe a Masterpiece:
Elevate your slow cooker potato soup from great to absolutely extraordinary with these helpful tips, variations, and serving suggestions:
Favorite Toppings to Elevate Your Soup:
The beauty of this easy potato soup recipe is how wonderfully it pairs with a variety of toppings. Don’t be shy about customizing each bowl:
- Shredded Sharp or Mild Cheddar Cheese: A classic for a reason. It melts into gooey perfection, adding a rich, tangy flavor.
- Small Blocks of Cream Cheese: Stirred into hot soup, cream cheese adds an extra layer of velvety richness and a subtle savory tang.
- Crispy Bacon Crumbles: The salty, smoky crunch of bacon bits provides a fantastic textural contrast and deepens the overall flavor.
- Sliced Green Onions (Scallions): For a fresh, mild oniony bite and a beautiful pop of vibrant green color.
- A Dollop of Plain Greek Yogurt or Sour Cream: Adds a cool, refreshing tang that cuts through the richness and enhances creaminess.
- **Fresh Chives:** A delicate, oniony flavor, perfect for garnish.
- **Croutons or Toasted Bread:** For added crunch and to soak up the delicious broth.
- **A Dash of Hot Sauce:** For those who enjoy a little heat, a few drops can add a pleasant kick.
- **Caramelized Onions:** For a gourmet touch, adding sweet, slowly cooked onions can provide incredible depth.
Choosing the Best Type of Potatoes to Use:
The potato choice is crucial for the ideal soup texture:
I wholeheartedly recommend using **fresh potatoes** for the best results in this recipe. **Russet potatoes** are my go-to due to their high starch content. They break down beautifully during the slow cooking process, contributing to the soup’s creamy body while still leaving delightful, tender chunks. **Yukon Gold potatoes** are another excellent choice; they offer a buttery flavor and a slightly waxier texture, holding their shape a bit more while still becoming incredibly tender and creamy.
While fresh potatoes are ideal, you *can* use **frozen diced potatoes** if convenience is your priority. However, be prepared for a few potential differences. Frozen potatoes often release more water, which might require a slightly longer cooking time or a bit more thickener to achieve the desired consistency. Their texture can also become a bit gummier or slightly mushy after prolonged slow cooking compared to their fresh counterparts. If you do use frozen, ensure they are thoroughly thawed and tender before proceeding to the thickening step.
What to Use in Place of Cornstarch for Thickening:
If cornstarch isn’t on hand, or you’re looking for an alternative, you can still achieve a beautifully thick and creamy potato soup:
- **All-Purpose Flour:** This is a readily available substitute. To replace cornstarch, whisk together 2-3 tablespoons of **all-purpose flour** with an equal amount of cold water or milk to create a smooth slurry. Add this flour slurry to the soup in the same manner as the cornstarch slurry. Keep in mind that flour requires a longer cooking time (at least 30 minutes on low heat) to cook out its raw taste and achieve full thickening power. This will also help you get the perfect creamy texture for this delicious potato soup.
- **Roux:** For an even richer, silkier texture, you can prepare a roux on the stovetop by melting butter and whisking in flour to form a paste. Cook this for a few minutes until golden, then stir it into the hot soup. This method requires a bit more active cooking but yields excellent results.
- **Cream Cheese:** A block of softened cream cheese, added alongside the heavy cream and sour cream, can also contribute to thickening and adds a wonderful rich flavor.
- **Mashed Potatoes:** For a truly potato-centric thickening, remove about 1-2 cups of the cooked, tender potatoes from the slow cooker, mash them thoroughly with a fork or potato masher, then stir them back into the soup. The mashed potatoes will naturally thicken the broth without adding extra starch.
Vegetarian Adaptation:
This recipe is incredibly easy to make vegetarian. Simply substitute the chicken broth with a high-quality vegetable broth. All other ingredients are naturally vegetarian (just omit the bacon topping or use a plant-based bacon alternative).
Adding a Protein Boost:
To make this soup even heartier, consider adding cooked protein:
- **Cooked Ham:** Diced cooked ham can be stirred into the soup during the final 30 minutes of cooking.
- **Shredded Chicken or Turkey:** Leftover rotisserie chicken or cooked turkey, shredded, can be added with the heavy cream and sour cream mixture.
- **Cooked Sausage:** Browned and crumbled breakfast or Italian sausage can be added with the initial ingredients for a flavor-packed variation.
More Delicious Soup Recipes:
If you thoroughly enjoyed this comforting slow cooker potato soup, then you’re in for a treat! We have a wide array of other hearty and easy soup recipes that are perfect for any occasion. Expand your culinary repertoire with these fantastic options:
- Creamy Tortellini Soup: A delightful, cheesy pasta soup that comes together quickly for a satisfying meal.
- One Pot Chicken Noodle Soup: The quintessential comfort food, made effortlessly in a single pot.
- Slow Cooker Italian Chicken Noodle Soup: A flavorful twist on a classic, infusing it with aromatic Italian herbs and spices.
- Ham and Potato Soup: Another fantastic potato-based soup, ideal for utilizing leftover ham and creating a rich, savory dish.
- Sausage Orzo Soup: A quick and tasty soup featuring savory sausage and tiny orzo pasta, perfect for a busy evening.
Easy Slow Cooker Potato Soup
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Ingredients
- 5-6 large russet potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 4 ½ cups chicken broth
- 4 tbsp butter, sliced
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ⅓ cup sour cream
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp water
Toppings:
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup cooked crumbled bacon
- ½ cup sliced green onions
Instructions
- Add the potatoes, diced onions, chicken broth, seasonings (minced garlic, salt, pepper), and butter to your slow cooker. Stir gently to combine all ingredients well.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 6 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours, or until the potatoes are completely tender when pierced with a fork.
- Once the potatoes are tender, prepare the cornstarch slurry: In a small bowl, add the water and cornstarch, then whisk vigorously until smooth and lump-free. Set aside.
- In a medium-sized bowl, combine the heavy cream, sour cream, and the prepared cornstarch slurry. Whisk all three ingredients together thoroughly until well combined and smooth.
- Carefully pour this creamy mixture into the slow cooker with the cooked potatoes and broth. Stir everything together gently until the cream mixture is fully incorporated into the soup.
- Cover the slow cooker again and let the soup continue to cook on a LOW setting for an additional 20 minutes. This allows the soup to thicken to a rich, creamy consistency.
- Serve the soup hot, ladling generous portions into bowls. Top generously with shredded cheddar cheese, cooked crumbled bacon, and fresh sliced green onions for a truly “loaded” potato soup experience. Enjoy!
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Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation. It can vary based on specific ingredients and brands used.
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