Potato Soup Crock Pot Recipe

Cozy Potato Soup Crock Pot Recipe for Chilly Evenings

Creamy potato soup simmering in a crock pot brings warmth to chilly evenings, offering comfort with every spoonful.

Slow-cooking potato soup creates a rich, velvety texture that melts in your mouth.

The aroma of tender potatoes, herbs, and subtle spices fills the kitchen with an irresistible fragrance.

Hearty ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a soul-satisfying meal that requires minimal effort.

Chunks of soft potatoes mingle with crispy bacon bits and a smooth, silky base.

This one-pot wonder transforms simple ingredients into a luxurious dining experience.

Serve this delectable soup and watch as smiles spread around the table.

What Makes Crock Pot Potato Soup So Comforting

  • Crowd-Pleasing Comfort Food: Packed with hearty potatoes, crispy bacon, and melted cheese, this soup delivers classic flavors that appeal to all ages, perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings.
  • Budget-Friendly Meal: Uses affordable ingredients like potatoes and chicken broth, creating a filling and delicious soup that won't break the bank while feeding multiple people.
  • Customizable Texture: Easily adjust the soup's consistency by using an immersion blender, allowing you to create a smooth or chunky version based on personal preference and taste.

Ingredients for Your Slow Cooked Potato Soup

Base Ingredients:
  • Potatoes: Starchy comfort food that brings hearty goodness to the soup.
  • Chicken or Vegetable Broth: Liquid base that adds depth and flavor to the soup.
Seasoning and Flavor Enhancers:
  • Ranch Seasoning: Zesty mix that brings a tangy punch to the dish.
  • Salt and Pepper: Classic seasonings that balance and brighten the soup's taste.
Dairy and Toppings:
  • Shredded Cheese, Crumbled Bacon: Creamy and crispy partners that make the soup extra delicious.
  • Heavy Cream: Silky ingredient that creates a rich and smooth texture.
Garnish:
  • Green Onions or Chives, Extra Cheese, Bacon Bits: Colorful and crunchy finishing touches that add visual appeal and extra flavor.

How to Prepare Rich and Creamy Potato Soup

Step 1: Prepare Potato Canvas

Wash and scrub potatoes thoroughly.

Peel the skin using a sharp knife or vegetable peeler.

Dice potatoes into uniform, bite-sized cubes ensuring even cooking and consistent texture.

Step 2: Build Flavor Layers

Arrange potato cubes as the base foundation in your slow cooker.

Generously sprinkle ranch seasoning mix across the potato landscape.

Create delicious layers with:
  • Shredded cheddar cheese
  • Crispy bacon crumbles

Step 3: Pour Liquid Gold

Gently stream chicken broth over the layered ingredients, ensuring potatoes are just submerged.

The liquid will transform into a rich, comforting base during cooking.

Step 4: Slow Cooking Magic

Cover slow cooker and set temperature settings:
  • Low heat: 7-8 hours
  • High heat: 4 hours

Potatoes are perfectly cooked when tender enough to mash easily with a fork.

Step 5: Creamy Transformation

Stir in heavy cream to create luxurious velvety texture.

Season with salt and black pepper.

For ultra-smooth consistency, use immersion blender to puree soup.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Ladle steaming soup into bowls.

Top with:
  • Additional cheese
  • Extra bacon bits
  • Chopped green onions
  • Fresh chives

Serve immediately and savor every spoonful of comfort.

Tips for a Creamy and Smooth Potato Soup Base

  • Dice potatoes into consistent, bite-sized pieces to guarantee even cooking and prevent some chunks from becoming mushy while others remain undercooked.
  • Sprinkle ranch seasoning generously between layers to infuse rich, tangy notes throughout the entire soup, enhancing overall taste profile.
  • Use an immersion blender to control soup texture – blend partially for a chunky consistency or fully puree for a silky-smooth finish.
  • Check potato tenderness towards end of cooking time and adjust heat settings if needed, ensuring perfect soft texture without overcooking.
  • Top soup with crispy bacon bits, sharp cheese shreds, and fresh green onions for a restaurant-quality visual appeal and added crunch.

Best Way to Store and Reheat Potato Soup

  • Store leftover potato soup in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
  • Pour cooled soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 2 months. Avoid freezing toppings like bacon or fresh herbs.
  • Transfer soup to a pot and warm over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Add a splash of broth or milk to restore creamy consistency if needed.
  • Place soup in a microwave-safe dish. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to distribute heat evenly. Stop when soup is steaming hot.

What Tastes Great With Potato Soup

  • Enhance Creamy Potato Soup Flavors
  • Pair with Crisp Chardonnay: Select a light, buttery Chardonnay that complements the soup's rich, creamy texture and balances its hearty flavors.
  • Serve with Crusty Sourdough: Toast thick slices of artisan sourdough bread to provide a perfect crunchy contrast to the smooth, velvety soup.
  • Combine with Fresh Arugula Salad: Toss a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to cut through the soup's richness and add a zesty, peppery dimension.
  • Match with Craft Beer: Choose a wheat beer or mild pale ale that offers a refreshing counterpoint to the soup's creamy and savory profile.

Potato Soup Ideas to Keep It Interesting

  • Vegetarian Version: Replace chicken broth with vegetable broth and swap bacon with roasted vegetable crumbles or tempeh for protein.
  • Dairy-Free Alternative: Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream and substitute cheese with nutritional yeast or dairy-free cheese shreds.
  • Spicy Southwest Spin: Add diced green chilies, cayenne pepper, and swap ranch seasoning with taco or chili seasoning for a zesty kick.
  • Low-Carb Option: Replace potatoes with cauliflower florets and reduce cooking time to prevent overcooking the vegetable base.

FAQs

  • Can I use other types of potatoes for this recipe?

Russet, Yukon Gold, or red potatoes work well. Each variety will slightly change the soup’s texture and flavor, but they’re all suitable for this crock pot recipe.

  • Do I need to pre-cook the bacon before adding it to the soup?

No, you can add raw crumbled bacon directly into the crock pot. It will cook and release its flavor during the slow cooking process.

  • Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?

You can easily make it vegetarian by using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth and omitting the bacon. Replace bacon with vegetarian bacon bits or smoked paprika for a similar smoky flavor.

  • How can I make this soup less creamy or lighter?

Reduce the amount of heavy cream or substitute it with half-and-half or milk. You can also use Greek yogurt for a tangy, lighter version of the soup.

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Potato Soup Crock Pot Recipe

Potato Soup Crock Pot Recipe


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4.7 from 40 reviews

  • Total Time: 7 hours 20 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Creamy “potato soup crock pot” delivers comfort straight from hearty kitchen traditions. Warm, rich flavors simmer slowly, inviting you to savor each spoonful of this classic, soul-soothing meal.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 6 cups diced potatoes, peeled
  • 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)

Dairy and Protein:

  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup cooked and crumbled bacon

Seasonings and Optional Garnishes:

  • 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional garnishes: extra cheese, bacon bits, chopped green onions, or chives

Instructions

  1. Meticulously wash and peel russet potatoes, cutting them into uniform cubes that will cook evenly and absorb flavors consistently.
  2. Strategically arrange potato chunks as the foundation layer inside the slow cooker, creating an even base for the soup’s subsequent ingredients.
  3. Generously dust the potato layer with ranch seasoning, ensuring complete and balanced flavor distribution across the entire surface.
  4. Sprinkle shredded cheese and crumbled bacon over the seasoned potatoes, creating a rich and textured initial layer.
  5. Carefully pour chicken broth over the layered ingredients, submerging them completely but not overfilling the crock pot.
  6. Secure the lid and program the slow cooker to low temperature, allowing the ingredients to simmer and meld together for 6-7 hours, or alternatively use high temperature for 3-4 hours.
  7. Test potato tenderness by gently pressing with a fork; they should yield easily without resistance.
  8. Incorporate heavy cream, stirring gently to integrate and create a luxurious, velvety texture throughout the soup.
  9. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, tasting and modifying to personal preference.
  10. For a smoother consistency, use an immersion blender to partially or fully puree the soup.
  11. Ladle the steaming soup into serving bowls, garnishing with additional cheese, crispy bacon bits, and freshly chopped green onions for a vibrant presentation.

Notes

  • Select starchy potatoes like Russet or Yukon Gold for the creamiest texture and best flavor absorption.
  • Allow bacon to cool slightly before crumbling to prevent soggy texture and maintain crispy bits for topping.
  • For dairy-free alternatives, substitute heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream to keep the soup rich and creamy.
  • Reduce sodium by using low-sodium broth and homemade ranch seasoning, which lets you control salt content more precisely.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 6-7 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high
  • Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 400
  • Sugar: 2g
  • Sodium: 850mg
  • Fat: 30g
  • Saturated Fat: 15g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 30g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 10g
  • Cholesterol: 70mg
James Hambly

James Hambly

Founder & Recipe Creator

Expertise

Recipe Development, Culinary Education, Farm-to-Table Cooking, Southern Cuisine

Education

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
Certificate in Culinary Arts
Focus: Hands-on training in professional cooking techniques, emphasizing farm-to-table practices and Southern cuisine.

The Chef’s Academy
Associate Degree in Culinary Arts
Focus: Comprehensive culinary education covering global cuisines, kitchen management, and food safety.​


James grew up surrounded by the smells of cast-iron skillets and slow-cooked Southern meals in Asheville, North Carolina.
He sharpened his skills with a Certificate in Culinary Arts from Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, and later leveled up with an Associate Degree from The Chef’s Academy.
James’s philosophy is simple: the best meals don’t need fancy tricks, just fresh ingredients, a hot pan, and a little bit of heart. His favorite days are spent testing one-pan wonders, chasing bold flavors, and creating recipes that feel easy, even on a busy night.

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