Slow Cooker Potato Soup

Slow Cooker Potato Soup is ultimate comfort food, made super easy!

During the colder months, I use my slow cooker every week, sometimes twice!  This Slow Cooker Potato Soup is just the thing when you need a warm comforting and hearty meal.  This is a soup that can be prepped on the weekend, if you like, so it’s great for busy families.  It’s also pretty cheap when you consider the ingredients.  It does have some richer ingredients, but not a huge amount of them, so it’s still an economical choice.

Slow Cooker Potato Soup is hearty, easy and so delicious – perfect for cold winter days!

I love a good slow cooker meal, but this one reminds me of my mother.  During a crazy blizzard one year, the kids and I holed up with my parents while Mr. Juggling Act stayed home to tend to the generator.  We made potato soup, played games and stayed warm while the blizzard blew outside.  My mom taught me just about everything I know about using a slow cooker.  As a working mom of four, she took all the help she could get when it came to getting yummy inexpensive meals on the table quickly.

Slow Cooker Potato Soup Shopping List

• chicken stock
• bacon
• sweet onion
• celery
• fresh garlic
• red bliss potatoes
• heavy cream
• Gruyere cheese
• sour cream (optional)

from the pantry: dry mustard, dried tarragon, garlic powder, salt and pepper

Optional Toppings: cheddar cheese, fresh parsley, chives or scallions.

You Might Also Need:

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• Cutting Board, Good Knife and Vegetable Peeler
• Swiss Diamond Skillet
• Slow Cooker or CrockPot
• Slotted Spatula, and Ladle
• Immersion Blender

For a list of some of my favorite items to use when cooking, and why I chose them, please visit my Kitchen Resource page.

If you’re new to using a slow cooker or CrockPot, you’ll want to check out a post I wrote on How to Use a Slow Cooker Like a Boss. It’s got tons of tips for making the most of this awesome kitchen appliance!

Tips and tricks on making the most of your slow cooker.

How To Make Slow Cooker Potato Soup

1. Cook the bacon in a heavy skillet until crispy.
2. Move the bacon with a slotted spatula to a paper towel lined plate.
3. Reserve 2 tablespoons of bacon fat. and discard the rest.
4. In the skillet with the bacon fat, cook the diced onions and celery until tender.  Add the minced garlic and cook another minute. Remove from heat.
5. Into the slow cooker, add the chicken stock, cooked vegetable mixture and seasonings, along with the peeled potatoes.
6. Cook the soup on low for 7-8 hours.
7. Carefully use the immersion blender to make the soup as smooth as you like.
8. Just before serving, stir in the heavy cream, Gruyere cheese and sour cream (optional).
9. Serve with crumbled bacon and cheddar cheese.

– PIN FOR LATER –

Can I Make Slow Cooker Potato Soup without Bacon?

Yes, instead of bacon grease, cook the celery and onions in 2 tablespoons of butter or olive oil.  Instead of topping the soup with crumbled bacon, use cheddar cheese, fresh parsley, chives or scallions.  For a little crunch, melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a skillet on medium heat, add 1/2 cup of panko bread crumbs and toast.  Add to the top of the soup in lieu of bacon.

How Can I Prep this Slow Cooker Potato Soup Ahead of Time?

Cook the bacon and vegetables a couple of days ahead of time.  Both should be kept in their own airtight containers or resealable bags.  On cooking day, all you’ll need to do is peel the potatoes and toss everything into the slow cooker.

If you like meal prepping, you might also like to check out my Menu Planner and Grocery List Printable Set to plan out your meals and keep track of groceries you need to order.

What Can I use Besides Gruyere Cheese?

I love the creamy nutty flavor that Gruyere adds to this slow cooker potato soup.  It melts beautifully and works really well with the potatoes.  However, most good melting cheeses will work.  Mozzarella tends to be mild, so if you choose this, add a little extra salt.  Some of my favorite cheeses for this soup are Gouda or Colby Jack.

Slow Cooker Potato Soup

This recipe is loosely based on a stove top potato soup recipe from The Pioneer Woman that I love. You can find that recipe here.  I’ve adapted the recipe for the slow cooker because I love the convenience!

5 from 1 vote

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Slow Cooker Potato Soup

Hearty and delicious, Slow Cooker Potato Soup is an easy meal the whole family will love!

Course dinner

Cuisine American

Keyword slow cooker potato soup

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 8 hours

Total Time 8 hours 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 4 slices bacon diced
• 2 tablespoons reserved bacon fat
• 1 cup onion, diced
• 1/2 cup celery, diced
• 1 teaspoons fresh garlic, minced
• 6 cups reduced-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoons white pepper
• 2 teaspoons dry mustard
• 2 teaspoons dried tarragon
• 1/4 teaspoons garlic powder
• 4 cups red bliss potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 6 oz Gruyere cheese, shredded
• 2 tablespoons sour cream (optional)

Instructions

1. In a large skillet, fry the bacon and place onto paper towels to drain. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the bacon grease and discard the rest.
   

2. In the reserved bacon grease, cook the onions and celery until tender.  Add the minced garlic cook 1-2 minutes more.
   

3. To the slow cooker, add the stock, vegetable mixture, salt, pepper, dry mustard, dried tarragon, and garlic powder.  Whisk to combine.
   

4. Add the potatoes and set the slow cooker for 8 hours on low until the potatoes are tender.
   

5. Just before serving, use an immersion blender to smooth out the potato soup to desired taste.
   

6. Stir in the heavy cream and shredded Gruyere cheese.  If desired, add in the sour cream.
   

7. Serve with crumbled bacon pieces and cheddar cheese for topping. 
   

Recipe Notes

This soup is also delicious when garnished with fresh parsley, chives or scallions.

 

Variations:

If you prefer not to use bacon, cook the onions and celery in butter.

For a little crunch, melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a skillet on medium heat, add 1/2 cup of panko bread crumbs and toast.  Add to the top of the soup in lieu of bacon.

With the cheese and cream, this isn’t necessarily the healthiest of recipes, but it sure is scrumptious.  Moderation in all things, I say! If you are watching your weight, you might prefer this Healthy Sweet Potato Soup, which has less fat.

What Goes Well with Slow Cooker Potato Soup?

Our slow cooker potato soup is certainly hearty enough on it’s own, but you can also serve a smaller portion along with one of these:

More Delicious Potato Recipes:

• Bacon Cheddar Potato Skins
• Make Ahead Sweet Potatoes with Brown Sugar
• Easy Baked Potato Casserole

Easy Slow Cooker Weeknight Dinners

These simple but delicious slow cooker recipes are are perfect for weeknight dinners!

From left to right:

• Slow Cooker Honey Chicken
• Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sliders + Asian Slaw
• Slow Cooker Lasagna

More Slow Cooker Recipes: