I absolutely love this Easy Crock Pot Potato Soup Recipe because it’s the ultimate comfort food that practically makes itself while you go about your day. Seriously, there’s something so soothing about coming home to a warm, creamy bowl of potato soup that’s been slow-cooking all afternoon. You’ll find this recipe is not only easy but perfect for busy days, chilly evenings, or when you want cozy flavors without a lot of fuss.
When I first tried this soup, I was amazed by how rich and velvety it tasted, yet it only requires a handful of simple ingredients that you likely have on hand. Plus, the slow cooker does all the heavy lifting, so it’s a great way to get dinner on the table with minimal effort. If you’ve been searching for an Easy Crock Pot Potato Soup Recipe that’s foolproof and delicious, this one definitely delivers.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Effortless Cooking: Just add ingredients to the crock pot and forget it for hours.
- Comforting Creaminess: The blend of sour cream and heavy cream gives the soup a luscious, velvety texture.
- Kid and Family Friendly: My family goes crazy for this soup – it’s a total crowd pleaser!
- Flexible and Adaptable: You can easily tweak it to your taste or dietary needs without losing flavor.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients for this Easy Crock Pot Potato Soup Recipe are simple, wholesome, and complement each other beautifully. You’ll notice I use russet potatoes for their creamy texture, and xanthan gum to thicken without flour or cornstarch, which is a nifty trick I discovered to keep it smooth.
- Russet potatoes: These potatoes break down nicely and create a silky base for the soup.
- Onion: Adds subtle sweetness and depth – diced small so they soften during cooking.
- Chicken broth: Provides savory flavor; you can swap for vegetable broth if you prefer vegetarian options.
- Butter: Boosts richness and adds that classic buttery potato soup taste.
- Minced garlic: For a gentle aromatic kick without overpowering the soup.
- Salt and pepper: Essential for seasoning and bringing out all the flavors.
- Heavy cream: Creamy goodness that makes the soup luxuriously smooth.
- Sour cream: Adds tang and body to the final texture.
- Xanthan Gum: A clever thickener that works wonders without turning the soup gummy.
Variations
I like to keep this recipe adaptable depending on what I have on hand or what my family is in the mood for. Feel free to get creative here—modify, add, or omit ingredients based on your preferences or dietary needs. You’ll see, it’s pretty forgiving!
- Vegetarian version: Swap chicken broth for a rich vegetable broth, and it’s just as tasty and comforting.
- Bacon & cheese addition: When I want to indulge, I mix in crispy bacon bits and shredded cheddar at the end for some extra flavor and crunch.
- Spicy twist: Added a pinch of cayenne pepper or chopped jalapeños for subtle heat that livens up the soup.
- Dairy-free option: Use coconut cream or cashew cream and a dairy-free butter substitute with veggie broth to keep it creamy.
How to Make Easy Crock Pot Potato Soup Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Add Ingredients to the Crock Pot
Start by peeling and dicing your russet potatoes into bite-sized pieces so they cook evenly. Dice the onion finely as well. Toss the potatoes, onions, minced garlic, butter, salt, pepper, and chicken broth into your crock pot. This is where your easy Crock Pot Potato Soup Recipe really shines—just dump everything in and let the slow cooker do its magic.
Step 2: Cook Low and Slow
Set your slow cooker to low for 4 to 6 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours. You’re looking for the potatoes to be fork-tender so they can break down and thicken the broth naturally. I like to give the soup a gentle stir halfway through to help the butter melt fully and make sure everything cooks evenly.
Step 3: Mix and Stir in the Creamy Thickener
About 30 to 60 minutes before your soup finishes cooking, whisk together the heavy cream, sour cream, and xanthan gum in a small bowl. Mixing these ahead of time prevents lumps and ensures a smooth, thick texture. Carefully stir this mixture into the crock pot and turn the heat to high for the last 20 to 30 minutes. You’ll notice the soup thickening beautifully—this is the part I look forward to every time!
Pro Tips for Making Easy Crock Pot Potato Soup Recipe
- Choose the Right Potato: Russet potatoes give that perfect creamy texture without falling apart too much.
- Pre-mix Cream and Thickener: Whisking xanthan gum with the creams helps avoid clumps and ensures smooth thickening.
- Don’t Skip the Butter: It adds essential richness and depth that turns a basic soup into something special.
- Avoid Overcooking: No need to cook the soup too long after adding the cream mixture to keep it from breaking.
How to Serve Easy Crock Pot Potato Soup Recipe
Garnishes
My go-to garnishes are shredded cheddar cheese, crispy bacon bits, and a sprinkle of fresh chopped green onions or chives. They add amazing texture, color, and extra flavor that take this easy Crock Pot Potato Soup Recipe from good to irresistible every time.
Side Dishes
I like pairing this soup with a fresh green salad or warm crusty bread – perfect for dipping and soaking up every last drop. Sometimes I even serve garlic knots or a simple grilled cheese sandwich for a truly comforting meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For a cozy dinner party, I once served this soup in rustic bread bowls and topped each bowl with a swirl of sour cream and crispy shallots. It looked fancy but was super easy, and everyone loved the presentation. Little touches like that make it feel special without adding stress.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover soup in a tightly sealed container in the fridge for up to 4 days. It actually tastes even better the next day once the flavors meld together. Just be sure to stir well before reheating.
Freezing
I’ve frozen this soup several times with great success — just cool it completely, portion into freezer-safe containers, and it keeps well for up to 3 months. When thawing, I recommend popping it in the fridge overnight before reheating gently on the stove to prevent separation.
Reheating
Reheat leftover potato soup slowly over low heat on the stove, stirring occasionally to keep it creamy. If the soup thickened too much after refrigeration, add a splash of broth or milk to loosen it up. Avoid microwaving too long without stirring, as that can cause uneven heating.
FAQs
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Can I make this Easy Crock Pot Potato Soup Recipe dairy-free?
Yes! To make it dairy-free, swap the butter with a plant-based alternative, and replace the heavy cream and sour cream with coconut cream or cashew cream. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth to keep it fully plant-based.
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How do I prevent the soup from being too thin or too thick?
The xanthan gum added to the cream mixture helps thicken the soup just right without making it gummy. If the soup is too thin, cook it a bit longer uncovered to reduce excess liquid. If too thick, add a splash of broth or milk while stirring.
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Can I prepare this soup in advance?
Absolutely! You can assemble all ingredients in the crock pot the night before and refrigerate overnight. Then start the slow cooker in the morning. Just add the cream mixture closer to the end of cooking as usual.
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What if I don’t have a crock pot, can I make this on the stovetop?
You can, though it requires more active cooking. Simmer diced potatoes, onion, garlic, and broth until tender on medium heat, then add butter, seasonings, and cream mixture. Stir often to prevent sticking and adjust thickness.
Final Thoughts
This Easy Crock Pot Potato Soup Recipe has become a real go-to comfort food for me, especially when life gets busy and I want something nourishing with minimal effort. I hope you’ll enjoy the creamy texture and cozy flavors as much as my family does. Give it a try—you might just find it’s your new favorite slow-cooker recipe to turn to again and again!
Print
Easy Crock Pot Potato Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours 30 minutes
- Total Time: 6 hours 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Easy Crock Pot Potato Soup is a comforting and hearty dish made with tender russet potatoes, onions, and rich cream, slow-cooked to perfection for a creamy, thick texture. Perfect for a cozy meal, it features simple ingredients blended together with a touch of Xanthan Gum to naturally thicken the soup without flour or cornstarch.
Ingredients
Soup Base
- 5 large russet potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
Thickening & Cream
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon Xanthan Gum
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Peel and dice the russet potatoes and dice the small onion finely to ensure even cooking and smooth texture.
- Add to Slow Cooker: Place the diced potatoes, onions, chicken broth, butter, minced garlic, salt, and pepper into your slow cooker, spreading evenly for consistent cooking.
- Cook Soup: Set the slow cooker on low for 4 to 6 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours, cooking until the potatoes are soft and tender, which forms the base of your creamy soup.
- Make Thickening Mixture: About 30 to 60 minutes before the soup finishes cooking, whisk together heavy cream, sour cream, and Xanthan Gum in a small mixing bowl until smooth and thickened. The Xanthan Gum will help naturally thicken the soup.
- Incorporate Thickener: Stir this cream mixture thoroughly into the soup in the slow cooker, making sure it is evenly combined for a creamy consistency.
- Final Cooking: Cook the soup on high for an additional 20 to 30 minutes until it thickens slightly, enriching the flavor and texture.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth to make it vegetarian-friendly.
- Adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper as per your taste.
- If you prefer a chunkier soup, mash some of the potatoes before adding the cream mixture.
- Xanthan Gum acts as a gluten-free thickener, but if unavailable, cornstarch or flour mixed with cold water may be used as alternatives, adjusting the quantity accordingly.
- Serve hot with optional toppings like shredded cheese, chopped green onions, or crispy bacon bits for extra flavor.
