Creamy Crock Pot Potato Soup Recipe

Updated on: December 16, 2025

A hearty bowl of loaded potato soup with melted cheddar, crispy bacon, and green onions, showcasing a delicious crock pot potato soup recipe on a granite countertop.

Welcome to the ultimate comfort food solution! This comforting crock pot potato soup recipe is incredibly easy to make, letting your slow cooker do all the heavy lifting. It results in a rich, creamy, and satisfying dish perfect for chilly evenings or busy weeknights. Get ready to enjoy a delicious, hands-off meal.

Why You’ll Love This Crock Pot Potato Soup

This crock pot potato soup quickly becomes a family favorite for many great reasons.

Effortless Cooking: Enjoy hands-off cooking with this easy slow cooker potato soup. Simply add ingredients and let your appliance work its magic.
Rich & Satisfying: Each spoonful delivers incredible creamy texture and hearty potato flavor. It is truly a comforting meal.
Warm & Cozy: This soup provides the perfect warmth on a cold day, making it ultimate comfort food.
Highly Customizable: Easily adapt it with your favorite toppings, from crispy bacon to fresh chives.
Feeds a Crowd: This recipe yields generous portions, making it ideal for family dinners or gatherings.

Ingredients

Get ready to make the best crock pot potato soup recipe! Here are the simple ingredients you will need for this warming meal.

Yields: 8-10 servings
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 3-8 hours (low or high)

For the Soup Base:

6 slices cooked bacon, diced
3-4 cups good-quality chicken or vegetable stock
2 pounds Yukon gold potatoes, peeled (if desired) and diced
1 medium white or yellow onion, peeled and diced

For the Creamy Thickener:

4 tablespoons bacon grease (or butter)
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 (12-ounce) can 2% evaporated milk

Evaporated milk is a key ingredient for achieving a rich and creamy texture in slow cooker soups, as it tolerates canning conditions and adds a desirable flavor.

For Flavor & Finish:

1 cup shredded reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup plain low-fat Greek yogurt or low-fat sour cream
1 teaspoon Kosher salt, or more to taste
1/2 teaspoon freshly-cracked black pepper

Optional Toppings:

Thinly-sliced green onions or chives
Extra shredded cheese
Extra crumbled bacon
Sour cream
Fresh parsley

Notes & Substitutions

Potatoes: While Yukon golds are best for their creamy texture and ability to hold their shape, russet or red potatoes also work well in this homemade potato soup.
Stock: Use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock to easily make this a vegetarian slow cooker potato soup.
Dairy: If you do not have evaporated milk, whole milk or half-and-half can substitute, though the soup might be slightly less thick.
Cheese: Sharp cheddar cheese offers the best flavor depth, but you can also use Monterey Jack or Colby.
Thickener: For a gluten-free option, use a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water) added at the end, instead of the flour roux.

Equipment

Gathering your equipment beforehand makes the cooking process smooth and enjoyable.

A large slow cooker (6-quart minimum is ideal for this batch)
Small saucepan
Whisk
Potato masher (optional, for thicker soup)
Cutting board and knife

Instructions

Creating this delicious crock pot potato soup recipe is straightforward with these step-by-step instructions.

Prepare Slow Cooker: Begin your delicious crock pot potato soup recipe by adding the diced bacon, 3 cups of chicken or vegetable stock, diced potatoes, and diced onion to the bowl of your large slow cooker. Stir everything gently to combine.
Slow Cook: Cover your slow cooker. Cook the mixture on the low setting for 6-8 hours, or on the high setting for 3-4 hours. Continue cooking until the potatoes are completely tender and easily mashable.
Check Doneness: Pierce a potato piece with a fork to ensure it is very tender and cooked through before proceeding to the next steps.
Make Roux: Once the soup has cooked and you are ready to serve, melt the bacon grease (or butter) in a small saucepan on the stovetop over medium-high heat.
Whisk in Flour: Whisk the all-purpose flour into the melted fat until it is fully combined, forming a smooth paste. Cook this roux for 1 minute, stirring occasionally, to cook out the raw flour taste.
Whisk in Milk: Gradually pour the evaporated milk into the flour mixture while continuously whisking. Keep whisking until the mixture becomes completely smooth with no lumps.
Simmer & Thicken: Allow the milk mixture to continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until it reaches a gentle simmer and visibly thickens. It will become quite creamy.
Combine & Stir: Immediately pour this thick milk mixture into the slow cooker with the cooked potatoes and stock. Stir everything well until it is thoroughly combined. This forms the creamy base of your creamy potato soup.
Add Final Dairy: Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, Greek yogurt (or sour cream), salt, and black pepper. Continue stirring until the cheese melts and all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
Adjust Consistency (Optional): If you prefer an even thicker soup, use a potato masher or a large spoon to mash about half of the cooked potatoes directly in the slow cooker. For a thinner consistency, add an extra 1-2 cups of warmed chicken or vegetable stock.
Adjust Seasoning: Taste the soup and add more salt and pepper as needed to suit your preference.
Serve: Ladle the hot potato soup into bowls. Garnish generously with your desired toppings before serving.

Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

Making the best slow cooker potato soup is easy with a few expert tips.

Potato Choice: Yukon golds are excellent because they yield a creamy texture but still hold their shape beautifully.
Roux Importance: Do not skip the roux step; it is crucial for achieving that silky, rich, and creamy consistency in your soup.
Whisking Smoothly: When adding the milk to the flour mixture, whisk continuously to prevent any lumps from forming.
Thickening: Mashing some of the cooked potatoes directly in the slow cooker is a great trick for natural thickening and added body.
Thinning: If your soup becomes too thick, simply stir in additional warmed chicken or vegetable stock until it reaches your preferred consistency.
Flavor Boost: Always use good quality stock. It makes a significant difference in the overall flavor of any homemade potato soup.
Don’t Overcook: While potatoes need to be tender, avoid letting them cook so long they turn into complete mush before adding the thickener.

The USDA provides food safety guidelines, confirming that slow cookers can safely cook food at low temperatures, destroying bacteria effectively.

Serving, Storage, & Variations

This versatile crock pot potato soup recipe offers many possibilities for enjoyment.

Serving Suggestions

Serve your hearty crock pot potato soup recipe with crusty bread or warm crackers for dipping.
Garnish each bowl generously with a variety of toppings like green onions, extra cheese, and crispy bacon.
Pair this rich soup with a light, simple green salad to balance the meal.

Storage & Reheating

Refrigerate: Store any leftover creamy potato soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezing: This soup does not freeze well. The dairy components tend to separate and can become grainy upon thawing, affecting the texture.
Reheat: Gently warm the soup on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, or reheat small portions in the microwave. Add a splash of milk or stock if it is too thick.

Variations

Loaded Potato Soup: Amp up the decadence by adding extra crumbled bacon, chives, and a dollop of sour cream right before serving.
Cheesy Broccoli Potato: Stir in 1-2 cups of steamed or roasted broccoli florets along with the cheese for added vegetables and flavor.
Spicy Kick: Introduce a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of your favorite hot sauce to the slow cooker for a subtle heat.
Vegetarian: Simply use vegetable stock and omit the bacon entirely to make this a delicious vegetarian option.
Smoked Paprika: Add 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika along with the stock and potatoes for a wonderfully smoky depth of flavor.

Nutrition Information

Please note that the following nutrition information is an estimate. It is based on the ingredients listed and may vary depending on specific brands or ingredient substitutions.

Nutrient	Per Serving (Estimated)
Calories	350-400 kcal
Protein	15-20 g
Carbohydrates	40-45 g
Fat	15-20 g
Saturated Fat	8-10 g
Fiber	4-5 g
Sodium	600-700 mg

Consult a qualified nutritionist or use a trusted nutrition calculator for precise dietary needs. This information is intended for general guidance only.

FAQ

Got questions about this easy crock pot potato soup recipe? We have answers!

What potatoes are best for a crock pot potato soup recipe? Yukon golds are highly recommended as they become wonderfully creamy while holding their shape well, preventing a mushy texture.
Can I make this vegetarian? Yes, easily! Just use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock and omit the bacon for a delicious vegetarian option.
How do I thicken/thin my soup? To thicken, mash some of the potatoes in the slow cooker. To thin, add more warmed chicken or vegetable stock until you reach your desired consistency.
Does this soup freeze well? No, dairy-based soups like this one typically do not freeze well, as the dairy can separate and become grainy when thawed.
Can I use a different cheese? Absolutely! While sharp cheddar provides excellent flavor, Monterey Jack, Colby, or even a blend like Mexican cheese can also be used.

Conclusion

This simple crock pot potato soup recipe delivers hearty comfort with minimal effort, making it ideal for busy individuals and cooking beginners. Its rich, creamy texture and customizable toppings ensure everyone will love it. Give this easy recipe a try for your next weeknight meal or cozy gathering. You will enjoy every delicious spoonful!