Craving comfort in a bowl? My creamy Potato Soup Crock Pot Recipe is the ultimate cozy dish for any chilly day.
Made with simple ingredients like Yukon Gold potatoes, sharp cheddar cheese, and a rich, creamy base, this slow cooker recipe lets you enjoy the flavors without much effort.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its ability to cook low and slow, developing deep, comforting flavors that are perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients List
Soup Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 3 large carrots, scrubbed and diced
- 2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch chunks
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt (plus additional to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 3–4 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian version)
- 1 can (12 ounces) 2% evaporated milk
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (plus extra for serving)
- 1 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt (plus extra for serving)
Topping Ingredients:
- Cooked crumbled bacon (optional)
- Chopped fresh chives (optional)
Required Kitchen Tools
Having the right kitchen tools will help make this potato soup recipe even easier! Here are the essentials you need:
- 6-quart or Larger Slow Cooker: For best results, use a large slow cooker to ensure the ingredients are well-cooked and the flavors develop perfectly.
- Large Skillet: A skillet is used to sauté the onions and create a flavorful base for the soup before it hits the slow cooker.
- Medium Bowl: For mixing the evaporated milk and cornstarch to thicken the soup.
- Potato Masher or Large Spoon: To mash the potatoes and create the creamy texture of the soup.
With these tools in your kitchen, you’ll be ready to make a bowl of hearty, creamy potato soup!
Soup Preparation
Preparing this Potato Soup Crock Pot Recipe is so easy and can be done in just a few simple steps. Once everything is prepped and in the slow cooker, the magic happens as it simmers to create the perfect creamy, comforting soup.
Sautéing the Onion
Start by melting the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced yellow onion to the skillet and sauté for about 6 to 8 minutes, or until the onion becomes softened and fragrant. Stir frequently, making sure the onion doesn’t brown too much. The goal is to release the natural sweetness of the onion, which will enhance the flavor of the soup.
Once the onion is ready, transfer it to the slow cooker. This will be the flavor base of your soup, so don’t skip this step—it adds depth to the dish!
Adding the Vegetables and Seasonings
Now that the onion is in the slow cooker, it’s time to add the rest of the ingredients. To the slow cooker, add the diced carrots, Yukon Gold potatoes, Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and cayenne pepper. These ingredients combine to create the heart of this flavorful soup.
Pour in 3 cups of chicken broth (or vegetable broth if you’re making a vegetarian version). Stir everything together to ensure all the ingredients are well distributed in the broth. This is where the slow cooker magic starts—everything will cook together to bring out rich flavors.
Slow Cooking
Cover the slow cooker with its lid and set it to cook. You have two options for cooking time:
- Low setting: Cook for 6 to 8 hours.
- High setting: Cook for 3 to 4 hours.
The soup is done when the potatoes and carrots are fork-tender and the flavors have melded together beautifully. This slow cooking process allows the vegetables to soften and the broth to thicken, creating a comforting, flavorful base for your soup.
Final Touches
As your soup finishes cooking in the slow cooker, it’s time to give it that perfect creamy texture and rich flavor. This is where the magic truly happens!
Thickening the Soup
While the vegetables are cooking, you’ll need to prepare a cornstarch and milk mixture that will help thicken your soup to a creamy consistency. In a medium bowl, whisk together the 12-ounce can of evaporated milk and 3 tablespoons of cornstarch until smooth, with no lumps remaining.
During the last 30 minutes of cooking, add this cornstarch mixture into the slow cooker, stirring well to combine. This will help the soup thicken as it finishes cooking. The cornstarch will work its magic, giving you that perfect creamy texture without needing heavy cream or flour.
Let the soup continue to cook for those last 30 minutes, allowing it to thicken and meld together even more.
Adding the Cheese and Greek Yogurt
Once the soup is fully cooked and thickened to your liking, it’s time to stir in the shredded sharp cheddar cheese and Greek yogurt. The cheese will melt into the soup, adding an extra layer of creaminess and flavor, while the Greek yogurt will lend a tangy richness that balances the richness of the cheese.
Use a potato masher or large spoon to mash about half of the potatoes in the slow cooker. This will create a hearty, creamy texture, while still leaving some chunks of potato for that comforting rustic feel. If you prefer a smoother soup, continue mashing the potatoes more.
If you find that the soup is too thick for your liking, you can add the remaining 1 cup of chicken broth (warmed up first) to adjust the consistency. Stir to combine everything thoroughly.
Final Seasoning
Taste your soup and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed. The flavors will have developed beautifully, but a little extra seasoning can elevate the dish just the way you like it.
Serving the Soup
Now that your soup is perfectly creamy and flavorful, it’s time to serve it up and enjoy the fruits of your labor! This potato soup is hearty enough to stand on its own, but it’s also easy to customize with your favorite toppings.
Toppings
The toppings are what really take this potato soup to the next level! Consider adding one or more of the following to make your soup even more indulgent:
- Cooked Bacon: If you’re a fan of savory crunch, sprinkle some crumbled cooked bacon on top for that irresistible smoky flavor.
- Chopped Fresh Chives: Add a pop of color and a mild, oniony flavor by garnishing with fresh chives. They bring freshness and balance to the richness of the soup.
- Extra Shredded Cheddar Cheese: For cheese lovers, sprinkle an extra handful of sharp cheddar cheese on top for a gooey, melty finish.
- Additional Greek Yogurt: For a tangy twist, you can also add a dollop of Greek yogurt to each bowl, enhancing the creaminess and flavor.
Once you’ve added your favorite toppings, grab a spoon and enjoy your comforting bowl of homemade potato soup!
Potato Soup Crock Pot Recipe
Equipment
- 6 -quart or Larger Slow Cooker
- Large Skillet
- Medium Bowl
- Potato Masher or Large Spoon
Ingredients
Soup Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 3 large carrots, scrubbed and diced
- 2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch chunks
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt (plus additional to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 3–4 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian version)
- 1 1 can (12 ounces) 2% evaporated milk
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (plus extra for serving)
- 1 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt (plus extra for serving)
Instructions
Soup Preparation
- Start by melting the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced yellow onion to the skillet and sauté for about 6 to 8 minutes, or until the onion becomes softened and fragrant. Stir frequently, making sure the onion doesn't brown too much. The goal is to release the natural sweetness of the onion, which will enhance the flavor of the soup. Once the onion is ready, transfer it to the slow cooker. This will be the flavor base of your soup, so don’t skip this step—it adds depth to the dish!
- Now that the onion is in the slow cooker, it’s time to add the rest of the ingredients. To the slow cooker, add the diced carrots, Yukon Gold potatoes, Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and cayenne pepper. These ingredients combine to create the heart of this flavorful soup.
- Pour in 3 cups of chicken broth (or vegetable broth if you're making a vegetarian version). Stir everything together to ensure all the ingredients are well distributed in the broth. This is where the slow cooker magic starts—everything will cook together to bring out rich flavors.
- Cover the slow cooker with its lid and set it to cook. You have two options for cooking time: The soup is done when the potatoes and carr Low setting: Cook for 6 to 8 hours. High setting: Cook for 3 to 4 hours.
Thickening the Soup
- While the vegetables are cooking, you’ll need to prepare a cornstarch and milk mixture that will help thicken your soup to a creamy consistency. In a medium bowl, whisk together the 12-ounce can of evaporated milk and 3 tablespoons of cornstarch until smooth, with no lumps remaining.
- During the last 30 minutes of cooking, add this cornstarch mixture into the slow cooker, stirring well to combine. This will help the soup thicken as it finishes cooking. The cornstarch will work its magic, giving you that perfect creamy texture without needing heavy cream or flour.Let the soup continue to cook for those last 30 minutes, allowing it to thicken and meld together even more.
Adding the Cheese and Greek Yogurt
- Once the soup is fully cooked and thickened to your liking, it’s time to stir in the shredded sharp cheddar cheese and Greek yogurt. The cheese will melt into the soup, adding an extra layer of creaminess and flavor, while the Greek yogurt will lend a tangy richness that balances the richness of the cheese.
- Use a potato masher or large spoon to mash about half of the potatoes in the slow cooker. This will create a hearty, creamy texture, while still leaving some chunks of potato for that comforting rustic feel. If you prefer a smoother soup, continue mashing the potatoes more.
- If you find that the soup is too thick for your liking, you can add the remaining 1 cup of chicken broth (warmed up first) to adjust the consistency. Stir to combine everything thoroughly.
Conclusion
Making potato soup in the crock pot is an easy and convenient way to enjoy a warm, comforting meal. The slow cooking process helps develop deep, rich flavors while keeping things simple. With just a handful of ingredients and minimal effort, you can create a creamy, hearty soup that’s perfect for chilly days or when you want a satisfying dinner. The combination of tender potatoes, savory vegetables, and melted cheese makes each spoonful a treat. Whether you’re serving it on its own or pairing it with a side salad or bread, this potato soup is bound to become a new favorite.
