Easiest Recipe (Forget the Stovetop!) – besthomemaderecipes

Imagine a world where creamy, comforting potato soup simmers away gently, filling your home with its savory aroma, all without you having to hover over a hot stovetop. That’s the promise of this Crockpot Potato Soup Recipe: Forget the Stovetop! It’s a hands-off, fuss-free way to enjoy a classic comfort food, perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends.

Why Choose the Crockpot for Potato Soup?

The slow cooker, or Crockpot, is a kitchen workhorse for a reason. It excels at transforming simple ingredients into deeply flavorful dishes with minimal effort. But why is it particularly well-suited for potato soup? Let’s explore the advantages:

• Hands-Off Cooking: This is the most obvious benefit. Simply toss the ingredients into the Crockpot, set the timer, and walk away. No need for constant stirring or monitoring.
• Enhanced Flavor Development: The slow, gentle cooking process allows the flavors to meld and deepen over time, resulting in a richer, more complex soup than you might achieve on the stovetop. The potatoes become incredibly tender, almost melting into the broth.
• Even Cooking: The Crockpot provides consistent, even heat, ensuring that the potatoes cook uniformly throughout the soup. No more crunchy bits or overcooked mush!
• Convenience: Perfect for busy schedules. Prepare the soup in the morning and come home to a warm, comforting meal ready to eat.
• Ideal for Meal Prepping: Crockpot potato soup is excellent for meal prepping. Make a large batch on the weekend and enjoy it throughout the week.
• Keeps Soup Warm: The “warm” setting on your Crockpot keeps the soup at a safe and enjoyable temperature for hours, making it ideal for potlucks or gatherings.

Ingredients for the Best Crockpot Potato Soup

The beauty of potato soup lies in its simplicity. Here’s a breakdown of the key ingredients and some variations you can consider:

• Potatoes: Russet potatoes are the classic choice for their starchy texture, which helps thicken the soup. Yukon Gold potatoes offer a slightly sweeter flavor and creamy texture. Red potatoes are also an option, but they hold their shape better, resulting in a chunkier soup.
• Broth: Chicken broth or vegetable broth both work well. Chicken broth adds a richer, savory flavor, while vegetable broth keeps the soup vegetarian-friendly. You can even use a combination of both.
• Onion and Garlic: These aromatics are essential for building a flavorful base. Sautéing them briefly before adding them to the Crockpot can enhance their flavor even further.
• Celery and Carrots: These vegetables add depth and sweetness to the soup. Diced finely, they blend seamlessly into the creamy texture.
• Dairy: Milk, cream, or half-and-half are used to create the soup’s signature creamy texture. For a richer soup, use heavy cream. For a lighter option, use milk or half-and-half. You can also use a combination.
• Butter: Adds richness and flavor.
• Seasonings: Salt, pepper, and thyme are the classic seasonings for potato soup. You can also add other herbs and spices to your liking, such as rosemary, parsley, or bay leaf.
• Optional Add-ins: Bacon, ham, cheese, sour cream, green onions, and chives are all popular toppings and add-ins.

Step-by-Step Crockpot Potato Soup Recipe

Here’s a detailed recipe for making delicious Crockpot potato soup:

Recipe: Crockpot Potato Soup

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 6-8 hours on low, or 3-4 hours on high

Yields: 6-8 servings

Ingredients:

• 6-8 medium russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 6 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
• 1/2 cup butter, cut into pieces
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup milk, cream, or half-and-half
• Optional toppings: cooked bacon, shredded cheese, sour cream, green onions, chives

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Vegetables: Peel and cube the potatoes. Chop the onion, celery, and carrots. Mince the garlic.
2. Combine Ingredients in the Crockpot: In a 6-quart or larger Crockpot, combine the potatoes, onion, garlic, celery, carrots, chicken broth, butter, thyme, salt, and pepper.
3. Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, or until the potatoes are very tender.
4. Mash (Optional): For a smoother soup, use an immersion blender to partially blend the soup. Alternatively, you can carefully transfer some of the soup to a regular blender and blend until smooth, then return it to the Crockpot. Be careful when blending hot liquids!
5. Add Dairy: Stir in the milk, cream, or half-and-half.
6. Heat Through: Cook on low for another 15-30 minutes to heat the dairy through. Do not boil.
7. Adjust Seasoning: Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. Add more salt, pepper, or thyme to your liking.
8. Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and top with your favorite toppings, such as cooked bacon, shredded cheese, sour cream, green onions, or chives.

Tips for the Perfect Crockpot Potato Soup

While this recipe is incredibly easy, here are a few tips to ensure your Crockpot potato soup turns out perfectly every time:

• Don’t Overcook: Overcooked potatoes can become mushy and disintegrate in the soup. Check for doneness after the recommended cooking time and adjust as needed.
• Adjust the Liquid: If you prefer a thicker soup, use less broth. If you prefer a thinner soup, use more broth.
• Sauté the Vegetables: Sautéing the onion, garlic, celery, and carrots in butter before adding them to the Crockpot can enhance their flavor and add depth to the soup.
• Use High-Quality Broth: The quality of the broth will significantly impact the flavor of the soup. Use homemade broth or a high-quality store-bought broth.
• Add Cheese at the End: If you want to add cheese to the soup, stir it in during the last 30 minutes of cooking. Adding it too early can cause it to become stringy and clumpy.
• Use an Immersion Blender Carefully: When using an immersion blender, start on low speed and gradually increase the speed to avoid splattering hot soup.
• Don’t Boil the Dairy: Boiling the milk, cream, or half-and-half can cause it to curdle. Heat it gently on low heat.
• Reheat Gently: When reheating the soup, do so gently over low heat. Avoid boiling it, as this can affect the texture.
• Spice it Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce for a little kick.

Variations and Add-ins to Personalize Your Soup

One of the best things about potato soup is its versatility. Here are some variations and add-ins to personalize your soup and make it your own:

• Cheesy Potato Soup: Add shredded cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, or a combination of cheeses to the soup during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
• Bacon Potato Soup: Add cooked and crumbled bacon to the soup during the last 30 minutes of cooking or use it as a topping.
• Ham and Potato Soup: Add diced ham to the soup during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
• Broccoli Cheddar Potato Soup: Add chopped broccoli and shredded cheddar cheese to the soup during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
• Loaded Potato Soup: Top the soup with cooked bacon, shredded cheese, sour cream, green onions, and chives.
• Spicy Potato Soup: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes, a dash of hot sauce, or some chopped jalapeños to the soup.
• Vegan Potato Soup: Use vegetable broth and replace the dairy with plant-based milk, such as almond milk, soy milk, or oat milk. You can also add a tablespoon of nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor.

Serving Suggestions and Pairings

Crockpot potato soup is a hearty and satisfying meal on its own, but it also pairs well with a variety of other dishes:

• Salad: A simple green salad or a Caesar salad provides a refreshing contrast to the creamy soup.
• Sandwiches: Grilled cheese sandwiches, ham sandwiches, or turkey sandwiches are all excellent pairings.
• Bread: Crusty bread, rolls, or cornbread are perfect for dipping into the soup.
• Crackers: Oyster crackers or saltine crackers add a salty crunch.
• Side Dishes: Roasted vegetables, such as Brussels sprouts or asparagus, complement the soup nicely.

Other Delicious Crockpot Recipes to Try

If you love the ease and convenience of Crockpot cooking, here are a few other recipes you might enjoy. For a flavorful and easy weeknight meal, consider making Shredded Chicken Crockpot BBQ. It’s perfect for sandwiches or sliders. Or, if you’re in the mood for chili, the Creamy White Chicken Chili is a crowd-pleaser. For a simple chicken dinner, try the Crispy Crockpot Chicken Thighs or the Honey Garlic Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs; both are incredibly easy to prepare. Another great chicken chili option is Crockpot White Chicken Chili, a dump-and-forget kind of meal. Finally, for a comforting and flavorful chicken dish, you can’t go wrong with Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Leftover Crockpot potato soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Store it in an airtight container to prevent it from drying out.

To reheat the soup, gently warm it over low heat on the stovetop or in the microwave. Avoid boiling it, as this can affect the texture. You may need to add a little extra milk or broth to thin it out if it has thickened during storage.

Freezing potato soup is not recommended, as the potatoes can become grainy and mushy when thawed. However, if you do choose to freeze it, allow the soup to cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Conclusion

This Crockpot potato soup recipe is a testament to the power of simple ingredients and slow cooking. It’s a comforting, flavorful, and incredibly easy meal that’s perfect for any occasion. So, ditch the stovetop and let your Crockpot do the work. You’ll be rewarded with a delicious and satisfying soup that everyone will love.

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