Warm Up Cool Evenings with This Hearty Slow Cooker Crack Potato Soup
Discover a comforting and delicious bowl of potato soup that will warm up your soul on those chilly days. This slow cooker recipe brings together the perfect blend of creamy potatoes, savory bacon, and tangy cheese for a family-favorite meal.
The origins of this hearty Crock Pot Crack Potato Soup can be traced back to traditional American comfort food. The combination of potatoes, cream, and bacon was a popular dish in the early 20th century, and it continues to be a favorite among families today.
- 6 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
- In a large slow cooker, combine potatoes, onion, garlic, chicken broth, heavy cream, salt, black pepper, and thyme. Stir well to combine.
- Cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
- Once the potatoes are tender, use an immersion blender to blend about half of the soup until smooth. Alternatively, transfer half of the soup to a blender, blend until smooth, and return to the slow cooker.
- Stir in shredded cheddar cheese and cook on low for an additional 10-15 minutes or until cheese is melted and smooth.
- Serve hot, garnished with crumbled bacon and chopped fresh parsley.
Variations Ideas:
- If you don’t have heavy cream, use half-and-half, whole milk, or evaporated milk instead. You can also make your heavy cream by mixing butter and milk.
- If you don’t have cheddar cheese, you can use any other cheese that melts well, such as Monterey Jack, Colby, Gouda, or Swiss.
- You can use ham, turkey bacon, sausage, or vegetarian bacon bits if you don’t have bacon. You can also omit the bacon altogether if you prefer a meatless soup.
- If you don’t have fresh parsley, you can use dried parsley, cilantro, basil, or chives instead. You can also garnish your soup with green onions, sour cream, or croutons.
This creamy and comforting potato soup is perfect for satisfying your family’s hunger on chilly nights. The combination of bacon, cheese, and tender potatoes makes it a crowd-pleaser that will become a staple in your slow cooker recipe collection.
How do you thicken a potato soup that is too liquid?
Use starch: You can also use cornstarch, potato starch, or chickpea flour to thicken the soup. Mix a tablespoon or two of the starch with some water or broth and add it to the soup near the end of the cooking time. Whisk well to avoid clumps.
