Creamy Crockpot Potato Soup to Feed Your Family and Friends

Creamy Crockpot Potato Soup to Feed Your Family and Friends

Creamy Crockpot Potato Soup to Feed Your Family and Friends

You know that feeling when you want to make something warm and comforting for dinner but don’t have the time or energy for a big production? This creamy crockpot potato soup is the answer. In just 10 minutes you can assemble the ingredients, turn on the slow cooker, and forget about it until dinner. Come home to a house filled with the aroma of potatoes, herbs and creamy soup. Your family and friends will love dipping bread into the broth and devouring bowl after bowl of this simple, satisfying soup. Using pantry staples like potatoes, broth and cream, this recipe comes together easily and is budget-friendly to boot. On a chilly night, nothing beats a hot bowl of homemade soup. This crockpot potato soup has you covered.

Ingredients You'll Need for Creamy Crockpot Potato Soup

To make this cozy, creamy crockpot potato soup, you'll need a few simple ingredients.

• 5 pounds of russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 carrots, sliced
• 4 celery stalks, sliced
• 4 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 cup milk or half and half
• 1/2 cup butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Optional garnishes:

• Shredded cheese like cheddar or Swiss
• Crumbled bacon
• Sour cream
• Chives
• Bread to dip in the broth

Slow cooking the potatoes and vegetables in the broth helps them get ultra tender and infuses the soup with flavor. The milk and butter provide a rich creaminess without needing heavy cream. You can also substitute olive oil for a dairy-free option.

This simple, satisfying soup is perfect for feeding a crowd or enjoying leftovers all week. Double or triple the recipe and you'll have meals covered for days. Your family and friends will love cozying up to a bowl of this creamy comfort food.

Whichever garnishes you choose, this crockpot potato soup is sure to become a favorite. Enjoy!

Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Crockpot Potato Soup

To make creamy crockpot potato soup, here are the steps

1. Chop 4-6 medium russet potatoes into 1-inch cubes. No need to peel - the skins add flavor and texture.
2. Dice 2-3 carrots, 1 onion, 3-4 celery stalks. The classic mirepoix veggie trio provides a flavor base.
3. Melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a skillet. Add the chopped veggies and sauté until the onions are translucent, about 5 minutes.
4. Transfer the veggies to your crockpot. Add the chopped potatoes, 4-6 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth, 1/2 teaspoon each of salt and pepper, and any other spices you like such as rosemary, thyme, or paprika.
5. Cook on Low for 6-8 hours until the potatoes are very tender.
6. Use an immersion blender to puree some of the veggies right in the pot. Or scoop out 2-3 cups of veggies and blend them, then return to the pot. This provides a creamy base without needing heavy cream.
7. For extra creaminess, stir in 1-2 cups milk or half and half and heat through. You can also add shredded cheese such as cheddar or Gruyere and stir frequently as it melts.
8. Garnish your soup with extras like shredded cheese, chopped chives, crumbled bacon, or croutons. Enjoy your cozy, comforting meal!

With simple ingredients and a few hours in a crockpot, you'll have a creamy, delicious soup to share with family and friends. Buen provecho 

Tips for Getting the Creamiest Crockpot Potato Soup

For the creamiest crockpot potato soup, follow these tips:

Use Russet Potatoes

Russet potatoes, also known as baking potatoes, break down as they cook to create a thick and creamy texture. Their high starch content gives the soup a creamy body without adding dairy. Yukon gold or red potatoes won’t achieve the same result.

Add Flour or Cornstarch

A little flour or cornstarch helps thicken the broth for an ultra creamy soup. Whisk 1-2 tablespoons of flour or cornstarch into 1/2 cup of broth until smooth. Pour into the crockpot during the last 30 minutes of cooking and stir well. The starch granules swell in the hot liquid to create a velvety texture.

Puree Some of the Potatoes

For an even creamier soup, puree some of the cooked potatoes right in the crockpot. Use an immersion blender to carefully puree about 1/3 of the potatoes. The remaining chunky potatoes provide texture. Alternatively, scoop out a few cups of potatoes and puree them in a blender or food processor before returning to the crockpot.

Add Dairy (Optional)

For an extra creamy and rich soup, stir in 1 to 2 cups of milk, half and half or heavy cream during the last 30 minutes of cooking. Whole milk will provide a subtle creamy flavor, while half and half or heavy cream make the soup decadently rich. For a dairy-free soup, use coconut milk or cashew cream instead.

Season Generously

Don’t forget to season the soup generously with salt and pepper. Potato soup needs aggressive seasoning to enhance all the flavors. You can also add fresh or dried herbs like rosemary, thyme, chives or parsley. Nutmeg, paprika or cayenne pepper provide a kick of spice.

Taste and adjust the seasonings as needed. Your creamy crockpot potato soup is ready to enjoy! Serve it topped with cheese, bacon, chives, sour cream or croutons.

Variations to Customize Your Crockpot Potato Soup

Once you’ve mastered the basic creamy crockpot potato soup recipe, try some of these variations to customize it to your tastes.

Add extra veggies

Chopped carrots, corn, broccoli or spinach are all great additions to boost the nutrition. Just stir in 1 to 2 cups of your favorite veggies during the last 30-60 minutes of cooking. The longer they cook, the softer they’ll become. Use frozen veggies for extra convenience.

Swap the broth

Replace the chicken broth with vegetable or mushroom broth for a vegetarian version. Beef broth will make it heartier. Or use half broth and half milk or half and half for an ultra-creamy soup.

Mix in cheese

Stir in 1 to 2 cups of shredded cheddar, Gruyere, or your favorite cheese during the last 10-15 minutes of cooking. Gouda or fontina also melt beautifully. The cheese will blend right in, adding a layer of rich, gooey flavor.

Top it off

Garnish your bowls of soup with shredded cheese, crumbled bacon, sliced scallions, croutons, or fresh or fried parsley. A dollop of sour cream, yogurt or chive creme fraiche also make a lovely topping.

Add proteins

Diced ham, cooked bacon or sausage are savory additions. For a heartier meal, stir in 1 pound of cooked diced chicken, beef or pork during the last 30 minutes of cooking. Shrimp also work great for a seafood potato chowder.

Season to taste

Add a bit of thyme, rosemary or paprika for extra flavor. Red pepper flakes will spice it up. Or add a splash of white wine or sherry for a subtle savory flavor. Taste and season with more salt and pepper as needed.

With so many possible additions and substitutions, you can create your own signature creamy crockpot potato soup. Use your imagination and make it your own! Your family and friends will love the variety.

How to Serve and Store Leftover Crockpot Potato Soup

To enjoy your Crockpot Potato Soup for days, properly storing the leftovers is key. Here are some tips to keep it fresh and prevent foodborne illness:

Let it cool

Before refrigerating, allow the soup to cool to room temperature, usually 3 to 4 hours. This allows it to thicken to the perfect consistency. Forcing it into the fridge too soon can sour the flavor. Once cooled, portion into shallow containers or ziplock bags.

Refrigerate promptly

Refrigerate the cooled soup within 2 hours of cooking. This prevents harmful bacteria from growing rapidly at room temperature. Properly refrigerated, your Crockpot Potato Soup will last up to 1 week.

Reheat thoroughly

When reheating leftovers, make sure the soup reaches an internal temperature of 165 F. Crockpot Potato Soup is a great candidate for reheating - simply add it back to a pot and warm through, stirring frequently, over medium heat until bubbly. You can also reheat portions in the microwave in short 30 second bursts, stirring in between, until heated through.

Freeze for up to 3 months

For longer term storage, you can freeze portions of Crockpot Potato Soup for up to 3 months. Allow to cool, then transfer to freezer bags or containers and freeze. When ready to eat, simply thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat as above. For best quality, use frozen soup within 3 months.

Add extras (optional)

Jazz up leftovers by stirring in extra veggies like corn, broccoli or spinach, adding cooked bacon or ham, or topping bowls with cheese, scallions, sour cream, chives or croutons. Get creative - the possibilities are endless!

Leftover Crockpot Potato Soup is comforting and satisfying. Follow these tips for storing and reheating properly, and enjoy your homemade creation all week long!

Conclusion

So there you have it, a simple and satisfying crockpot potato soup recipe to feed a crowd. Your family and friends will surely appreciate the hearty, creamy comfort of this dish. The best part is the ease - just chop a few veggies, throw everything in the crockpot, and let it simmer. The aroma will fill your home with warmth. Before you know it, dinner will be ready with minimal effort on your part. Why not double the batch and share with neighbors too? Potato soup is meant for community. This cozy, creamy crockpot creation will nourish bodies and souls, bringing people together around your table. All that's left is to ladle it up and enjoy!