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Creamy Crockpot Potato Soup with Bacon

creamy crockpot potato soup with bacon - featured image

A rich, comforting slow cooker potato soup made with russet potatoes, crispy bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, and heavy cream. This easy ‘set it and forget it’ recipe delivers a thick, creamy texture without needing a blender.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 810 slices thick-cut bacon
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 large russet potatoes, peeled and diced into 1-inch cubes
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1.5 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 23 stalks green onions, sliced (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Remove bacon and drain on paper towels, leaving the grease in the pan.
  2. Add butter to the bacon grease. Sauté diced onions for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic in the last 30 seconds.
  3. Place diced potatoes in the slow cooker. Pour in chicken broth, sautéed onion/garlic mixture (including fat), thyme, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir well.
  4. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours until potatoes are fork-tender.
  5. For a creamy texture, use an immersion blender to pulse a few times or mash some potatoes against the side of the pot. Leave chunky if preferred.
  6. Stir in heavy cream and shredded cheddar cheese. Cover and cook on HIGH for 15-20 minutes until cheese is melted. Do not boil.
  7. Stir in half of the crumbled bacon. Reserve the rest for topping.
  8. Serve hot, topped with remaining bacon, extra cheese, and sliced green onions.

Notes

Use sharp cheddar and grate it yourself to prevent graininess. Avoid boiling after adding cream to prevent curdling. For a lighter version, use half-and-half or low-fat milk, though heavy cream provides the best texture. If freezing, omit cream and cheese until reheating.

Nutrition

Keywords: crockpot potato soup, creamy potato soup, bacon potato soup, slow cooker recipes, comfort food, easy dinner, winter soup