Emilie Meyer
Potato soup is a popular comfort food that can be made in a crock pot or slow cooker. It is a simple recipe with a rich, creamy texture and amazing flavour. The soup can be made with a variety of potatoes, including russet, red skin, Yukon gold, and frozen hash browns, and can be topped with bacon, cheese, chives, and croutons. The cooking time for potato soup in a crock pot can vary depending on the desired consistency and the settings of the crock pot, but it typically takes around 3 to 8 hours to cook. In this article, we will explore the different methods for making potato soup in a crock pot, the ingredients used, and the cooking time required. We will also provide tips and variations for creating a delicious and comforting potato soup.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Potatoes, onions, garlic, celery, carrots, butter, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, salt, cayenne, evaporated milk, cornstarch, heavy cream, sour cream, xanthan gum, cheddar cheese, bacon |
| Potato Type | Russet potatoes, red potatoes, Yukon gold potatoes |
| Potato Preparation | Peeled, diced, chopped |
| Cook Time | 4-8 hours |
| Cook Temperature | Low or high |
| Cookware | 5-8 quart crock pot, skillet, slow cooker |
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What You'll Learn
Prep time: 15 minutes, then leave the slow cooker to do the work
Preparing a delicious crockpot potato soup is an easy process that only requires 15 minutes of your time. After that, you can leave the slow cooker to do the work for you!
First, prepare your ingredients. For a simple potato soup, you will need potatoes, onions, garlic, butter, and chicken or vegetable broth. You can also add carrots, celery, and any other vegetables you like. If you want to make a creamy soup, you can add milk, half-and-half, or evaporated milk. For a thicker soup, you can use a potato masher or an immersion blender to mash some of the potatoes.
Once you have gathered your ingredients, chop the vegetables into small pieces. You can also choose to peel the potatoes or leave the peels on for a more rustic texture. Melt the butter in a skillet and add the onions, sautéing until they are softened. Then, add the garlic and any other vegetables you are using, and cook until they are slightly softened.
Next, layer the potatoes in your slow cooker, topping them with the cooked vegetables. Pour in the broth, ensuring it does not completely cover the potatoes. Add any seasonings you like, such as salt and pepper.
Finally, cover your slow cooker and set it to cook. You can cook the soup on a high setting for 3 to 6 hours or on a low setting for 6 to 8 hours. The soup is ready when the potatoes are soft and tender. If you want to add a creamy touch, whisk together some heavy cream, sour cream, or milk, and stir it into the soup before serving.
Now, you can leave the slow cooker to work its magic! After a few hours, you will have a delicious, creamy potato soup ready to be enjoyed. This crockpot potato soup is a simple, comforting meal that your family and friends will surely love.
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Cook on high for 6 hours or low for 8 hours
Cooking potato soup in a crock pot for 6 hours on a high setting or 8 hours on a low setting is a standard recommendation across several recipes. This cooking duration ensures that the potatoes and other vegetables are thoroughly cooked and softened.
When cooking on high for 6 hours, the crock pot's higher temperature will cook the soup faster. This setting is ideal if you want to prepare the soup within a shorter timeframe. The high setting is also useful if you want to cook the soup for a shorter duration to retain the texture and shape of the potatoes and other vegetables.
On the other hand, cooking the potato soup on low for 8 hours is a slower and gentler cooking method. This extended duration on a lower temperature setting allows the flavours to develop and blend more deeply. If you prefer a soup with softer, more tender potatoes and vegetables, the low and slow cooking method is a better option.
Regardless of the setting you choose, it is important to ensure that the potatoes are adequately tender before proceeding to the next steps in the recipe. You can test the potatoes' doneness by piercing them with a fork; if the fork slides in easily, the potatoes are ready. Once the potatoes are tender, you can use an immersion blender to cream them to your desired consistency, whether you prefer a chunkier soup or a smoother, creamier texture.
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Use russet potatoes for best results
Russet potatoes are a great choice for making potato soup in a crock pot. They are starchy, which helps to thicken the soup and gives it a rich, creamy texture. They also hold their shape well during cooking, so you can achieve a chunky soup consistency if you prefer.
To make potato soup in a crock pot, first prepare your potatoes by peeling them and cutting them into evenly sized chunks. You can also leave the peels on if you don't mind the appearance and texture. Russet potatoes tend to hold their shape well, so if you prefer a chunky soup, you may not need to mash or blend them as much.
Next, layer the potatoes in the bottom of your crock pot. For a 6-quart slow cooker, you will need enough potatoes to fill it about halfway. You can also use a larger slow cooker if you are making a bigger batch. Add chopped onions, garlic, and celery, along with salt and pepper to taste. You can also add other vegetables like carrots if you like.
Then, pour in enough chicken broth to almost cover the potatoes. You can substitute vegetable broth if you prefer a vegetarian soup. Cover the crock pot and cook on a low setting for about 8 hours or until the potatoes are tender. If you are in a hurry, you can cook the soup on a high setting for about 6 hours.
Once the potatoes are tender, you can use a potato masher or an immersion blender to achieve your desired consistency. For a chunky soup, mash or blend the potatoes just enough to create some creamy texture, leaving some potato chunks intact. If you prefer a smoother soup, blend the potatoes until you reach your desired consistency, being careful not to overprocess them.
Finally, stir in milk or half-and-half to add creaminess and adjust the seasoning to taste. You can also add some Greek yogurt to make the soup even creamier and more protein-packed. Cover and cook for about 20 minutes on a high setting, or until the soup is thoroughly heated. Serve your delicious russet potato soup with your favourite toppings and enjoy!
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Add milk and seasoning to taste
Once your potatoes are cooked, it's time to add milk and seasoning to taste. If you want to make your soup creamier, you can add dairy milk, canned coconut milk, or evaporated milk. For a thicker soup, whisk the milk with cornstarch or flour to form a roux before adding it to the Crock Pot. You can also add butter or reserved bacon grease to your milk mixture for extra flavour. If you want to add a tangy flavour to your soup, stir in some sour cream or plain Greek yoghurt.
For a thinner soup, you can add more milk or chicken broth/stock. If you want to keep your soup dairy-free, you can add more broth to thin it out. If you prefer a chunky soup, you can leave it as is or only slightly mash your potatoes. If you prefer a smoother soup, use a potato masher or immersion blender to blend your potatoes to the desired consistency.
Finally, taste your soup and adjust the seasoning as needed. You can add salt and pepper, Italian seasoning, cayenne, or any other seasonings you like. If you want to add some crunch to your soup, you can top it with homemade croutons, crusty bread, or cornbread muffins.
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Top with bacon, cheese, and chives
Once you've cooked your potato soup in the crock pot, it's time to top it with bacon, cheese, and chives. This is an easy step that adds a lot of flavors and makes the soup taste like a loaded baked potato. Here's how to do it:
First, cook your bacon. You can cook it in a skillet on the stovetop, or use an air fryer, whichever you prefer. Cook it until it's evenly browned and then drain the bacon slices on paper towels. Crumble or chop the bacon into smaller pieces. You can also use cooked cubed ham or cooked diced pancetta as a substitute for bacon.
Next, prepare your cheese. Shredded cheddar cheese is a popular choice, but you can also use other types of cheese such as pepper jack cheese, Gruyere, Colby Jack, or a blend of different cheeses. If you want to make it dairy-free, you can use Kitehill Dairy-Free Cream Cheese or simply omit the cheese.
Now, it's time to assemble your soup. Ladle the hot potato soup into bowls and top each bowl with the shredded or crumbled cheese, crumbled bacon, and chopped chives. You can also add other toppings such as sliced green onions, chopped parsley, or finely chopped red onion for extra flavor and texture.
Finally, serve the soup immediately while it's still hot. This crock pot potato soup is a comforting and flavorful dish, perfect for a cold day or any time you're craving something hearty and delicious. Enjoy your delicious creation!
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Frequently asked questions
It takes 6 hours on the HIGH setting and 8 hours on LOW.
The potatoes should be fork-tender.
Use an immersion blender to cream the potatoes to the desired consistency.
After adding milk, change the setting to WARM and allow it to heat through for about 15 minutes.
It takes 3 to 4 hours on high for the potatoes and carrots to be completely tender.
