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Cozy Crockpot Potato Soup with Bacon

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A rich and creamy slow cooker potato soup featuring crispy bacon, Yukon Gold and Russet potatoes, and aromatic herbs. This comforting weeknight meal is easy to prepare and delivers restaurant-quality flavor with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 1 lb Russet potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 1 lb thick-cut bacon
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 4–5 garlic cloves, minced
  • 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth (low-sodium)
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh chives, chopped (for garnish)
  • Optional: Shredded cheddar or Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Peel and dice the Yukon Gold and Russet potatoes into 1-inch cubes. Place them in a bowl of cold water to rinse off excess starch, then drain.
  2. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crispy and browned (8-10 minutes). Remove bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving about 2 tablespoons of fat in the pan.
  3. Add the diced onion to the hot bacon fat and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add the minced garlic and dried thyme, cooking for another minute until fragrant. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
  4. Transfer the onion and garlic mixture into a 6-quart slow cooker. Add the drained potatoes, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Pour in the chicken broth and stir to combine.
  5. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours, until potatoes are tender.
  6. Once tender, use a potato masher to mash about one-third to one-half of the potatoes directly in the pot to thicken the soup naturally. Alternatively, leave them whole for a chunkier texture.
  7. Stir in the heavy cream and half of the crumbled bacon. If using cheese, stir it in now until melted. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
  8. Ladle the soup into bowls, top with the remaining crumbled bacon and fresh chives, and serve immediately with warm bread.

Notes

For a vegetarian version, swap bacon for smoked paprika and liquid smoke, and use vegetable broth. To freeze, omit the cream and cheese; freeze the base soup and add fresh dairy upon reheating to prevent separation. If the soup is too thin, use a cornstarch slurry or mash more potatoes.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://lunafeast.com/cozy-crockpot-potato-soup-with-bacon-easy-weeknight-comfort/