Easy Potato Soup Recipe with Bacon Bits in the Slow Cooker

Introduction

Is there anything more comforting than coming home after a long day to the incredible aroma of a warm, hearty dinner already waiting for you? This Easy Potato Soup Recipe with Bacon Bits in the Slow Cooker is the very definition of that cozy feeling! Imagine a rich, velvety soup filled with tender diced potatoes, savory aromatics, and infused with the smoky goodness of bacon. It’s like a loaded baked potato in a bowl! This is one of my absolute favorite comfort dishes because it’s incredibly simple to prepare in the morning, and the slow cooker does all the work, creating a deeply flavorful, creamy potato soup that’s perfect for a chilly evening.

This potato soup is a wonderfully satisfying meal all on its own, a complete bowl of comfort that needs nothing else. However, it’s also a fantastic canvas for your favorite toppings! Think of it as a deconstructed baked potato; you can load it up with shredded cheese, a dollop of sour cream, and fresh chives. It’s a simple, rustic dish that can be customized to everyone’s liking right at the dinner table.

Full Recipe: Slow Cooker Potato Soup with Bacon

Get ready to make the easiest, most delicious potato soup crock pot recipe ever!

Ingredients

• 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled, divided
• 2 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup heavy cream (or milk)
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened and cubed (optional, for extra creaminess)
• Optional toppings: shredded cheddar cheese, sliced green onions, sour cream

Instructions

1. Cook the bacon in a skillet until crisp. Remove the bacon and set it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain, then crumble it. Reserve about 1 tablespoon of the bacon grease in the skillet if desired, for extra flavor.
2. In the same skillet, sauté the chopped onion in the reserved bacon grease (or a little butter) for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
3. Place the diced potatoes into the basin of a 6-quart slow cooker. Add the sautéed onion and garlic, half of the crumbled bacon, the chicken or vegetable broth, and the dried thyme. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Stir everything together, cover, and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the potatoes are very tender.
5. Once the potatoes are cooked, whisk the heavy cream and flour together in a small bowl until smooth to create a slurry.
6. Pour the cream slurry into the slow cooker. If using, add the softened cream cheese cubes. Stir everything together gently.
7. Cover and cook on HIGH for another 30 minutes, or until the soup has thickened and is bubbly.
8. For a creamier texture, you can use a potato masher to mash some of the potatoes directly in the slow cooker, or use an immersion blender to partially blend the soup.
9. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
10. Ladle the hot soup into bowls and serve topped with the remaining crispy bacon bits, shredded cheddar cheese, and sliced green onions.

• Prep time: 15 minutes
• Cook time: 4-8 hours
• Total time: 4 hours 15 minutes (on high)
• Servings: 6-8
• Calories (per serving, estimated): Approximately 350-420 kcal

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Set It and Forget It: This potato soup easy recipe is a slow cooker dream, perfect for busy days.
• Ultimate Comfort Food: Creamy, hearty, and full of bacon flavor, it’s one of the best comfort dishes for a chilly day.
• Budget-Friendly: Made with simple, inexpensive ingredients like potatoes and bacon.
• Rich, Creamy Flavor: Slow cooking allows the flavors to meld beautifully, creating a deeply savory and satisfying soup.
• Customizable: Make it chunkier or smoother, add leftover chicken to make it like a chicken stew, or stir in different vegetables like carrots or celery.

Potato soup is a classic, humble dish with roots in peasant cuisines all over the world. It’s a perfect example of how simple, affordable ingredients can be transformed into something incredibly nourishing and delicious. The slow cooker is the ideal modern tool for this type of rustic cooking. It mimics the old-fashioned technique of simmering a pot over a low fire all day, tenderizing the ingredients and allowing the flavors to concentrate and deepen with almost no hands-on effort.

Serving Suggestions

• The classic “loaded” style: top with shredded cheddar, a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt, and fresh chives or green onions.
• Serve with crusty bread or crackers for dipping.
• For a heartier meal reminiscent of stew and dumplings, serve with a side of simple drop biscuits.
• Add a fresh green salad to make it a complete and balanced dinner.

Pro Tips for Success

• Best Potatoes: Yukon Gold potatoes are fantastic for this recipe because their waxy, creamy texture holds up well to slow cooking and they mash beautifully.
• Crispy Bacon: Cook your bacon until it’s very crisp. This ensures the bits you add to the soup add flavor without getting too soft, and the topping provides a great crunch.
• Thickening Slurry: Whisking the flour and cream together before adding them to the pot is crucial. This prevents lumps and ensures your soup thickens smoothly.
• Don’t Overfill: Be sure not to fill your slow cooker more than about two-thirds full to prevent any bubbling over.

Storage & Reheating

• Storage: Let the soup cool and store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Reheating: Potato soup will thicken considerably when chilled. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring often. You will likely need to add a splash of milk or broth to thin it back to your desired consistency. Avoid boiling.

Closing Paragraph

I hope this easy potato soup recipe becomes a new favorite in your collection of comfort dishes! There’s nothing quite like the feeling of knowing a warm, delicious meal is waiting for you. It’s a simple, satisfying, and delicious way to bring everyone to the table.

If you try this bacon soup recipe, please let me know! I would love for you to leave a comment and a rating below.

🎀 Final Thoughts

This soup is like a warm hug in a bowl. It’s my go-to recipe for those busy autumn days when I know we’ll all come home tired and hungry. The smell that greets you at the door is just the best welcome home. It’s simple, cozy, and just pure, delicious comfort.