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Easy Crockpot Potato Soup with Bacon and Cheddar

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A creamy, chunky slow cooker potato soup loaded with crispy bacon and sharp cheddar. This set-it-and-forget-it recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or cozy weekends, delivering deep savory flavor with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 slices bacon, chopped
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 pounds Russet potatoes, peeled and diced into 1/2-inch cubes
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Optional toppings: extra shredded cheddar, crispy bacon bits, chopped green onions, sour cream, fresh chives

Instructions

  1. Cook the bacon: Place chopped bacon in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until crispy, about 8–10 minutes. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate. Leave rendered fat in the skillet.
  2. Sauté the aromatics: Add diced onion to the skillet with bacon fat. Cook over medium heat until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Layer the crockpot: Place diced potatoes in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker. Top with sautéed onion and garlic mixture. Pour chicken broth over everything. Do not stir. Cover and cook on low for 6–8 hours or on high for 3–4 hours, until potatoes are fork-tender.
  4. Partially blend the soup: Use an immersion blender to blend about half of the soup directly in the crockpot, leaving some chunky pieces. Alternatively, transfer 2 cups of soup to a regular blender, blend until smooth, and stir back into the pot.
  5. Add cream and cheese: Stir in heavy cream and shredded cheddar cheese until fully melted and smooth, about 2–3 minutes. If soup is too thick, add a little more broth or milk.
  6. Season and finish: Taste and add salt and black pepper as needed. Stir in half of the cooked bacon, reserving the rest for garnish. Let soup heat through for 5–10 minutes on low.
  7. Serve and garnish: Ladle soup into bowls and top with reserved crispy bacon, extra shredded cheddar, chopped green onions, or a dollop of sour cream. Serve hot.

Notes

For best results, shred cheddar from a block to avoid graininess. Sautéing aromatics in bacon fat adds depth. Blend gently to keep some chunky texture. Soup thickens as it cools; add broth when reheating.

Nutrition

Keywords: crockpot potato soup, slow cooker potato soup, bacon cheddar potato soup, easy potato soup, creamy potato soup

Find it online: https://cookluma.com/easy-crockpot-potato-soup-with-bacon-and-cheddar/