Description
This hearty Slow Cooker Potato Soup is a comforting, creamy dish perfect for chilly days. Made with tender russet potatoes slow-cooked in chicken broth and blended for a smooth texture, then enriched with cheddar cheese, butter, and cream for a rich and satisfying flavor. It’s easy to prepare and yields 13 servings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 8 cups baking or russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 1 ½ cups onion, roughly chopped
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon ground pepper
- 2 cups grated cheddar cheese
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: Place the peeled and cubed potatoes, chicken broth, roughly chopped onions, sea salt, and ground pepper into the slow cooker. Set the slow cooker to high and cook for 4 to 6 hours until the potatoes are soft and easily pierced with a fork.
- Blend the Potatoes: Use an immersion blender or transfer the cooked potatoes in batches to a full-sized blender to puree until smooth. Carefully add the pureed potatoes back into the slow cooker, keeping the heat on low to maintain warmth.
- Add Cheese: Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese into the slow cooker mixture and allow it to melt completely.
- Prepare Thickener: While the cheese melts, melt ½ cup of unsalted butter on medium-low heat in a small saucepan on the stove.
- Make Roux: Add ½ cup all-purpose flour to the melted butter and whisk continuously until the mixture thickens and turns a light golden color.
- Add Cream: Remove the saucepan from heat and slowly pour in 1 cup heavy cream, mixing thoroughly to combine into a smooth consistency.
- Combine Thickener with Soup: Pour the cream and flour mixture into the slow cooker and stir well to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Final Cook: Continue cooking the soup on low for an additional 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Serve warm with your choice of toppings such as extra cheese, bacon bits, or chives.
Notes
- Note 1: Use baking or russet potatoes for best texture and flavor.
- Note 2: Chicken broth can be substituted with vegetable broth for a vegetarian version.
- Note 3: Roughly chopping onions adds flavor without requiring fine dicing.
- Note 4: Use good quality sharp cheddar cheese for deep flavor.
- Note 5: Heavy cream adds richness and creaminess to the soup.
- Note 6: Puree the potatoes to create a smooth, velvety soup base.
- Note 7: Whisking the butter and flour continuously prevents lumps in the thickener.
- Note 8: Serve soup warm and add optional toppings like green onions, bacon bits, or extra cheese.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours 25 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: slow cooker potato soup, creamy potato soup, easy slow cooker recipes, comforting soup, cheddar potato soup
