5-Ingredient Crock Pot Potato Soup: Simple & Delicious Recipe

The five essential ingredients for a delicious crock pot potato soup are: russet potatoes, chicken or vegetable broth, yellow onion, butter, and sour cream. This simple recipe requires just 15 minutes of prep time and 4-6 hours of hands-off cooking in your slow cooker, yielding a creamy, comforting soup without complicated techniques or specialty ingredients.

If you're searching for a truly simple crock pot potato soup recipe that delivers maximum flavor with minimal ingredients, you've found the right guide. Many so-called '5-ingredient' recipes sneak in additional components or require specialty items, but this authentic version sticks to just five core components while still producing a rich, satisfying soup.

The Reality of Simple Ingredient Counting

Before we dive into the recipe, let's clarify what counts as an 'ingredient' in this context. Professional recipe developers typically don't count basic seasonings like salt, pepper, or cooking oil when stating ingredient counts. This isn't deceptive—it's standard culinary practice. Our five-ingredient crock pot potato soup focuses on the substantial components that define the dish's character.

Why This 5-Ingredient Crock Pot Potato Soup Works

The magic of this minimalist recipe lies in how the core ingredients interact during the slow cooking process. Potatoes release natural starches that thicken the broth, while onions caramelize gently to provide depth of flavor. The butter adds richness without overwhelming the delicate potato taste, and sour cream creates that signature creamy texture without requiring heavy cream or roux.

The Complete 5-Ingredient Crock Pot Potato Soup Recipe

This straightforward recipe produces enough for 4-6 servings and requires only basic kitchen tools. The slow cooker does most of the work while you go about your day.

What You'll Need

• 2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and diced (about 4 medium potatoes)
• 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth (low-sodium preferred)
• 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 cup sour cream (full fat for best results)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Place diced potatoes and chopped onion in the crock pot.
2. Pour broth over the vegetables, ensuring they're mostly submerged.
3. Add butter on top (don't stir yet).
4. Cover and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours or HIGH for 2-3 hours, until potatoes are extremely tender.
5. Using an immersion blender, carefully puree about half the soup directly in the crock pot. For a completely smooth soup, puree all of it.
6. Stir in sour cream until fully incorporated.
7. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
8. Let the soup rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.

Pro Tips for Perfect 5-Ingredient Potato Soup

With so few components, technique becomes crucial for optimal results:

• Potato selection matters: Russets work best due to their high starch content, which naturally thickens the soup.
• Don't skip the resting time: Allowing the soup to sit for 10 minutes after adding sour cream prevents curdling and improves texture.
• Temperature control: When adding sour cream, ensure the soup isn't boiling vigorously to maintain a smooth consistency.
• Layering flavors: Though we're using minimal ingredients, adding the butter at the beginning (not the end) allows its flavor to infuse throughout cooking.

Common Mistakes to Avoid with Minimalist Recipes

When working with limited ingredients, certain errors become more noticeable:

Mistake	Why It Matters	Solution
Over-blending	Can make soup gluey due to released starches	Puree only half for texture contrast
Adding sour cream to boiling soup	Causes curdling and grainy texture	Reduce heat before adding, then rest 10 minutes
Using waxy potatoes	Won't thicken soup properly	Stick with russets or Yukon Golds
Skipping the butter	Results in flat, one-dimensional flavor	Butter is essential for richness with few ingredients

Serving Suggestions for Your Simple Potato Soup

While delicious on its own, this minimalist soup can be elevated with simple additions that don't compromise its '5-ingredient' integrity:

• Top with fresh chives or green onions (technically part of the onion ingredient)
• Add a sprinkle of paprika for color and subtle warmth
• Pair with crusty bread for dipping
• For a heartier meal, stir in leftover cooked bacon (considered part of your existing ingredients)

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Proper storage maintains quality for this simple soup:

• Refrigerate in airtight container for up to 4 days
• Freeze for up to 3 months (omit sour cream if freezing, add when reheating)
• Reheat gently on stove over medium-low heat, stirring frequently
• If soup thickens too much upon storage, thin with additional broth

Why Minimalist Cooking Matters

In our busy lives, recipes like this 5 ingredient slow cooker potato soup provide genuine value. They reduce decision fatigue, minimize grocery shopping time, and decrease cleanup while still delivering satisfying, homemade meals. The culinary principle of 'less is more' applies perfectly here—when ingredients are few, their quality and preparation become paramount, resulting in unexpectedly sophisticated flavors from humble components.

Can I really make good potato soup with only 5 ingredients?

Yes, you can create delicious potato soup with just five core ingredients. Professional recipes typically don't count basic seasonings like salt and pepper in their ingredient counts. Our recipe uses russet potatoes, broth, onion, butter, and sour cream as the five essential components that create the soup's foundation and flavor profile.

What's the best potato variety for 5 ingredient crock pot potato soup?

Russet potatoes are ideal for this minimalist recipe because their high starch content naturally thickens the soup during cooking. Yukon Golds can work as a substitute but will yield a slightly different texture. Avoid waxy potatoes like red potatoes, which don't break down sufficiently to create the proper creamy consistency with so few ingredients.

Can I make this 5 ingredient potato soup recipe dairy-free?

Yes, with two simple substitutions: replace the butter with olive oil or coconut oil, and substitute the sour cream with full-fat coconut milk. The soup will have a slightly different flavor profile but will maintain the creamy texture essential to potato soup. For best results, add the coconut milk at the very end of cooking and avoid boiling after addition.

How can I add protein to this simple potato soup without adding extra ingredients?

You can incorporate protein by using chicken broth instead of vegetable broth, which adds subtle protein content. For more substantial protein, consider adding leftover cooked chicken (counted as part of your existing ingredients if you already have it). Alternatively, top individual servings with a fried egg, which many consider a pantry staple rather than a separate ingredient in minimalist cooking.

Why does my 5 ingredient slow cooker potato soup turn out watery?

Watery potato soup usually results from using the wrong potato variety or insufficient cooking time. Russet potatoes contain more starch that thickens the soup as they break down. Ensure you cook the soup until potatoes are completely tender (fork should slide in easily). If still too thin, remove about 1 cup of soup, mash the potatoes thoroughly, then return to the crock pot and stir well.