Crack Potato Soup
3 Comments Mar 14, 2025
Updated Jun 26, 2025
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This easy and addictive Crack Potato Soup is loaded with creamy Yukon gold potatoes, ranch mix, crispy bacon, sharp cheddar, and rich cream. A comforting, flavor-packed soup that’s as effortless as it is delicious! If you love crack chicken, then you will enjoy this too.
This potato soup is easily one of my favorite recipes of the year! Aside from the ranch packet, it’s completely made from scratch. So why call it “crack” potato soup? Because the combination of cheese, bacon, and cream is just that irresistible—just like my Crack Chicken recipe! One bite, and you’ll see why it’s so addictive.
Ingredients for Crack Potato Soup
Here are the main ingredients needed to make this to die for soup! The full recipe with ingredient amounts in the recipe card below the images.
- Yukon Gold Potatoes – They’re naturally buttery and creamy, so they make the soup extra rich without needing a ton of extra fat. My recipe is unique for most have frozen potatoes.
- Leeks – A little sweeter and milder than onions, they add great flavor without being too strong. This is my secret ingredient for flavorful soups.
- Ranch Seasoning – Packs in tons of flavor with just one packet—herby, savory, and a little tangy. You can use 2 tablespoons of homemade ranch seasoning if you have that on hand.
- Bacon – Adds smoky, crispy goodness that takes the soup to the next level.
- Heavy Cream – Makes this soup extra smooth and creamy.
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese – Melts right in for that perfect cheesy, slightly tangy finish.
Variations
This soup is wonderful as is, but here are my recommended substitutions.
- Cream cheese can be used instead of heavy cream, go ahead and add at the beginning of the cooking time.
- Russet potatoes work wonderfully in this recipe as well.
- One bag of hashbrown cubed potatoes can be used instead of fresh potatoes, though the texture will be grainy compared to fresh.
- Use 2 cups of ham instead of bacon.
- Can’t find leeks? Use white or yellow onion.
- Extra veggies can be added, try adding diced carrots and celery!
How to make Crack Potato Soup
After you get the potatoes peeled and diced the soup is easy to assemble (and worth it!).
Step One: Add the cubed and peeled potatoes, bacon, ranch and leeks to the slow cooker. Cook on LOW for 7-8 hours.
Step Two: When done cooking, mash the potatoes lightly with a potato masher.
Step Three: Pour in the heavy cream and add the cheese, stir slowly until incorporated.
Step Four: Serve and enjoy!
My Serving Suggestions
If you want to make this soup into a full meal, here are my top serving ideas.
- For toppings, we love sharp cheddar cheese, green onion and bacon. Of course you can serve with saltine crackers and a dash of hot sauce.
- Serve with dinner rolls or you can serve in a hollowed out bread bowl.
- This soup is great for serving buffet style at a party, lay out the toppings for your guests to serve themselves.
Crack Potato Soup Recipe
How to Video
Equipment
- Potato Masher
Ingredients
- 3 lbs gold potatoes, peeled and diced 1/2 inch thick , (About 7 cups)
- 8 oz. bacon, cooked, drained and chopped finely
- 1 leek , diced (about 1 cup diced)
- 1 oz. Ranch seasoning packet
- 3 cups chicken broth
WAIT TO ADD:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 8 oz. sharp cheddar cheese, finely shredded from a block (not pre-shredded)
- salt and pepper to taste
For Serving:
- sliced green onion
Instructions
- Add the potatoes, cooked bacon, leeks, and ranch seasoning mix to the slow cooker.
- Pour over the chicken broth. Stir.
- Place the lid on the slow cooker. Cook on LOW for 7-8 hours.
- When the cooking time is up, take the potato masher and lightly mash the potatoes up into the broth (leaving about half of the potatoes whole).
- Pour in the heavy cream and stir in the finely shredded cheese slowly while stirring. Add salt an pepper to taste.
Sarah’s Notes
- This recipe can be gluten free if you use a gluten free ranch seasoning mix, and gluten free broth.
- Store the leftover soup in the fridge for up to four days. I do not recommend freezing this soup for potatoes tend to change texture when thawed.
- Any type of potato will work well in this recipe – even a frozen bag of hashbrowns potatoes.
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
More Crockpot Potato Soup Recipes
Here are the most popular potato soups I enjoy on my site:
All the flavors of a fully loaded baked potato come together in Crockpot Baked Potato Soup, while Potato Cheese Soup delivers that same creamy, cheesy comfort with extra bold cheddar flavor.
For a lighter option, Crockpot Potato Leek Soup adds subtle sweetness and depth from tender leeks. Or try my popular zuppa toscana recipe that has cream and kale as well.
Hearty choices like Steak and Potato Soup or Ham and Potato Soup offer protein-packed comfort, whether you’re using up leftovers or craving a rich, savory bowl.
What do u recommend as a substitute for the ranch seasoning bc I have a person in my family that doesn’t like ranch
The ranch is the main component. I’m unsure what can be subtituted besides adding lots of salt, pepper, onion powder and garlic powder (which is the main flavors in a ranch packet).
Thank you for this! Leave out the Ranch seasoning, and this is a GREAT basic recipe. So much can be done with it. I’m making it today — I am — without the Ranch and with brussels sprouts. Just remember that if the soup is reheated, reheat it gently and do not bring to a boil because of the heavy cream/cream cheese.