This comforting slow-cooker potato soup gets even tastier with toppings.

There are few foods as comforting on a Southerner’s table as a bowl of creamy loaded potato soup.

Add garlic and chopped chiles to the soup base for savory and spicy notes.

Southern Living Loaded Potato Soup in bowls to serve

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Mix up the toppings with chopped tomatoes, pickled jalapenos, chives, broccoli, or even black beans.

How To Make Loaded Potato Soup

Thanks to a slow cooker, this recipe couldnt be easier.

Youll want to store the soup separately from the toppings.

Southern Living Loaded Potato Soup ingredients

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Can you freeze potato soup?

To freeze, youll need to cool the soup down completely.

Refrigerators and freezers alone dont cool soups quickly enough to be food safe.

Southern Living Loaded Potato Soup potatoes and onions layered in slow cooker

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Transfer the soup to dated and labeled gallon-sized zip-top bags.

To reheat, its best to thaw the soup overnight in the fridge.

In case of leaks, place the bag inside a bowl.

Southern Living Loaded Potato Soup after cooking the potatoes

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Then reheat on the stove top over low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through.

(Broth will not completely cover potatoes and onion.)

Cover and cook on HIGH 3 to 5 hours or until potatoes are tender.

Southern Living Loaded Potato Soup mashing with potato masher

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Mash mixture with a potato masher; stir in half-and-half.

Cover and cook on HIGH 20 more minutes or until mixture is thoroughly heated.

If desired, use an immersion blender to smooth out lumps.

Southern Living Loaded Potato Soup after pureeing

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Serve:

Ladle into bowls, and serve with desired toppings.

With the soup still simmering, add in the cornstarch mixture.

Thesoup should thickenalmost immediately.

Blending the soup with an immersion blender will also help thicken the soup.

We suggest doubling down on the bacon and serving with aBLT.

Potatoes provide their own natural starch, which acts as a thickener.

Next time, use less liquidit shouldn’t cover the potatoes and vegetables before blending.