To make a bowl of deliciousness, follow these step-by-step instructions:

Cook the Bacon

• Preheat a Large Skillet: Put a large skillet over medium heat.
• Cook: Add diced bacon and cook until crispy, about 6 to 8 minutes.
• Set Aside: With a slotted spoon, remove bacon and place on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess fat.
• Don’t Remove Drippings: Leave the bacon drippings in the skillet; they impart deep flavor to the chowder.

Sauté Onions and Garlic

• Add Some Alliums: Using the same skillet with all that bacon goodness, toss in chopped onion and minced garlic.
• Cook Until Translucent: In a large sauté pan, heat the oil over medium heat, then add the onion and cook for 5 minutes, until translucent and fragrant.
• Transfer to Slow Cooker: Transfer the sautéed onions and garlic to your slow cooker.

Mix together Potatoes and seasonings

• Add the potatoes: Add your peeled and cubed potatoes into your slow cooker.
• Add 4 cups chicken broth. Pour in chicken broth.
• Season: Add the dried thyme, salt, and black pepper.
• Mix all the ingredients and stir to combine.

Slow Cook to Perfection

• Cover and Cook: Add the lid to the slow cooker and set to low.
• Let it cook for 6–8 hours, until the potatoes are tender and the flavors have melded.

Thicken the Chowder

Smash Some Potatoes Very Gently: After the potatoes have become very tender, use a potato masher to lightly smash some of them right in the slow cooker. This contributes to the chowder thickening up naturally.

Add Cream and Cheese

• Add Heavy Cream: Then add in 1 cup of heavy cream and mix well to incorporate.
• Cheddar Cheese: You can shred 1 cup, then stir until melted and chowder is creamy.
• Probably keep cooking: Cut the heat for another 20-30 minutes so everything gets heated through.

Final Touches and Serving

• Add Bacon and Parsley: Right before serving, mix in the cooked bacon and top with parsley.
• Serve Hot: It looks like you are sharing Chowder is served hot. Ladle the chowder and serve it hot, Cheesy Corn Chowder.

Everything you need to know about chowder — and what makes the best kind

Everything to know about chowder — and how to make the best kind

These creative adjustments and cooking tips will have your Slow Cooker Hearty Potato Bacon Chowder soup on the next level:

Better for You Options

• Lighter Cream: Use half-and-half or plant-based milk, such as almond or oat, in place of the heavy cream to lighten it up.
• Low-Sodium Broth: Instead of losing flavor to get a glug of salt in your broth, replace it with low-sodium chicken broth.
• Vegetable Add-Ins: For added protein and flavor, stir in vegetables such as celery, carrots, or corn.

Changes to your diet

• Vegetarian Option: Skip the bacon and use veggie soup instead. If the smoky flavor is without the meat, stir in a teaspoon of smoked paprika.
• Gluten-Free: Ensure that all of the ingredients, including the cheese and broth, are gluten-free.

Adding to the flavor

• Make it even spicier with a touch of chili pepper or hot sauce.
• Use fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or dill for a more intense flavor.
• Types of Cheese: Use Gruyère, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, and other different types of cheese for different flavors.

How to Store and Heat Things

• Storing leftovers: Place in sealed wraps and refrigerate for up to four days. Freeze for up to three months.
• To reheat: Place it in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring periodically to ensure even warming. If the soup has become too thick, stir in a little more broth or milk.

Tip: The flavors deepen the next day, so it’s ideal for meal prep.

Food and cooking tips that will make your Hearty Potato Bacon Chowder taste better

If you learn these tricks, your Hearty Potato Bacon Chowder soup will be even better:

1. The right texture for potatoes
   Choosing Potatoes: For the best taste, use Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes. Yukon Golds give soup a sweet taste, while Russets make it creamier.
   Uniform Cubes: For even cooking, cut the potatoes into cubes of the same size.
2. The Magic of Crispy Bacon
   Making Bacon Fat: Cook the bacon until it’s crispy to get the most fat out of it, which will make the soup taste better.
   Bacon Garnish: To keep the crunchiness, save some fried bacon for the garnish.
3. Making it thicker without flour
   Natural Thickeners: If you use a potato masher, you won’t need to add flour or cornstarch, so the soup stays gluten-free and healthy.
   Beans to Make It Thicker: Adding white beans can easily make the soup thicker and also add nutrition.
4. Adding Flavor
   Slow Cooker Liquid: Allow the slow cooker to naturally blend the flavors over an extended cooking period.
   Fresh vs. Dried Herbs: Adding fresh herbs at the end gives the dish a burst of flavor, while cooking with dried herbs builds the flavor base.

Dine In The Comfort Of Homemade Chowder

There is something so comforting about a gourmet bowl of chowder! Made with everyday pantry staples, our Slow Cooker Hearty Potato Bacon Chowder pulls together a few simple ingredients in a way that feeds the belly and reassures the soul. This is the kind of chowder that’s perfect for any occasion and is bound to be a quick favorite in any house.

This makes for a wonderful weeknight dinner or a lovely dish to serve guests. Further customization of this can even give you something that is an absolute must-range in your cookbook arsenal. “So preheat your slow-cooker and follow your recipe and get lost in the joys of warmth and flavors and so much food you find yourself chuckling in your sleep!