Crockpot Potatoes (2 Ways)

By Becky Hardin

Updated Mar 26, 2026

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Crockpot potatoes are one of my favorite side dishes and I’m always amazed at how easy it is to turn simple red potatoes into something so flavorful. The best part is how versatile they are. I made them two flavorful ways: one with a creamy, savory garlic ranch twist, and the other with a spicy, zesty taco seasoning, but you can customize these crockpot potatoes however you like!

Slow Cooker Potatoes

When I’m looking for an easy, set-it-and-forget-it side, these potatoes are a must. It doesn’t get any easier than cutting potatoes, adding your favorite seasoning, throwing it all in the crockpot, and then forgetting about it for a few hours to let the crockpot do its thing. In the end, the potatoes turn out soft, chewy, and tasty. Best of all, there’s only one pot to clean!

You won’t believe how creamy and garlicky the ranch potatoes taste, perfect to pair with chicken or beef. The spicy taco-flavored potatoes are fabulous too and would complement any Mexican or Southwestern recipe. Both of these options use simple, everyday seasonings, but you can easily swap them for what you’ve got on hand.

Tips for Beginners

• You don’t need much moisture in the slow cooker. Moisture will release from the potatoes while they cook, and the oil in the seasoning adds moisture. The potatoes may look dry when you put them in the crockpot, but they’ll be perfectly moist and tender once cooked.
• No need to peel the potatoes. I’m lazy and never peel the potatoes before cooking them. I just toss them in the slow cooker once they’ve been rinsed and scrubbed.
• Cut the potatoes into the same size. This will allow them to cook at the same pace.
• Stir gently. I like to use a wooden spoon to gently stir the potatoes once they’ve started to cook. This helps keep them intact and prevents them from falling apart.
• Check for doneness. All crockpots are different, and you may cut your potatoes smaller than I did, so they may cook faster.

Recipe Card

Crockpot Potatoes (2 Ways)

4.54 from 112 votes

Prep: 5 minutes mins

Cook: 4 hours hrs

Total: 4 hours hrs 5 minutes mins

Servings: 8

Author: Becky Hardin

Print Rate Pin

Crockpot potatoes are the ultimate easy side dish. Make them with garlic ranch seasoning or taco seasoning to go with any meal.

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Ingredients 

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Base Recipe

• ▢ 3 lbs. red potatoes washed and quartered, or try Yukon Gold or new potatoes

For Garlic Ranch Potatoes

• ▢ 2 tbsp salted butter (¼ stick)
• ▢ 2 tbsp olive oil for a more neutral flavor use avocado oil
• ▢ 1 oz. ranch seasoning
• ▢ 1 tbsp chopped fresh chives
• ▢ 1 tbsp minced garlic
• ▢ kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

For Spicy Taco Potatoes

• ▢ 1 oz. taco seasoning
• ▢ 2 tbsp olive oil
• ▢ 2 tbsp salted butter (¼ stick)
• ▢ 1 tbsp crushed red pepper flakes
• ▢ kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Video

Instructions 

• Spray a large crockpot with nonstick spray.
• Place the potatoes in the crockpot.

For Garlic Ranch Potatoes

• Add 2 tbsp salted butter, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 oz. ranch seasoning, 1 tbsp chopped fresh chives, 1 tbsp minced garlic, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Then, continue with the crockpot cooking instructions below.
  2 tbsp olive oil, 1 oz. ranch seasoning, 1 tbsp chopped fresh chives, 1 tbsp minced garlic, kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

For Spicy Taco Potatoes

• Add 1 oz. taco seasoning, 2 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp salted butter, 1 tbsp crushed red pepper flakes, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Then, follow the crockpot cooking instructions below.
  2 tbsp salted butter, 1 oz. taco seasoning, 2 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp salted butter, 1 tbsp crushed red pepper flakes, kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

To Cook Crockpot Potatoes

• Cook on high for 3-4 hours or until the potatoes are fork tender. Check the potatoes after 1 hour and stir to make sure they are coated. Check again after 2½ hours to see if they are done. Depending on the size of the potatoes, they could cook a bit quicker.

Equipment

• Crockpot

Serving: 1servingCalories: 187kcalCarbohydrates: 29gProtein: 3gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 8mgSodium: 464mgPotassium: 780mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 116IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave a comment!

How to Make Crockpot Potatoes Step by Step

Prep Crockpot and place the potatoes: Use a non-stick cooking spray to coat the inside of the crockpot. Place 3 lbs. red potatoes that have been washed and quartered in the crockpot.

To make Garlic Ranch Potatoes: Add 2 tbsp salted butter and 2 tbsp olive oil, letting the butter melt into the oil until smooth. Sprinkle in 1 oz ranch seasoning, then stir in 1 tbsp chopped fresh chives and 1 tbsp minced garlic. As it warms, the garlic becomes fragrant and the herbs start to blend together. Finish with a dash of kosher salt and a few cracks of freshly ground black pepper, stirring until everything is well combined.

To make Spicy Taco Potatoes: Add 1 oz. taco seasoning along with 2 tbsp olive oil and 2 tbsp salted butter, letting the butter melt into the oil. Stir in a dash of kosher salt and a few cracks of freshly ground black pepper, then add 1 tbsp crushed red pepper flakes. Mix everything together until well combined and evenly coated.

Cook the potatoes: Cook the potatoes on high for 3-4 hours or until they are fork-tender. After the first hour, give them a good stir to make sure they’re evenly coated in the seasoning. Check again after 2½ hours to confirm if they are done. The cook time will vary based on the size of the potatoes.

Serve and enjoy: Remove from the crockpot, serve with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy.

Variations

When I want to switch things up, I’ll swap in one of these seasoning blends instead of the ranch or spicy taco version. It’s an easy way to change the flavor without adjusting the cooking method, and it keeps this recipe feeling fresh every time I make it.

• Creole seasoning
• Blackened seasoning
• Chili seasoning
• Everything bagel seasoning
• Italian seasoning
• Herbs de Provence

How to Store

Store leftover potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave in 30-second increments until warmed through. Or you can reheat them in the oven at 350°F until warmed through.

To freeze, place potatoes in an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

If you want to get a head start on these potatoes, you can cook them a few days before you want to serve them and just reheat.

Serving Suggestions

The great thing about these slow cooker potatoes is that they go with just about everything. Some of my favorites include garlic butter steak bites or this thick and juicy Denver steak.

They also make an incredible holiday side dish. For Easter, I’ll pair them with a sweet and savory pineapple ham and some bright green beans almondine.

More Potato Recipes To Try

• These Twice Baked Potatoes are creamy, cheesy, and have a crispy top.
• Easy Smashed Potatoes are made with baby potatoes, olive oil, and simple seasoning.
• These Roasted Baby Potatoes are tossed with olive oil, garlic, and fresh herbs, and crisp up beautifully in a hot oven but stay tender inside.

more crockpot recipes we love

Crockpot Lasagna

Crockpot Goulash

Crockpot Pork Chops

Crockpot Queso