Best Slow Cooker Soup Recipes (2024)

What's Poppin'

New! Dill Pickle Pull-Apart
Grands!™ Monkey Bread
The Doughboy’s Favorite Dinner Memory: Breakfast for Dinner
Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

By Pillsbury Kitchens

Updated December 19, 2019

It’s that time of year—it’s chilly outside, there’s snow on the ground, and all we want is a warm bowl of soup. However, some soups require a watchful eye while simmering over the stove. Not these recipes! For those really busy days, turn to these easy slow-cooker soup recipes. The slow cooker does the heavy lifting, freeing up some precious time so you can go about your day and come to the table at dinnertime to a batch of the most comforting bowl of soup you’ve ever had. Low-stress, almost no mess, and totally delicious, there’s no reason not to love these recipes!

When using a slow cooker, there are a few tried-and-true tips to keep in mind.

Remember, as tempting as it may be, avoid lifting the lid of your slow cooker during the cooking process to check on your soup. By taking the lid off your slow cooker, you will release the heat it has built up, which can affect your cook time and overall doneness.
Slow-cooker liners (like thesefrom Reynolds Kitchens) can be used to help cut down on cleaning time. No more scrubbing or scrapping baked-on ingredients.
Don’t rush your herbs. One of the most common slow-cooker mistakes is to add fresh herbs too early in the cooking process. To prevent the delicate flavors from getting lost too early in your cooking, save your herbs for the final half hour before serving.
Layer your ingredients in the proper order. The bottom of the slow cooker should be used for foods that take the longest time to cook, such as root vegetables like carrots or potatoes.
If you want to freeze your soup, fill quart- or gallon-size plastic freezer bags and lay them flat in the freezer. Once they are frozen, your bags of soup can be stacked on top of each other to save space.

We’ve got even more slow-cooker soup recipesto tempt your taste buds! From slow-cooker pumpkin chili to slow-cooker creamy chicken and herbed dumplings, there’s a dinner for every day of the week.

FAQs

Does soup taste better in a slow cooker? ›

You'll be rewarded with richer, more intense flavors in your soup. There is very little evaporation in the slow cooker. If you're adapting a regular soup recipe, it's likely that you won't need to use all the liquid called for. Put all your ingredients in the slow cooker and then pour the broth over top.

Can you cook soup too long in slow cooker? ›

Can you overcook something in a slow cooker? Slow cookers are specially designed to cook food for long periods of time, but yes, you can still overcook in a slow cooker if something is left on the wrong setting for longer than it's supposed to be.

Tell Me More ›

What vegetables should not be added to a slow cooker? ›

Tender vegetables

Vegetables such as peas, asparagus and peppers can become a flavorless, mushy mess in a slow cooker.

View Details ›

What are the 5 basic principles to be followed in making delicious soup? ›

Basic principles of preparing soup are also outlined, including starting with cold water, cutting vegetables to size, selecting protein, simmering, and skimming.

Get More Info ›

How can I deepen my soup flavor? ›

"If your broth is lacking in savory richness, try adding roasted onion, tomato paste, mushrooms, seaweed, soy sauce, or miso. These ingredients add umami flavor and depth to broth," she says. The choice of ingredient depends on the recipe, though.

View Details ›

Is 4 hours on high the same as 8 hours on low? ›

Low: 7-8 hours to reach the simmer point. High: 3-4 hours to reach the simmer point.

Learn More ›

Can you leave soup in crockpot on low overnight? ›

Today's programmable slow cookers often come with the ability to cook food for up to 24 hours, as well as automatic warming settings that can stay on for just as long.

Get More Info Here ›

What happens if you don't brown meat before a slow cooker? ›

"Browning, or caramelizing, meat before putting it into a slow cooker isn't 100 percent necessary, but it is well worth the effort for the most flavorful and full-bodied end result," he says. "The caramelized surface of the meat will lend rich flavor and color to the finished dish."

Discover More ›

What is the most important ingredient in soup? ›

For clear, brothy soups, stock is your most important ingredient. If you want to make a good soup, you need to use an excellently flavored stock — otherwise, the entire pot could be tasteless.

Keep Reading ›

Do potatoes go on top or bottom of meat in a Crockpot? ›

Place firm, slow-cooking root vegetables like potatoes and carrots at the bottom of the crock and pile the meat on top. Set the heat level: A general rule of thumb is that cooking on the low setting (170 degrees F for most models) takes about twice as long as cooking on high (280 degrees F on most models).

Get More Info ›

What is the best meat to cook in a slow cooker? ›

Slow cookers are great for cooking cheaper cuts like beef brisket, pork shoulder, lamb shoulder and chicken thighs. You can also use less meat, as slow cooking really extracts a meaty flavour that permeates the whole dish.

Tell Me More ›

Is it better to pressure cook or slow cook soup? ›

Slow cookers and pressure cookers come in a variety of sizes up to eight quarts, but pressure cookers need extra room inside the pot for the steam to accumulate, which limits the batch size. If you have a large family or plan on making soups and stews you can store for later, you may be better served by a slow cooker.

Read The Full Story ›

Does soup taste better the longer you cook it? ›

Bring everything to a boil, reduce the heat, and let simmer for at least 30 minutes. The longer the stock cooks, the more flavorful your soup will be.

Discover More ›

Does food taste better in a slow cooker? ›

The longer cooking time and the low heat complement each other perfectly. As a result, even though the meat is cooked for far longer, it doesn't dry out because the temperature is low. As a result, this is the best way to retain all the natural juices of the meat. It also makes the meat far more flavorful.

Best Slow Cooker Soup Recipes (2024)

What's Poppin'

FAQs

Does soup taste better in a slow cooker? ›

What is the best meat to cook in a slow cooker? ›

References