Crockpot Potatoes (2 Ways)

By Becky Hardin

Updated May 8, 2025

Crockpot potatoes in a bowl with dipping sauce. - 4

This Crockpot Potatoes recipe is my favorite easy side dish. I made them two flavorful ways: one with a creamy, savory garlic ranch twist, and the other with a spicy, zesty taco seasoning. My mind is blown by how simple making super flavorful crockpot red potatoes can be…and the sky is the limit with flavors.

5-Star Review

“Very easy and yummy will do again. Cooked perfectly 5 hours no fuss 😃” -Janice

Slow Cooker Potatoes

This is one of my favorite crockpot side dishes, mostly because you get a two-for-one. Both flavors are so good. Both start with red potatoes, then just add different ingredients to get the flavor you love.

If you want an easy, set-it-and-forget-it side, these potatoes are a must. 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.

Ingredients1x2x3x

For Garlic Ranch Potatoes

▢ 3 pounds red potatoes washed and quartered, or try Yukon Gold or new potatoes
▢ 2 tablespoons salted butter (¼ stick)
▢ 2 tablespoons olive oil for a more neutral flavor use avocado oil
▢ 1 ounce ranch seasoning click for homemade recipe
▢ 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
▢ 1 tablespoon minced garlic
▢ kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

For Spicy Taco Potatoes

▢ 3 pounds red potatoes washed and quartered
▢ 1 ounce taco seasoning click for homemade recipe
▢ 2 tablespoons olive oil
▢ 2 tablespoons salted butter (¼ stick)
▢ 1 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes
▢ Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Video

Instructions

Spray a large crockpot with nonstick spray.
Place all the ingredients in a large slow cooker. Stir to combine slightly. While the potatoes are cold they won’t coat completely and that’s totally fine.
Add the following seasoning for the Garlic Ranch Potatoes 3 pounds red potatoes, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 ounce ranch seasoning, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives, 1 tablespoon minced garlic, kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Add the following seasoning for the Spicy Taco Potatoes 3 pounds red potatoes, 2 tablespoons salted butter, 1 ounce taco seasoning, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons salted butter, 1 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes, Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Cook on high for 3-4 hours or until the potatoes are fork tender. (NOTE: Check the potatoes after 1 hour and stir to make sure all the potatoes are coated fully. Check again after 2½ hours and make sure they aren’t done. Depending on the size of the potatoes, they could cook a bit quicker).

Equipment

Crockpot

Becky’s Tips

You don’t need a lot of water in the slow cooker, as water will release from the potatoes while they cook, plus you have ingredients like oil to add moisture. They may look dry when you put them in, but they’ll be perfectly moist and tender once cooked.
I didn’t peel the potatoes because…lazy! There’s no need to peel the red potatoes before tossing them in the slow cooker. Just make sure you rinse and scrub them.
Nutritional information presented is for a serving of the garlic ranch potatoes.

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

How to Make Crockpot Potatoes Step by Step

Get the crockpot ready : Spray a large crockpot with nonstick spray.

Place the ingredients in the crockpot: Stir to combine the potatoes with the seasonings. While the potatoes are cold, they won’t coat completely, and that’s totally fine.

Crockpot potatoes cooking on a white background. - 7

For the Garlic Ranch Potatoes : Add 3 pounds red potatoes, 2 tablespoons salted butter, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 ounce ranch seasoning, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives, 1 tablespoon minced garlic, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper.

taco seasoned potatoes in the crockpot. - 8

For the Spicy Taco Potatoes: Add 3 pounds red potatoes, 1 ounce taco seasoning, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons salted butter, kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, and 1 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes.

Cook the 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 all the potatoes are coated fully. Check again after 2½ hours and make sure they aren’t done. Depending on the size of the potatoes, they could cook a bit quicker.

taco flavored slow cooker potatoes and garlic ranch potatoes served with ketchup and a side of ranch dressing. - 9

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

Variations

Some of my favorite seasoning blends to add to these potatoes include:

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. Freeze potatoes in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Serving Suggestions

The great thing about these slow cooker potatoes is that they go with just about everything. Some of my favorites include scrumptious Sheet Pan Chicken Parmesan or my simple weeknight Stovetop Burgers .

They also make an incredible holiday side dish. For Christmas, I love them paired with Beef Tenderloin and at Easter, you can always find them on our table next to Pineapple Ham .

more crockpot potatoes we love

a spoon lifting a scoop of crockpot cheesy hashbrown potatoes out of a crockpot. - 10

a spoon lifting a scoop of crockpot cheesy hashbrown potatoes out of a crockpot. - 11

Crockpot Potato Casserole

Crockpot Mashed Potatoes

Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes

Crockpot Twice Baked Potatoes

Crockpot Potatoes (2 Ways)

Equipment

Crockpot