These slow cooker Lipton onion potatoes are the ultimate comfort food side dish that practically cooks itself. With just a handful of ingredients and minimal prep, you'll get deliciously tender potatoes infused with savory onion flavor that pair perfectly with almost any main course.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Requires just 5 simple ingredients you likely have on hand
- Set-it-and-forget-it convenience with your slow cooker
- Creates tender, flavorful potatoes with minimal effort
- Makes an excellent side dish for weeknight dinners or holiday meals
- Frees up your oven and stovetop for other dishes
- The savory onion flavor appeals to both adults and children
- Versatile enough to pair with beef, chicken, or fish
- Can be easily doubled for feeding larger crowds
Ingredients
(Tip: You'll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Potatoes are the star of this dish, providing a hearty, comforting base that absorbs all the delicious flavors. Medium russet potatoes work best due to their starchy nature, but you can substitute with Yukon Gold for a buttery flavor and creamier texture.
Lipton onion soup mix is the flavor powerhouse in this recipe, infusing the potatoes with rich, savory onion taste without any chopping required. This pantry staple contains dehydrated onions, salt, and various seasonings that create depth of flavor with minimal effort.
Butter adds richness and helps the potatoes develop a velvety texture as they cook. It also helps the seasonings adhere to the potatoes and enhances the overall flavor profile of the dish.
Water creates the necessary moisture and steam environment in the slow cooker, allowing the potatoes to cook evenly without drying out. It also helps dissolve the soup mix so the flavors can distribute throughout the dish.
Salt and pepper may seem simple, but they're crucial for enhancing all the other flavors. You might need less salt than you think since the soup mix contains sodium, so taste before adding more.
Directions
- Place the cubed potatoes in the bottom of your slow cooker.
- In a separate bowl, combine the melted butter, water, and Lipton onion soup mix. Stir until the soup mix is dissolved.
- Pour the butter and soup mixture over the potatoes, ensuring they are evenly coated.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste, and stir to combine.
- Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or until the potatoes are tender.
- Once cooked, give the potatoes a good stir before serving.
Servings and Timing
This recipe yields 6 generous servings at approximately 220 calories per serving. The prep time is minimal at just 10 minutes, while the cooking time is 4-5 hours on low in the slow cooker. The total time from start to finish is about 4 hours and 10 minutes to 5 hours and 10 minutes, making this perfect for when you need to prepare ahead and have a side dish ready without last-minute attention.
Variations
Cheesy Onion Potatoes: Add 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese during the last 30 minutes of cooking time for a decadent twist.
Herb-Infused: Add 1 tablespoon of fresh chopped rosemary, thyme, or parsley to the mixture before cooking for an herbal dimension.
Garlic Lover's Version: Add 3-4 minced garlic cloves or 1 teaspoon of garlic powder to the butter mixture for extra flavor.
Creamy Onion Potatoes: Stir in ½ cup of sour cream or cream cheese after cooking for a richer, creamier texture.
Spicy Kick: Add ¼ teaspoon of red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne pepper to the mixture for a subtle heat.
Ranch-Style: Use half a packet of Lipton onion soup mix and half a packet of ranch seasoning for a different flavor profile.
Storage/Reheating
Refrigeration: Store leftover potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Make sure they are completely cooled before refrigerating.
Freezing: These potatoes can be frozen in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Note that the texture may change slightly upon thawing.
Reheating in Microwave: For quick reheating, place a portion in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Reheating in Oven: For best texture, reheat in a covered baking dish at 350°F for about 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.
Reheating in Slow Cooker: For larger leftover portions, you can reheat in the slow cooker on low for 1-2 hours, adding a splash of water or broth if needed to prevent drying out.
FAQs
Can I use red potatoes instead of russet potatoes?
Yes, you can use red potatoes in this recipe. Red potatoes have a waxier texture and will hold their shape better during cooking, which may be preferable depending on your desired outcome. Just note that they may take a little less time to cook than russet potatoes.
Is it necessary to peel the potatoes?
No, peeling is optional. If you prefer to keep the skin on for added texture and nutrients, simply wash the potatoes thoroughly and cut them into cubes. This works especially well with thin-skinned varieties like red or Yukon Gold potatoes.
Can I cook this on high instead of low in the slow cooker?
Yes, you can cook these potatoes on high for about 2-3 hours instead of 4-5 hours on low. However, cooking on low produces more tender potatoes with better flavor absorption, so it's recommended when time allows.
What can I do if my potatoes are still hard after the cooking time?
If your potatoes aren't tender after the suggested cooking time, they likely need more time. Continue cooking and check every 30 minutes. Factors like potato variety, size of the cubes, and the specific slow cooker model can affect cooking time.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dish completely up to 2 days ahead and reheat when needed. Alternatively, you can cube the potatoes (storing them submerged in water in the refrigerator to prevent browning) and prepare the butter-soup mixture separately, then combine and cook when ready.
What main dishes pair well with these potatoes?
These potatoes pair wonderfully with roasted chicken, grilled steaks, meatloaf, pot roast, or baked fish. They're versatile enough to complement most protein-centered main dishes.
My onion soup mixture seems too thick. Should I add more water?
If your mixture seems too thick, you can add an additional ¼ cup of water. The consistency should be pourable but not watery. Remember that the potatoes will release some moisture during cooking as well.
Can I double this recipe for a larger crowd?
Yes, this recipe doubles easily. Simply double all ingredients and use a larger slow cooker. The cooking time should remain roughly the same, but you may need to add an additional 30-60 minutes depending on how full your slow cooker is.
How can I make this recipe healthier?
To reduce calories, you can cut the butter amount in half and substitute with olive oil or use ¼ cup butter combined with ¼ cup low-sodium chicken broth. You can also use a low-sodium onion soup mix if available.
Why are my potatoes turning out mushy?
Overly mushy potatoes can result from cutting the pieces too small, cooking too long, or using a potato variety with high moisture content. Try cutting larger chunks (about 1-inch cubes), reducing cooking time slightly, or switching to a starchier potato variety like russets.
Conclusion
Slow Cooker Lipton Onion Potatoes represent comfort food at its finest—simple, satisfying, and full of flavor. The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity and reliability; it's almost impossible to mess up and always delivers delicious results with minimal effort. Whether you're looking for an easy weeknight side dish or something that can cook while you prepare the rest of a holiday meal, these potatoes are a fantastic choice. The slow cooker does all the work, infusing the potatoes with savory onion flavor while transforming them into tender, crowd-pleasing bites. Make this recipe once, and it's sure to become a regular in your meal rotation—the perfect example of how a few basic ingredients can come together to create something truly delicious.
Slow Cooker Lipton Onion Potatoes
- Total Time: 4-5 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Tender, flavorful potatoes cooked with Lipton onion soup mix for a savory side dish that's easy to make in your slow cooker.
Ingredients
6 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes
1 packet Lipton onion soup mix
½ cup butter, melted
½ cup water
Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Place the cubed potatoes in the bottom of your slow cooker.
- In a separate bowl, combine the melted butter, water, and Lipton onion soup mix. Stir until the soup mix is dissolved.
- Pour the butter and soup mixture over the potatoes, ensuring they are evenly coated.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste, and stir to combine.
- Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or until the potatoes are tender.
- Once cooked, give the potatoes a good stir before serving.
Notes
- You can add herbs or seasonings of your choice for added flavor.
- Using Yukon Gold or red potatoes can enhance the dish's taste and texture.
- Remember to occasionally check the potatoes during cooking to prevent overcooking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-5 hours
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 330 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
