If you love tender potatoes, buttery sauces, and savory onion flavor, these Slow Cooker Onion Butter Potatoes are about to become a favorite side dish.
This easy crockpot potato recipe combines simple ingredients to create potatoes that are soft on the inside, rich with butter, and packed with savory onion flavor. Best of all, the slow cooker does almost all the work.
There’s no complicated technique and no need to spend your evening standing over the stove. Simply prepare the potatoes, add the ingredients to your slow cooker, cover, and let them cook until tender.
These buttery onion potatoes are perfect for Sunday dinner, holiday meals, family gatherings, potlucks, or busy weeknights when you want an easy side dish that everyone can enjoy.
Serve them alongside roast beef, chicken, pork chops, meatloaf, or almost any comforting main course.
Why You’ll Love These Slow Cooker Onion Butter Potatoes
There are plenty of reasons this easy potato recipe deserves a spot in your regular dinner rotation.
Easy slow cooker preparation: The crockpot does most of the cooking.
Simple ingredients: You don’t need complicated ingredients to create delicious potatoes.
Rich buttery flavor: Butter coats every potato as it cooks.
Savory onion flavor: Onion seasoning adds depth without making the recipe complicated.
Perfect side dish: These potatoes pair with beef, chicken, pork, and more.
Great for gatherings: The slow cooker helps keep them warm for serving.
Family-friendly: Soft potatoes and buttery flavor make this an easy crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make these cozy slow cooker potatoes.
Potatoes
Use 2½ pounds baby Yukon Gold potatoes or small yellow potatoes.
Yukon Gold potatoes are especially good because they have a naturally buttery texture and hold their shape well during slow cooking.
If using larger potatoes, cut them into roughly equal-sized chunks so they cook evenly.
Butter
Use 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces.
The butter melts throughout the cooking process and coats the potatoes with rich flavor.
Yellow Onion
Use 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced.
The onion softens while cooking and adds natural sweetness and savory flavor.
Dry Onion Soup Mix
Use 1 packet dry onion soup mix.
The seasoning provides concentrated onion flavor and helps create the signature savory taste of the dish.
Chicken Broth
Use ½ cup chicken broth.
The broth provides enough moisture to help the potatoes cook while adding another layer of savory flavor.
How to Make Slow Cooker Onion Butter Potatoes
Step 1: Prepare the Potatoes
Wash the potatoes thoroughly.
If using baby potatoes, you can leave them whole if they are small enough. Larger potatoes should be cut into halves or quarters.
Try to keep the pieces similar in size so they cook at approximately the same rate.
Step 2: Add the Potatoes
Place the prepared potatoes into a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker.
Spread them into an even layer.
Step 3: Add the Onion
Scatter the sliced yellow onion over the potatoes.
Don’t worry if the onions aren’t perfectly distributed. They’ll soften and blend with the butter and seasoning as everything cooks.
Step 4: Add the Seasoning
Sprinkle the dry onion soup mix evenly over the potatoes and onions.
This gives the dish its savory onion flavor.
Step 5: Add the Butter
Place the pieces of butter over the top.
As the slow cooker heats, the butter will melt and coat the potatoes.
Step 6: Add the Broth
Pour the chicken broth around the sides of the potatoes.
You don’t need to completely cover the potatoes with liquid.
Step 7: Cook
Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for approximately 4–5 hours, or until the potatoes are fork-tender.
You can also cook on HIGH for approximately 2½–3½ hours.
Cooking time can vary depending on the size and type of potatoes.
Step 8: Stir and Serve
Once the potatoes are tender, carefully stir everything together.
Make sure the melted butter, onions, and seasoning are evenly distributed.
Serve warm.
The Best Potatoes for the Slow Cooker
Several types of potatoes work well in this recipe.
Yukon Gold Potatoes
These are an excellent choice because they have a naturally creamy, buttery texture.
Baby Red Potatoes
Red potatoes hold their shape well and add beautiful color to the dish.
Baby Yellow Potatoes
These are naturally creamy and work particularly well with butter.
Russet Potatoes
Russets can be used, but they are more likely to become soft and break apart during slow cooking.
For attractive potatoes that hold their shape, Yukon Gold or red potatoes are usually easier to work with.
Tips for Perfect Slow Cooker Potatoes
Cut the Potatoes Evenly
Uniform pieces cook more consistently.
Don’t Add Too Much Liquid
You only need enough broth to provide moisture. The potatoes will also release some moisture as they cook.
Too much liquid can make the finished potatoes watery.
Don’t Overcook
Start checking the potatoes toward the earlier end of the cooking range.
You want them tender but not falling apart unless you specifically prefer a softer texture.
Stir Carefully
Once the potatoes are tender, gently stir them.
Over-stirring can cause softer potatoes to break apart.
Use Unsalted Butter
Unsalted butter gives you better control over the final seasoning, especially because onion soup mix already contains salt.
Should You Peel the Potatoes?
No.
For baby potatoes and thin-skinned varieties such as Yukon Gold or red potatoes, peeling isn’t necessary.
Keeping the skins on also makes preparation faster.
If you prefer peeled potatoes, you can certainly peel them before cooking.
Can I Add Garlic?
Absolutely.
Fresh minced garlic can add another savory layer to these buttery potatoes.
For a stronger garlic flavor, add the garlic at the beginning of cooking.
You can also use roasted garlic for a sweeter, milder flavor.
Can I Add Cheese?
Yes.
Cheese makes these potatoes even more indulgent.
Once the potatoes are tender, sprinkle shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, or another melting cheese over the top.
Cover the slow cooker for a few minutes until the cheese melts.
This creates a creamy, cheesy variation that’s perfect for potlucks and family dinners.
Easy Variations
There are many ways to customize this simple side dish.
Garlic Butter Potatoes
Add fresh minced garlic along with the onion and butter.
Cheesy Onion Potatoes
Add shredded cheddar cheese near the end of cooking.
Herb Butter Potatoes
Add dried or fresh herbs such as parsley, thyme, rosemary, or chives.
Bacon Onion Potatoes
Cooked crumbled bacon can be added just before serving.
Ranch-Style Potatoes
Add a packet of ranch seasoning instead of or alongside the onion seasoning for a different flavor.
Keep in mind that these additions will change the original ingredient list.
What to Serve With Onion Butter Potatoes
These potatoes work with almost any hearty main course.
Roast Beef
The buttery potatoes are excellent alongside a slow-cooked beef roast.
Roast Chicken
Serve them with roasted or slow-cooked chicken for an easy family dinner.
Pork Chops
The savory onion flavor pairs beautifully with pork.
Meatloaf
Mashed potatoes are traditional with meatloaf, but these buttery slow cooker potatoes make a delicious alternative.
Pot Roast
Serve the potatoes with tender beef and gravy for a classic comfort-food meal.
Grilled Chicken
They also make an easy side for grilled chicken during warmer months.
Slow Cooker Onion Butter Potatoes for Holidays
These potatoes can be especially useful during holiday meals because they don’t require oven space.
When the oven is already busy with turkey, ham, roast beef, or casseroles, you can prepare the potatoes in the slow cooker.
They can also help simplify larger family gatherings because they can stay warm in the crockpot until serving.
For best texture, avoid holding them for an excessively long period after they become tender.
Can I Make These Potatoes Ahead of Time?
Yes.
You can prepare the potatoes earlier in the day and keep them warm in the slow cooker once they’re finished.
If making them well in advance, refrigerate the cooked potatoes and reheat them gently before serving.
How to Store Leftover Potatoes
Allow the potatoes to cool before transferring them to an airtight container.
Refrigerate and use within 3–4 days.
Store the potatoes with some of the buttery onion mixture to help maintain their flavor and moisture.
How to Reheat Slow Cooker Potatoes
You can reheat the potatoes in several ways.
Slow Cooker
Place the potatoes back into the slow cooker and warm them on LOW until heated through.
Oven
Transfer them to a covered baking dish and warm gently until hot.
Microwave
Heat individual portions in a microwave-safe dish in short intervals.
If the potatoes seem dry, add a small amount of butter or broth before reheating.
Can You Freeze Onion Butter Potatoes?
You can freeze them, although potatoes can sometimes change texture after freezing and thawing.
For the best results, freeze them in an airtight freezer-safe container and thaw them in the refrigerator.
Reheat gently and stir carefully.
Freshly made potatoes will generally have the best texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use regular potatoes?
Yes. Yukon Gold, red potatoes, baby potatoes, and even russets can work.
Do I have to peel the potatoes?
No. Thin-skinned potatoes can be cooked with their skins on.
Can I use salted butter?
Yes, but remember that the onion soup mix already contains seasoning, so the finished dish may be saltier.
Can I use vegetable broth?
Yes. Vegetable broth can be substituted for chicken broth.
Why are my potatoes taking so long to cook?
Potato size is one of the biggest factors. Larger pieces require more time than small baby potatoes.
Your slow cooker can also cook differently from another model.
Can I add cheese?
Yes. Add shredded cheese toward the end and cover until melted.
Can I make these potatoes without onion soup mix?
Yes, but you’ll need additional seasonings to replace its onion and savory flavor.
Can I cook them on HIGH?
Yes. HIGH generally takes about 2½–3½ hours, depending on the size of the potatoes.
Slow Cooker Onion Butter Potatoes Recipe Card
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 4–5 hours on LOW
Alternative Cook Time: 2½–3½ hours on HIGH
Total Time: About 4–5 hours
Servings: 6–8
Category: Side Dish
Method: Slow Cooker
Cuisine: American Comfort Food
Ingredients
- 2½ pounds baby Yukon Gold potatoes
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
- 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 1 packet dry onion soup mix
- ½ cup chicken broth
Directions
- Wash the potatoes thoroughly. Leave small potatoes whole or cut larger potatoes into evenly sized pieces.
- Place the potatoes in a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker.
- Scatter the sliced onion over the potatoes.
- Sprinkle the dry onion soup mix evenly over everything.
- Place the butter pieces over the potatoes.
- Pour the chicken broth around the sides.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4–5 hours, or until the potatoes are fork-tender.
- Alternatively, cook on HIGH for approximately 2½–3½ hours.
- Gently stir the potatoes, onions, butter, and seasoning together.
- Serve warm with your favorite main course.
Final Thoughts
These Slow Cooker Onion Butter Potatoes are proof that a simple side dish can still be incredibly satisfying.
Tender potatoes, melted butter, sweet onions, savory seasoning, and a little chicken broth come together in the crockpot to create a side dish that’s rich, comforting, and easy to prepare.
They’re perfect for Sunday dinners, holiday gatherings, potlucks, and busy weeknight meals.
Serve them alongside roast beef, chicken, pork, or meatloaf, and don’t be surprised if everyone reaches for seconds.