Slow Cooker Cajun Potato Soup (With Andouille Sausage!)

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 6 hours (low) or 4 hours (high) | Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes | Servings: 6-8 | Difficulty: Easy

Imagine a bowl of thick, creamy potato soup infused with smoky andouille sausage, aromatic Cajun spices, and loaded with tender vegetables—all made effortlessly in your slow cooker! This slow cooker Cajun potato soup brings bold Louisiana flavors to classic comfort food, creating the perfect balance of creamy, spicy, and satisfying. The andouille sausage adds incredible smoky depth while Cajun seasoning provides that signature kick everyone loves. Tender russet potatoes break down slightly as they cook, naturally thickening the soup into a velvety, rich consistency. Fresh bell peppers, onions, celery, and carrots create the traditional Cajun “holy trinity” base that gives this soup its authentic flavor. Topped with melted cheddar cheese and finished with heavy cream, every spoonful is pure comfort with a spicy twist. Whether you’re craving hearty weeknight comfort food, need an impressive dish for game day, or want to warm up on chilly evenings, this recipe delivers big flavor with minimal effort. Don’t forget to follow us on Pinterest for more delicious recipes!

Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Cajun Potato Soup

This Cajun potato soup is incredibly easy since the slow cooker does all the work while you’re away—just come home to amazing aromas! The long, slow cooking time allows the flavors to fully develop and meld together, creating incredible depth you can’t achieve with quick stovetop methods. It’s wonderfully thick and creamy with the perfect amount of spicy kick that warms you from the inside out. The smoky andouille sausage adds authentic Louisiana flavor that makes this soup truly special. It’s completely customizable—adjust the spice level, swap proteins, or add your favorite vegetables. Plus, it makes excellent leftovers that taste even better the next day!

What You Need for Slow Cooker Cajun Potato Soup

Main Ingredients for Cajun Potato Soup

• 1 tablespoon olive oil – for browning sausage
• 1 package (13.5 ounces) andouille sausage – sliced into 1/4-inch rounds, provides smoky flavor
• 4 russet potatoes – peeled and cut into bite-sized pieces, creates creamy base
• 1 cup bell pepper – red or green, diced for sweetness and color
• 1 cup yellow onion – diced, essential for flavor foundation
• 1/2 cup celery – diced, part of Cajun holy trinity
• 1/2 cup carrots – sliced, adds sweetness and nutrition
• 1 tablespoon garlic – minced fresh for aromatic depth

Seasonings and Dairy for Cajun Soup

• 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning – store-bought or homemade for authentic flavor
• 1 teaspoon salt – adjust to taste based on seasoning saltiness
• 1 teaspoon black pepper – freshly ground preferred
• 3 cups chicken broth – low-sodium recommended for better control
• 1 cup whole milk – creates creaminess, 2% works too
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream – adds luxurious richness
• 1 cup cheddar cheese – freshly shredded, never pre-shredded
• Green onions – sliced, for garnish
• Tabasco sauce – for serving, optional heat boost

Slow Cooker Cajun Potato Soup (With Andouille Sausage!)

Creamy slow cooker Cajun potato soup with smoky andouille sausage, tender potatoes, and bold spices. Easy comfort food with a spicy kick!

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 6 hours hrs

Total Time 6 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Course Main Course, Soup

Cuisine American, Cajun, Southern

Servings 8 bowls

Calories 380 kcal

Equipment

• 6-quart slow cooker or larger
• Large skillet
• Wooden spoon
• Knife and cutting board
• Ladle

Ingredients

  

For Browning Sausage

• 1 tablespoon olive oil for browning sausage
• 1 package (13.5 ounces) andouille sausage sliced into 1/4-inch rounds, provides smoky flavor

For the Soup Base

• 4 medium russet potatoes peeled and cut into bite-sized pieces, about 2 pounds
• 1 cup bell pepper red or green, diced
• 1 cup yellow onion diced, about 1 medium onion
• 1/2 cup celery diced, about 2 stalks
• 1/2 cup carrots sliced, about 2 medium carrots
• 1 tablespoon garlic minced fresh, about 3 cloves

Seasonings

• 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning store-bought or homemade, adjust to heat preference
• 1 teaspoon salt adjust based on seasoning saltiness
• 1 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground preferred

Liquids and Dairy

• 3 cups chicken broth low-sodium recommended
• 1 cup whole milk 2% works too, don’t use skim
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream adds luxurious richness
• 1 cup cheddar cheese freshly shredded, never pre-shredded

For Serving

• green onions sliced, for garnish
• Tabasco sauce optional, for serving

Instructions

 

• Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sliced andouille sausage in single layer and cook 2-3 minutes per side until browned and slightly crispy. Transfer to slow cooker.
• Add cubed potatoes, diced bell pepper, diced onion, diced celery, sliced carrots, and minced garlic to slow cooker with browned sausage.
• Sprinkle Cajun seasoning, salt, and black pepper evenly over vegetables. Pour 3 cups chicken broth over everything and stir gently to combine.
• Cover slow cooker and cook on high for 3 hours or low for 5 hours until potatoes are fork-tender and some are starting to break apart.
• Stir in 1 cup whole milk. Continue cooking for another hour on same setting.
• Pour in 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream and stir gently to incorporate.
• Add freshly shredded cheddar cheese and stir until completely melted into soup, about 15 minutes with lid on.
• Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or Cajun seasoning if desired.
• Ladle hot soup into bowls and garnish with sliced green onions. Serve with Tabasco sauce on the side for extra heat if desired.

Notes

Browning sausage adds flavor but is optional—can add raw directly to slow cooker if short on time. For extra creaminess, mash some cooked potatoes before adding dairy. Yukon gold potatoes break down more for thicker soup. Start with recommended Cajun seasoning and adjust to heat preference. To thicken: mash potatoes, add cornstarch slurry (1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water), or make roux. Soup thickens when chilled; thin with broth when reheating. Store 3-5 days refrigerated. Freezes up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.

Keyword andouille sausage soup, Cajun Potato Soup, cajun soup, creamy potato soup, slow cooker potato soup, spicy potato soup

How to Make Slow Cooker Cajun Potato Soup (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Browning the Sausage (5 minutes)

Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced andouille sausage in a single layer and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until beautifully browned and slightly crispy around the edges. This browning step develops deep, caramelized flavor and renders some of the fat. While you can skip this step and add raw sausage directly to the slow cooker, browning creates significantly more flavor depth. Transfer the browned sausage to your slow cooker.

Step 2: Layering Ingredients in Slow Cooker (5 minutes)

Add the cubed potatoes, diced bell pepper, diced onion, diced celery, sliced carrots, and minced garlic to the slow cooker with the browned sausage. Sprinkle the Cajun seasoning, salt, and black pepper evenly over the vegetables. Pour the 3 cups of chicken broth over everything and stir gently to combine, ensuring the seasonings are distributed throughout. The broth should mostly cover the vegetables—it’s okay if some pieces peek out as they’ll cook down.

Step 3: Slow Cooking (4-6 hours)

Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on high for 3 hours or low for 5 hours. The potatoes should be fork-tender and some will start breaking apart naturally, which helps thicken the soup. After the initial cooking time, stir in the 1 cup of whole milk. Continue cooking for another hour on the same setting. This gradual addition of dairy prevents curdling and ensures a smooth, creamy texture.

Step 4: Finishing with Cream and Cheese (15 minutes)

Pour in the 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream and stir gently to incorporate. Add the freshly shredded cheddar cheese and stir until it melts completely into the soup, creating a luxurious, creamy consistency. This takes about 15 minutes with the lid on. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or Cajun seasoning if desired. The soup should be thick, creamy, and incredibly flavorful with visible chunks of potato and sausage throughout.

Expert Tips for Perfect Cajun Potato Soup

Browning the andouille sausage before adding it to the slow cooker is optional but highly recommended—it adds incredible depth of flavor through caramelization. For extra creaminess, mash some of the cooked potatoes against the side of the slow cooker before adding the dairy. Yukon gold potatoes break down more than russets, creating an even thicker, creamier soup if that’s your preference. Start with the recommended amount of Cajun seasoning and adjust to your heat tolerance—some blends are spicier than others. For a lighter version, substitute some broth for the milk, but keep the heavy cream for richness. Want it even thicker? Make a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water) and stir it in during the last 15 minutes. If you love Cajun-inspired soups, try our Cajun Potato Soup Recipe for another delicious version!

How to Store and Serve Slow Cooker Cajun Potato Soup

Store leftover Cajun potato soup in airtight containers in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. The soup will thicken considerably as it chills, so add a splash of chicken broth or milk when reheating to restore the desired consistency. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring frequently to prevent scorching, or microwave in individual portions for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through. This soup freezes beautifully for up to 3 months—let it cool completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Serve the hot soup in deep bowls with a generous sprinkle of sliced green onions and a bottle of Tabasco sauce on the side for those who want extra heat. Pair with crusty bread, cornbread, or our Easy Garlic Butter Flatbread for dipping!

Slow Cooker Cajun Potato Soup Variations You’ll Love

Transform this soup by swapping andouille sausage for smoked chicken sausage or cooked shredded chicken for a lighter protein option. For seafood lovers, add 1 pound of cooked, deveined shrimp during the last hour of cooking for a Louisiana-style twist. Make it vegetarian by omitting the sausage and using vegetable broth, then adding extra vegetables like corn, green beans, or diced zucchini. Boost the heat level by using hot andouille sausage or adding 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper with the seasonings. For extra creaminess, stir in 4 ounces of cream cheese when you add the milk. Add 1 cup of frozen corn during the last hour for sweetness and texture contrast. Make it stovetop by following the same steps but simmering in a large pot for 30-40 minutes instead of slow cooking. If you enjoy creamy potato soups, check out our Homemade Loaded Potato Soup for another comfort food favorite!

FAQ About Cajun Potato Soup

Final Thoughts on This Slow Cooker Cajun Potato Soup

This slow cooker Cajun potato soup combines the best of comfort food with bold Louisiana flavors that’ll make your taste buds dance! The smoky andouille sausage, creamy potatoes, and spicy Cajun seasonings create an unforgettable flavor combination that’s both comforting and exciting. It’s incredibly easy since the slow cooker does all the work, making it perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends. Serve with our Cheddar Cheese Bread Recipe or Jalapeño Cheddar Bread for the ultimate comfort meal. The leftovers are fantastic, and it freezes beautifully for future easy dinners. Once you try this recipe, it’ll become a regular in your winter soup rotation! Love this recipe? Save it to your Pinterest boards and follow us on Pinterest for more amazing recipes!