Crockpot Taco Potatoes: Easy Cheesy Slow-Cooker Dinner

Crockpot Taco Potatoes combine tender potatoes, crispy turkey bacon, black beans, corn, taco seasoning, and melted cheese in one hearty slow-cooker meal. The ingredients cook together until the potatoes become soft and soak up plenty of savory taco flavor.

This recipe also keeps hands-on preparation simple. You only need to chop the potatoes and vegetables, crisp the turkey bacon, and add everything to the crockpot. Then chicken broth or water provides enough moisture to help the potatoes cook until tender.

Finally, shredded cheese melts over the Crockpot Taco Potatoes during the last 10 minutes. You can serve the finished dish as written or pile on sour cream, green onions, and diced jalapeños for even more flavor.

I like potato dinners that don’t require several pans or constant attention, and this one fits that kind of evening perfectly. The turkey bacon is the only ingredient I cook separately because getting it crispy before adding it makes a noticeable difference. After that, everything goes into the crockpot. I usually choose chicken broth instead of water because it adds another savory layer while the potatoes cook. The best part comes at the end, when the cheese melts into the hot potatoes, beans, and corn. I also put sour cream and sliced green onions on the table so everyone can finish their serving exactly how they like it.

Preparing the Potatoes and Turkey Bacon

Chop the Potatoes Into Even Pieces

Start with 4 medium potatoes.

Peel them, then cut them into bite-sized pieces.

Try to keep the pieces reasonably similar in size. Evenly sized potatoes cook at a more consistent rate, which helps prevent some pieces from becoming overly soft while others remain firm.

You don’t need tiny cubes. Medium bite-sized pieces work well for Crockpot Taco Potatoes because they can become tender during the 6 to 8 hours of cooking on LOW.

Once you’ve chopped the potatoes, place them in the crockpot.

Next, dice 1 onion and mince 2 garlic cloves.

Having these ingredients prepared before you start assembling everything makes the rest of the recipe especially quick.

Crisp the Turkey Bacon

Cook 1 pound turkey bacon in a skillet until crispy.

The exact cooking time will depend on the thickness of the turkey bacon and the skillet you’re using.

Once cooked, transfer the turkey bacon to a cutting board and chop it into pieces.

Cooking the turkey bacon first develops a better texture than simply adding it to the crockpot uncooked.

Add the chopped turkey bacon to the crockpot with the potatoes.

The savory bacon flavor will mingle with the taco seasoning, onions, garlic, beans, and corn as everything slowly cooks.

At this point, you’re ready to add the remaining ingredients and turn the mixture into a hearty taco-inspired potato dinner.

Building the Taco Potato Mixture

Add the Beans, Corn, Onion, and Garlic

Drain and rinse 1 can black beans.

Add the beans to the crockpot along with 1 cup corn.

You can use frozen or canned corn. If using canned corn, drain it before adding it.

Next, add the diced onion and minced garlic.

The black beans make Crockpot Taco Potatoes more substantial, while the corn adds mild sweetness and color.

Meanwhile, the onion and garlic provide the savory base that ties the taco-inspired flavors together.

Gently distribute the ingredients around the potatoes and turkey bacon.

You don’t need to create separate layers because everything will eventually get stirred together.

Add Taco Seasoning and Cooking Liquid

Sprinkle 1 packet taco seasoning over the ingredients.

Next, pour in 1 cup water or chicken broth.

Chicken broth gives the potatoes additional savory flavor, while water keeps the preparation especially simple.

Stir everything well so the taco seasoning and liquid coat the potatoes, beans, corn, turkey bacon, onion, and garlic.

Make sure you scrape any dry seasoning from the sides of the crockpot back into the mixture.

Once everything looks evenly combined, cover the slow cooker.

The Crockpot Taco Potatoes are now ready for the long, gentle cooking stage that softens the potatoes and blends all those taco-inspired flavors.

Slow Cooking Until the Potatoes Are Tender

Choose LOW or HIGH Cooking

Cook Crockpot Taco Potatoes on LOW for 6 to 8 hours.

Alternatively, cook them on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours.

The potatoes should become completely tender by the end of the cooking period.

Because slow cookers can heat differently and potato pieces can vary in size, check the potatoes for tenderness toward the end of the recommended cooking window.

A fork should slide easily into a potato piece when they’re ready.

Gently stir the mixture as needed so the beans, corn, turkey bacon, and seasonings remain distributed throughout the potatoes.

Melt the Cheese at the End

Once the potatoes become tender, add 1 cup shredded cheese.

Stir it into the hot potato mixture during the final 10 minutes of cooking.

Then cover the crockpot again.

The trapped heat will help the cheese melt throughout the potatoes, beans, corn, and turkey bacon.

After approximately 10 minutes, gently stir the Crockpot Taco Potatoes again.

The cheese should look melted and creamy throughout the mixture.

Avoid adding it too early. Waiting until the final few minutes gives you a fresher melted-cheese texture instead of cooking the cheese for several hours.

Once the cheese has melted, the dish is ready to serve.

Serving Taco Potatoes With Toppings

Add Sour Cream and Green Onions

Spoon the hot Crockpot Taco Potatoes into bowls or onto plates.

For a creamy contrast, add a spoonful of sour cream to each serving.

Then sprinkle sliced green onions over the top.

These toppings are optional, but they complement the warm taco seasoning and melted cheese particularly well.

You can also set the toppings on the table and allow everyone to customize their own serving.

Because the recipe already includes potatoes, black beans, turkey bacon, corn, and cheese, it works as a hearty standalone meal.

Turn Up the Heat With Jalapeños

If you enjoy a little extra heat, add diced jalapeños.

You can mix them into individual servings or scatter them over the top as a garnish.

Serving them separately also works well when some people prefer spicy food and others don’t.

For a colorful presentation, finish each bowl with sour cream, green onions, jalapeños, and a small sprinkle of additional shredded cheese.

Serve Crockpot Taco Potatoes while they’re warm and the cheese remains melted.

The combination of tender potatoes, taco seasoning, crispy turkey bacon, beans, sweet corn, and cheese creates a filling dinner that requires surprisingly little active cooking.

Ingredients

• 4 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped into bite-sized pieces
• 1 pound turkey bacon
• 1 cup shredded cheese
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup corn, frozen or canned and drained
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup water or chicken broth
• 1 jalapeño, diced, optional
• ½ cup sour cream, optional for serving
• ¼ cup sliced green onions, optional for serving

Instructions

1. Peel the potatoes and chop them into evenly sized, bite-sized pieces.
2. Cook the turkey bacon in a skillet until crispy, then chop it into pieces.
3. Add the potatoes, turkey bacon, black beans, corn, diced onion, and minced garlic to the crockpot.
4. Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the ingredients.
5. Pour in 1 cup water or chicken broth and stir everything thoroughly.
6. Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours or HIGH for 3 to 4 hours, until the potatoes become tender.
7. Stir the mixture gently and check the potatoes with a fork near the end of cooking.
8. Add 1 cup shredded cheese during the final 10 minutes. Stir, cover, and let the cheese melt.
9. Spoon the Crockpot Taco Potatoes into bowls or onto plates.
10. Serve warm with optional diced jalapeños, sour cream, and sliced green onions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do Crockpot Taco Potatoes need to cook?

Cook them on LOW for 6 to 8 hours or HIGH for 3 to 4 hours. The potatoes should become completely tender before you add the cheese.

Can I use chicken broth instead of water?

Yes. The recipe works with either 1 cup water or 1 cup chicken broth. Chicken broth adds extra savory flavor.

Do I need to cook the turkey bacon first?

Yes. Cook the turkey bacon in a skillet until crispy before chopping it and adding it to the crockpot.

When should I add the shredded cheese?

Stir in 1 cup shredded cheese during the final 10 minutes. Cover the crockpot again and allow the cheese to melt before serving.

What toppings go well with Crockpot Taco Potatoes?

Sour cream and sliced green onions make easy toppings. For extra heat, add diced jalapeños. You can serve the toppings separately so everyone can customize their portion.

Conclusion

Crockpot Taco Potatoes turn simple potatoes into a hearty taco-inspired slow-cooker meal.

Tender potatoes cook alongside crispy turkey bacon, black beans, corn, onion, garlic, and taco seasoning. Meanwhile, water or chicken broth provides the moisture needed for slow cooking and helps distribute the seasonings.

Once the potatoes become tender, shredded cheese goes in for the final 10 minutes. It melts throughout the mixture and brings all the ingredients together.

Serve Crockpot Taco Potatoes warm with sour cream and green onions. If you enjoy extra heat, finish your serving with diced jalapeños. With plenty of comforting flavor and very little active cooking, this easy crockpot dinner works especially well for busy family meals.