Set these before the Armed Forces Day parade and came home to the most tender little potatoes I've ever made.

This 4-ingredient slow cooker herbed baby potato medley is exactly the kind of recipe I set up before heading out to our local Armed Forces Day parade and come home to the most tender little potatoes I’ve ever made. Using whole tri-color baby potatoes means zero chopping and hardly any cleanup, which is perfect when you’re trying to squeeze in a homemade side dish around a busy day. The slow cooker does all the work, gently cooking the potatoes until they’re fluffy inside and glistening with butter and herbs. It feels like a nostalgic Sunday dinner side, but with weeknight effort.

Serve these herbed baby potatoes straight from the slow cooker on warm, or transfer them to a shallow serving bowl so everyone can see the pretty tri-color mix. They’re great next to grilled burgers, brats, or chicken after a parade or cookout, and they also pair nicely with roasted meats or a simple green salad for an easy dinner. Add a side of steamed green beans or corn on the cob to round things out, and if you like, sprinkle a little extra salt and herbs at the table so people can season to taste.

Servings: 6

2 pounds whole tri-color baby potatoes, rinsed and well dried

Lightly grease the inside of a medium slow cooker (about 4–6 quarts) with a bit of butter or nonstick spray to help prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.

Rinse the tri-color baby potatoes under cool water and pat them very dry with a clean kitchen towel. Keeping them whole helps them hold their shape and turn out extra tender inside.

In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, kosher salt, and dried Italian herb blend until the herbs are evenly coated in the butter.

Add the whole baby potatoes to the bowl and toss well until every potato is nicely coated in the herbed butter mixture. This step helps the seasoning distribute evenly while they cook.

Pour the coated potatoes and any remaining herbed butter into the slow cooker, spreading them into an even layer so they cook evenly.

Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours, or on HIGH for 2 to 3 hours, until the potatoes are very tender when pierced with a fork. Try not to lift the lid during cooking so the heat and moisture stay trapped inside.

Once the potatoes are tender, gently toss them in the slow cooker with a rubber spatula or large spoon to re-coat them in the buttery herb mixture and pick up any flavor from the sides.

Taste one potato and add a pinch more salt if needed, tossing again to distribute. For serving, transfer the potatoes to a warm serving dish or leave them right in the slow cooker on the WARM setting until everyone is ready to eat.

Just before serving, you can pierce a potato with a fork to check that the inside is fluffy and soft, then spoon a little of the herbed butter from the bottom of the slow cooker over the top so they look glossy and inviting.

You can swap the butter for an equal amount of olive oil if you need a dairy-free version, though the flavor will be slightly different and a bit less rich. If you like a garlicky twist, add 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder to the butter and herb mixture before tossing with the potatoes (keep it dry instead of using fresh garlic so it doesn’t burn or turn bitter in the slow cooker). For a brighter finish, squeeze a little lemon juice or sprinkle 1–2 tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley over the potatoes right before serving. If you prefer a crispier exterior, you can spread the cooked potatoes on a sheet pan and broil them for 3–5 minutes, watching closely, just to lightly brown the skins. Food safety tips: Always rinse the potatoes to remove any dirt, then dry them well so excess moisture doesn’t make them soggy. Keep the lid on the slow cooker as much as possible to maintain a safe cooking temperature. If your slow cooker has a WARM setting, use it only after the potatoes have fully cooked; do not hold them on WARM for more than 2 hours. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of serving in a shallow container, and reheat thoroughly until steaming hot before eating.