These 3-ingredient slow cooker potatoes are the kind of low-effort comfort food that earns a permanent spot in the dinner rotation. Using raw peeled diced white potatoes, a juicy watermelon-inspired sweet element, and a savory seasoning component, the slow cooker does the heavy lifting and turns simple pantry staples into a tender, flavorful dish. Despite the playful National Watermelon Day angle, the finished potatoes are hearty and crowd-pleasing, with a balance of sweetness and salt that works especially well for busy weeknights and casual family meals.
Serve these potatoes alongside grilled chicken, pork chops, meatloaf, or burgers for a complete meal. They also pair nicely with a crisp green salad, roasted green beans, or simple corn on the cob to balance the richness. If you want to lean into the sweet-savory profile, a spoonful of plain Greek yogurt or sour cream on top adds a cool, creamy contrast.
3-Ingredient Slow Cooker National Watermelon Day Potatoes
Servings: 6
Ingredients
2 pounds white potatoes, peeled and diced into 1-inch pieces
2 cups watermelon, diced small
1 packet onion soup mix
Directions
1. Peel the white potatoes and dice them into even 1-inch pieces so they cook at the same rate. Add the potatoes to the bottom of the slow cooker.
2. Scatter the diced watermelon over the potatoes, then sprinkle the onion soup mix evenly across the top.
3. Cover and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours or on high for 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours, stirring once or twice if convenient, until the potatoes are very tender and the watermelon has mostly broken down into the seasoning.
4. Gently stir to coat the potatoes in the flavorful juices, then taste and add a pinch of salt or black pepper if desired before serving warm.
Variations & Tips
Add richness: For a more traditional comfort-food finish, dot the cooked potatoes with 2 tablespoons of butter just before serving and stir gently until melted.
Boost the herbs: A tablespoon of chopped parsley, dill, or chives added at the end freshens the dish and gives the sweet-savory flavors a brighter finish.
Make it more savory: If you prefer less sweetness, use just 1 cup of diced watermelon and let the onion soup mix lead the flavor profile. This keeps the texture tender while making the dish taste closer to classic seasoned potatoes.
Watch the moisture: Watermelon releases quite a bit of liquid as it cooks, so there is no need to add broth or water at the start. If your potatoes seem too wet at the end, leave the lid off for 15 to 20 minutes on high to help some of the liquid evaporate.
Cut evenly: Try to keep the potato pieces similar in size. Uniform cuts help everything finish at the same time and prevent a mix of mushy and undercooked pieces.