When I need an easy cookout side that feels a little special without giving me extra work, these slow cooker butter baby potatoes are one of my favorite answers. Whole French fingerling potatoes turn tender and glossy with just a few simple ingredients, making this a wonderful late-summer dish for potlucks, backyard dinners, and family gatherings when the grill is busy and oven space is precious.
These potatoes are especially good next to grilled burgers, barbecue chicken, smoked sausage, ribs, or pulled pork. I also love setting them out with a crisp green salad, sweet corn, or a platter of fresh sliced tomatoes, and if there are leftovers, they warm up beautifully alongside eggs the next morning.
3-Ingredient Slow Cooker Late Summer Cookout Glistening Butter Baby Potatoes using Whole French Fingerling Potatoes
Servings: 8
Ingredients
3 pounds whole French fingerling potatoes, scrubbed clean
1 cup salted butter, cut into pieces
1 tablespoon dried herb seasoning or ranch-style seasoning blend
Directions
1. Wash and scrub the whole French fingerling potatoes well, then pat them dry. Place them in the slow cooker.
2. Scatter the butter pieces over the potatoes and sprinkle the herb seasoning evenly across the top.
3. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours, until the potatoes are fork-tender. Gently stir once or twice during cooking if convenient so the butter coats everything evenly.
4. Taste and add a pinch of extra seasoning if needed, then transfer to a serving bowl or serve straight from the slow cooker while hot and glossy.
Variations & Tips
Garlic Butter Version: Add 2 to 3 cloves of finely minced garlic during the last hour of cooking for a deeper savory flavor. This is a nice choice when you're serving the potatoes with steak, grilled chicken, or pork.
Kid-Friendly Mild Version: If you have picky eaters at the table, use a very simple dried parsley or Italian herb blend instead of a stronger seasoning mix. The buttery flavor still shines, and the potatoes stay familiar and comforting.
Make It Potluck Easy: These travel well in the slow cooker. If you're taking them to a gathering, keep the lid on during the drive and plug the cooker in once you arrive to keep everything warm for serving.
For the Best Texture: Try to choose fingerling potatoes that are close in size so they cook evenly. If some are much larger than others, halve the biggest ones so everything turns tender at about the same time.
Fresh Herb Finish: Right before serving, toss on a little chopped parsley, dill, or chives if you want the dish to look extra pretty on the table. That little bit of green gives the buttery potatoes a fresh late-summer feel.