Memorial Day Magic: Just 4 ingredients. I make it when I want a side dish handled hours ahead while I prep the grill.

This 4-ingredient slow cooker glazed new potato recipe is my go-to when I want Memorial Day (or any cookout) to feel effortless. I use canned whole new potatoes so I can dump everything in the slow cooker hours before guests show up, then turn my attention to marinating meat and getting the grill ready. The potatoes slowly soak up a rich, dark amber, umami-forward glaze and stay warm right in the slow cooker, so the side dish basically takes care of itself while you handle everything else.

These glazed new potatoes are perfect alongside anything off the grill—burgers, brats, grilled chicken, steak, or barbecue ribs. I like to keep the rest of the plate simple: a crisp green salad or coleslaw, corn on the cob, and maybe some sliced watermelon. Serve the potatoes straight from the slow cooker on the warm setting so people can scoop them as they go, and if you want to dress them up a bit, sprinkle with a little chopped fresh parsley or chives right before serving.

Servings: 6

2 cans (about 15 ounces each) whole new potatoes, drained and rinsed

Drain the canned whole new potatoes and give them a quick rinse under cool water. Let them drain well so the glaze doesn’t get watered down.

In a small bowl or liquid measuring cup, whisk together the melted butter, soy sauce, and brown sugar until the sugar is mostly dissolved and the mixture looks smooth and glossy.

Lightly grease the inside of your slow cooker with a small amount of butter or nonstick spray to help prevent sticking.

Add the drained new potatoes to the slow cooker in an even layer. If any potatoes are extra large, you can cut them in half so they cook and glaze more evenly, but keep most of them whole for that nice round, glazed look.

Pour the butter–soy–brown sugar mixture evenly over the potatoes, gently stirring or shaking the slow cooker so all the potatoes are coated in the glaze.

Cover and cook on LOW for 3 to 4 hours, or on HIGH for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, until the potatoes are heated through and very tender and the glaze has thickened into a dark amber, glossy coating. During the last 30 minutes, gently stir once or twice so every potato gets a chance to sit in the glaze.

Once the potatoes are tender and coated, switch the slow cooker to WARM. Keep the lid on until you’re ready to serve so the potatoes stay hot and steamy while you prep and work the grill. Stir just before serving to re-coat everything in the glaze and spoon any extra glaze over the top when you dish them up.

For a slightly smoky flavor, you can stir in 1 to 2 teaspoons of smoked paprika or a dash of liquid smoke to the glaze mixture before pouring it over the potatoes (this technically adds an extra ingredient, so I treat it as optional for when I’m not strictly counting). If you like a little heat with your sweet, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a small squirt of sriracha to the glaze. For a more herb-forward version, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley, chives, or thyme over the potatoes right before serving—this doesn’t change the core 4-ingredient base but adds a fresh pop of color and flavor. To make it slightly lighter, you can use reduced-sodium soy sauce and cut the butter down to 1/4 cup; the glaze will still be tasty, just a bit less rich. If you need to hold the potatoes for longer, keep the slow cooker on WARM and stir occasionally; if they sit more than 2 hours on warm, add a tablespoon or two of water to loosen the glaze so it doesn’t get too sticky or start to scorch around the edges. Food safety tips: Because this recipe uses fully cooked canned potatoes, you’re mainly reheating and glazing them, but they still need to reach a safe hot temperature (at least 165°F in the center) before serving, especially if your slow cooker runs on the cooler side. Don’t leave the slow cooker unplugged or on the OFF setting while food is inside, and avoid keeping the potatoes on the WARM setting for more than about 2 to 3 hours before chilling leftovers. Cool leftovers quickly and store them in the refrigerator in a shallow container; reheat thoroughly on the stovetop or in the microwave before eating.