Storied Leek and Potato Soup Recipe

The Heartiest Leek and Potato Soup Recipe for Cozy Days

Crafting a comforting leek and potato soup brings warmth to chilly evenings.

Fragrant herbs dance through this classic blend of creamy ingredients.

Soft potatoes melt into silky textures that hug your palate.

Humble vegetables combine in a symphony of delicate flavors.

Each spoonful tells a story of simple, nourishing comfort.

Kitchens around the world celebrate this timeless recipe with love.

You won’t be able to resist trying this soul-satisfying soup.

Why Leek And Potato Soup Feels Like A Warm Hug

  • Craft Comfort Quickly: This leek and potato soup delivers maximum coziness with minimal kitchen effort, perfect for anyone craving a warm, satisfying meal without complex cooking skills.
  • Customize Your Comfort: The recipe allows simple personal touches like adjusting cream levels, adding extra herbs, or topping with crispy bacon for a personalized flavor profile that suits different taste preferences.
  • Nutritious One-Pot Wonder: Packed with hearty vegetables and creamy texture, this soup provides a balanced meal that nourishes the body while keeping cleanup to a single pot, making it ideal for busy home cooks seeking wholesome nutrition.
  • Budget-Friendly Deliciousness: Using basic, affordable ingredients like potatoes, leeks, and common pantry staples, this soup offers gourmet taste without expensive components, making it a smart choice for economical meal planning.

Leek And Potato Soup Must-Haves

Main Ingredients:
  • Leeks: Mild, sweet onion-like vegetable that provides a delicate flavor base for the soup.
  • Potatoes: Starchy root vegetable that creates a creamy and hearty texture when blended.
  • Broth: Liquid that helps cook the vegetables and adds depth to the soup's overall flavor.
Aromatics and Seasonings:
  • Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that enhances the soup's savory profile.
  • Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and highlight the soup's natural flavors.
Finishing Ingredients:
  • Butter: Provides rich, smooth foundation for sautéing vegetables and adding depth.
  • Heavy Cream: Adds luxurious creaminess and silky texture to the final soup.
  • Chives: Fresh herb garnish that brings a light, oniony brightness to the finished dish.

The Easy Way To Make Leek And Potato Soup

Step 1: Prepare the Aromatic Base

Heat a spacious pot over medium flame. Toss in butter and let it melt smoothly.

Add the following ingredients:
  • Sliced leeks
  • Minced garlic

Sauté these ingredients, stirring gently until they transform into a soft, fragrant mixture. This process takes about 5-7 minutes and will create a delightful foundation for your soup.

Step 2: Introduce Potatoes and Liquid

Drop diced potatoes into the pot with the leek and garlic mixture. Pour in vegetable or chicken broth, ensuring all ingredients are well combined.

Bring the liquid to a rolling boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Allow the potatoes to become wonderfully tender, which typically takes 15-20 minutes.

Step 3: Create Silky Smooth Texture

Transform the chunky soup into a luxurious blend. Use an immersion blender directly in the pot or carefully transfer soup to a standard blender.

Blend until the soup reaches a consistently smooth and creamy consistency.

Step 4: Enhance Flavor and Richness

Stir heavy cream into the blended soup.

Season generously with salt and black pepper, tasting and adjusting to your preference. Let the soup simmer for an additional 5 minutes to marry all flavors together.

Step 5: Serve and Garnish

Ladle the piping hot soup into serving bowls. Sprinkle freshly chopped chives on top for a pop of color and bright flavor.

Serve immediately and enjoy the comforting warmth of this classic soup.

Tips To Make Leek And Potato Soup Even Better

  • Swap butter with olive oil for a lighter, vegan-friendly version that still delivers rich flavor.
  • Roast leeks and potatoes beforehand to enhance their natural sweetness and add depth to the soup's taste.
  • Experiment with different herbs like thyme or rosemary to create unique flavor profiles without overwhelming the delicate ingredients.
  • For a gluten-free option, ensure your broth is certified gluten-free and skip any potential wheat-based thickeners.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days, reheating gently to maintain the soup's creamy texture.

Ways To Mix Up Leek And Potato Soup

  • Spicy Leek Potato Fusion: Add diced jalapeños and red pepper flakes during sautéing for a fiery kick.
  • Herb-Infused Classic: Incorporate fresh thyme, rosemary, and parsley for an aromatic depth of flavor.
  • Bacon Lover's Comfort: Crisp bacon bits and render fat instead of butter, then use bacon grease for sautéing leeks.
  • Vegan Wellness Bowl: Replace cream with coconut milk, add nutritional yeast, and top with roasted chickpeas for protein.

Tasty Combos For Leek And Potato Soup

  • Pair with Crisp Chardonnay: The buttery, creamy texture of the leek and potato soup matches perfectly with a chilled, slightly oaked Chardonnay that complements the soup's rich flavors.
  • Serve with Crusty Sourdough Bread: Tear apart a warm, rustic sourdough bread to dip into the smooth soup, adding a delightful crunch and tangy undertone that elevates the entire dining experience.
  • Complement with Fresh Herb Salad: Create a light side salad with mixed greens, fresh dill, parsley, and a simple lemon vinaigrette to cut through the soup's creaminess and provide a refreshing contrast.

How To Store Leek And Potato Soup Right

  • Refrigerate: Store the soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Let it cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
  • Freeze: Pour cooled soup into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Leave some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months.
  • Reheat on Stovetop: Thaw frozen soup in the refrigerator overnight. Pour into a pot, heat on medium-low, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of broth or water to restore creamy consistency if needed.
  • Microwave Reheating: Transfer soup to a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to ensure even warming. Stop when soup reaches desired temperature.

Need-To-Know Answers About Leek And Potato Soup

  • What makes leeks different from other onions?

Leeks have a milder, sweeter flavor compared to regular onions. They belong to the same vegetable family but have a more delicate taste and silky texture when cooked, making them perfect for soups and delicate dishes.

  • Can I make this soup vegetarian?

Absolutely! Simply replace the butter with olive oil and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. The soup will remain creamy and delicious while being completely vegetarian-friendly.

  • Is an immersion blender necessary for this recipe?

No, you can use a standard blender. Just be careful when transferring hot soup and blend in small batches. If you don’t have a blender, you can also mash the potatoes with a potato masher for a chunkier texture.

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Storied Leek and Potato Soup Recipe

Storied Leek and Potato Soup Recipe


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4.8 from 13 reviews

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Comforting leek and potato soup whispers warmth from French countryside kitchens. Rich, velvety textures blend perfectly, inviting you to savor each spoonful of creamy goodness with hearty satisfaction.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 4 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 3 large leeks, sliced
  • 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth

Flavor Enhancers:

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup cream
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Garnish:

  • Chopped chives

Instructions

  1. Heat butter in a large pot over medium heat until it melts and becomes slightly foamy.
  2. Add sliced leeks and minced garlic, gently sautéing for 5-7 minutes until vegetables become translucent and fragrant.
  3. Introduce diced potatoes and pour in vegetable broth, raising temperature to create a rolling boil.
  4. Reduce heat to low, allowing soup to simmer uncovered for 15-20 minutes until potatoes soften and break down easily when pierced with a fork.
  5. Remove pot from heat and use an immersion blender to puree the mixture into a smooth, creamy consistency. For alternative method, carefully transfer soup to a standard blender in batches.
  6. Return pot to low heat and gently stir in heavy cream, creating a luxurious texture.
  7. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, adjusting to taste.
  8. Allow soup to simmer an additional 3-5 minutes, ensuring all flavors meld together harmoniously.
  9. Ladle into warm serving bowls and garnish with finely chopped fresh chives for a vibrant, elegant presentation.
  10. Serve immediately while soup remains piping hot, offering a comforting and elegant dining experience.

Notes

  • Swap butter with olive oil for a lighter, vegan-friendly version that reduces saturated fat and makes the soup plant-based.
  • Experiment with different potato varieties like Yukon Gold or Russet to achieve varying levels of creaminess and texture in the soup.
  • For a gluten-free option, ensure the broth is certified gluten-free and avoid any wheat-based thickeners.
  • Enhance the soup’s nutrition by adding roasted cauliflower or white beans during blending for extra protein and a silky smooth consistency.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: French

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 300
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 700 mg
  • Fat: 20 g
  • Saturated Fat: 12 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30 g
  • Fiber: 4 g
  • Protein: 5 g
  • Cholesterol: 60 mg
Truc Tran (Kris)

Truc Tran (Kris)

Senior Food Editor

Expertise

Home Cooking, Meal Planning, Recipe Development, Baking and Pastry, Food Editor, Cooking-video Maker, Vietnamese Food Evaluation Expert

Education

  • Hospitality (Commercial Cookery) at TasTAFE
  • Culinary Arts at Kendall College (Australia Branch in Sydney)
  • Vietnamese Cuisine Head Chef at HNAAu School (Vietnam, International Joint Training Program)

Truc Tran (Kris), an experienced food writer and editor, is great at exploring and describing global cuisines, from simple street food to fancy dining. In her writing, she skillfully mixes different flavors, cooking methods, and culinary traditions, showing the unique character of various cultures through their food and drinks. On azcuisines.com, Kris highlights her knowledge, especially in Asian cuisine and worldwide traditional dishes.

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