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Creamy Potato Leek Soup

Creamy potato leek soup recipe in a rustic white bowl garnished with chives

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This creamy potato leek soup is subtly sweet and savory, a wholesome comfort food that simmers quietly into a velvety bowl of pure comfort. It comes together with easy, straightforward steps using humble ingredients like potatoes, leeks, broth, and cream, making it a perfect weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 large leeks, white and light green parts only, thoroughly cleaned and sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme or 3-4 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Optional garnishes: chopped fresh chives, crispy bacon bits, olive oil, sharp cheddar cheese

Instructions

  1. Clean the leeks: Slice the leeks, then submerge them in a large bowl of cold water. Swirl to release grit, then scoop out the clean leeks and pat dry.
  2. Sauté aromatics: In a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add leeks and cook for 8-10 minutes until soft and wilted, but not browned. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Build soup base: Add diced potatoes, broth, thyme, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook for 15-20 minutes until potatoes are fork-tender.
  4. Blend soup: Remove bay leaf. Use an immersion blender to blend the soup in the pot until completely smooth. If using a standard blender, work in batches carefully.
  5. Finish with cream: Stir in heavy cream and warm through over low heat for 3-5 minutes. Do not boil. Season generously with salt and pepper. Serve with optional garnishes.

Notes

For a dairy-free version, use olive oil and coconut milk. For vegetarian, use vegetable broth. Do not rush sautéing the leeks, as slow cooking builds sweetness. Avoid boiling after adding cream to prevent separation. Soup can be refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for 3 months.

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