Creamy Potato Leek Soup (Printable)

Velvety smooth blend of tender potatoes and sweet leeks, simmered to perfection in this classic French favorite.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 3 medium leeks (white and light green parts only), cleaned and sliced
02 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
03 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
04 - 3 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and diced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Liquids

06 - 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
07 - 1 cup whole milk or heavy cream
08 - 1 bay leaf

→ Seasonings

09 - 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
10 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
11 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

→ Garnish

12 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives or parsley
13 - Olive oil or cream for drizzling

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Slice leeks lengthwise, then into thin half-moons. Rinse thoroughly under cold water to remove any grit between layers.
02 - Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add leeks and onion, stirring occasionally, until softened but not browned, approximately 7 minutes.
03 - Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Stir in potatoes, bay leaf, and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer covered for 20 to 25 minutes until potatoes are very tender.
05 - Remove bay leaf. Using an immersion blender, purée soup until smooth and creamy. Alternatively, transfer soup in batches to a blender, purée, and return to pot.
06 - Stir in milk or cream and heat gently until warmed through without boiling. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Adjust seasoning to taste.
07 - Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with fresh chives or parsley. Drizzle with cream or olive oil if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in under an hour but tastes like it simmered all day
  • The ingredients are inexpensive but the result feels elegant enough for dinner guests
  • It reheats beautifully and actually tastes better the next day
02 -
  • Hot soup expands violently in blenders, so never seal the lid completely or work in very small batches if using a countertop blender
  • The soup thickens as it sits, so you might need to add a splash more broth when reheating leftovers
03 -
  • Clean your leeks like you mean it, nothing ruins a spoonful of soup like grit between your teeth
  • Let the soup cool slightly before blending, and never fill a blender more than halfway full
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