Potato Leek Soup

Featured in: Hearty Soups & Stews

This comforting dish combines tender potatoes and fresh leeks into a smooth, creamy base perfect for chilly days. With a gentle sauté of leeks, onions, and garlic, then simmered with vegetable stock, it’s blended until silky smooth. Finished with milk or cream and subtle spices like nutmeg, this classic French-inspired soup is simple yet flavorful. Ideal for a nourishing meal, accompanied by fresh herbs or croutons for added texture and taste.

Updated on Wed, 19 Nov 2025 10:16:00 GMT
Creamy Potato Leek Soup garnished with fresh chives, a comforting and flavorful soup perfect for cooler evenings. Save
Creamy Potato Leek Soup garnished with fresh chives, a comforting and flavorful soup perfect for cooler evenings. | amberladle.com

A creamy comforting classic featuring tender potatoes and leeks perfect for a cozy meal on a budget.

This soup reminds me of chilly evenings in my small apartment experimenting with French comfort food. I was amazed at how just a few humble ingredients could yield so much flavor and warmth.

Ingredients

  • Leeks: 3 large leeks (white and light green parts only) cleaned and sliced
  • Potatoes: 800 g (about 1.75 lbs) peeled and diced
  • Onion: 1 medium chopped
  • Garlic: 2 cloves minced
  • Vegetable stock: 1 liter (4 cups) gluten-free if needed
  • Whole milk or cream: 250 ml (1 cup)
  • Unsalted butter: 2 tbsp
  • Salt: 1 tsp or to taste
  • Ground black pepper: ½ tsp
  • Bay leaf: 1
  • Nutmeg (optional): Pinch
  • Chives or parsley (optional): Chopped fresh
  • Croutons (optional):

Instructions

Sauté Vegetables:
Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add leeks and onion. Sauté for 5–7 minutes until soft but not browned.
Add Garlic:
Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Add Potatoes and Stock:
Stir in potatoes bay leaf salt and pepper. Pour in vegetable stock and bring to a boil.
Simmer:
Reduce heat cover and simmer for 20–25 minutes until potatoes are very tender.
Purée Soup:
Remove bay leaf. Use an immersion blender to purée the soup until smooth or blend in batches.
Add Milk:
Return to low heat. Stir in milk or cream and a pinch of nutmeg if desired. Heat gently. Do not boil. Adjust seasoning to taste.
Serve:
Serve hot garnished with chives parsley or croutons.
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I remember making this for my family one rainy Sunday everyone went back for seconds and even my picky niece loved it.

Required Tools

Large soup pot knife and cutting board immersion blender or regular blender ladle

Allergen Information

Contains dairy for dairy-free use plant-based alternatives and verify stock if gluten is a concern

Nutritional Information (per serving)

Calories 220 Total Fat 7 g Carbohydrates 34 g Protein 5 g

A steaming bowl of Potato Leek Soup, showcasing a smooth texture and rich, savory flavors perfect for lunch. Save
A steaming bowl of Potato Leek Soup, showcasing a smooth texture and rich, savory flavors perfect for lunch. | amberladle.com

This classic soup is sure to become a staple in your kitchen. Enjoy its warmth and comfort any day of the week.

Recipe FAQs

How do I prepare the leeks for best flavor?

Use only the white and light green parts, cleaning thoroughly to remove dirt, then slice thinly before sautéing gently to bring out their sweetness.

Can I substitute the dairy components for a vegan option?

Yes, replace butter with plant-based alternatives and use non-dairy milk or cream to keep the creamy texture while maintaining vegan-friendly flavors.

What is the best method to achieve a smooth texture?

Use an immersion blender directly in the pot or blend in batches in a regular blender until the mixture is silky and lump-free.

How can I adjust seasoning to suit my taste?

Salt and pepper can be increased or decreased; a pinch of nutmeg adds warmth but is optional. Tasting as you go ensures perfect balance.

What garnishes complement this dish?

Chopped fresh chives, parsley, or crunchy croutons add freshness and texture that elevate each serving beautifully.

Is this suitable for gluten-free diets?

Yes, by choosing gluten-free vegetable stock and avoiding croutons or using gluten-free versions, this dish fits gluten-free needs.

Potato Leek Soup

Comforting creamy blend of potatoes and leeks for a warm, easy-to-make dish.

Prep time
15 min
Cook time
35 min
Overall time
50 min
Created by Rachel Hayes


Skill required Easy

Cuisine French

Makes 4 Serving size

Diet preferences Meat-free, No gluten

What you need

Vegetables

01 3 large leeks, white and light green parts only, cleaned and sliced
02 1.75 lbs potatoes, peeled and diced
03 1 medium onion, chopped
04 2 cloves garlic, minced

Liquids

01 4 cups vegetable stock, gluten-free if needed
02 1 cup whole milk or cream
03 2 tbsp unsalted butter

Seasonings

01 1 tsp salt, or to taste
02 ½ tsp ground black pepper
03 1 bay leaf
04 Pinch of nutmeg, optional

Garnish

01 Chopped fresh chives or parsley
02 Croutons

How to make it

Step 01

Sauté vegetables: Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add leeks and onion; sauté for 5 to 7 minutes until softened without browning.

Step 02

Add garlic: Incorporate minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 03

Combine main ingredients: Add diced potatoes, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Pour in vegetable stock and bring the mixture to a boil.

Step 04

Simmer soup: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes until potatoes are very tender.

Step 05

Blend until smooth: Remove bay leaf. Purée soup using an immersion blender or blend in batches until smooth.

Step 06

Finish and season: Return soup to low heat. Stir in milk or cream and optional nutmeg. Heat gently without boiling. Adjust seasoning to taste.

Step 07

Serve: Ladle hot soup into bowls and garnish with chopped chives, parsley, or croutons as desired.

Equipment needed

  • Large soup pot
  • Knife and cutting board
  • Immersion blender or standard blender
  • Ladle

Allergy info

Always review ingredients for allergens. Talk to your healthcare provider if you're unsure.
  • Contains dairy (butter and milk or cream).
  • For dairy-free options, use plant-based substitutes.

Nutrition details (each serving)

Nutritional details are for reference and aren't a substitute for healthcare guidance.
  • Calorie Count: 220
  • Fat content: 7 g
  • Carbohydrate: 34 g
  • Protein amount: 5 g