Potato Leek Creamy Soup (Printable)

Tender potatoes and leeks simmered into a velvety, warming French-style classic perfect for any season.

# What You Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 3 medium leeks, white and light green parts, 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
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 drizzle

# How-To:

01 - Slice leeks lengthwise and cut into thin half-moons. Rinse thoroughly under running 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 to the pot and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Stir in diced 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 the bay leaf. Using an immersion blender, blend 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 seasonings to taste.
07 - Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with fresh chives or parsley. Drizzle with cream or olive oil if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It feels incredibly fancy for a dish that mostly uses pantry staples you already have in your kitchen.
  • The texture is so velvety that guests will swear there is a gallon of cream inside when it is actually just the potatoes.
02 -
  • Boiling the soup after adding the cream can cause it to break and lose that perfectly smooth look.
  • If you skip washing the leeks after slicing them you will definitely end up with a gritty texture at the bottom of the bowl.
03 -
  • Let the soup sit for ten minutes before serving to allow the flavors to fully settle and marry together.
  • Always taste for salt one last time right before serving because potatoes are notorious for soaking up seasoning.
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