Potato and Leek Soup
Potato and Leek Soup is a universally loved and easy to prepare dish. This velvety, flavour-packed soup is ideal for warming up on a cold winter evening, but can be enjoyed all year round. Or why not try it chilled for something a little different?! Potato Soup with Caramelised Onions is another favourite worth trying.
In French cuisine Potato and Leek Soup is known as potage parmentier or, in its chilled form, vichyssoise. The dish is rustic, affordable and uses readily available ingredients – it’s also a great way to go waste-free by using those older potatoes. While initially a peasant meal, over time it has evolved into a globally celebrated dish, embraced for its simplicity and flavour.
The Ingredients You’ll Need
Creating the classic Potato and Leek Soup is as straightforward as the ingredient list:
- Potatoes: Well, it just wouldn’t be the same without!
- Leeks: The star of the dish, leeks bring a sweet, onion-like flavour.
- Garlic: For that extra touch of flavour.
- Stock: Vegetable stock forms the soup’s flavourful base.
- Butter: For sautéing the leeks and adding depth.
- Cream: For extra richness and creaminess.
- Salt and pepper: To season to perfection.
How to Make Potato and Leek Soup
- Prepare the leeks: Slice and rinse the leeks thoroughly to remove any grit.
- Sauté the leeks: In a large pot heat butter then gently cook the leeks until soft and fragrant.
- Add garlic and potatoes: Stir in the garlic, then add the diced potatoes.
- Stir in stock: The stock should cover the potatoes. Bring to a boil, then simmer until the potatoes are tender.
- Blend: Use an stick blender to puree the soup until smooth.
- Season and finish: Season with pepper and stir in the cream. If necessary also add some salt. Serve hot with crusty bread or chill for a refreshing summer version.
Potato and Leek Soup Serving Ideas and Alternatives
Potato and leek soup is a canvas for creativity:
- Toppings: Garnish with fried eschalots, crispy bacon bits, crumbled croutons or fresh herbs like thyme, chives or parsley, but don’t use so many additions that you lose the soup flavour.
- Inclusions: Add some chopped celery with the potato to bulk up both the quantity and nutrients, and for some additional natural saltiness.
- Pairings: Serve alongside a thick slice of crusty sourdough.
- Dairy-free: Swap the butter for oil and switch out the cream for coconut milk or coconut cream.
Whether you’re cooking for a family dinner, meal-prepping for the week, or looking for an elegant starter for a dinner party, Potato and Leek Soup is the perfect choice. Simple yet sophisticated. It’s a recipe you’ll return to time and time again, a classic that never goes out of style!
Feedback & More
Did you try the Potato and Leek Soup? Let me know in the comments below. Cheers, Elby!
But don’t stop there, if you liked this recipe check out some of my other comforting soups. Also, follow The Tasteful Pantry on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest for all the latest recipes and info.
Potato and Leek Soup
A classic, creamy and rich soup. This soup is ideal for a quick midweek cook – healthy, hearty and minimalistic.
4
servings10
minutes30
minutes40
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Ingredients
20 grams unsalted butter
1 large leek, thinly sliced (discard the dark green leaves)
2 cloves garlic, chopped
600 grams potatoes, peeled and diced into 1.5cm pieces
3 cups vegetable stock
1/2 cup thickened cream
1/4 tsp pepper
salt to taste
Directions
- Melt the butter in a large pot and sauté the leek for 3 minutes, or until soft and starting to brown. Stir in the garlic and cook for a further minute.
- Add the potatoes and cook for a further 6 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Pour in the stock and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the potato is tender when tested with a fork. Remove from the heat
- Using a stick blender, blend the soup until smooth.
- Stir in the cream and pepper. Add a little salt if necessary.
Serve and enjoy!
Roasted Pumpkin Soup
Cooks in 55 minutesDifficulty: EasyA thick and creamy classic style pumpkin soup with both sweet and savoury flavours.
Potato & Caramelised Onion Soup
Cooks in 40 minutesDifficulty: EasyThis is a creamy potato soup that does not require any blending. The caramelised onion topping adds a nice sweetness and extra texture to the soup.
