Creamy Potato Leek Soup (Printable)

A velvety blend of tender potatoes and sweet leeks, simmered to perfection for a comforting French classic.

# What You 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 (optional)

→ Garnish

12 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives or parsley
13 - Drizzle of olive oil or swirl of cream (optional)

# How-To:

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

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The velvety texture comes together without heavy cream if you choose the milk option, letting you feel indulgent while keeping things lighter.
  • You can make this ahead and reheat it throughout the week, and I swear the flavors actually get better after a day in the fridge.
02 -
  • Never boil the soup after adding the milk or cream or youll end up with a slightly curdled texture that cant be fixed.
  • The consistency should be silky but not too thick, so dont hesitate to add a splash more broth if its standing-spoon-thick.
03 -
  • Save the dark green parts of the leeks for making vegetable stock, storing them in a freezer bag until you have enough for a full batch.
  • For the absolute silkiest texture, pass the blended soup through a fine-mesh sieve before adding the cream, an extra step that makes special occasions truly memorable.
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