Potato Leek Soup

Potato Leek soup is a great way to enjoy potato soup. Leeks lend a unique and different flavor than onions. I have also added a bit of bacon to this recipe. This potato soup is rich and creamy enough that you don’t need to add cheese, sour cream, and other toppings to make this soup tasty.

a bowl of potato leek soup with a few cut up leeks

Creamy Potato Leek Soup

Cream of potato and leek soup is a great way to enjoy potato soup. Leeks lend a unique and different flavor than onions. I have also added a bit of bacon to this recipe. If you enjoy a good soup, you will love this creamy leek and potato soup recipe. This potato soup is rich and creamy enough that you don’t need to add cheese, sour cream, and other toppings to make this soup tasty. Sure, I love baked potato soup as much as the next person, but I also love cream soups for their simplicity.

My inspiration for this recipe came from two different places. One is The Seasoned Cook, and the other is a co-worker of mine. The Seasoned Cook gave me the idea to sauté bacon with onions or leeks for soup making. Also, my co-worker mentioned that she saw a cook make potato leek soup. So, hence came my inspiration.

Leeks are actually members of the lily family. They look like monstrously overgrown green onions (aka scallions). They are perfect in place of onions for a milder flavor with a slightly sweet edge. They’re very versatile and keep very well once you bring them home from the market. They’re also in season for a nice long stretch. Most people only use the white and very light green parts of leeks.

However, you can reserve the dark green parts for stock or broth. The dark parts can also be quite tasty when cooked long and slow until they’re meltingly tender. Cooked in this way they can be used as a filling for dumplings.

  • A problem with leeks is that they tend to come with soil lodged under their layers. Watch this useful video on how to clean leeks.

How to Make Potato Leek Soup

The cooking process for this creamy leek and potato soup recipe is first to cook the leeks and bacon together. Once these are nicely cooked, I add chicken stock and potatoes and cook until the potatoes are tender. I then remove some of the cooking liquid and add heavy cream. I know I said that you don’t need toppings, but it is very tempting to top your soup with some fresh chives, croutons, bacon, cheese, or sour cream if you just can’t resist.

How well does potato leek soup reheat?

Since the soup has heavy cream, it will reheat well. And it freezes beautifully so you can take advantage of the sale price on that big bag of potatoes and make some extra soup to stock your freezer with. Then you have an easy reheat-and-eat meal when you’re in a time crunch. You can even serve this soup chilled for vichyssoise.

A bowl of cream of potato and leek soup on a wooden board

Like creamy soups? These creamy soups should not be missed.

 

a bowl of potato leek soup with a few cut up leeks

Potato Leek Soup

Cream of potato and leek soup is smooth and creamy. This very flavorful soup makes a great light dinner with some crusty rolls. Even though the soup is thick and creamy, it won’t leave you feeling heavy and weighed down. It will, however, leave you craving another bowl.
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Course: Soup
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Gluten Free, Potato Leek Soup, Vegetarian
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 308kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 cups sliced leeks
  • 4 ounces bacon sliced into 1/2 inch pieces
  • 2 tablespoons butter optional
  • 2 1/2 pounds potatoes washed, peeled, and cut into chunks
  • 24 ounces chicken stock
  • 12 ounces water
  • 8 ounces heavy cream
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • In a large soup pot, add the sliced leeks and bacon. Cook on medium heat until leeks are transparent. If you are using very lean bacon, you may need to add 2 tablespoons of butter. It’s important that the leeks should not burn. (If there is not enough fat from the bacon that is rendered out, the leeks will burn.)
  • Add the potatoes to the pot and then add the chicken stock. If all of your chicken stock fully covers the potatoes, then you do not need to add additional water. Cook potatoes until tender - this will take about 15-20 minutes. 
  • When the potatoes are fully cooked remove a cup or two of the liquid and puree the soup using an immersion blender. If you do not have an immersion blender, you can use a regular blender.
  • Add heavy cream and stir. Taste and season with salt and pepper.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 308kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 58mg | Sodium: 271mg | Potassium: 764mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 875IU | Vitamin C: 19.1mg | Calcium: 78mg | Iron: 5.3mg

About Stephanie Manley

I recreate your favorite restaurant recipes, so you can prepare these dishes at home. I help you cook dinner, and serve up dishes you know your family will love. You can find most of the ingredients for all of the recipes in your local grocery store.

Stephanie is the author of CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home, and CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home 2.

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