Potato Leek Soup Classic

Featured in: Savory Quick Bites

This creamy and comforting dish features tender potatoes and fresh leeks gently cooked with garlic and onions. Butter is melted to create a flavorful base, and vegetable stock simmers the ingredients until soft. The blend is pureed until smooth, then enriched with milk or cream and a hint of nutmeg. Garnished with fresh chives or parsley to add a bright finish, this classic offers warmth and richness perfect for sharing.

Updated on Wed, 19 Nov 2025 10:16:00 GMT
Steaming bowl of Potato Leek Soup, garnished with chives, ready to warm you up. Save
Steaming bowl of Potato Leek Soup, garnished with chives, ready to warm you up. | collationspot.com

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

This soup always reminds me of chilly evenings when I wanted something warming but light. The gentle flavor of leeks and creamy potatoes makes this a family favorite, especially during the colder months.

Ingredients

  • Leeks: 3 large, 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
  • Milk or cream: 250 ml (1 cup), whole or plant-based
  • Unsalted butter: 2 tbsp
  • Salt: 1 tsp, or to taste
  • Ground black pepper: ½ tsp
  • Bay leaf: 1
  • Nutmeg: Pinch, optional
  • Chopped chives or parsley: optional, for garnish
  • Croutons: optional, for garnish

Instructions

Sauté the vegetables:
Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the leeks and onion and cook for 5–7 minutes until soft but not browned.
Add garlic:
Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Combine and simmer:
Add potatoes, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Pour in vegetable stock and bring to a boil.
Cook the soup:
Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20–25 minutes, until potatoes are very tender.
Purée the soup:
Remove the bay leaf and use an immersion blender to purée until smooth, or blend in batches.
Finish the soup:
Return to low heat. Stir in milk or cream and a pinch of nutmeg if desired. Heat gently, do not boil, and adjust seasoning to taste.
Serve:
Serve hot with your choice of garnish.
Creamy and smooth Potato Leek Soup, a comforting vegetarian soup with rustic croutons. Save
Creamy and smooth Potato Leek Soup, a comforting vegetarian soup with rustic croutons. | collationspot.com

This recipe has become our go-to for weeknight dinners, and everyone loves customizing their bowl with different garnishes. A steaming bowl brings memories of family sitting together, dipping fresh bread into the velvety soup.

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 butter and milk. Check stock for gluten if required.

Nutritional Information

Per serving: Calories 220, Total Fat 7 g, Carbohydrates 34 g, Protein 5 g

Golden-hued Potato Leek Soup, showcasing tender potatoes and creamy texture, a cozy French classic. Save
Golden-hued Potato Leek Soup, showcasing tender potatoes and creamy texture, a cozy French classic. | collationspot.com

This soup is even better the next day and makes a lovely starter or main for any dinner.

Recipe Help

Can I make this dish vegan?

Yes, by substituting plant-based butter and milk alternatives, the dish can be prepared vegan while keeping its creamy texture.

What is the best way to achieve a smooth texture?

Using an immersion blender or a regular blender to puree the cooked potatoes and leeks results in a silky smooth consistency.

How can I enhance the flavor without adding salt?

Add aromatic herbs like parsley or chives, and a pinch of nutmeg for subtle depth without increasing salt content.

Is it gluten-free?

The dish is gluten-free if a gluten-free vegetable stock is used during preparation.

What garnishes work best for this dish?

Chopped fresh chives or parsley and crunchy croutons complement the creamy texture and add freshness.

Potato Leek Soup Classic

Creamy blend of tender potatoes and leeks simmered for a comforting and cozy dish.

Prep Time
15 min
Time to Cook
35 min
Overall Time
50 min
Created by Chloe Martin


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine Type French

Makes 4 Portions

Special Diets Vegetarian, No Gluten

What You’ll Need

Vegetables

01 3 large leeks, white and light green parts only, cleaned and sliced
02 1.75 pounds 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 tablespoons unsalted butter

Seasonings

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

Garnish

01 Chopped fresh chives or parsley
02 Croutons

How-To

Step 01

Sauté Aromatics: Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add leeks and onion; sauté for 5 to 7 minutes until softened and translucent, avoiding browning.

Step 02

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

Step 03

Combine Core Ingredients: Stir in diced potatoes, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper. Pour in vegetable stock and bring mixture to a boil.

Step 04

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

Step 05

Purée Soup: Remove bay leaf. Use an immersion blender to purée soup until smooth, or blend in batches using a standard blender.

Step 06

Finish with Dairy: Return puréed soup to low heat. Stir in milk or cream and optional nutmeg. Warm gently without boiling. Adjust seasoning as needed.

Step 07

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

Gear Needed

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

Allergy Details

Review every item for allergens and connect with your healthcare provider if you’re unsure.
  • Contains dairy: butter and milk or cream
  • Check vegetable stock ingredients for gluten if sensitivity applies

Nutrition Breakdown (each serving)

Info for reference only—don’t take this as expert medical guidance.
  • Caloric Value: 220
  • Lipids: 7 g
  • Carbohydrates: 34 g
  • Proteins: 5 g