Potato Leek Soup Classic

Featured in: Vegetarian Picks

This creamy dish combines tender potatoes and sliced leeks, gently simmered in vegetable stock. After softening the leeks, onion, and garlic, diced potatoes are added with bay leaf and seasoning, then cooked until tender. The mixture is pureed until smooth and finished with milk or cream and a hint of nutmeg for richness. Garnish enhances the flavor, making it a warm and inviting choice for any season, especially with gluten-free or vegetarian adaptations.

Updated on Wed, 19 Nov 2025 13:42:00 GMT
Creamy Potato Leek Soup garnished with fresh chives, a comforting vegetarian soup for cozy nights. Save
Creamy Potato Leek Soup garnished with fresh chives, a comforting vegetarian soup for cozy nights. | ovenharmony.com

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

I first tried making this soup on a rainy evening when I needed something warm and nourishing. The combination of leeks and potatoes quickly became a family favorite around our dinner table.

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 milk or cream
  • Unsalted butter: 2 tbsp
  • Salt: 1 tsp, or to taste
  • Ground black pepper: ½ tsp
  • Bay leaf: 1
  • Nutmeg (optional): Pinch
  • Chopped fresh chives or parsley: For garnish (optional)
  • Croutons: For garnish (optional)

Instructions

Sauté aromatics:
Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the leeks and onion and sauté for 5 7 minutes until soft but not browned.
Add garlic:
Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Add potatoes & stock:
Stir in the potatoes, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Pour in the vegetable stock and bring to a boil.
Simmer:
Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20 25 minutes, until potatoes are very tender.
Blend:
Remove bay leaf. Use an immersion blender to purée the soup until smooth, or blend in batches.
Finish soup:
Return to low heat. Stir in the milk or cream and a pinch of nutmeg if desired. Heat gently and do not boil. Adjust seasoning to taste.
Serve:
Serve hot, garnished with chives, parsley, or croutons.
A close-up of a bowl of warm, smooth Potato Leek Soup, ready to eat with crusty bread. Save
A close-up of a bowl of warm, smooth Potato Leek Soup, ready to eat with crusty bread. | ovenharmony.com

This soup often brings everyone together on chilly nights. My kids love sprinkling croutons on top and dipping their bread into the creamy broth.

Required Tools

Large soup pot, knife and cutting board, immersion blender or regular blender, ladle.

Allergen Information

Contains dairy (butter, milk or cream). For dairy-free, use plant-based alternatives. Check stock for gluten if you require gluten-free.

Nutritional Information

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

Simmering pot of Potato Leek Soup, the French classic ready to blend for a flavorful, easy meal. Save
Simmering pot of Potato Leek Soup, the French classic ready to blend for a flavorful, easy meal. | ovenharmony.com

Serve this soup hot with crusty bread for a complete meal. Leftovers keep well and taste even better the next day.

Potato Leek Soup Classic

Smooth blend of tender potatoes and fresh leeks for a cozy, comforting meal.

Prep duration
15 min
Cook duration
35 min
Complete duration
50 min
Created by Claire Johnson

Classification Vegetarian Picks

Complexity Easy

Heritage French

Output 4 Portions

Dietary considerations Meat-free, Without gluten

Components

Vegetables

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

Seasonings

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

Garnish

01 Chopped fresh chives or parsley
02 Croutons

Directions

Phase 01

Sauté Aromatics: Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add leeks and onion and sauté for 5 to 7 minutes until softened but not browned.

Phase 02

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

Phase 03

Combine Potatoes and Seasonings: Add diced potatoes, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Pour in vegetable stock and bring to a boil.

Phase 04

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

Phase 05

Puree Mixture: Remove bay leaf. Use an immersion blender or process in batches to purée soup until smooth.

Phase 06

Add Dairy and Final Seasoning: Return soup to low heat. Stir in milk or cream and a pinch of nutmeg if desired. Heat gently without boiling and adjust seasoning as needed.

Phase 07

Serve: Ladle hot soup into bowls and garnish with chopped chives, parsley, or croutons as preferred.

Necessary tools

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

Allergy details

Review each component for potential allergens and consult healthcare professionals if you're unsure about ingredients.
  • Contains dairy from butter and milk or cream.
  • Check vegetable stock for gluten if gluten-free is required.

Nutritional information (each portion)

These values are approximate guidelines only and shouldn't replace professional medical guidance.
  • Energy: 220
  • Fats: 7 g
  • Carbohydrates: 34 g
  • Proteins: 5 g