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    Home » Recipes » Soups » Potato Leek Soup: a simple, quick French staple

    LAST UPDATED: October 16, 2020 • FIRST PUBLISHED: May 14, 2020 By Toni Dash 31 Comments

    Potato Leek Soup: a simple, quick French staple

    Jump to Recipe

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Potato Leek soup in a bowl with recipe title

    Potato Leek Soup is an easy, hearty soup made with only a few wholesome ingredients. It’s packed with flavor but light enough for chilly spring days. No cream is needed to make this soup satisfying and a family favorite!

    Potato Leek soup in a bowl with recipe title
    Potato Leek soup is a simple French classic recipe.

    It’s very easy to make and uses only 5 wholesome ingredients.

    This soup recipe is a family favorite. 

    It’s perfect in the cold weather months and light enough to be perfect for chilly spring days too.

    When cooked the broth is incredibly delicious.

    The potato slices break easily with a spoon for eating.

    It’s a rich, satisfying soup without any cream!

    potato leek soup ingredients

    Recipe Ingredients

    The recipe is made of ingredients you may have in your kitchen already!

    • Unsalted Butter
    • Leeks
    • Russet Potatoes
    • Unsalted Chicken Stock
    • Salt

    Chicken Stock

    It may seem a conflict to use Unsalted Chicken Stock then to add salt.

    This helps control the exact salt amount in the recipe for best results.

    If you want to use Low Sodium Chicken Stock, leave out the salt and ‘salt to taste’ once the recipe is prepared.

    Leeks

    Leeks can vary in size sometimes very dramatically. 

    This recipe needs 4 cups of leeks which would require 4 medium leeks.

    If choosing larger leeks, fewer will be needed (aproximately 2).

    two white bowls of potato leek soup

    How to Clean Leeks

    Leeks are a member of the onion family and have thin layers like an onion.

    The white portion is grown in the ground and can have silty soil between the layers.

    Once the green portion is cut off the white section, rinse the white portion in water or soak it briefly.

    This recipe slices the leeks so when sliced if silt is still present place the slices in a colander and rinse them to remove the soil.

    Often I find the leeks are clean when I buy them and this isn’t necessary.

    PRO TIP: Use a Mandoline Slicer

    A mandoline slicer is perfect for this recipe.

    The thickness of the slices can be set on the slicer and all slices are identical in thickness. 

    It makes fast work of the slicing. 

    I suggest using a mandoline slicer with a guard.

    The guard goes over the food being sliced so your fingers are never near the blade!

    The leeks and potatoes for this recipe were sliced with a mandoline slicer. 

    You can see from the photos they are all uniform in thickness.

    A sharp knife can also be used.

    potato leek soup spoonful

    How to Make Potato Leek Soup – Step-by-Step

    Preparing the leeks and potatoes

    Clean and slice the leeks thinly to yield 4 cups (photos 1-2).

    Peel and slice the potatoes into 1/4-inch thick slices (slicing across the width of the potato) (photos 3-4). 

    Potato Leek Soup recipes steps photos 1-4

    Making the Soup

    STEP 1: Melt butter in a heavy stock pot or Dutch oven (photo 5). 

    Potato Leek Soup recipes steps photos 5-8

    STEP 2: Add the potatoes and leeks (photo 6). Saute for 5 minutes (photo 7).

    STEP 3: Add the chicken stock and salt (photos 8-9); bring to a boil. Reduce to simmer. Cover and cook for 35 minutes (photo 10). 

    Potato Leek Soup recipe steps 9-10

    How to Thicken the Soup

    If you’d prefer a thicker soup, use an immersion blender to puree the soup to your desired thickness.

    Alternatively it could be passed in batches through a regular blender too.

    Storing Potato Leek Soup

    Refrigerator

    Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

    Freezer

    Store in an airtight container leaving 3/4-inches between the top of the soup and the top of the container for expansion when frozen.

    Store for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator.

    potato leek soup in a bowl

    Make it a Meal!

    • Cheddar Bay Biscuits
    • Easy Beer Bread
    • Salt & Pepper Roasted Chicken Thighs
    • Lemon Herb Roasted Cornish Game Hens
    • Instant Pot Turkey Breast
    • French Ham and Cheese Omelet
    • Traditional French Chocolate Mousse

    More Soup Recipes You’ll Love!

    • Mexican Green Chile Steak Soup (Caldillo)
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    • Tomato Soup
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    Did you make it? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!

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    Simple French Potato Leek Soup BoulderLocavore.com

    Potato Leek Soup

    Potato Leek Soup is a simple, classic recipe perfect for any time of the year. It's a filling, satisfying soup that's delicious and easy to make.
    5 from 27 votes
    Print Save Recipe Recipe Saved! Pin Rate
    Course: Soup
    Cuisine: French
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 40 minutes
    Total Time: 55 minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 283kcal
    Author: Toni Dash
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) Unsalted butter
    • 4 Leeks cleaned, with green leaves removed and sliced thinly across the leek (yield 4 cups)
    • 1 ½ pounds Russet potatoes peeled and sliced, slice 1/4-inch thick across the potato
    • 6 cups Unsalted Chicken Stock*
    • 1 tablespoon Salt

    Instructions

    • Melt butter in a Dutch oven or heavy stock pot.  Add leeks and potatoes and sauté for approximately 5 minutes.
    • Add the chicken stock and salt, bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and cook 35 minutes.

    Notes

    *If substituting regular Chicken Stock, reduce the salt to 1 teaspoon. If using Low Sodium Chicken Stock adjust the salt 'to taste' (1-2 teaspoons).
     
    Adapted from A Passion For Potatoes (Harper Collins Books, 1992)
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 283kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 28mg | Sodium: 1525mg | Potassium: 832mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 1235IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 59mg | Iron: 3mg
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @boulderlocavore or tag #boulderlocavore!

    Originally published: December 23, 2010

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    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

    TONI DASH
    Toni Dash head shot

    Toni Dash, is a Certified Nutrition Coach and the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer and creator of Boulder Locavore®. She has been developing easy to make, well-tested recipes since 2010. Her seasonal recipes bring excitement to the dining table for both gluten-free and gluten diners. Toni has been featured in numerous publications and on culinary websites for her creative, delicious recipes and travel features. For more details, check out her About page.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Natasha says

      January 10, 2022 at 3:35 am

      5 stars
      This is one of the best potato leek soup recipes I’ve ever had in my life! Better than any restaurant or any other versions that I have tried.

      Reply
    2. Mairead says

      January 08, 2022 at 8:50 am

      5 stars
      Potato and leek soup is one of my favorites. I grew up eating this soup regularaly. It’s a traditional Irish soup, although it also has origins in French cuisine. I love the flavor the leeks add to the soup – a subtle and mild onion flavor. Just perfect.

      Reply
    3. Angela says

      January 08, 2022 at 8:22 am

      5 stars
      One of my favorite soups ever! This recipe is perfect. I love that the veggies are the star and no a cheesy cream base. Thanks for a great recipe!

      Reply
    4. Gina says

      January 08, 2022 at 7:51 am

      5 stars
      Love the flavor of leeks and buy them every time I’m in the store lately. This soup is one of the easiest ways to incorporate them into a meal!

      Reply
    5. Kathryn says

      January 08, 2022 at 7:41 am

      5 stars
      I love how light and delicious this potato leek soup is! It’s full of comfort and flavor. We enjoyed this since it’s been so cold out! Thanks for sharing, I’ll be making this again 🙂

      Reply
    6. Mirlene says

      January 08, 2022 at 4:31 am

      5 stars
      This soup is like a hug in a cup. So delicious and the perfect snowy day meal.

      Reply
    7. Samantha says

      January 07, 2022 at 11:10 am

      5 stars
      I’ve always loved potato soup, but the addition of leeks in this one added so much flavor! This was a perfect, cozy soup on a very cold winter day. My family has already asked me when I can make it again!

      Reply
    8. jess says

      January 07, 2022 at 10:44 am

      5 stars
      wow, wow, wow! this soup is legit amazing and I cannot believe how filling it is either! thank you for sharing this recipe!

      Reply
    9. Suzy says

      May 19, 2020 at 10:50 am

      5 stars
      The leeks taste so well with the potatoes! So hearty and delicious!

      Reply
    10. Natalie says

      May 16, 2020 at 7:34 am

      5 stars
      Thank you for lovely recipe idea. I haven’t made leek potato soup for long time. Love your recipe. Looks delicious and super comforting. I will definitely make this.

      Reply
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    About Toni Dash

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    Welcome! I’m Toni. I’m a Certified Nutrition Coach and my goal is to MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER with delicious, well-tested recipes and travel tips! More About Me …

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