Potato Leek Creamy Soup (Printer-friendly)

Velvety smooth blend of tender potatoes and sweet leeks, simmered to perfection in a rich, creamy broth.

# What You'll 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 - Olive oil or cream for drizzling, optional

# Directions:

01 - Slice leeks lengthwise, then into thin half-moons. Rinse thoroughly under cold water to remove any grit between layers.
02 - In a large soup pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add leeks and onion, cooking while stirring occasionally until softened but not browned, approximately 7 minutes.
03 - Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly until fragrant.
04 - Stir in diced 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 the bay leaf. Using an immersion blender, blend soup until smooth and creamy. Alternatively, carefully transfer soup in batches to a blender and purée, then return to pot.
06 - Stir in milk or cream and heat gently until warmed through, being careful not to boil. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg if desired. Adjust seasoning to taste.
07 - Ladle soup into serving bowls. Garnish with fresh chives or parsley and a swirl of cream or drizzle of olive oil if desired. Serve immediately while hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under an hour, yet tastes like something you've been tending all day.
  • The leeks dissolve into silky sweetness, making this feel indulgent without any fussiness.
  • Leftovers actually taste better the next day, so you're really making two meals for the effort of one.
02 -
  • Don't skip cleaning the leeks thoroughly—I once crunched through grit in someone else's soup and learned this lesson the hard way.
  • The blending step is where the magic happens; a fully smooth, creamy soup is what transforms simple ingredients into something restaurant-worthy.
03 -
  • If your blended soup looks broken or grainy, it's usually because the heat was too high when you added the dairy—next time, add cream off the heat and then warm it gently.
  • Taste obsessively as you season; the salt and pepper should enhance what's already there, not announce themselves.
Return