This creamy leek and potato soup is smooth, rich, and perfect for a cozy meal. Made with simple ingredients, it’s easy to prepare and tastes amazing. Serve it warm with fresh bread for extra comfort!
Jump to RecipeIngredients Needed:
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 large leeks, white and light green parts only, roughly chopped (about 5 cups)
- 3 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
- 2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and roughly chopped into ½-inch pieces
- 7 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 bay leaves
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Chives, finely chopped, for serving
How To Make Leek and Potato Soup Recipe?
- Cook the leeks: Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add leeks and garlic, stirring often, until soft but not browned, about 10 minutes.
- Simmer the soup: Add potatoes, broth, bay leaves, thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer on low for 15 minutes until the potatoes are very soft.
- Blend until smooth: Remove the bay leaves and thyme sprigs. Use an immersion blender to purée the soup until creamy. If using a regular blender, blend in batches, leaving space for steam to escape.
- Add cream and adjust: Stir in the heavy cream and let the soup simmer for a few minutes. If it’s too thick, add more broth or water. If too thin, let it cook longer to thicken.
- Serve and enjoy: Ladle into bowls, top with chopped chives, and serve warm.

Recipe Tips:
- Use the right potatoes: Yukon Gold potatoes are best because they make the soup naturally creamy without needing too much cream. Avoid starchy potatoes like Russets, which can make the soup grainy.
- Slice leeks properly: Cut off the dark green parts and slice the white and light green parts. Wash them well, as leeks often have dirt inside the layers.
- Cook leeks slowly: Let the leeks cook on low heat until very soft, about 10 minutes. If they brown too much, the soup will have a bitter taste.
- Blend carefully: If using a blender, don’t overfill it. Blend in small batches, keeping the lid slightly open to let steam escape, or use an immersion blender directly in the pot.
- Adjust the texture: If the soup is too thick, add a little broth or water. If it’s too thin, let it simmer longer to thicken naturally.
How To Store & Reheat Leftovers?
- Refrigerate: Let the soup cool down first. Then, put it in a sealed container and store it in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freeze: Cool the soup completely and leave out the cream before freezing. Pour it into a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheat: Pour the soup into a pot and heat on low to medium heat, stirring often, until warmed through. If it’s too thick, add a little broth or water to adjust the texture.
Nutrition Facts:
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Total Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
- Sodium: 700mg
- Potassium: 850mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 35g
- Dietary Fiber: 4g
- Sugars: 4g
- Protein: 6g
Try More James Martin Recipes:
James Martin Leek and Potato Soup Recipe
Course: SoupsCuisine: FrenchDifficulty: Easy6
servings25
minutes40
minutes320
kcalThis creamy leek and potato soup is smooth, rich, and perfect for a cozy meal. Made with simple ingredients, it’s easy to prepare and tastes amazing. Serve it warm with fresh bread for extra comfort!
Ingredients
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 large leeks, white and light green parts only, roughly chopped (about 5 cups)
3 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and roughly chopped into ½-inch pieces
7 cups chicken or vegetable broth
2 bay leaves
3 sprigs fresh thyme
1 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 cup heavy cream
Chives, finely chopped, for serving
Directions
- Cook the leeks: Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add leeks and garlic, stirring often, until soft but not browned, about 10 minutes.
- Simmer the soup: Add potatoes, broth, bay leaves, thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer on low for 15 minutes until the potatoes are very soft.
- Simmer the soup: Add potatoes, broth, bay leaves, thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer on low for 15 minutes until the potatoes are very soft.
- Add cream and adjust: Stir in the heavy cream and let the soup simmer for a few minutes. If it’s too thick, add more broth or water. If too thin, let it cook longer to thicken.
- Serve and enjoy: Ladle into bowls, top with chopped chives, and serve warm.
Notes
- Use the right potatoes: Yukon Gold potatoes are best because they make the soup naturally creamy without needing too much cream. Avoid starchy potatoes like Russets, which can make the soup grainy.
- Slice leeks properly: Cut off the dark green parts and slice the white and light green parts. Wash them well, as leeks often have dirt inside the layers.
- Cook leeks slowly: Let the leeks cook on low heat until very soft, about 10 minutes. If they brown too much, the soup will have a bitter taste.
- Blend carefully: If using a blender, don’t overfill it. Blend in small batches, keeping the lid slightly open to let steam escape, or use an immersion blender directly in the pot.
- Adjust the texture: If the soup is too thick, add a little broth or water. If it’s too thin, let it simmer longer to thicken naturally.