Leek and Potato Soup
This leek and potato soup recipe can be made with chunky potato bits or with the potato mashed down for a smooth texture. Cheap it is to make, but the combination of everyday ingredients in this recipe is far, far more than the sum of its parts.
INGREDIENTS
2 tablespoons (60g) butter or margarine
2 garlic cloves
3 to 4 good-sized leeks (1lb / 450g)
2 good-sized potatoes (1lb / 450g)
1 litre / 1.8 pints vegetable stock (fresh or 2 stock cubes in hot water)
225ml / just under half a pint milk or cream
Salt and pepper to taste
Nutrition information per portion
- Calories
285 - Carbs
37g - Sugars
8.3g - Fat
13.8g - Saturate
8.5g
PREPARATION TIME: 10 minutes
COOKING TIME: 25 minutes
DIFFICULTY: Easy
FREEZE: Yes
SERVINGS: 4 servings
EQUIPMENT: Large pan, potato masher
PREPARATION
Rinse and chop the leeks. The easiest way to chop the leeks is to slice each leek longwise twice (see picture below) and then chop all the leek from top to bottom. Click on the picture below to see an enlarged version showing the size of the chopped leek. The leek has been split four ways down the stem which makes it look a bit like celery but it definitely is leek.
Sliced and chopped leeks
Peel the potatoes and chop them into cubes. Click on the picture below to enlarge it and see the size of the cubes more clearly.
Cutting potatoes into cubes
ADVICE FOR LEEK AND POTATO SOUP
If you intend to freeze this leek and potato soup then it is probably best not to add cream, add milk instead (see recipe ingredients above). We have frozen leek and potato soup with milk in it many times and it turns out just fine.
The problem with adding cream to the recipe and then freezing it, is that the cream may well separate. In truth, we did an experiment using cream and yes the cream did separate but after stirring it in well it then blended in OK.
This is great food at a very cheap price. It freezes really well, although the potato bits are not so chunky after freezing. All the pictures shown in this recipe can be enlarged by left-clicking your mouse once on the picture. The ingredients will make enough for at least four good portions of leek and potato soup.
RECIPE INSTRUCTIONS
STEP 1
Melt the butter / margarine in a pan and add the chopped leeks and garlic.
Fry them over a low to medium heat until the leeks are soft. This will take about ten minutes. Stir frequently so that none of the ingredients brown.
Leeks frying in butter
STEP 2
Add all the remaining ingredients to the pan with the exception of the milk / cream. Bring the soup to the boil and then let it simmer for the remaining cooking time.
If you want the potatoes to stay chunky, cook for 15 to 17 minutes until the potato is soft. If you want to mash the potatoes, cook for about 20 minutes.
Leek and potato soup cooking
STEP 3
If you prefer the potatoes to be smooth rather than chunky (the most popular way), simply use a masher to break down the potatoes in the pan.
Mashing potatoes in the pan
STEP 4
Just before serving, pour the milk / cream (use milk not cream if you plan to freeze the soup) into the soup and stir well.
If you have parsley sprigs, be a show off and add a sprig to each bowl!
Leek and potato soup topped with parsley
STEP 5
Leek and potato soup freezes very well. If you like chunky potatoes in the soup however, these will not be so chunky when you reheat the frozen soup.
Leek and potato soup will keep up to two months when frozen.
Freezing leek and potato soup
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38 RATINGS GIVEN - AVERAGE
27 November 2023
From: Aphra
I love this site. I have made this soup on many occasions and it has been enjoyed by many. It is so uncomplicated. Thanks and yum!
28 April 2013
From: Daz
Delicious thanks.
17 April 2013
From: Jax D
Wonderful, and so easy. Thank you.
16 April 2013
From: Bethan
Brilliant, this soup is so easy and tastes gorgeous, 1st time I've made soup and definitely will make this again.
6 April 2013
From: Zoe
I always add bacon and onions, but I'm glad I tried your way. I've been masking the delicate leek flavor. Simple is best. Thank you.
2 February 2012
From: Roe
My goodness this soup is even better than i thought it would be!!!! I love it thank you so much xxx
2 February 2012 012
From: Vic
Perfect and easy!
Not Given
7 February 2012
From: Danny
Just made this recipe and it is lovely. My dad says he's a manly man and needs meat, so shredded some left over ham joint we had and threw it in and OMG it's even better.
20 February 2012
From: Jane
Great recipe , I added chopped bacon at stage one delicious!
20 February 2012
From: TW
So simple but so delicious. I have to admit that I put in leftover mashed potato but it still turned out great!
21 March 2012
From: John
Really easy to cook and very tasty. As suggested by one of your posters, I added a teaspoonful of mild curry powder which I felt enhanced the flavour.
22 March 2012
From: Chrys
Lovely recipe. Thanks for posting.
26 March 2012
From: Halle
Just made this, added butter beans for protein and a dollop of cream cheese when served instead of milk, its just melted in and tasted amazing. Really good and filling.
28 March 2012
From: Adrian
The tip about slicing the leeks lengthwise before chopping is excellent - it saves so much time. Delicious soup - thanks.
16 April 2012
From: Not Given
Excellent
20 July 2012
From: Marilyn
Added finely chopped pieces of chicken for protein , absoulty delicious ....yummy!
09 August 2012
From: Sue
Just made this soup, easy to do and it tastes lovely, also going to make the cauliflower soup, I love simple recipes, thank you
07 October 2012
From: MsJu
Lovely, simple, hearty soup. Only reservation was that it felt a little oily on the tongue. Will slightly reduce amount of butter used to saute the leeks next time. Overall, really good soup. Thanks!
08 October 2012
From: Chris
Great that one can click on how to make a quick soup and get a recipe that really works. Was as nice as any i would pay for in a good hotel
12 October 2012
From: Cat
This recipe was sooo good my husband said he was telling our daughter that I burned it so he could eat hers. luvly jubbly, thanks for this simply gorgeous soup.
18 October 2012
From: Pixie
Wonderful soup and such a simple and easy recipe to follow. Always gets the thumbs up in our home. I leave out the cream and milk from The Daddy portion as he's on a diet. Even then it's gorgeous.
18 October 2012
From: Linds
The miser in me always tries to eat as cheaply and healthy as possible. This recipe is brilliant!
19 October 2012
From: K
Oooo, nearly 3 litres of amazing souuup for the cost of under 2 quid for ingredients in proportion. Much, much cheaper than pre bought and you know what's in it!!
9 November 2012
From: Not Given
I love this recipe it is delicious I just wish that it would make more.
9 November 2012
From: Jane
Just Gorgeous
10 November 2012
From: Anne
Delicious and wholesome and a cheap lunch.
13 November 2012
From: Not Given
One thing i always do is had half a pinch of paprika, a pinch of basil and a pinch of chllli flakes before added to stock compliments nicely.
24 November 2012
From: Not Given
So easy to make.
25 November 2012
From: Maggit
Very simple, nourishing and warming. I made half the quantity given, added a little paprika and basil together with half a chopped onion, and put it through the blender at the end. Served it just as it was (no cream) and it tasted wonderful.
28 November 2012
From: Jen
Fab and fast
30 November 2012
From: Not Given
The best L and P soup recipe i've come across, yummy!!!
10 January 2013
From: Sara
Lovely soup, added 2 onions. Seemed a bit oily, so reduced butter a little - made double quantities for the frezer!
20 January 2013
From: Lucas
Very easy to do and absolutely delicious
10 January 2013
From: Not given
SIMPLE TO MAKE, TASTES GORGEOUS I'LL NEVER GO BACK TO THE TINNED STUFF
27 January 2013
From: SAM
Best p and l soup i have ever had!!!!!
1 February 2013
From: Liz
Easy and delicious, love it.
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