Back to Recipes
Leek & Potato Soup

UK

Leek & Potato Soup

A creamy, comforting British soup perfect for cold days.

~55 mintotal~268 kcalper serving~5g protein~35g carbs~12g fat

Estimated. Worked out from the ingredients using the UK food composition tables, so treat it as a guide rather than a measurement. A typical recipe lands within about a quarter of the true figure. Makes about 4.

Ingredients

  • 3 large leeks, trimmed and sliced
  • 600g potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp butter or olive oil
  • 1.2L vegetable or chicken stock
  • 2 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 100ml single cream (optional)
  • Fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt & black pepper

Cooking Steps

  1. Heat butter, cook onions and leeks 10-12 minutes until softened

  2. Add garlic, thyme, bay leaf. Cook 1 minute

  3. Add potatoes and stock. Simmer 20 minutes until potatoes soft

  4. Remove bay leaf. Blend until smooth

  5. Stir through cream if using. Season generously

  6. Garnish with parsley

Optional Enhancements

  • Smoky depth: add ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • Veg boost: add 1 parsnip or celery stalk
  • Protein: stir through white beans before blending
  • Crispy topping: fried leeks, bacon bits, or toasted seeds

Plant & Growing Tips

  • Leeks: Start indoors late winter-spring. Transplant when pencil thickness
  • Potatoes: Chit seed potatoes in a bright, cool room for 2 weeks before planting
  • Parsley: prefers partial shade and rich, moist soil

Natural Pest Control

  • Onion fly protection: cover seedlings with fleece
  • Leek moth: companion plant carrots to confuse pests
  • Hand-pick slugs early morning

Harvest

  • Leeks: Harvest when stems reach 2-3cm thick
  • Potatoes: Harvest early varieties when plants flower
  • Parsley: Snip outer leaves first

Storing & Freezing

Refrigerate up to 4 days. Freeze for up to 3 months before adding cream.

More recipes

See all ›
185 minBritishLancashire Hotpot~577 kcal~34g protein50 minBritishPea & Mint Risotto~763 kcal~26g protein60 minBritishBeetroot & Goat Cheese SaladRecipe40 minBritishRhubarb & Strawberry Jam~42 kcal~0g protein20 minBritishWelsh Rarebit~368 kcal~18g protein50 minBritishCauliflower Cheese~375 kcal~19g protein110 minBritishShepherd's Pie~831 kcal~41g protein55 minBritishApple Crumble~249 kcal~5g protein20 minBritishWild Herb Pesto PastaRecipe40 minBritishHam, Egg & Chips~538 kcal~41g protein25 minBritishBubble & Squeak~151 kcal~4g protein65 minBritishChicken Tikka Masala~530 kcal~53g protein

Make this easier with Visionary

Scan any food in secondsPoint your camera at a meal or label and log it. No weighing, no database hunting.The best MyFitnessPal alternativesFive apps compared on tracking, training and coaching, not just calorie counting.