Vegan Potato Leek Soup – This is my favorite recipe made healthy and easy featuring tender potatoes, mellow flavored leeks, and simple herbs served chunky or pureed into creamy deliciousness!
Why We Love This Recipe!
It’s a simple, one-pot meal! This easy soup is made with only 6 basic ingredients and cooks in 1 pot for easy cleanup. Plus, it’s ready in 30 minutes!
It’s naturally healthy! Made without cream, this potato leek soup recipe is dairy-free and low fat with an oil-free option, and is 100% vegan and gluten-free!
When you’re looking for a quick weeknight meal, this creamy one-pot vegan soup brimming with potatoes and leeks is a comforting, cozy meal. It’s also great for meal prepping, and freezes well too!
Best Potato Leek Soup Ingredients
Here are notes about each ingredient, including ideas for variations and substitutions.
Potatoes – My favorite potatoes for this soup are Yukon gold potatoes, but russet potatoes work too. Feel free to peel your potatoes, especially if you want an ultra-creamy soup. Leaving the skin on does have its nutritional benefits, but may not blend up as smooth. But if you’re like me, a little chunkiness is welcome!
Leeks – Use 3 medium-sized leeks, or 2 large, using the white and light green parts only. When prepping leeks be sure to rinse them well under cool running water to remove any sand or dirt that has become lodged between the leek sheaths. Here’s a handy visual guide on How To Cut & Clean Leeks. Healthy Tip: When sauteing the leeks use water instead of oil to make an oil-free soup.
Herbs – I used dried thyme, but a few fresh sprigs would be great too. I’ve also made this soup with one of my favorite herb blends for soup, herbes de provence, which is fantastic as well. You also find this herb in my Potato, Leek & White Bean Soup. And don’t forget to add a little parsley to the soup before serving, it adds a bright, fresh flavor!
Liquids – Use vegetable broth, water, or a combo of the two. I used 1 tsp of this organic Better Than Boullion veg paste (affiliate link). Tip: For the most flavor, using all vegetable broth will yield the most flavorful broth.
How To Make Vegan Potato Leek Soup
Here is a quick overview of the steps with a few photos for reference. You can find the full printable recipe card below.
- Saute: Start with the leeks by sauteing them for 7 – 10 minutes. When ready, they’ll be soft and tender. Tip: Make sure to keep an eye on the temperature so they don’t burn.
- Simmer: Now we bring it all together by adding the potatoes, herbs, bay leaves, liquids and salt, let simmer for 15 minutes. Will be ready when potatoes are soft and tender.
- Puree: Finally, soup is done! Either eat as is (as shown below left), or puree your soup (below right) using an immersion blender or food processor. Feel free to find that happy medium between chunky and smooth!
How Long Will Leftovers Keep?
Leftovers will keep for 5 – 6 days in the refrigerator, stored in a covered container. Simply re-warm on the stovetop or the microwave. Because it stores so well, it’s great for weekly meal prep.
Can You Freeze Potato Leek Soup?
Yes, vegan potato leek soup freezes well for up to 2 months! We love to freeze this soup using individual small containers that are freezer-safe. And when ready, just pull it from the freezer and warm it up for a warm and cozy meal. You can also freeze larger portions in large ziplock bags or containers.
Serving Suggestions
- Toppings: Serve with a sprinkle of crispy chickpea croutons for protein and chopped fresh parsley for herbaceousness.
- Bread: We love pairing our bowls with this homemade Artisan Bread, Naan, or gluten-free Socca Flatbread to soak up the juices.
- Salad: Make a soup and salad combo with a serving of this Classic House Salad or Vegan Caesar Salad.
More Healthy Soup Recipes!
- Vegan Tomato Basil Soup
- Vegetable Cabbage Soup
- Vegan Minestrone Soup
- Hearty Vegan Lentil Soup
- Potato White Bean Soup
Looking for more ways to use potatoes or leeks? See all Potato and Leek recipes on TSV, you may find a new favorite!
If you try this vegan soup recipe, please let me know! Leave a comment and rate it below. I love to hear what you think, or any changes you make.
PrintCREAMY VEGAN POTATO LEEK SOUP
Simple and hearty, vegan potato leek soup is blended into creamy smoothness and ready in 30 minutes for a healthy and delicious meal! Recipe adapted from Simply Recipes.
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 25 min
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4 1x
- Category: Entree, Soup
- Cuisine: Vegan
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or ¼ cup water (for water saute)
- 3 medium leeks (use white and light green parts only)
- 2 ½ lbs. potatoes, cubed ½ inch (peeled or with skin on)
- 1 ½ teaspoons dried thyme or Herbes de provence
- 1 bay leaf
- 4 cups water or low-sodium vegetable broth
- mineral salt, to taste
- ¼ cup chopped parsley, to garnish
Instructions
Prep: Leeks, start by removing and discarding the root ends and thick dark green parts. Cut the leeks in half lengthwise and rinse each half under cold water, pulling apart the layers to remove any sand or debris nestled inside, slice the leeks crosswise. Alternatively, slice the leeks, then put in a colander and wash well under running water. Should yield 4 – 5 cups. Cut potatoes into ½ inch cubes. Feel free to peel the potatoes or leave the skin on (I left the skin on).
Saute: In a large dutch oven or pot, heat the oil/water over medium heat. Add the leeks and cook, stirring frequently, until soft and wilted, about 10 minutes. Adjust the heat as necessary so as not to brown the leeks.
Simmer: Add the potatoes, broth, bay leaves, herbs, salt to the pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer on low for 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender.
Puree: Remove the bay leaves, and puree the soup using a hand-held immersion blender until smooth (or leave a little chunky). Alternatively, use a regular blender to puree the soup in batches. Taste for seasoning.
Serve: Serve warm with chopped parsley, crispy chickpea croutons, and a side of crusty artisan bread.
Notes
Store: Leftovers can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 1 week in an airtight container. It’s also freezer-friendly and can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 – 3 months. Defrost the soup in the refrigerator for 12 hours or so and reheat on the stovetop over medium heat until warm. Alternatively, warm in the microwave.
Feel free to eat this soup chunky, partially chunky, or fully pureed. There is no wrong way to enjoy potato leek soup!
Blending Tip: If using a regular blender to puree the soup, fill the blender cup no more than halfway and leave the hole in the lid open to let any heat escape. It may take two batches to complete.
Updated: This recipe was originally published in January 2019. It has been retested and updated with new photos and helpful tips in Dec 2021.
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Tina says
This is really, REALLY good! Followed the recipe exactly, using vegetable broth and a blender. So satisfying on a cold, winter night!
★★★★★
JW says
The best potato leek soup I’ve ever eaten! So simple and easy – can’t wait to try roasted chickpeas on top. I used my own veggie broth from peels, etc, and a potato masher.
★★★★★
Cheryl says
I’m not a vegan. The soup is outstanding. I used Better than bouillon Vegetable broth – 4 tsp in 5 cups water to start. Didn’t need any additional broth concentrate. I also used herbs de Provance. Delicious!
★★★★★
Marta says
Very tasty!
Thank you!
★★★★★
Susan says
Very glad to find a recipe that doesn’t call for coconut cream. I added a dollop of white miso to improve the flavor.
★★★★★
Julie | The Simple Veganista says
Yum, that sounds wonderful! Thanks for sharing, Susan!
SandyG says
I made this today and it’s very good. I used a mix of three different types of potatoes to use up what I had in the house, added two cloves of garlic, and cut the thyme back to one teaspoon.
★★★★★
Deirdre Ryan says
This is about the fifth time I am making this recipe. I’ve tried other vegan potato soup recipes but this is the best! Thank you so much! I’m trying a few of your other recipes. Big fan!
★★★★★
Arlan Crane says
I’ll be making this version later today. I love that you don’t adulterate it with coconut milk like so many do. Potato Leek soup should not need coconut milk, which is best used in moderation. Thanks for the recipe.
Treasure says
So simple and delicious! Whipped it up to freeze for later…I’m 37 weeks pregnant and need a yummy stash of easy foods.
★★★★★
Peter says
Excellent soup! Added three whole mashed cloves of garlic to the simmer, 1/4 tsp onion powder, 1/4 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp black pepper, a couple of shots of hot sauce and more salt to taste.
★★★★★