This slow cooker leek and potato soup recipe couldn’t be easier! Made with leeks, Yukon gold potatoes and heavy cream. Simply toss your ingredients into the slow cooker in the morning, and when you’re home, puree them for a delicious and creamy soup.
Leek and potato soup is my all-time favorite soup so it’s one that I make pretty regularly. Recently, I’ve been on the hunt for more slow cooker recipes that don’t require any hands-on cooking time, and I thought this soup was the perfect dish to re-invent for the slow cooker.
Why this recipe works
Simply toss all of the ingredients (except the cream) into the slow cooker and let it cook on low for eight hours. Because this is a pureed soup, you don’t need to worry about the texture of the vegetables as long as the potatoes and leeks are tender.
Ingredients you’ll need
- Leeks are one of the key ingredients in this recipe, you’ll use the white and light green parts only. Be sure to clean the leeks well (see my tip below) as there can often be some dirt caught between the layers.
- Potatoes I like to use Yukon gold (a great all-purpose potato) or white potatoes. These are less starchy than russet, so you’ll end up with a better soup texture.
- For flavour I like to add dried thyme, garlic and a dried bay leaf.
- Chili flakes are optional, but I find adding a little bit of heat to soup (I do this in my asparagus soup) helps to brighten up the flavor.
- Butter adds richness to the soup, you could also use olive oil for this.
- For the liquid I like to use chicken broth or vegetable broth. You could also use water, but you’ll want to adjust the amount of salt.
- Cream is used to finish the soup and it helps to create a smooth and velvety texture. I like to use 35% cream but you could also use a lighter half and half (10% cream), or leave it out all-together.
Step by step instructions
This soup could not be easier!
- In a slow cooker combine leeks, potatoes, garlic, butter, salt, dried thyme, chili flakes and the bay leaf. Cover with broth–either vegetable or chicken would work here. Cook on low for eight hours.
- After eight hours, your soup will be more muted in colour, remove the bay leaf and discard. In two batches, puree the soup in a blender and return it to the crockpot (or puree in the crockpot with an immersion blender). Stir in cream, if using, or a little bit of extra water.
Expert tips
- I find that the best way to clean the leeks is to slice them half lengthwise and then thinly slice crosswise, toss them into a colander, rinse, and drain them a few times. You’ll want to swish and stir them around to make sure you loosen all of the dirt.
- I don’t peel the potatoes in this recipe, it saves time! If you want a lighter coloured soup, you could peel them, but I don’t find it necessary.
- This soup will continue to thicken as it cools, if you want a runnier soup you can always stir in some more water, milk or cream to adjust to your preferences.
- If you’re in a time crunch, you can also cook this recipe in your crockpot on high for four hours.
Looking for more soup recipes?
This recipe was originally published on November 6, 2014 and updated on December 1, 2022 with a new crockpot version.
Slow Cooker Leek and Potato Soup
Ingredients
- 2 Leeks, thinly sliced
- 2 lbs Yukon gold potatoes, chopped
- 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 tablespoon Butter
- 1 ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon chili flakes
- 1 bay leaf
- ¼ cup cream
Instructions
- In a slow cooker combine leeks, potatoes, garlic, butter, salt, dried thyme, chili flakes and the bay leaf. Cover with broth-either vegetable or chicken would work here. Cook on low for eight hours.
- After eight hours, your soup will be more muted in colour, remove the bay leaf and discard. In two batches, puree the soup and return it to the crockpot. Stir in cream, if using, or a little bit of extra water.
Notes
- I don't peel the potatoes in this recipe, it saves time! If you want a lighter-coloured soup, you could peel them, but I don't find it necessary.
- This soup will continue to thicken as it cools, if you want a runnier soup you can always stir in some more water, milk or cream to adjust to your preferences.
- If you're in a time crunch, you can also cook this recipe in your crockpot on high for four hours.
Theresa
Do I have to puree it? it looks nice and hearty in the picture you provided.
Louisa Clements
Totally up to you, Theresa! I prefer it pureed, but you can serve it without pureeing!
AlmostThereDC
This looks delicious and so simple! Can’t wait to try it.
Xx
Momo
Almosttheredc.wordpress.com
Lou
Thank you! Let me know how it goes :)
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice
I love the flavors of this soup! Such a perfect bow of comfort food. I’ve never paired potatoes with leeks, but it sounds perfect!
Lou
Thank you, Gayle. Let me know if you give it a try!
Michelle
Oh, this is totally one of my favorites too, and I add bacon as well :) We had a huge leek and potato harvest this year and I have tons of soup in my freezer.
Lou
I think that the bacon might just be the best part, Michelle! I never have enough leftovers to put anything in the freezer, may have to make a double batch next time.
Helen @ Scrummy Lane
This was such an encouraging post, Lou. It’s great advice to conquer fear by facing things one step at a time,and I love the quote as well.
As for the soup, well, I love that too! I don’t think soup needs very many ingredients to make it shine, and this one sounds just perfect for winter – especially with the bacon, of course!
Lou
Thank you Helen, I was a littler nervous to hit “publish” with this one. You’re right, soup doesn’t need many ingredients to make it shine :)
Sarah | (Cooking for) Kiwi & Bean
Aha, this is what I should do with the leeks that are wilting in my fridge! I got them in my organics delivery and they always stump me. Not sure why I didn’t think of soup, lol. Thanks for the inspiration :-).
Lou
Glad this gave you some inspiration, Sarah! I find that leeks go pretty well in any soup, but this is definitely my favourite.
Kim Teasdale
Great classic soup!
Not a fan of winter and hoping for no Polar Vortex this year!
But I also enjoy homemade soup when the weather starts getting colder. It always coats my belly with warm goodness. ;)
Lou
Thank you! And oh gosh, I’m not sure I could survive another Polar Vortex, Kim.
Christina
I”m not a great person for career advice but all I suggest is that you keep an open mind when faced with different opportunities. Build practical experience now as that will be a great base for your career. Good luck and yes it is all a little scary. It will all work out :)
Katie
I’ve actually got an incredibly similar soup bubbling away on my hob as we speak! Great minds think alike ;)
This looks lovely.
Katie xoxo
Lou
Great minds do think alike, Katie! I hope your soup was delicious.