“Such a simple recipe produces an amazing and delicious soup. It is my “go to” recipe now! Thank you so much for posting it.” ~Natasha
This traditional Irish leek and potato soup recipe comes straight from the Irish countryside, and couldn’t be easier, or more satisfying. Soup is one of the most elemental forms of cooking, and there’s something about ladling out steaming bowls of soup to the family that is so gratifying. This one has no bells and whistles ~ it’s based on fresh, great quality ingredients, simply prepared.
what you’ll need
Leeks and potatoes are a classic Irish pair. Both vegetables grow easily and plentifully in Irish soil, and they find their way into so many great recipes. This classic Irish leek and potato soup is a true 30 minute meal ~ the vegetables are cooked just long enough to soften them, and then the soup is pureed and ready to serve.
- potatoes
- I use starchy russets (baking potatoes) because they provide the perfect ‘creamy’ texture to this soup without any cream.
- leeks
- Leeks can seem formidable when they’re raw from the supermarket, but once sliced and sautéed in butter they become meltingly tender and delicious.
- butter
- we’re using good quality butter here, not olive oil. You wouldn’t go amiss to buy Irish butter for this recipe 🙂
- onion
- peas
- chicken stock
- salt and pepper
blending your soup
You can process it to a super smooth or a chunky consistency. I learned an interesting thing making this soup, though…when you process cooked potatoes they develop a slightly ‘gluey’ texture. It has something to do with their starch molecules. You’ve probably experienced it if you’ve ever whipped potatoes in a processor, blender, or with electric beaters. Some people don’t mind this at all, and some find it not so nice. Anyway, one way around that is to puree everything except the potatoes. You can put the potatoes through a ricer and then mix them back into the soup, thus avoiding the problem.
tips for leek and potato soup
- The secret ingredient that gives my soup its appealing green color is a handful of garden peas, fresh or frozen. This is a little trick I learned back when I made my Ham and Pea Soup ~ that soup is a gorgeous green!
- Be sure to remove the tough outer layers and ends off your leeks, and then, after slicing, immerse them in lots of cold water and separate the outer rings to release all the dirt and grit.
- Traditionally the Irish don’t cook with many herbs and spices and the flavors tend to be mild, so be sure to add enough salt and freshly cracked black pepper to your soup. If you’re so inclined, some crumbled crisp bacon or finely diced ham makes a great topping.
- To go along with your farmhouse soup, I’d suggest my Irish Fish Cakes with 30-Second Tartar Sauce. And after dinner, don’t forget a nip of my Homemade Irish Cream.
“Absolutely delicious, and so easy to make. I put sour cream on the table instead of drizzling it on top, and that worked well for us. Served with brown Irish soda bread. Thank you for a wonderful recipe!” ~Vivian
more traditional Irish recipes
- Dublin Coddle
- Irish Oatmeal Soda Bread
- Authentic Irish Apple Cake
- Traditional Irish Farmhouse Recipes
- Darina Allen’s Irish Soda Scones
- Instant Pot Irish Stew
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Traditional Irish Leek and Potato Soup
Ingredients
- 4 Tbsp butter
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 large leeks, trimmed, sliced, thoroughly rinsed, and dried
- 2 russet potatoes, peeled and diced
- 3 1/2 cups chicken stock, or vegetable stock
- 1/2 cup frozen peas
- salt and fresh cracked black pepper
garnish, optional
- sour cream thinned with milk to a drizzle-able consistency
- snipped chives
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a large soup pot and saute the onion, leeks, and potato for about 5 minutes, stirring often.
- Add the stock to the pan and bring up to a simmer. Cover, turn down the heat and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until everything is tender. Add the peas to the pot just long enough to defrost them.
- Working in 2 batches, process the soup until your desired consistency. It can be smooth, or chunky. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Serve piping hot with a drizzle of sour cream and a sprinkle of chives.
Notes
Nutrition
Thanks for pinning my traditional Irish leek and potato soup!
Irish Leek and Potatoe Soup. So easy with a wonderful outcome. Thank you.
Such a simple recipe produces an amazing and delicious soup. It is my “go to” recipe now! Thank you so much for posting it.
Thanks Natasha 🙂
Can I freeze the leek potato soup?
This should freeze fine because it doesn’t have a cream base, but I haven’t tried so I can’t say for sure, sorry!
What is the serving size and for how many people please?
This serves 6 Dana,
Thanks! How big is one serving approximately?
Could you please indicate the serving size? Is it 1/2 c or 1 c? Thank you.
It’s going to be approximately a cup.
This soup is absolutely delicious. I’ve just returned from a glorious 8 days in Ireland.
Fell in love with the Irish Brown Bread. Do you have a traditional recipe for that. So yummy. Had it every morning and often with lunch.
Hey Nancy ~ welcome home and yes, I have some great Irish bread recipes on the blog, one for brown bread here, and one for oatmeal soda bread here.
Hi Sue,
I’ve made this soup 2 times now (once chunky and another time smooth) and both ways are delightful on a blustery Spring night. Our family esp likes it with Apple Wood Bacon crumbled on top. Would you be okay with my posting a link to this recipe on our family’s FB Group page “All The Great Ones Are Gaughen?” Of course siting credit where credit is due. Our page is a closed group page, and only family will be on it, but I just know they would love this soup.
Sincerely,
Marta
Hi Marta ~ of course, feel free to post the recipe on your family page, I hope they all enjoy it.
Just made this soup, it’s phenominal! And easy to make! I would absolutely make this again and again! Thank you!
Delicious
Can you make this soup a day ahead of time?
Yes, definitely!
Absolutely delicious, and so easy to make. I put sour cream on the table instead of drizzling it on top, and that worked well for us. Served with brown Irish soda bread. Thank you for a wonderful recipe!