• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Cookbook
  • Veganuary
  • FREE ebook
  • Shop

A Virtual Vegan

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Cookbook
  • Veganuary
  • FREE ebook
  • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • About
    • Cookbook
    • Veganuary
    • FREE ebook
    • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Soup

    Published: Dec 10, 2021 · Modified: Jul 11, 2022 by Melanie McDonald · This post contains affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · 14 Comments

    Vegan Leek and Potato Soup

    JUMP TO RECIPE PIN WATCH VIDEO
    5 from 21 votes

    Cozy and comforting, this creamy Vegan Leek and Potato Soup combines just a handful of ingredients for a simple, quick, homemade vegan soup the whole family will love!

    a bowl of soup with croutons and parsley

    Vegan Leek and Potato Soup. One of my favourite vegan soup recipes! We're talking a hug in a bowl kind of soup. It's so creamy, cozy and comforting as well as quick and easy to make. So delicious with crusty bread and butter for dunking, and/or a tumble of crispy, golden vegan croutons!

    In this post:

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • How to make Vegan Leek and Potato Soup
    • How to Prep & Clean Leeks
    • Success Tips
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Storing & Freezing
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Recipe Video
    • Recipe
    • Comments & Reviews

    The ingredient list is pretty short and simple and the soup is naturally gluten-free and vegan. And best of all, just like my vegan pea soup, it can be ready to go in under 30 minutes, making it a great recipe for busy weeknights or meal prep.

    a pan of soup with croutons

    Ingredients

    Here are the ingredients you need to make Vegan Leek and Potato Soup:

    ingredients for vegan leek and potato soup as per the written ingredients list

    I highly recommend you make some golden vegan croutons to serve with your deliciously creamy vegan leek and potato soup! For these you will need some stale bread, olive oil, salt and pepper. That's it. If you're gluten-free simply use gluten-free bread. You can have them baking while the soup cooks or make them up to a few weeks before.

    If you end up with any leeks leftover I recommend you try my Risi e Bisi recipe next. It is so good!!

    How to make Vegan Leek and Potato Soup

    This is a really simple and quick vegan soup recipe to make. Here's how it's done:

    how to make vegan leek and potato soup process shots as per the written instructions
    1. Sauté the leeks in a large soup pot.
    2. Add the potato and stock and simmer until the potatoes are fork soft.
    3. Add the light coconut milk, nutmeg, seasonings and fresh or dried thyme.
    4. Either use an immersion blender to blend the soup in the pan, or scoop out into a blender in batches to blend until smooth. Don't over-blend it. Then return it to the pan to warm through before serving. Don't let it boil. Feel free to leave the soup chunky if you prefer though. Give it a quick taste before serving and adjust the seasoning as necessary.

    If you'd like to make the optional croutons see my how to make vegan croutons post. They are incredibly quick and easy.

    How to Prep & Clean Leeks

    Leeks are notorious for being full of hidden dirt and grit so be sure to wash them well. Start by trimming and discarding the root ends and trimming the tips of the dark green part where they are tough and scruffy. Then usually it's necessary to remove the very outer layer of the leek as it can be a little tough and scruffy too. Then cut the leeks completely in half lengthwise. Take each half and rinse it under cold water, cut side up, gently pulling apart the layers so the water flows in and washes away any dirt and grit that’s tucked inside. Usually that's sufficient to get them clean but if they are really, really dirty and you don't feel like you got it all, you can slice them up finely, then put them in a colander and give them another good rinse.

    Success Tips

    For the very best results when making this dairy-free leek and potato soup recipe take note of these tips:

    • Leeks can have quite a harsh flavor. The trick to making them sweet and delicious is to slowly sauté them. Don't rush them.
    • Cook the potatoes until they are starting to fall apart. This makes blending easier which reduces your chances of over-blending.
    • Don't over-blend your soup or you will activate the starch in the potatoes and your soup will get an odd gluey texture.
    • The nutmeg might seem a strange addition but trust me. It really works so don't leave it out!
    a bowl of vegan leek and potato soup with croutons

    Serving Suggestions

    The finished vegan potato leek soup has a beautiful pale green colour and subtle, sweet and creamy leek flavor, and is wonderful served as an appetizer or entree with a generous pile of golden vegan croutons on top. I also recommend some fresh crusty bread and butter on the side for dipping.

    Wondering what else to serve with vegan leek and potato soup? Vegan cheese, sautéed leek, fresh chives, roasted cubes of potato, sautéed sausage crumbles, vegan feta cheese crumbles, and vegan bacon make great soup toppers, and homemade herby no knead focaccia or grilled cheese is amazing with it too.

    Storing & Freezing

    Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days or the freezer for 3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge.

    To reheat, transfer to a small pan and warm gently over medium-low heat. You can also microwave it for a few minutes if you prefer.

    Recipe FAQs

    What can I use instead of coconut milk?

    I highly recommend using light coconut milk if at all possible, but if you prefer not use it, substitute another creamy plant milk. It must be an unsweetened and unflavored milk.

    Can I make this soup oil-free?

    Yes. Simply saute with water instead of the vegan butter. About a quarter cup (60mls) of water should be sufficient.

    If you try this recipe, let me know how you like it by leaving a comment and rating below! And be sure to join my mailing list for more deliciousness!

    Recipe Video

    Recipe

    a bowl of vegan leek and potato soup with croutons

    Vegan Leek and Potato Soup

    Author: Melanie McDonald
    5 from 21 votes
    Cozy and comforting, this creamy Vegan Leek and Potato Soup combines just a handful of ingredients for a simple, quick, homemade vegan soup the whole family will love!
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe SaveSaved!
    PREP TIME: 15 minutes
    COOK TIME: 20 minutes
    TOTAL TIME: 35 minutes
    Servings: 6 servings

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 tablespoon vegan butter , omit to make oil-free and use a splash of water instead.
    • 2 large leeks , trimmed, washed and sliced thinly
    • 1125g (40 oz or about 5 cups) potato , peeled and cubed
    • 960mls (4 cups) vegetable stock
    • 1 can (398-400mls / 13.5 oz) light canned coconut milk , or other creamy, unsweetened, unflavoured plant milk
    • 2 teaspoons salt
    • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon dried thyme , or 2 to 3 sprigs of fresh thyme
    • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

    For serving

    • vegan croutons

    RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT

    • Blendtec Blender
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    INSTRUCTIONS
     

    • Heat the butter in a soup pan over medium heat. Add the sliced leeks and sauté for 7 to 10 minutes until they are soft and just starting to colour on the edges.
    • Add the potato, pour over the stock, bring to a simmer and cook until the potato is soft and just beginning to break down.
    • Remove from the heat, add the coconut milk, nutmeg, salt, pepper, and thyme.
    • Either use an immersion blender or transfer to a blender in batches and blend gently until just smooth. Don't over-blend or you will activate the starch in the potatoes and affect the texture of the soup.
    • Return the soup to the pan and heat gently over a medium low heat until piping hot, then serve.

    NOTES

    Storage & freezing - Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days or the freezer for 3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge.
    To reheat, transfer to a small pan and warm gently over medium-low heat. You can also microwave it for a few minutes if you prefer.
    Want a fancier version? - Add one cup (240 mls) of dry white wine to the leeks near the end of sautéing. Let it bubble for a few minutes before adding the potatoes and just 3 cups (720mls) of vegetable stock. Then continue with the recipe as written. 

    NUTRITION

    Serving: 1servingCalories: 237kcalCarbohydrates: 41gProtein: 4gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 1gSodium: 1499mgPotassium: 850mgFiber: 5gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 936IUVitamin C: 41mgCalcium: 45mgIron: 2mg

    Nutritional information is provided for convenience. The data is a computer generated estimate and should be used as a guide only.

    Tried this recipe?Rate it & leave your feedback in the comments section below, or tag @avirtualvegan on Instagram and hashtag it #avirtualvegan

    This recipe was originally published on January 5th, 2016. I've updated it with new photographs, new content and a video and am now republishing it for you. I hope you enjoy it. Thank you for following A Virtual Vegan!

    Hungry For More?

    • Vegan Corn Chowder
    • Vegan Carrot Ginger Soup
    • Vegan Sausage Casserole
    • Vegan Soup Recipes
    2.8K shares

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a comment Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Kerstin says

      January 17, 2023 at 2:05 pm

      5 stars
      I made this soup. It’s out of this world. Perfect for me, because I cook for one. So making a soup then have meals the whole long wee week.
      Thank you

      Reply
    2. Whack says

      July 10, 2022 at 12:03 pm

      5 stars
      Another brilliant recipe.
      Since I've never fooled with leeks before, my only wish would have been a measure for the leeks, grams, lbs whatever other n' 2 large.

      I didn't know if I was supposed to use the whole leek or just the part that wasn't the leefy part.. took forever to saute the leeks.. about 3 hrs... gezzzz.. m I shed breakfast!

      This is really yummy.. next time I'll try adding wine..

      Any guidance on the weights and how much of the leek I was supposed to use would be appreciated...

      Reply
      • Melanie McDonald says

        July 11, 2022 at 11:00 am

        So pleased you enjoyed it! I'm not sure why it would take 3 hours to saute the leeks? It should take about 10 minutes max.
        There is no gram measurement for the leeks because there's no need to be absolutely precise with this recipe. It will turn out good whatever the size of your leeks. Also it would be really hard to pick out 2 leeks that will weigh the correct amount once trimmed and cleaned. It makes it much simpler to just have to go out and pick up 2. Tips for prepping and cleaning the leeks are included in the post. Hope that helps!

        Reply
    3. Monica Mojtabai says

      December 19, 2021 at 4:49 pm

      5 stars
      I’ve loved potato soup since I was a child but this was my first attempt since changing to a vegan diet. The soup was absolutely amazing and so full of flavor!

      Reply
    4. Debs says

      December 13, 2021 at 6:30 am

      5 stars
      Made this today and the whole family loved it. Lots left for future meals and for my 11 year old daughter’s thermos for school!!!

      Reply
    5. Connie Moultroup says

      December 31, 2019 at 11:03 am

      5 stars
      Oh my!!!! Quite delicious!!! On day 2 I added some Daiya cheddar and some chopped amaranth greens from the freezer. Absolutely fabulous!!! Sorry, I can never leave well enough alone!!!!

      Reply
      • A Virtual Vegan says

        December 31, 2019 at 12:31 pm

        Glad you're enjoying it Connie!

        Reply
    6. Deborah says

      March 24, 2019 at 8:47 am

      5 stars
      So creamy and yummy. A new favorite soup for us!

      Reply
    7. Neda says

      October 04, 2018 at 12:18 pm

      5 stars
      Thank you for this delicious recipe, my husband and I really enjoyed it! This makes a ton of soup and it is very filling so it will last at least two days for smaller households. I used russet potatoes (took a little longer to cook) and included a little bit of the darker leek parts because I like the edge they provide.

      Reply
    8. joe says

      November 03, 2017 at 10:42 am

      I make croutons by spraying sliced bread with oil or smear with vegan butter and toast them in the toaster

      Reply
      • joe says

        November 06, 2017 at 4:02 am

        5 stars
        Made this today half the recipe and it came out as it is sufficient for a whole week. Like it very much.

        Reply
        • A Virtual Vegan says

          November 06, 2017 at 9:49 am

          Thank you Joe. I'm glad you are enjoying it!

          Reply
    9. Kathryn Grace says

      February 27, 2016 at 5:12 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious! We used to eat potato soup at least once a month, now we have this instead!

      Reply
    10. Nancy says

      January 12, 2016 at 3:30 pm

      5 stars
      Used soy milk instead of the coconut milk and was still really good. Thanks for a great recipe!

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Melanie McDonald

    I'm Melanie McDonald (but you can call me Mel), best-selling cookbook author and creator of A Virtual Vegan. I share well-tested, flavour-packed vegan recipes with clear, step-by-step instructions. My goal is to give you the confidence to cook amazing vegan food from scratch.

    More about me →

    Trending now!

    • Perfect Vegan Yorkshire Puddings
    • Lentil Shepherd's Pie
    • Cinnamon Roll in a Mug
    • Vegan Potato Soup
    • Vegan Butter
    • Vegan Banana Pancakes

    ❊ GET MY COOKBOOK ❊

    Vegan Comfort Cooking Melanie McDonald

    Amazon / Book Depository / Books-A-Million / Barnes & Noble / Indigo

    "Meaty' Vegan Recipes

    • Vegan Ham
    • Vegan Chicken Breasts
    • Vegan Sausage Recipe
    • Vegan Beef
    • Vegan Roast
    • Gluten-Free Seitan Roast

    See more →

    Footer

    ↑ back to top


    About Me
    My Cookbook
    Privacy

    Subscribe
    Contact me
    Work With Me

    Accessibility
    Nutrition
    Media

    Copyright © 2023 A Virtual Vegan- All Rights Reserved.