Slovenian Potato Leek Soup with Herbed Croutons
Creamy potato and leek soup with a touch of thyme, topped with crispy herb-infused croutons for a comforting, rustic meal. This french-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 35 minutes pairs butter, vegetable broth, heavy cream for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 medium, white and light green parts only, thinly sliced (about 2 cups) leeks
- 2 medium, peeled and diced into 1/2-inch cubes (about 2 cups) potatoes
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
- 1/2 cup, cubed day-old bread
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp (thyme or oregano) dried herbs
- pinch salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Melt 2 tbsp butter in a large pot over medium heat; add sliced leeks and cook 5 minutes until softened.
- Step 2: Add diced potatoes, 4 cups vegetable broth, and 1 tsp dried thyme; bring to a boil, then simmer 15 minutes until potatoes are tender.
- Step 3: Blend soup until smooth using an immersion blender (or carefully in batches in a regular blender).
- Step 4: Stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream; season with salt and black pepper. Simmer 2 minutes without boiling.
- Step 5: While soup simmers, heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a small skillet; add cubed bread, 1 tsp dried herbs, and pinch salt; cook 3-4 minutes until golden and crispy.
- Step 6: Serve soup hot with a sprinkle of herbed croutons on top.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slovenian Potato Leek Soup with Herbed Croutons take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Slovenian Potato Leek Soup with Herbed Croutons?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep butter from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slovenian Potato Leek Soup with Herbed Croutons?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Slovenian Potato Leek Soup with Herbed Croutons for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Slovenian Potato Leek Soup with Herbed Croutons vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
The herbed croutons added such a lovely touch, elevating the whole dish.
- ★★★★★
Quick and delicious, made for dinner tonight. Even my picky kids loved it.
- ★★★★★
This soup was perfect for a chilly evening. My family couldn't get enough of it!