Slow-Simmered Leek and Vegetable Soup
A velvety soup made with slow-cooked leeks, carrots, and potatoes in a fragrant vegetable broth, perfect for chilly days. This american-inspired soups ready in about 50 minutes pairs medium, diced carrots, stalks, diced celery, medium, diced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 120 calories and feeds 6, 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
- 3 medium, white and green parts thinly sliced leeks
- 2 medium, diced carrots
- 2 stalks, diced celery
- 1 medium, diced onion
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 2 medium, diced potatoes
- 1 tsp thyme
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 3 medium thinly sliced leeks, 2 medium diced carrots, 2 stalks diced celery, and 1 medium diced onion. Sauté for 8 minutes until vegetables are softened and fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until aromatic.
- Step 3: Pour in 4 cups vegetable broth, add 2 medium diced potatoes, 1 tsp thyme, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 25 minutes until potatoes are tender.
- Step 4: Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth, or transfer to a blender in batches (vent lid to avoid splatters).
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Simmered Leek and Vegetable Soup take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 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 Slow-Simmered Leek and Vegetable Soup?
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 medium, diced carrots from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Simmered Leek and Vegetable Soup?
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 Slow-Simmered Leek and Vegetable Soup for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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.
What goes well with Slow-Simmered Leek and Vegetable Soup?
American soups like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.