Name: Julia Child’s Creamy Potato Leek Soup Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil (plus more for garnish); 2 tablespoons unsalted butter; 1 pound Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and chopped into 1/2 inch cubes; 2-3 medium leeks, cut in half, sliced, and cleaned well; 1 teaspoon Kosher salt, to taste; 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper (plus more for garnish); 5 cups vegetable stock; 1/2 cup heavy cream; Fresh thyme leaves, removed from stems, for garnish

Jump to Recipe· 4.2 from 50 reviews

If you’ve ever wished for a soup that cozies you up from the inside out, you need to try Julia Child’s Creamy Potato Leek Soup Recipe. This classic French-inspired dish delivers velvety smooth potatoes blended perfectly with the delicate sweetness of leeks, finished with a luscious touch of cream. It’s rich yet simple, immensely satisfying, and the kind of soup that feels like a warm kitchen hug on any day. Whether you’re looking for a comforting lunch or an elegant starter, this recipe brings timeless charm and utterly delicious results to your table.

Ingredients You’ll Need

A large white pot on a stove filled with two layers of ingredients: the bottom layer consists of small, light green chopped pieces with a soft texture, and the top layer is made of unevenly sized chopped potatoes with yellow skin and white flesh, piled loosely in the pot. The stove is black with metal sides and the background shows a white marbled countertop. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Julia Child’s soup relies on a handful of simple, fresh ingredients that come together to create a harmony of flavors and textures. Each plays a key role, from the tender potatoes providing creamy body to the leeks delivering subtle oniony sweetness and a beautiful vibrant color.

2 tablespoons olive oil: Adds a fruity, rich base flavor and helps soften the leeks without burning.
2 tablespoons unsalted butter: Brings a silky richness that deepens the soup’s overall mouthfeel.
1 pound Yukon gold potatoes: These have a naturally creamy texture and buttery flavor that create the soup’s smooth consistency.
2-3 medium leeks: Sliced and cleaned thoroughly, they provide that distinctive mild oniony flavor essential to the dish.
1 teaspoon Kosher salt: Essential for seasoning and enhancing the natural flavors of the ingredients.
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper: Adds a subtle, warming spice—plus some extra for garnish to finish.
5 cups vegetable stock: A flavorful liquid base that complements without overpowering the delicate veggies.
1/2 cup heavy cream: The final touch that transforms the soup into a luxuriously creamy delight.
Fresh thyme leaves: Used as a finishing garnish, they introduce a bright herbal note and elevate the presentation.

How to Make Julia Child’s Creamy Potato Leek Soup Recipe

Step 1: Sauté the Leeks

Start by heating olive oil and butter in a medium pot over medium heat. Once melted, add the cleaned and sliced leeks. Cook them gently for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally until they soften beautifully but don’t brown. This slow sauté brings out their natural sweetness and creates a flavorful base for the soup.

Step 2: Add Potatoes and Season

Next, toss in the cubed Yukon gold potatoes. Sprinkle your tablespoon of Kosher salt and ground black pepper over the veggies. This step ensures the potatoes absorb seasoning right from the start, which helps build layers of taste as the soup simmers.

Step 3: Pour in the Stock and Simmer

Pour in enough vegetable stock to cover the potatoes and leeks completely. Place the lid on the pot, leaving a small opening to let steam escape, and bring everything to a strong simmer. This gentle bubbling will cook the potatoes until they’re meltingly tender, about 35 minutes, making the soup base creamy and luscious.

Step 4: Blend Until Smooth

Once the potatoes are tender, remove the pot from heat. Use an immersion blender or transfer the soup in batches to a high-powered blender to puree until incredibly smooth and silky. This step is key to achieving that iconic velvety texture that Julia Child’s Creamy Potato Leek Soup Recipe is famous for.

Step 5: Stir in the Cream

Return your blended soup to the pot if needed, then gently stir in the heavy cream. This enriches the soup’s body and softens the flavors for a beautifully balanced finish. Heat it through gently, but avoid boiling after adding the cream to preserve its silky texture.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Ladle the soup into bowls and add a few finishing touches. Fresh thyme leaves bring a bright herbal aroma, a drizzle of olive oil adds sheen and depth, and a sprinkle of black pepper and salt enhances every spoonful. This simple yet elegant garnish makes the dish feel truly special.

How to Serve Julia Child’s Creamy Potato Leek Soup Recipe

A white bowl holds a creamy, light beige soup with a smooth texture, topped with a spiral drizzle of golden olive oil and sprinkled with small green herb leaves and black pepper flakes. The bowl sits on a white plate with a folded patterned napkin in soft yellow and gray tones beneath a vintage silver spoon. In the background, a shiny purple pot is partially visible, all placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Fresh thyme leaves are a classic, but you can also sprinkle some crispy bacon bits or finely chopped chives for an extra flavor punch and textural contrast. A swirl of crème fraîche or a few drops of truffle oil can elevate the presentation and flavor too.

Side Dishes

This soup pairs beautifully with crusty French bread or a buttery baguette to soak up every creamy drop. For a heartier meal, serve alongside a light mixed green salad dressed simply with lemon and olive oil.

Creative Ways to Present

Try serving the soup in rustic bread bowls for a charming, rustic touch. You could also offer it as a starter in small espresso cups for an elegant dinner party, allowing guests to savor each spoonful like a gourmet amuse-bouche.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen and meld while resting, so it tastes even better the next day!

Freezing

This soup freezes well if you want to stash some for a busy day. Leave out the cream if freezing and add it fresh when reheating for the best texture and taste. Freeze in portion-sized containers and use within 2 months for optimal flavor.

Reheating

Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Add in the cream after warming through if you froze it without the cream, and adjust seasoning before serving. Avoid boiling to keep the creamy texture intact.

FAQs

Can I use other types of potatoes for this soup?

Yukon gold potatoes are ideal because of their creamy texture and buttery flavor, but you can substitute with Russet potatoes if needed. Just know Russets might give a slightly fluffier texture but still very tasty.

Is it necessary to clean the leeks thoroughly?

Absolutely! Leeks can hold sand and dirt between their layers, so cutting them lengthwise and rinsing well ensures your soup remains smooth and grit-free every time.

Can I make this soup vegan?

Yes! Substitute the butter with olive oil and use coconut cream or cashew cream instead of heavy cream. Use vegetable stock to keep it fully plant-based while maintaining great flavor.

What’s the best way to blend the soup?

An immersion blender is convenient and easy, allowing you to puree directly in the pot. If using a countertop blender, puree in batches and be cautious with hot liquid splashes.

Can I add other vegetables to this soup?

You can, but keep it subtle to preserve the classic flavor balance. Celery or a small amount of onion can complement, but too many additions might overpower the delicate leek and potato combo.

Final Thoughts

Julia Child’s Creamy Potato Leek Soup Recipe is one of those dishes that feels timeless, comforting, and downright irresistible every single time you make it. Its simplicity, elegance, and rich flavors make it a perfect go-to recipe whenever you crave something soothing and satisfying. I encourage you to give this recipe a try and experience just how effortlessly divine homemade soup can be.