Potato Leek Soup - Healthy Plant-Based Recipe - High Protein! (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Stephanie McKercher, RDN · This post may contain affiliate links · 14 Comments

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Potato Leek Soup - Healthy Plant-Based Recipe - High Protein! (1)

This soup is creamy, warm, filling - classic comfort food at its best.

What's not to love?

Especially considering that this variation is given a boost of plant-based protein and phytonutrients with soft tofu.

If you caught my wild blueberry smoothie post, you know that soft tofu is my one of my favorite secret weapons. Beyond the nutritional benefits, soft tofu adds tons ofcreaminess without anyflavor.

You won't even realize it's there.

Potato Leek Soup - Healthy Plant-Based Recipe - High Protein! (2)

When it comes to flavor, this soup is all about the creamy deliciousness that is the spud.

Potatoes may have a bad wrap in some nutrition circles but not over here. They'refilled with healthy complex carbohydrates and are also an excellent source of antioxidants like vitamin C. Combined with healthy fats and protein, potatoes are the perfect starchyaddition toa healthy and well-balanced meal.

And in my opinion, leeks make the perfect spud-accompaniment.

Leeks are related to onions and garlic (two of the greatest veggies ever, in my opinion) and are a member of the allium family. These sulfur-containing veggies havebeen researched for a number of health benefits, including antioxidanteffects, detoxification support, and cardiovascular protection.

You can use leeks almost anywhere that you would use an onion. (Or you can be like me and just use both.)

I'm telling you right now, all I want for St. Patrick's Day is this creamy potato leek soup.

(But a piece of this lentil shepherd's pie and/or a chunk or warm, crusty bread would certainlybe welcome here too.) 😉

Potato Leek Soup - Healthy Plant-Based Recipe - High Protein! (3)

📖 Recipe

Potato Leek Soup - Healthy Plant-Based Recipe - High Protein! (4)

Creamy Potato Leek Soup

Traditional potato leek soup gets a nutrient-dense boost with tofu. This protein-rich soup works as a starter/side or an entree.

4.09 from 23 votes

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Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 -6

Author: Stephanie McKercher, RDN

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons grapeseed oil (or oil of choice)
  • 1 onion diced
  • 2 leeks, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, diced
  • 1 pound yukon gold potatoes, cubed (8 medium)
  • 1 (16-ounce) block silken tofu
  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • Salt and pepper
  • Chopped fresh chives (optional)

Instructions

  • Pour oil into a large stockpot over medium heat. Add onions, leeks, and garlic and cook 6 minutes, or until translucent and aromatic.

  • Stir in potatoes and cook 4 minutes, or until softened. Stir in silken tofu and vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to low and simmer 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are fully cooked and the flavors are melded together. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed. Turn off the heat.

  • Transfer cooked soup in batches to a blender and blend on high until smooth. (Only fill the blender halfway when blending hot liquids.) Once blended, pour the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh chives and pepper if desired.

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate up to 3 days or freeze up to 3 months.

Tried this recipe? Tag me on Instagram!Mention @GratefulGrazer or tag #gratefulgrazer.

Try These Recipes Next:

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Reader Interactions

Comments

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  1. Deanna Sassorossi says

    When do you add the tofu?

    Reply

    • Stephanie McKercher, RDN says

      Hi Deanna, the tofu is added in step 2, after the potatoes are cooked 4 minutes. I previously had written "add remaining ingredients" but updated it just now so the instructions are more clear. Thanks!

  2. Jennifer says

    I have made this soup many many times and everyone who tries it absolutely loves everything about it. Thank you so much for this recipe. I want to make this soup and freeze it to take with us on vacation. How do you suggest I thaw it? Should I let it thaw on the counter or just dump in a pot and reheat? I read on a previous comment that you said it would probably freeze well but I need may need to re-blend it.

    Reply

    • Stephanie McKercher, RDN says

      Hi Jennifer, thanks so much for commenting. I'm so happy to hear this soup is a hit! I'd either thaw the soup overnight in your fridge, or just dump it in the pot and reheat from frozen. I've tried both methods with frozen soups in the past (but not with this recipe, specifically). Please let me know how it goes if you try it—I'd love to hear. Thank you!

      Reply

  3. Julie says

    I've never used grapeseed oil before. What is the benefit of using it in this recipe or others?

    Reply

    • Stephanie McKercher, RDN says

      I like grapeseed oil because it has a high smoke point, which means it can stand up to high-temperature cooking without becoming oxidized or rancid. You can also substitute with your favorite cooking oil in this recipe (and others) if you have something else on hand. Hope that helps!

      Reply

  4. Katie says

    Hi, Do you think this would freeze well in individual containers? Thanks!

    Reply

    • Stephanie McKercher, RDN says

      Hi Katie, potatoes can sometimes get chunky when they're frozen, so you may want to puree again in the blender before reserving. Thanks!

      Reply

  5. Denise says

    Potato Leek Soup - Healthy Plant-Based Recipe - High Protein! (9)
    This was a very interesting soup. I think I got the wrong kind of tofu - it said soft on the package, but it looked a lot more like firm - so the soup came out a little eggy. It's still good, and next time I'll try to get a different brand of tofu.

    Reply

    • Stephanie McKercher, RDN says

      Thanks for the feedback, Denise! The tofu I used was thinner in consistency, so maybe this is why you got the "eggy" result. I'm going to update the recipe with a note on the tofu. Thanks again for letting me know! 🙂

      Reply

      • Denise says

        Potato Leek Soup - Healthy Plant-Based Recipe - High Protein! (10)
        I tried it again with a different brand of tofu, and it turned out much better! Very creamy.

        Reply

        • Stephanie McKercher, RDN says

          Yay! So happy to hear this! Thanks for commenting, Denise! 🙂

          Reply

  6. Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

    I just started really cooking with leeks and love them! The perfect light onion taste!

    Reply

    • Steph | The Grateful Grazer says

      I love all things in the onion/garlic/leek family! The more the merrier! 🙂 Have a great weekend, Rebecca!

      Reply

Potato Leek Soup - Healthy Plant-Based Recipe - High Protein! (2024)

FAQs

How much protein is in leek and potato soup? ›

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
152Calories
4gFat
25gCarbs
7gProtein
Sep 19, 2023

How can I thicken my leek and potato soup? ›

Add flour or cornflour

Put a tablespoon of either into a small bowl and stir in 2-3 tbsp of the soup until you have a smooth mixture. Stir this back into the soup and bring it to a simmer. Cook for a few minutes to allow the starch granules to burst to thicken, and to cook out any flour flavour.

Why is leek and potato soup good for you? ›

The good news is that these soluble fibres are found in leeks, garlic and onions – all ingredients that feature in this recipe! The even better news is that the resistant starch found in potatoes is another good source of fuel for gut microbes, so it's an all-around gut-loving winner.

Why does my leek and potato soup taste bitter? ›

Why does my leek and potato soup taste bitter? A bitter taste in your leek and potato soup could come from a few possible sources. One common cause is overcooked or burnt leeks. Leeks, like onions, can become bitter if they're cooked for too long or at too high a heat.

What protein to eat with potato leek soup? ›

Generally this is bacon or ham. It sounds like your asking for a side dish for soup which would generally be some type of pickle. But your asking for protein.

Are leeks high in protein? ›

One cup of raw leeks contains 54 calories, 13g of carbohydrates, 1g of protein, 2g of dietary fiber, and no dietary fat. Leeks are high in vitamin A (one cup offers 30% of your daily requirement), and they're a good source of vitamin C, vitamin K, and vitamin B6, as well as the minerals iron and manganese.

Why is my potato leek soup gummy? ›

Why is my potato leek soup gummy? Potatoes should be diced in similar size so they cook evenly, but don't drive yourself crazy getting them teeny-tiny. If they're too small, you risk the potatoes releasing too much starch, which can make the soup gummy when pureed.

Why is my potato leek soup bland? ›

If your soup tastes anything but super flavorful, you likely just need to add more salt! Toppings like fresh herbs (I like chives and thyme), croutons, bacon, or cheese help, but this soup should be flavorful on its own and salt should be the first thing you add if your soup tastes bland.

Is it better to thicken soup with flour or cornstarch? ›

The most classic and surefire way to thicken a broth-based soup is with a cornstarch slurry. Whisk together equal parts cornstarch (or arrowroot) and water or broth, then whisk it into the pot of soup. A good ratio to get to a pleasant thickness without your soup tasting goopy or heavy is one tablespoon.

Is it OK to eat leeks everyday? ›

Leeks are a healthy food and, like most foods, can be eaten in moderation as part of a balanced diet. Eating large amounts of leeks, however, can have some negative effects. First, leeks are high in fiber and can cause digestive discomfort, bloating, and gas if consumed in large amounts.

Are leeks anti inflammatory? ›

Leeks have a variety of biological active effects, such as anti-cancer, anti-inflammation, anti-obesity, anti-oxidation and anti-bacteria, but the action mechanisms of these biological effects are still unclear.

Are leeks healthier than onions? ›

Nutrition. In terms of what's good for you, both leeks and green onions have tons of vitamins and nutrients, but overall, leeks are more nutrient dense, with more fiber, and much more of manganese, Vitamin K, Beta Carotene & Iron.

How do you fix gluey potato leek soup? ›

It turns out, then, that contrary to internet opinion, it is possible to redeem your potato leek soup if somehow it becomes gluey. Ladle some into a freezer bag, freeze it flat, thaw it, and pour off the water.

Why is my potato leek soup green? ›

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the green part of a leek and is in fact, even more flavoursome than the white part. Adding the green part of the leek to leek and potato soup will therefore add more flavour AND make your soup a wonderfully vivid, bright green colour!

Why has my potato and leek soup gone brown? ›

It looks as though some of your potatoes might have got a bit scorched. Did you fry them off before adding the liquid? The colour from the browned potatoes could be what is turning it brown.

How much protein is in homemade potato soup? ›

Nutrition Facts
Potato Soup 1 Cup
Sugar7 g
Protein3 g
Vitamin A224 IU
13 more rows

Is leek soup good for a diet? ›

The diet leek soup is super-low in calories and contains a good amount of vitamins and fibre. It is also a natural diuretic that helps your body expel excess water.

How many grams of protein are in potato soup? ›

Nutrition Information
NutrientsAmount
Protein9 g
Vitamin D1 mcg
Calcium176 mg
Iron2 mg
10 more rows

How much protein is in a bowl of potato soup? ›

1 Serving of bowl of potato soup contains 620 Calories, 17 grams of carbs, 9 grams of protein, and 58 grams of fat. This is a good source of proteins (16% of your Daily Value).

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