Julia Child's Potato Leek Soup Recipe

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Despite potatoes being my favorite vegetable, I have always been hesitant to try potato soup, as the idea of potatoes in soup seemed bland to me. However, one day I tried Julia Child’s Potato Leek Soup, which completely changed my thinking.

It took me only about an hour to prepare the soup. To my surprise, the air was filled with the aroma of the soup, and I couldn’t resist trying it. One spoonful of it, and I felt like I was in heaven. I am not exaggerating; this soup was truly that delicious.

Moreover, I was surprised to learn that this classic French soup is actually called Potage Parmentier in French. So, I took the chef’s recipe and followed it. That’s when I realized that it not only tastes delicious but is also so versatile that it can be customized in many ways.

It is prepared with simple pantry staples that are readily available year-round. Additionally, this soup freezes well, which means I can prepare it over the weekend and enjoy it on busy weekdays.

So, let’s not wait any longer and get into the recipe for this classic French soup. To help you enjoy the best version of it, I have also included a few tips and tricks that our chef shared with me to make this soup taste even better.

What's In The Post

Equipment Required

Dutch Oven: I use a Dutch oven to prepare this soup, but you can also use a stockpot.
Peeler: I prefer using a peeler to peel the potatoes, but you can also use a sharp knife.
Sharp Knife: To roughly chop the potatoes and leeks, I use a sharp knife.
Chopping Board: I usually use a wooden chopping board, but you can also use plastic or steel ones.
Immersion Blender: I prefer using an immersion blender to blend the soup, but a blender with a jar can also do the job well.
A Teaspoon: A teaspoon will be used to add the seasoning, as accurate seasoning of the soup is an important step.
Serving Soup Bowls: I usually use a dark-colored bowl to serve this soup because of its light, creamy color. However, you can use any color you like.

Chef Special Julia Child Special Potato Leek Soup

Julia Child Potato Leek Soup Ingredients and Substitutions

Note: The ingredients in this recipe will yield 6 servings. However, you can adjust the quantities of the ingredients to meet your requirements.

2 Tablespoons Canola Oil: You can also use grape seed oil as a substitute.
4 to 5 or 1 Pound of Medium Russet Potatoes: While russets are the best bet for any soup, Yukon Gold is equally good, as it provides a creamier texture.
6 Cups Vegetable Stock: I generally use chicken stock in all my soups as it enhances the taste.
Kosher Salt to taste
3 or 1 Pound of Leeks: You can also use onions as a substitute.
½ Cup of Heavy Cream: I sometimes substitute half and half and light cream for heavy cream.
1 to 2 Tablespoons (freshly squeezed) Lemon Juice: When I don’t have lemons at home, I use store-bought bottled lemon juice as a substitute.
⅓ Cup (minced) Parsley: Coriander leaves can also be used as a substitute in this recipe.
½ Cup of Crème Fraiche: You can also add sour cream or hung curd as a substitute in this recipe.

Preparation And Cooking Time

Preparation Time	Cooking Time	Total Time
15 Minutes	1 Hour 25 Minutes	1 Hour 40 Minutes

How To Make Julia Child’s Potato & Leek Soup At Home

Step 1

Take a large stock pot and put oil into it. Then heat the oil over a medium flame. Add the leek to the oil and sauté it until translucent.

Step 2

Then add evenly chopped potatoes to the pot and cook for about 8 to 12 minutes, until the vegetables start to soften and turn slightly brown. This ensures that all the pieces are cooked properly. Keep stirring the potatoes occasionally to prevent them from sticking to the bottom of your pot.

Step 3

Next, add the vegetable stock to the vegetables. Bring it to a full boil, then let it simmer for about 30 to 40 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.

Step 4

It’s time to blend the mixture. Transfer it to a blending jar and let it cool.

Step 5

Then blend the soup on medium-high speed until it turns smooth in consistency.

Step 6

Now, transfer the blended mixture back to the same stock pot and let it simmer for 25 minutes.

Julia Child Special Potato Leek Soup Step 07

Step 7

Season the potato and leek soup to taste with salt and pepper, and add minced parsley. Then add some lemon juice and cream to the soup and mix it well.

Step 8

Finally, pour the soup into your serving bowls. Garnish it with crème fraiche. Enjoy this soup with your loved ones.

Julia Child’s Potato Leek Soup Recipe Video

Expert Tips That I Recommend

If you want to prevent your soup from getting mushy, blend it until it reaches a smooth consistency. You can use an immersion blender or a high-powered blender to do the job.
I usually don’t brown the leeks too much, as they turn sweeter and make the soup taste sweet instead.
You can keep the leek greens for garnishing the soup while using only the whites for blending. I crisp up the green tops of the leeks in some oil and garnish the soup with them. It adds texture and color to the soup and enhances the flavor.
I also sometimes add buttermilk to get that extra tangy and rich flavor in the soup.
Lastly, I finish my soup with a drizzle of good-quality olive oil. You can also sprinkle smoked paprika to add a gourmet touch.

FAQs About Julia Child’s Potato Leek Soup

Why does your Julia Child’s Potato & Leek Soup taste bitter?

Leeks can taste bitter when cooked for too long on high heat. Therefore, always make sure to saute them until translucent, not more, to avoid the bitter taste.

Why is your potato and leek soup brown?

This happens when the potatoes are oxidized. You can keep them in salt water, or vinegar-added to water for a few minutes after peeling to prevent them from oxidizing.

Why is your Potato Leek Soup gluey?

There are various reasons that result in a gluey potato soup. For example, you may have used the wrong variety of potatoes, may have overcooked them, or used too much flour. You can fix a gluey potato soup by thinning it out the soup using liquids like vegetable broth, cream, or milk.

How do you fix a grainy Potato and Leek Soup?

You can add milk or cream to the soup to make your potato and leek soup less grainy.

Why has your Potato and Leek Soup curdled?

Curdling happens when a dairy product is added and exposed to heat too quickly. Therefore, when adding cream to the soup, make sure to stir and cook it over medium heat.

Why is your Potato and Leek Soup foaming?

This happens due to the chemical reaction between the potatoes and water. It is nothing to worry about, you can just discard the foam from the soup.

How do you fix a soup that is thick?

To thin the soup’s consistency, you can add a little more vegetable or chicken broth.

Nutritional Information Per Serving

Overall, the calorie intake of Julia Child’s Potato & Leek Soup is low, and it is a good source of vitamins. Therefore, it makes for a healthy soup to enjoy daily.

I have included the full nutritional profile of this recipe below for your reference.

Calories	299 kcal
Total Fat	16 g
Cholesterol	34 mg
Sodium	969 mg
Carbohydrates	37 g
Fiber	3 g
Sugar	6 g
Proteins	5 g
Calcium	82 mg
Iron	2 mg
Potassium	736 mg

Julia Child’s Potato & Leek Soup is not healthy to drink. It can also be enjoyed by people who follow vegetarian and gluten-free diets.

Homemade Healthy Julia Child Potato Leek Soup

Recipe Variations For Different Diets

Vegan Diet: People following a vegan diet can add silken tofu and soy milk instead of cream to this recipe. These little changes will make this soup vegan-friendly.
Keto-Friendly Diet: I tried this soup recipe for my friend who was on a keto diet. I used cauliflower instead of potatoes and olive oil instead of canola, and the soup was just delicious. If you are on a keto diet, then I recommend you give it a shot; you will not be disappointed.
Dairy-Free Diet: The only ingredient that makes it unsuitable for lactose intolerants is cream. Luckily, it can be easily replaced with olive oil. Also, silken tofu and soy milk will work best, just as in a vegan diet.

Storing And Reheating This Recipe

Storing

Refrigerator: Strong, this soup is pretty easy. I usually store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. This way, they stay fresh and flavorful for 4-5 days.
Freezer: Freezing is also a great way to enjoy this soup for longer. You can store it in an airtight container in the freezer, where it can last for up to 3 months. I always make sure to label the containers with the date to be on the safe side.

Reheating

Crockpot: Although this is a little time-consuming, I prefer reheating potato and leek soup using this method for get-togethers or parties, as it keeps the soup fresh and flavorful. All I do is transfer the soup to the slow cooker and let it heat on low for 1-2 hours.
Stove: Potato and leek soup also heats well on the stove. I transfer the potato and leek soup to a Dutch oven and heat it, stirring occasionally, until it is heated through.
Microwave: When I have to reheat a small serving of soup, I generally transfer it to a microwave-safe dish with a lid and microwave it for 2 minutes, pausing for 30 seconds at a time.

What To Serve With This Recipe

When I first tried this soup, it was so delicious on its own that I didn’t need anything on the side. However, with time, I developed a habit of adding toppings such as Mozzarella Sticks, bacon, croutons, and cheddar cheese. These add-ons definitely enhanced the taste of my soup.

Apart from adding the toppings to this soup, you can also serve them with many dishes. They pair well with Onion Rings, Ham and Cheese Sandwiches, Lemon Pepper Chicken, Turkey Sliders, Garlic Butter Pork, Grilled Beef, and so on.

Printable Version

Other Julia Child Recipes That You Can Try

Healthy Julia Child Potato Salad — Julia Child’s Potato Salad

Julia-Child-Hollandaise-Sauce-Recipe — Julia Child’s Potato Salad

Conclusion

The idea of having potatoes in a soup was a bit weird to me. But I aced Julia Child’s Potato and Leek Soup like a pro. Since I made it first, I have fallen in love with this soup and would suggest you try it as well.

Don’t be hesitant like I was and give this soup a shot. All you have to do is follow this recipe step by step, and you are in for a delicious treat. Once done relishing this soup, don’t forget to leave your delightful experience in the comment section below.