Vegan Leek and Potato Soup - A Quick Recipe for a Hearty Fall Dish (2024)

FAQs

Why is my leek and potato soup bland? ›

The reasons are usually two: you didn't season your soup at all, worrying it might be too salty because of the leeks; or you added to much water for the stock. If you follow our instructions, and taste before serving, you can easily add a little more salt and pepper to make your soup even tastier.

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.

Potato Leek Soup Serving Suggestions

I also like to add a drizzle of olive oil on top for extra richness. Jack and I often enjoy this potato and leek soup on its own, with good crusty bread, homemade focaccia, or dinner rolls on the side. If you're craving a larger meal, I recommend pairing it with a salad.

Perk up a Bland Soup With Simple Pantry Staples

Add a splash of vinegar (any kind!), or a squeeze of citrus. Chances are, you could use a little more salt. Go ahead—it's ok. Salt perks up flat flavors and helps balance out bitter-tasting ingredients.

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.

Add the leeks to the pot, lowering the heat if necessary and saute for 10-15 minutes , or until soft and translucent. Be careful not to burn the leeks, as they will impart a bitter taste to the soup. The excess liquid from cleaning the leeks should help prevent any burning.

Sear or roast your potatoes to prevent gummy soup

While you can certainly make potato soup by just chucking potato chunks into a pot of boiling water and going from there, many recipes recommend that you cook your spuds beforehand to maximize your dish's flavor.

Cornstarch. Cornstarch is a very effective thickener, and a little bit can go a long way.

Season leeks with soy, maple, sesame oil, and mirin. Top with sliced garlic and a few knobs of butter around the outside of the pan. Add just enough stock to cover leeks halfway, bring to a boil and pop into over to roast until caramelized and tender when pierced with a knife.

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.

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.

Soup can be prepared in advance and heated when required. Cool before putting in the fridge or freezing. Remember to only reheat leftovers once and to use within two days.

In addition to potatoes, you can use other starchy vegetables like carrots or parsnips to absorb excess salt. Dairy products like milk, cream, yogurt, or sour cream can help balance out the saltiness of a soup or stew.

Adding an acid like vinegar or lemon juice and incorporating fresh herbs can also help add flavor to a potato soup. While you may not need to implement all of these strategies, it's good to keep them in the back of your mind for when you realize your next pot of soup needs a flavor boost.

Cheese: I recommend a good sharp cheddar cheese here for maximum flavor. Greek yogurt or sour cream: To make the soup extra-creamy. Salt and pepper: Add in as much as you need at the end to season your soup well.

Cook your beef and vegetables in this enhanced broth and it will not be bland! Add salt and pepper to taste! If it's bland add more until it's not! Some enhancers: Add a dash of soy sauce, or Worcestershire sauce, or a spoonful of pomegranate molasses, or a spoonful of Marmite, or a bit of anchovy paste.