Instant Pot Potato Leek Soup

My family enjoys comfort food year-round, not just during cold weather. This Instant Pot Potato Leek Soup is a simple recipe that comes together quickly.

It’s smooth, has a creamy texture and mild flavor, so it’s kid and adult-friendly. Best of all, everything is made in one pot, so cleanup is easy.

After making it the first time, you’ll see why everyone says pressure cooking is the best way to make soup!

Ingredients

• ¼ cup of unsalted butter
• 4 large leeks
• 6 cloves of minced garlic
• 3 pounds of cubed white potatoes
• 3 pints of chicken stock
• 2 bay leaves
• 1-2 sprigs of fresh thyme
• 1 ½ teaspoons of sea salt
• ½ teaspoon of black pepper
• 2 teaspoons of garlic powder
• 2 cups of heavy cream
• Sliced chives or green onions

By the Numbers: How to Make Instant Pot Potato Leek Soup

Follow these simple step by step instructions to learn how to make the best Potato Leek Soup in the Instant Pot.

Step 1: Melt Butter.

The first thing you want to do is to add ¼ cup unsalted butter to your Instant Pot, then press the Saute function button and let the butter melt.

Step 2: Saute Leeks and Garlic.

Once the butter is melted, add the white and light green sections of 4 leeks that have been sliced and 6 cloves of minced garlic to the Instant Pot. Saute your ingredients, stirring frequently, until its softens. It usually takes 8-10 minutes.

Step 3: Add Remaining Ingredients Except Cream.

Next, add the rest of the ingredients to the Instant Pot except for the heavy cream, including 3 pints of chicken stock; 2 bay leaves; 1-2 sprigs of fresh thyme; 1 ½ teaspoons of sea salt; ½ teaspoon of black pepper and 2 teaspoons of garlic powder. Stir until well combined.

Step 4: Pressure Cook Soup.

Place the lid on your Instant Pot, close lid, make sure the pressure valve is in the sealing position, then press the Soup mode or Pressure Cook button to cook on High Pressure for 15 minutes. Once the cook time is up, allow for a natural release of pressure for 15-20 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure. Once the pressure has dissipated, remove the lid from the Instant Pot. Press the Cancel button, then take the thyme stems and bay leaves out of the pan and discard.

Step 5: Blend Soup.

Use an immersion blender to puree your Instant Pot Potato Leek Soup. Once it’s a nice, smooth soup, stir in heavy cream and turn the Instant Pot back onto Saute mode. Allow the soup to come to a gentle simmer, stirring constantly so it won’t scorch to the bottom of the pot.

Step 6: Adjust Spices and Serve.

If it’s too thin, allow it too cook down a bit. If it’s too thick, you can add more chicken stock or heavy cream. Taste and adjust spices, if necessary. Serve garnished with chives.

Tips for Making Instant Pot Potato Leek Soup

1. How to clean leeks?

Leeks usually have lots of dirt between the layers that needs to be cleaned really well, even the ones you get at the grocery store. There are a couple of ways to clean them. You can clean them whole or chopped up and placed in a strainer under running water (see leek cleaning instructions).

2. Substitutes for butter?

You can use pretty much any cooking oil in place of butter. My recommended substitute is extra virgin olive oil.

3. Can I use Yukon Gold potatoes?

Yukon Gold potatoes are amazing (that’s what we use to make creamy mashed potatoes) and they work well in this soup since they have a similar starch content to white potatoes.

Russet potatoes, on the other hand, tend to absorb about twice as much liquid as white or gold potatoes. So if you use them, you may need to add more chicken broth.

4. How to thicken the soup?

If your classic potato leek soup is thinner than expected, you can slowly cook off some of the liquid on the Warm setting or you can add a cornstarch slurry and whisk until it thickens.

5. Can I make this in a slow cooker?

Yes, simply follow the Instant Pot instructions for preparing the soup, but instead of putting the ingredients in your electric pressure cooker, put it in your crock pot. Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4-5 hours, then remove the bay leaves and thyme stems before blending your potato soup.

6. Can I use a regular blender?

If you don’t have an immersion blender, you can use a regular blender, but be very careful when blending hot soup. You’ll want to keep the lid slightly cracked to let out the built-up steam so you don’t have hot liquid spraying all over you and your kitchen. It’s much safer to use a stick blender.

7. How to make a creamier soup?

This is already a creamy potato leek soup, but if you want it even creamier, try substituting sour cream for the heavy cream. It’ll give it slightly more tang as well as extra creaminess.

8. What toppings are good on this soup?

While this soup is absolutely amazing on its own, I like the simplicity of a few chives or green onions and maybe some parmesan cheese. You can also top it with things like bacon bits and cheddar cheese.

9. How to store leftover soup?

You can store your leftover potato leek soup right in the Instant Pot inner pan if you have the silicone lid. If not, store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

10. How to reheat potato leek soup?

You can reheat this comforting soup in the Instant Pot or on the stove top over low heat. Be sure to stir constantly so it doesn’t scorch to the bottom of the pan.

11. Can you freeze this soup?

Yes, I like to freeze it in individual meal-sized portions in the freezer for up to 3 months. Just make sure you’re using freezer-safe containers like wide-mouth pint jars.

12. More Instant Pot Soup Recipes

If you want to try another soup recipe in your Instant Pot, here are some of my favorites:

1. Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup
2. Instant Pot Spicy Bean Soup
3. Instant Pot Creamy Cauliflower Soup
4. Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
5. Instant Pot Cream of Tomato Soup

13 .Where to grocery shop online?

I love shopping online, even for groceries. While I most often order from Misfits Market, there are lots of great places to buy produce online and order meat online to make my life easier.

More Gluten Free Instant Pot Recipes