Instant Pot Potato Leek Soup is a smooth and creamy homemade soup from potatoes, leeks, carrots and cream. Recipe directions for stove top and slow cooker are included.
1 ½poundsrusset or yellow potatoespeeled and diced
⅓cupcarrots diced
2-3sprigsfresh thyme
2garlic clovesminced
1large bay leaf
1teaspoonSea or Kosher salt
½teaspoonfresh ground black pepper
5cupsvegetable broth or low sodium chicken broth
⅓cupheavy cream
¼cupsour cream
2tablespoonsfresh lemon juice***optional
Instructions
To prepare the leek, chop off the green leaves. You only want the trunk area that is white and light green. Also cut off the end of the stalk where the root hairs are.
Once you have removed the excess leek, cut the trunks in half long ways and rinse with water. Leeks are grown in sandy soil and are very gritty.
Place the half sliced trunks down and thin slice into half-moons. Soak the leeks in cold water and tussel them around to allow sandy grit to fall to the bottom of the bowl. A salad spinner can make the job of rinsing them easier.
In the instant pot, place the butter and set to sauté mode. Once butter has melted, add the leeks, carrots and thyme. Sauté the vegetables for 5 minutes.
Add the minced garlic, bay, salt and pepper to the sauté and add the broth and cream. Add Potatoes and submerge them.
Seal the lid and pressure valve and cook on high pressure for 20 minutes. Manually Release pressure.
Pour soup into a blender or insert immersion blender wand. Fish out bay and thyme stems, then blend until the soup is smooth and creamy. Add sour cream and stir it in. This is also when you would add lemon if you want a little more tang.
Serve with topping of choice.
Notes
Stove Top
In a Dutch oven or large stock pot. Saute leeks and carrots, then add your liquids as above. Cook over medium high heat until it just starts to boil, then reduce and simmer for 30 minutes. Blend and add sour cream.
Slow Cooker
Steps will all be the same, though if your slow cooker doesn't have a saute function you will need to do that step in a large skillet.Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.