This creamy potato leek soup with skyr (no cream needed!) is a cozy, healthy, protein-packed twist on a classic comfort food.

For more easy creamy soups, check out our healthy potato soup, creamy red lentil soup, sweet potato soup, and carrot ginger soup.

Healthy potato leek soup with skyr photographed from above with bread on the side.

Wholesome Flavor With a Protein-Packed Twist

Thereโ€™s nothing more comforting than a creamy potato leek soup with skyr ๐Ÿฅฃ. This lighter version skips the heavy cream and instead uses skyr, an Icelandic cultured dairy similar to Greek yogurt but even thicker and higher in protein – and yes, you can easily replace it with Greek yogurt.

I love that this soup is not just cozy, but also protein-packed and nourishing. Thanks to the potatoes and leeks, itโ€™s a hearty, fiber-rich meal that easily supports a balanced diet and fits beautifully into Mediterranean-style eating patterns.

Louise and I often enjoy this as a simple weeknight dinner when we want something warm and filling without feeling heavy. Itโ€™s the perfect balance of comfort food leek potato soup and a healthier twist on the classic. ๐ŸŒฑ

If youโ€™re looking for a healthy potato leek soup thatโ€™s easy to make, satisfying, and delicious, this recipe will quickly become a favorite. ๐Ÿฅ”

Ingredients

Find complete ingredient list, quantities, and substitutions in the recipe box at the bottom of the page.

Ingredients for creamy potato leek soup with skyr including leeks potatoes onion and herbs.
  • Olive oil: Extra virgin olive oil gives the best flavor. Swap with avocado oil or a light drizzle of butter for richness.
  • Leeks: Sweet and mild, theyโ€™re the star of this soup. To save time, many U.S. grocery stores sell pre-washed, pre-chopped leeks. If you canโ€™t find leeks, use a mix of green onions and shallots.
  • White onion: Adds depth and aroma. Substitute yellow onion or even a couple of shallots for a milder bite.
  • Potatoes: Yukon Golds make this light creamy potato soup silky and smooth. Russets also work, or try sweet potatoes for extra natural sweetness.
  • Vegetable broth: Brings body and flavor. We usually dissolve bouillon powder in waterโ€”it makes groceries lighter and a small tub lasts for weeks. Chicken broth works too.
  • Skyr: Thick, tangy, and protein-packed. If unavailable, go for low-fat Greek yogurt for similar creaminess, or plain unsweetened yogurt for a lighter touch. Both are excellent options for a healthy potato leek soup.
  • Dried thyme: Earthy and comforting. Oregano or rosemary are great swaps, or use Italian seasoning for a blend.
  • Salt and pepper: Adjust to taste. A dash of red pepper flakes adds gentle warmth if you like spice.
  • Chives: Fresh, bright garnish. Spring onions, parsley, or dill also add freshness.

How to Make Creamy Potato Leek Soup (No Cream)

Step 1 โ€“ Prep and Sautรฉ the Vegetables

Trim the roots and dark green tops off the leeks. Slice them in half lengthwise and rinse well to remove dirt hidden between the layers. After trimming, youโ€™ll have about 1ยฝ pounds of leeks. Thinly slice them along with one large white onion.

Heat olive oil in a large pot, then sautรฉ the leeks and onion for about 5 minutes, stirring often, until soft and fragrant.

Step 1 Sliced leeks and onion cooking in olive oil for potato soup base.

Step 2 โ€“ Add Potatoes and Broth

Peel and chop the potatoes, then add them to the pot along with vegetable broth, thyme, salt, and black pepper. (We usually use bouillon powder dissolved in water instead of packaged brothโ€”it keeps groceries lighter and lasts for weeks.)

Let the soup simmer gently for 15โ€“20 minutes, until the potatoes are fork-tender. This is the base of your easy potato leek soup recipe.

Step 2 Potatoes simmering in vegetable broth with thyme and pepper in a pot.

Step 3 โ€“ Blend Until Creamy

Turn off the heat and stir in the skyr. Blend with an immersion blender right in the pot, or transfer in batches to a standing blender. Puree until you reach your desired textureโ€”completely smooth or with a few chunks left for a rustic finish.

Step 3 Blending creamy potato leek soup with skyr using an immersion blender.

Step 4 โ€“ Garnish and Serve

Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed. Ladle into bowls and top with a dollop of skyr or low-fat Greek yogurt, fresh chives or spring onions, and a drizzle of olive oil. Serve warm with crusty bread or garlic bread for dipping.

Step 4 Bowl of potato leek soup garnished with chives and a drizzle of olive oil.

Tips

  • Use pre-chopped leeks: Many U.S. grocery stores sell them already washed and sliced, making this an even quicker easy potato leek soup recipe.
  • Sautรฉ slowly: Let the leeks and onion cook gently until soft. This builds the flavor foundation for the soup.
  • Boost flavor with bouillon: Instead of packaged vegetable broth or chicken broth, we usually use bouillon powder dissolved in water. It makes groceries lighter, and a small tub lasts for weeks.
  • Choose the right potatoes: Yukon Golds give you a naturally silky texture, while Russets make a fluffier light creamy potato soup.
  • Blend to your preference: Go fully smooth for a velvety bowl, or leave some chunks for a rustic, hearty feel.
  • Finish with a tangy swirl: A dollop of skyr or low-fat Greek yogurt on top adds extra creaminess and turns this into a true healthy potato leek soup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes! This soup keeps well in the fridge for up to 4 days. The flavor even deepens overnight, making it a perfect comfort food potato soup for meal prep.

What can I use instead of skyr?

Low-fat Greek yogurt is the closest substitute, but plain unsweetened Greek yogurt or yogurt works too. Both give you a creamy finish without cream. For a more classic flavor, use half and half or heavy cream.

Can I freeze potato leek soup?

Absolutely. Let it cool, then store in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Do I need to peel the potatoes?

Not always. Yukon Golds have thin skins that blend smoothly, but if you want a very silky healthy potato leek soup, peeling is best.

Can I make it chunky instead of smooth?

Yes, just blend half the soup and leave the rest unblended for a more rustic texture.

More Easy Soup Recipes

If you tried this Creamy Potato Leek Soup with Skyr or any other recipe on our blog, please leave a ๐ŸŒŸ star rating and let us know how it goes in the comments. We love hearing from you!

Cozy bowl of creamy potato leek soup with skyr garnished with chives.

Creamy Potato Leek Soup with Skyr

5 from 16 votes
This creamy potato leek soup with skyr (no cream needed!) is cozy, protein-packed, and nourishing, giving you all the comfort of a classic soup in a lighter, healthier way.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Main Course, Soup
Cuisine: American

Ingredients 

  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 large white onion
  • 1ยฝ pounds leeks trimmed and sliced – white and light green part only
  • 1ยฝ pounds potatoes Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and chopped
  • 4 cups vegetable broth or bouillon powder dissolved in water instead
  • ยฝ teaspoon dried thyme or 3 sprigs fresh thyme
  • ยฝ cup skyr plus more for topping – sub Greek yogurt
  • ยพ teaspoon salt or more to taste + black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons chives for garnish or sub your favorite fresh herb

Instructions 

  • Cook the Leeks and Onion: Trim the roots and dark green tops from the leeks (you'll need 1ยฝ pounds leeks after trimming). Slice them in half lengthwise and rinse well to remove any dirt. Thinly slice the clean leeks and 1 large white onion.
    Heat 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil in a large pot and cook the leeks and onion for about 5 minutes, stirring often, until soft.
    Step 1 Sliced leeks and onion sauteฬing in olive oil in a large pot.
  • Add Potatoes and Broth: Peel and chop 1ยฝ pounds potatoes, then add them to the pot with 4 cups vegetable broth, ยฝ teaspoon dried thyme, ยพ teaspoon salt, and pepper. Simmer 15โ€“20 minutes, until the potatoes are tender.
    Step 2 Chopped potatoes simmering in broth with herbs in a soup pot.
  • Blend the Soup: Turn off the heat and stir in ยฝ cup skyr. Blend until creamy using an immersion blender, or carefully in batches with a regular blender.
    Step 3 Blending creamy potato leek soup with skyr using an immersion blender.
  • Finish and Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot, topped with extra skyr, black pepper, and fresh chives. Add bread on the side if you like.
    Step 4 Bowl of potato leek soup garnished with chives and a drizzle of olive oil.

Notes

Substitutions
  • Olive oil โ†’ Avocado oil or a light drizzle of butter.
  • Leeks โ†’ Pre-washed, pre-chopped leeks from the store, or a mix of green onions and shallots.
  • White onion โ†’ Yellow onion or a couple of shallots.
  • Potatoes โ†’ Yukon Golds, Russets, or sweet potatoes for extra sweetness.
  • Vegetable broth โ†’ Bouillon powder dissolved in water (our favorite trick), or chicken broth.
  • Skyr โ†’ Low-fat Greek yogurt or plain unsweetened yogurt for a lighter option.
  • Dried thyme โ†’ Oregano, rosemary, or Italian seasoning.
  • Salt and pepper โ†’ Adjust to taste, or add red pepper flakes for gentle heat.
  • Chives โ†’ Spring onions, parsley, or dill.
ย 
Tips
  • Save time with pre-chopped leeks: Many U.S. grocery stores sell them washed and sliced for a quicker easy potato leek soup recipe.
  • Cook low and slow: Sautรฉ the leeks and onion gently until soft to build a rich flavor base.
  • Use bouillon for broth: Skip packaged vegetable or chicken broth – we dissolve bouillon powder in water. Itโ€™s lighter to carry and lasts for weeks.
  • Pick the right potatoes: Yukon Golds make the soup silky, while Russets create a fluffier light creamy potato soup.
  • Blend your way: Puree until smooth for velvety texture, or leave some chunks for rustic charm.
  • Top it off: Add a swirl of skyr or low-fat Greek yogurt for extra creaminess and a healthy potato leek soup finish.
ย 
Storage
Store potato leek soup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, or freeze it for 3 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 of 4, Calories: 330kcal, Carbohydrates: 59g, Protein: 10g, Fat: 8g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Trans Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 0.4mg, Sodium: 505mg, Potassium: 1082mg, Dietary Fiber: 8g, Sugar: 11g, Vitamin A: 2926IU, Vitamin B6: 1mg, Vitamin C: 58mg, Vitamin E: 3mg, Vitamin K: 93ยตg, Calcium: 174mg, Folate: 145ยตg, Iron: 5mg, Manganese: 1mg, Magnesium: 94mg, Zinc: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment below or mention @theplantbasedschool on Instagram. We love hearing from you โญ๏ธ ๐Ÿ’š.

Nico and Louise in front of the Consolazione church in Todi

Hi! We are Nico & Louise

Weโ€™re here to share delicious, easy, and healthy plant-based recipes (vegetarian & vegan) ๐ŸŒฟโœจ.

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5 from 16 votes (5 ratings without comment)

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16 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I’ve just gotta say……AMAZING! & so YUMMY! I will definitely be making this alot over winter.. thax for the recipe ๐Ÿ˜‹