Potato Leek Soup with Crispy Bacon
Estimated $8.35 recipe · $4.17 per serving (US / USD)
Silky smooth potato and leek soup with a splash of cream, finished with crispy bacon and chives.
The recipe
Potato Leek Soup with Crispy Bacon
Silky smooth potato and leek soup with a splash of cream, finished with crispy bacon and chives.
Ingredients
- 3 large leeks, white and light green parts only, sliced
- 400g floury potatoes (Maris Piper or King Edward), peeled and diced
- 4 rashers smoked back bacon
- 700ml chicken or vegetable stock
- 100ml single cream or crème fraîche
- 2 garlic cloves, sliced
- 1 tbsp butter
- Small bunch chives, finely chopped
- Salt and white pepper
Estimated recipe cost
$8.35 for 2 servings · $4.17 per serving
US grocery planning estimate in USD. Includes the amounts used from the listed ingredients, including pantry items. Prices and portion weights vary.
Ingredient-by-ingredient breakdown
| Ingredient & price basis | Cost used |
|---|---|
| 3 large leeks, white and light green parts only, slicedPlanning assumption · $2.00 / 300 g · Assumes 150 g per item/portion | $3.00 |
| 400g floury potatoes (Maris Piper or King Edward), peeled and dicedPlanning assumption · $3.00 / 2268 g · Uses 400g | $0.53 |
| 4 rashers smoked back baconPlanning assumption · $4.00 / 227 g · Assumes 25 g per item | $1.76 |
| 700ml chicken or vegetable stockPlanning assumption · $1.50 / 946 ml · Uses 700ml | $1.11 |
| 100ml single cream or crème fraîchePlanning assumption · $3.00 / 473 ml · Uses 100ml | $0.63 |
| 2 garlic cloves, slicedRetail benchmark · $0.72 / 30 g · Retail reference · Assumes 3 g per item/portion | $0.14 |
| 1 tbsp butterRetail benchmark · $3.06 / 454 g · Retail reference · 1 tbsp ≈ 14.2g | $0.10 |
| Small bunch chives, finely choppedPlanning assumption · $1.00 / 28 g · Assumes 28 g per item/portion | $1.00 |
| Salt and white pepperPlanning assumption · $0.08 / 1 portion · Unspecified amount: assumes 1 portion | $0.08 |
| Estimated total | $8.35 |
Retail references are representative products, not quotes for every variety. Other prices are editorial planning assumptions. Checked 9 October 2026; these are not live prices.
Price bases and quantity assumptions refer to the original recipe. Unspecified quantities use the assumptions shown above. Listed optional ingredients are included. Unlisted sides, extra seasoning, tax, energy and delivery are excluded. Buying full packages will cost more.
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the leeks and a pinch of salt. Cook gently for 10 min, stirring often, until completely soft and collapsed but not coloured.
- Add the garlic and cook 1 min. Add the diced potatoes and pour over the stock. Bring to a boil, then simmer uncovered for 15–18 min until the potatoes are completely tender when pierced with a knife.
- While the soup cooks, cut the bacon rashers into small lardons. Fry in a dry non-stick pan over medium-high heat for 4–5 min until crispy. Drain on kitchen paper.
- Remove the soup from heat and blitz with a stick blender until completely smooth. Add the cream, stir, and taste — season generously with salt and white pepper.
- Ladle into bowls, swirl in a little extra cream if you like, scatter over the crispy bacon lardons and chopped chives.
Recipe notes
The key to a silky soup is cooking the leeks very gently without browning them first — it takes patience but gives a sweet, delicate base. Don't rush this step.
Estimated nutrition per serving
450 kcal · 18g protein. Values are estimates and vary with brands, substitutions and portions.
Recipe images may be AI-generated illustrations. Nutrition figures are estimates.