Make Ahead

Red Potato and Leek Soup with Bacon

January 12, 2018
4
7 Ratings
Photo by Rocky Luten
  • Serves 4 to 6
Author Notes

With waxy white flesh, ruby skins, and a slightly sweet flavor, red potatoes impart a subtle earthiness to this one-pot winter chowder while retaining their shape and creamy texture. Depending on your preferences, thawed frozen peas or corn can be added at the end of cooking for an extra pop of color and flavor. —Judy Haubert

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Ingredients
  • 8 strips thick-cut bacon (about 12 ounces), diced
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium leek, white and light green parts only, thinly sliced
  • 3 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups chicken stock
  • 2 cups half-and-half
  • pounds medium red potatoes (about 6), scrubbed and cut into ½-inch cubes
  • ½ cups frozen peas, thawed (optional)
Directions
  1. Cook the bacon in a large stockpot or dutch oven over medium heat until browned and crispy, 13 to 15 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove half the bacon and transfer to a paper towel-lined bowl; set aside. Drain off excess bacon fat from pot, leaving 1 tablespoon.
  2. Melt butter in remaining bacon fat and add garlic and leek. Cook until slightly softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in thyme and bay leaf and cook until thyme is fragrant, about 1 minute more. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Sprinkle flour over vegetable mixture and stir to combine. Cook 2 to 3 minutes until flour is no longer raw.
  3. Gradually whisk in stock and half-and-half. Add potatoes and bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, until chowder is thickened and potatoes are tender when pierced with a knife, 20 to 25 minutes. Stir in peas, if desired, and season to taste. Ladle chowder into individual bowls and garnish with reserved bacon.

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1 Review

Robin K. January 1, 2024
This soup was banging. I used slightly less bacon, 1 cup heavy cream that I needed to use up and 1 cup oat milk. Still rich and delicious.