The classic potato and leek combination with the added sweetness of roasted beets. Potato & Leek Soup with Roasted Beets is earthy, savoury and oh so pretty to look at.
During our last few wonderful visits to the Farmer’s Market, all the wonderful veggies that were available made it so easy to create yummy dishes in the kitchen. I love root vegetables in the fall and winter…and when I saw these HUGE leeks, I immediately scooped them up and knew turning them into soup was my plan.
I love leek and potato soup, but then I found these gorgeous gold beets (along with regular red ones) and thought…hmmm I will make Potato & Leek Soup with Roasted Beets!
Roasting beets is so easy and it really brings out their natural sweetness. I cannot ever find gold beets in the grocery store, so I try to get my fill during market season. Great for salads, side dishes…and my soup, roasted beets happen to find their way into my kitchen quite often.
If you have never roasted beets before you might be surprised at how simple it is. Wash the beets and trim the ends off. No peeling, just wrap them in foil and bake them for about 90 minutes at 425º F. NOTE: Be sure to place them on a dish as they may leak and you don’t want that mess in your oven. When they are done to your liking, unwrap and cool for a few minutes…then easily peel the skins off and they are ready to use in your favourite dishes. I use some latex gloves during the peeling process to avoid the “red” hands!!
While your beets are roasting away, go ahead and make the soup. This is a simple soup to prepare and makes great leftovers. Thinly slice the leeks and sauté them in a heavy bottomed pot. I used bacon flavoured olive oil, but the choice is yours. Sauté for about 10 minutes or until softened. I seasoned my leeks with Silk Road Scarborough Fair seasoning….if you haven’t tried their wonderful spices treat yourself…they are awesome!!
Next I added the peeled and diced potatoes to the leeks and seasoned with some dried Silk Road Chervil. To this mixture I then added chicken stock, brought everything to a boil, then reduced the heat and simmered for about 40 minutes till the potatoes were fork tender.
When the soup was done I removed a some of the chunks of potato with a slotted spoon into a bowl. I love the texture that the chunks give. Then I used my immersion blender and puréed the remaining soup into a nice smooth consistency. At this point if you want a thicker soup, return it to the heat and thicken with a bit of cornstarch/water combo. Add the chunks back into the pot.
When you are ready to serve, get your wonderful roasted beets and dice up a few. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with the beets. Stir…isn’t it so pretty!! Enjoy your wonderful soup!!
Looking for other awesome soup recipes…here are a few:
Potato & Leek Soup with Roasted Beets
Ingredients
- 2 pounds beets (roasted)
- 1 pound leeks (sliced)
- 3 pounds potatoes (peeled and diced)
- Oil for cooking (I used bacon flavoured olive oil)
- 8 cups chicken broth
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 1 tsp Scarborough Fair seasoning
- 1/2 tsp dried Chervil
- Cornstarch (to thicken)
Instructions
To roast the Beets:
- Heat oven to 425º F.
- Wash beets, trim ends (do not peel) and wrap in foil.
- Place on baking dish and roast for about 90 minutes.
- Open, cool slightly and easily peel the skin off.
For the Soup:
- Heat oil in a heavy bottomed pot and sauté for about 10 minutes. Add your seasonings (salt, pepper, and Scarborough Fair).
- Add the diced potatoes, chevril and chicken stock.
- Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 40 minutes, or until potatoes are fork tender.
- When soup is done, remove a few ladles of the potato chunks in a bowl.
- Purée remaining soup with an immersion blender.
- If you want a thicker soup, return to heat and use a cornstarch/water mixture to thicken.
- Return potato chunks to the pot.
- Ladle soup into a bowl and garnish with some of the diced roasted beets.
- ENJOY!!
Notes
Mom's Pea Soup with Ham
Creamy Multiple Mushroom Soup
Marisa Franca
What a great sounding soup and this would be ideal the minute the temperature turns cool again. Potatoes and leeks are a classic combination and for aa reason — they taste fantastic in combination. I like the addition of roasted beets to the beautiful silky smooth soup. A recipe that deserves high points for goodness.
Homemade & Yummy
Thanks so much. It is a delicious soup for sure….and pretty too. Love when I can get some of the gold beets at the market.
Tiffany C.
I definitely need to give this a try. I’m wanting to introduce my children to new flavors and veggies they don’t normally eat.
Chef G
This would be a great start for sure. Good luck!!
Cynthia L
It is still chilly enough where I live to enjoy a great bowl of soup. I love leeks and so I think this soup could become a favorite.
Chef G
Hope you enjoy it!!
Censie
I make a leek soup too but I have never added beets. Looks like a great soup I will be trying this next time Ipick up some leeks.
Chef G
The beets add a nice touch!!
Lory
Thanks for sharing. I have always loved potato soup. This looks great. I would probably skip the beets because of a bad experience with them as a child. 😉
Lory
Chef G
You can certainly make them without….it would still be delicious!!
A GEEK DADDY
I love potato & leek soup but never have been a big fan of beets. After reading through your post though I’m going to give the beets a try 🙂
Chef G
The beets work really well in this soup.
Scott
My mom used to make a killer potato and leek soup when I was growing up. Never saw it with beets though – love the color it makes!
Chef G
Beets were an experiment that worked really well. It does make a beautiful colour.
dixya @ food, pleasure, and health
i have started to love beets an adding it to soup is a great idea!
Chef G
Thanks, they really do work well in the soup.
Oana@AdoreFoods
Potato and leek soup is my favorite soup! I could use a big bowl today, as it is so cold over here 🙂 Loving the beets addition…sounds even yummier 🙂
Chef G
Well thanks, and the beets work great in the soup.
Shadi
I love how smooth and creamy this soup looks!
Chef G
Thanks
Chris @ SimpleFood365
It is a great time of year for a rich and hearty soup and potato and leak soup is just that. Adding beets is a great option and the color is just perfect for Valentine’s Day!
Chef G
Thanks…it is a nice soup for sure.
Florentina
I love potato and leek soup. Never added beets to it before, sounds so interesting, I’ll have to give it a try this way.
Chef G
Hope you do. The beets really go well with the soup.
Sandi (@fearless_dining)
Such a pretty color for Valentines 🙂
Chef G
Yes I would have to agree with you. Thanks for stopping by.
Autumn @Mamachallenge
That looks like a great soup! I have not had a beet soup before, but I want to try it!
Chef G
Please enjoy!!
Tonya C
I love all kinds of soups , I cant wait to try this soon! Looks delicious!
Chef G
Thank you, we like it a lot.