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Creamy Slow Cooker Potato Leek Soup with Smoked Cheddar

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A comforting and creamy slow cooker potato leek soup enriched with smoky cheddar cheese, perfect for cozy autumn evenings. This easy recipe uses simple ingredients and slow cooking to develop deep, mellow flavors.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 3 large leeks, cleaned and sliced thin (white and pale green parts only)
  • 6 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 ½ cups shredded medium-smoked cheddar cheese (about 170 g)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 cup heavy cream (240 ml)
  • 2 teaspoons fresh thyme, chopped (or dried)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: pinch of smoked paprika or cayenne pepper

Instructions

  1. Rinse the leeks thoroughly to remove grit. Slice thinly using only the white and pale green parts. Peel and dice the potatoes into roughly 1-inch cubes.
  2. Add diced potatoes, sliced leeks, minced garlic, and fresh thyme to the slow cooker. Pour in the 6 cups of broth and dot the top with butter. Season lightly with about 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper. Stir gently to combine.
  3. Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours until potatoes are tender.
  4. Remove about half of the soup and puree it using an immersion blender or regular blender until smooth and creamy. Return the puree to the slow cooker and stir to combine.
  5. Stir in the shredded smoked cheddar and heavy cream. Cover and cook on low for another 15 to 20 minutes until the cheese melts and the soup is heated through.
  6. Taste and adjust seasoning with extra salt, pepper, or a pinch of smoked paprika if desired.
  7. Serve warm, garnished with fresh thyme sprigs or extra shredded smoked cheddar if desired.

Notes

If soup is too thick after blending, stir in a splash of broth or water to loosen. If too thin, cook uncovered for 10 minutes to reduce. Use medium-smoked cheddar for balanced flavor. Blend only half the soup for best texture. For dairy-free, swap cream with coconut cream and butter with vegan butter. Freeze without cream and add fresh when reheating.

Nutrition

Keywords: potato leek soup, slow cooker soup, creamy soup, smoked cheddar, comfort food, easy soup recipe, autumn soup

Find it online: https://sofiaspice.com/creamy-slow-cooker-potato-leek-soup-with-smoked-cheddar-easy-recipe/