Description
Creamy Cauliflower and Leek Soup with Crispy Bacon is a comforting and indulgent dish featuring tender cauliflower and mellow leeks blended into a velvety smooth soup, enhanced by crispy smoky bacon bits. Perfect as a cozy weeknight meal or an impressive starter, this recipe balances creamy texture with rich, savory flavors and is easy to customize to dietary preferences.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 1 medium head cauliflower, chopped into small florets
- 2 large leeks, trimmed, sliced, and cleaned
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
Meat
- 6 slices bacon, cut into bite-sized pieces
Liquids & Dairy
- 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream or milk (for dairy-free use coconut milk or cashew cream)
Other
- 2 tablespoons butter or olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Trim and slice the leeks carefully to remove any grit by rinsing them under running water. Chop the cauliflower into small florets. Mince the garlic cloves and slice the bacon into bite-sized pieces for even cooking.
- Cook the Bacon Until Crispy: In a large pot or skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon and set aside on paper towels to drain excess fat, but keep the rendered bacon fat in the pot for added flavor in the next steps.
- Sauté Leeks and Garlic: Add butter or olive oil to the bacon fat. Sauté the leeks and garlic in the pot over medium heat until they become soft and fragrant, about 5 to 7 minutes. This step develops a mild sweetness and aroma that is essential to the soup’s flavor.
- Simmer Cauliflower and Broth: Add the cauliflower florets to the pot. Pour in the vegetable or chicken broth, bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat. Cover and let it simmer until the cauliflower is tender, approximately 15 minutes.
- Blend Until Smooth: Carefully transfer the soup to a blender, or use an immersion blender directly in the pot. Blend until the soup achieves a velvety smooth consistency, which is key to its creamy comfort.
- Stir in Cream and Crispy Bacon: Return the blended soup to low heat. Stir in the heavy cream or milk gradually, seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Fold in most of the crispy bacon pieces, reserving a few for garnish.
Notes
- Use fresh leeks and rinse thoroughly to avoid grit in the soup.
- Do not discard the bacon fat; cooking leeks in it adds depth and richness to the soup.
- If using a standard blender, blend the soup in small batches to prevent spills and ensure smooth texture.
- Adjust the amount of cream gradually to get the desired soup thickness.
- Add crispy bacon after blending to retain its satisfying crunch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: cauliflower soup, leek soup, creamy soup, bacon soup, comfort food, gluten free, easy soup, creamy cauliflower leek soup