A velvety, classic French watercress soup that's fresh, elegant, and ready in under 40 minutes. This upgraded recipe includes expert tips, substitutions, wine pairings, storage notes, and everything you need to make the best watercress soup at home. After making this tasty soup, try these: Garlic Lovers Soup, Creamy Celery Soup, or Smooth Pumpkin Soup.
🔍 Quick Look: Crème Fraîche Recipe
- ⏱️ Prep Time: 12 minutes
- 🕒 Total Time: 40 minutes
- 👥 Servings: 6
- 📊 Calories: ~309 kcal per serving (based on nutrition panel)
- 🔥 Cook Method: Stove top
- 👩🍳 Flavor Profile: Vibrant, bold, fresh, peppery flavor that mellows with cooking.
- ⭐ Difficulty: Easy: With step-by-step instructions.
SUMMARIZE & SAVE THIS CONTENT ON
The French make the most of this nutritious leafy green vegetable, as watercress is so versatile and the French include it in many salad dishes, quiches, soups, and dressings.
This recipe is for a very easy version of this soup and is an everyday occasion in French households.
Basically, it is similar to the recipe for leek and potato soup, but a great big bunch of watercress is added to make a wonderful, green and healthy choice for family meals, and of course, it goes without saying, it is bound to impress everyone if you are entertaining.
So, follow the recipe for the leek and potato soup, I have also included it below for your convenience, and include the watercress.
The recipe originally gives water as the basis for stock, but here I would go all out for a good chicken stock, as it is just heavenly with the flavor of a good stock.
You can, if you prefer, use a good vegetable stock, but if you have a good chicken stock ready or in the freezer made from traditional methods, use this as your first choice.
Another method is to use a chicken stock made when you poach a chicken. You have a good meal from the poached chicken, then the next day the stock can be used in dishes such as this watercress soup.
It is really very easy and gives you some very good nutritious meals all from one chicken!
📖 Recipe
Creamy French Watercress Soup
Equipment
- Large soup pot
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Wooden spoon
- Blender (immersion or countertop)
- Ladle
- Fine mesh strainer (optional for extra-smooth texture)
Ingredients
- 3 cups potatoes 1 lb/450 gm
- 4 cups leeks 1 lb/450 gm
- ⅓ cup butter 3 oz/75 gm
- 1½ cups chicken stock ¾ pints water
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup cream or 1 cup half-and-half
- A big bunch of fresh watercress
- Salt and pepper to taste
- A few sprigs watercress to garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the potatoes by peeling and cutting them into small pieces.
- Clean and prepare the leeks, cutting into ½ inch (1cm) lengths.
- Chop the watercress finely after rinsing under running water.
- Melt the butter in a heavy-bottomed pan large enough to hold all the ingredients.
- Sauté leeks in butter until soft, 5-6 minutes.
- Add the water or stock, potatoes, watercress, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Cover and bring to a boil.
- Reduce to medium-low and cook until potatoes are done, 10-12 minutes.
- Blend in a liquidiser or blender, or use a stick blender in the pot.
- Return to the pan if using blender, and add milk and cream slowly, stirring well.
- Heat up without boiling, then reduce to simmer for a few minutes before serving.
- Garnish with sprigs of fresh watercress and serve with croutons or your favourite bread.
Notes
Substitutions
- Watercress: Swap with spinach and a handful of arugula for pepperiness.
- Potatoes: Use cauliflower for a lighter, low‑carb version.
- Butter: Olive oil for a dairy‑free soup.
- Cream: Coconut milk for a vegan twist (it adds a subtle sweetness).
- Stock: Bone broth for extra richness.
Expert Chef Tips
- Add the watercress at the very end to keep the soup bright green.
- Blend longer than you think - silky is the goal.
- Taste before serving; watercress varies in pepperiness.
- A drizzle of herb oil or crème fraîche makes it luxurious.
Nutrition
Judith says
A beautiful, creamy, French soup for all to enjoy for any occasion. It is easy to make with ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen. Enjoy this soup soon! °❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･