Vichyssoise(French Tradition Made Easy With Instant Potatoes)

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves: 4 Cuisine: French

Vichyssoise is a classic chilled French leek and potato soup, featuring creamy textures and subtle onion flavors, perfect for elegant starters or light summer meals.

Be the first to rate this recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 small onion, grated
  • 3 chicken bouillon cubes or 3 tsp. instant chicken bouillon
  • 1 c. water
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 2 c. milk
  • 1 1/4 c. instant mashed potato puffs (dry)
  • 1 c. light cream (20%)
  • snipped chives or watercress

Instructions

  1. Combine grated onion, chicken bouillon cubes, water, and salt in a large saucepan.
  2. Heat to boiling over medium heat.
  3. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for about 10 minutes.
  4. Remove from heat.
  5. Add 1/2 cup of milk. Stir in dry instant mashed potato puffs; whip with a fork until fluffy.
  6. Gradually stir in remaining 1 1/2 cups milk; heat just to boiling.
  7. Cover and chill thoroughly before serving, garnished with snipped chives or watercress.

Tips & Substitutions

For a richer flavor, consider using homemade chicken stock instead of water and bouillon. If you're out of instant mashed potato puffs, you can substitute with regular instant mashed potatoes, adjusting the quantity according to package instructions. To enhance the dish, try adding a pinch of nutmeg or garlic powder. For a lighter version, replace light cream with half-and-half.

Serving Suggestions

Serve vichyssoise in chilled bowls, garnished with snipped chives or watercress for a fresh touch. This creamy soup pairs beautifully with a crusty baguette or a light salad. For a complete meal, consider serving it alongside Poulet Cordon Bleu, which complements the soup's flavors nicely.

Storage & Reheating

Store any leftover vichyssoise in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, do so gently on the stove over low heat, stirring frequently to prevent separation. You can also serve it cold straight from the fridge, as this dish is traditionally enjoyed chilled.

Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)

Each serving of Vichyssoise(French Tradition Made Easy With Instant Potatoes) contains roughly 958 calories, with 26g protein, 149g carbohydrates, and 33g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (462% of the Daily Value), vitamin A (261% of the Daily Value), and iron (111% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin D. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2251mg per serving (98% of the Daily Value).

958 kcal 48% DV
Protein Fat Carbs

Macronutrients

Protein 26.1g 52% DV
Total Fat 33.1g 42% DV
Carbs 149.3g 54% DV
Fiber 17.5g 63% DV
Sugar 62.1g 100% DV

Electrolytes

Sodium 2251.4mg 98% DV
Potassium 2267.6mg 48% DV
Cholesterol 34mg 11% DV

Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamin A 2347.4mcg 100% DV
Vitamin C 416.2mg 100% DV
Vitamin D 2mcg 10% DV
Calcium 1087.4mg 84% DV
Iron 20mg 100% DV
Diet fit High-protein High-fiber
Contains Milk

Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.

* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this recipe vegan?

Yes, you can make a vegan version by substituting vegetable bouillon for chicken bouillon, using plant-based milk, and omitting the cream. Instant mashed potatoes are typically vegan, but always check the label to ensure there are no dairy additives.

How can I adjust the thickness of the soup?

To adjust the thickness, you can add more instant mashed potato puffs to thicken or additional milk to thin out the soup. Start with small increments and stir until you reach your desired consistency.

Can I freeze vichyssoise?

While it's best enjoyed fresh, you can freeze vichyssoise. However, the texture may change upon thawing. To freeze, cool completely, then store in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator and reheat gently before serving.

Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).

Chicken recipes → Dairy recipes → All recipes →