Homemade soup will be 'instantly creamier and tastier'' if you add 1 simple ingredient

Homemade soup is a popular comfort food in the UK, especially during the colder months. British households often prepare warming soups like leek and potato, carrot and coriander, or butternut squash using fresh, seasonal ingredients.

These soups are simple to make, nutritious, and can be adapted to suit different tastes or dietary needs. Whether cooked on the hob or in a soup maker, they offer a wholesome and satisfying meal, often served with crusty bread for extra comfort. A food expert has shared adding one simple ingredient which will elevate the taste of the soup.

According toallrecipes, adding leeks to the soup will add a different texture to the soup. She shared: "In my quest to find the best soup recipes, I discovered there are a few secret (and not so secret) ingredients that can help make any recipe taste just that much better.

"But none is easier and more game-changing than a simple ingredient swap in any soup base that makes all the difference in the final product. Here's why you need to be adding leeks to your next soup."

She added: "Anything you can do, I can do better." That's what I imagine leeks sing to onions as they sit side-by-side in the produce section.

"And yet, they are largely overlooked. Like onions, shallots, and garlic, leeks are a member of the allium family, but their flavor is more delicate and slightly sweet than onions or green onions. But the real difference is their texture."

A simple way to cook with leeks is to use them in a mirepoix-a mix of carrot, celery, and onion that forms the base of many soups and dishes.

You can replace the onion with leeks or use both. Start by gently sautéing leeks in butter or olive oil until they soften and caramelize.

Then, either continue with your recipe or save the leeks to add to another dish. Their soft texture makes them perfect for creamy soups like potato leek or butternut squash.

According to the experts, when cooking leeks, use the soft white and light green parts. Thin slices cook quickly and caramelize nicely. Unlike onions or shallots, leeks are less fibrous and blend smoothly into dishes, adding a mild, garlicky flavour without the sharpness of onions.