The Ultimate Leek Cookbook - Tips, Tricks, and Recipes (2024)

Learn everything you need to know about leeks in this ultimate guide. With a sweet onion-like flavor, leeks are an immune-boosting ingredient to add to your daily recipes. Learn how to choose fresh leeks, store them, prepare them and most importantly, the best recipes to include them in.

The Ultimate Leek Cookbook - Tips, Tricks, and Recipes (1)

As part of the garlic and onion family, leeks have a distinctive flavor that shines through in any recipe. They’re easy to grow, can be easily substituted for onion and bring a subtle elegance to any dishes they’re included in.

In fact, adding chopped leeks or topping a dish with sliced leeks immediately increases both the aesthetics and flavor. Learn more about how to incorporate this spring vegetable into your diet and brighten the color of your favorite recipes.

Nutritional Benefits Of Leeks

Leeks are wonderful because they’re both low in calories and high in nutrition. They’re a great source of:

  • Vitamins A and K
  • Folate and manganese
  • B6 vitamin

In fact, adding leeks to your diet can help improve digestion and fight inflammation.

How To Buy Leeks

Below you’ll find all the information you need to buy, store and prepare leeks. With such a vibrant green color, you may be surprised to learn that it’s the white stalks you primarily use from this spring vegetable and not the thicker green section.

When Are Leeks in Season?

The best season to purchase fresh leeks is the spring. Specifically, from March through April. Outside of that, the leeks you find at the grocery store won’t be as fresh or flavorful.

How To Choose Fresh Leeks

Similar to green onions, when you’re buying leeks, look for them to be straight, firm and bright green. Any kind of wilting or yellowness of the tops means that they’ve lost their freshness.

The smaller in diameter the leeks are, the more tender they’ll be. You’ll want to avoid stalks that are more than 1.5 inches wide for this reason.

Since the best part of a leek is the white stem, try to purchase ones with long stems so that you get the most out of this vegetable.

How To Store Leeks

Leeks can be stored as-is in the fridge for 5-10 days. Meaning, don’t wash or rinse your leeks until you’re ready to use them. Either store them in the bag you brought them home in or pop them into a container with the lid cracked.

How To Freeze Leeks

You can actually freeze your links for later use. To do this, wash your leeks to remove any dirt. Then, cut them into slices as you would use them and dry the slices lightly with a dish towel.

Store the sliced leeks in an airtight plastic bag in the freezer for 4-6 months. When you need them, use them right out of the freezer in your soups, sauces and dinners.

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How To Prepare Leeks

Before you’re ready to enjoy leeks, make sure to clean them thoroughly as they contain a lot of dirt from growing.

To clean leeks:

  1. Trim the top and bottom.
  2. Cut lengthwise down the stalk.
  3. Chop the stalks into half circles.
  4. Place the sliced leeks into a bowl of water and gently rub them with your hands to let the dirt fall off. This is best done in batches.
  5. Once the dirt settles at the bottom, get fresh water and repeat.

Check out this post onhow to cut leeksfor a more detailed step-by-step guide.

Once they’re prepped, leeks can be enjoyed pureed into soups, slow-cooked in sauce or topped on dishes to add more flavor.

Leek Varieties

There are both winter leeks and summer leeks and each one has a slightly different flavor.

Winter leeks are harvested in the beginning of spring and tend to be heartier and more flavorful.

Summer leeks will be smaller and much milder.

Frequently Asked Questions About Leeks

Do leeks taste like onion?

As part of the onion family, leeks do have a similar taste. However, they’re much milder and tend to have a slightly sweeter flavor to them.

How do you eat leeks?

Leeks can be chopped and used in sauces, soups and stews. They can be added into pasta or casseroles for extra flavor. Or, you can simply use them as a garnish on your favorite dishes for a pop of color and mild flavor.

Can you eat leeks raw?

Yes! While most recipes call for the leeks to be added into sauces, soups or casseroles, leeks can easily be eaten raw as well. They are much milder than onion so they make a great topping on salads, wraps, and other dishes.

The Best Leek Recipes

Below you’ll find some new inspiration to cook leeks. Stock up when they’re in season and check out some of the delicious recipes below to find creative and tasty ways to enjoy this spring vegetable.

The Ultimate Leek Cookbook - Tips, Tricks, and Recipes (3)

Leek Apple Cheddar Soup

This leek apple cheddar soup is sweet, creamy and topped with chopped walnuts and cranberries.

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The Ultimate Leek Cookbook - Tips, Tricks, and Recipes (4)

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Rosemary Leek Cannellini Cakes

These rosemary leek cannellini cakes make a light stand alone vegetarian meal or a great savory side dish.

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Chicken with Leeks Apples and Sun-dried Tomatoes

This chicken with leeks is cooked with apples and sun dried tomatoes. A meal fancy enough for guests but easy enough for a weeknight dinner.

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Sun Dried Tomato Leek Muffins

These paleo sun dried tomato leek muffins are made with almond and coconut flour and the perfect savory snack.

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4.50 from 4 votes

Soba Noodles with Leeks, Sweet Onions and Egg

These soba noodles with leeks, sweet onions and egg are an easy and delicious vegetarian meal.

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4.64 from 19 votes

Buckwheat Risotto with Mushrooms and Leeks

This buckwheat risotto is a hearty dish packed with flavorful mushrooms and leeks.

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Buttered Sautéed Leeks

This easy and tender buttered sautéed leeks recipe makes the perfect quick and tasty side dish when in need of both comfort and nutrition.

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Creamy Vegan Potato Leek Soup

This Vegan Potato Leek Soup is the perfect soup for those winter days when you feel like eating something comforting, healthy, and delicious.

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Smoky White Cheddar Mac and Cheese with Leeks

Smoky White Cheddar Mac and Cheese with Leeks is comfort food at its finest! You can use smoked turkey legs or leftover turkey from Thanksgiving. In just a few days we’ll be enjoying my favorite

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Fried Leek Rings and Homemade Ketchup

Fried Leek Rings and Homemade Ketchup- a fun twist on onion rings. Once you make ketchup for scratch, you may never buy again!

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Mashed Potatoes with Leeks

Mashed potatoes with sauteed leeks. If you’re looking for an easy side, it doesn’t get much simpler than this!

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Cheesy Leeks and Orzo

Let your leeks shine in this simple and quick side dish of orzo pasta, leeks, and cottage cheese.

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Vichyssoise

A creamy potato soup, flavored with leeks and white pepper. Garnish with a sprinkling of chives. Traditionally serve chilled.

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Scrambled Eggs with Leeks

Healthy Scrambled Eggs with Leeks is a delicious breakfast or easy dinner that is ready in no time! The best egg scramble loaded with leeks

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Chunky Potato Leek Soup

Prepared with fresh ingredients from scratch and a selection of spices and herbs to add wholesome flavors to this vegetable soup.

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More Spring Vegetable Guides

A Guide to Asparagus
A Guide to Radishes
A Guide to Artichokes
A Guide To Peas

Gina Matsoukas

Founder and WriteratRunning to the Kitchen|About

Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.

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The Ultimate Leek Cookbook - Tips, Tricks, and Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How do I get the most out of my leeks? ›

The most edible parts of leeks are the bottom white and light green parts because they are tender and have the most flavor. The dark green parts are technically edible but to a lesser extent because they are quite tough. If you do want to eat the dark green parts, be sure to saute them well so they soften.

Does the French leek soup diet work? ›

So, mostly, people drinking magic leek soup would be seeing a loss of water, she says, but it's true that two days of this alone would also result in some fat loss. Mantzioris says while this is similar to a fasting diet, people who subscribe to the 5:2 probably still have more kilojoules on their fasting days.

How does Gordon Ramsay cook leeks? ›

Season leeks with soy, maple, sesame oil, and mirin. Top with sliced garlic and a few knobs of butter around the outside of the pan. Add just enough stock to cover leeks halfway, bring to a boil and pop into over to roast until caramelized and tender when pierced with a knife.

What is the most popular way to eat leeks? ›

Favorite Leek Recipes
  1. On their own! Grill or roast them and enjoy them as a side dish. ...
  2. In soups. Leeks are famous for their ability to add depth to soups, stews, and stock. ...
  3. In pasta. Use leeks to deepen the flavor in my One-Pot Pasta or Vegetarian Lasagna. ...
  4. In risotto. ...
  5. With eggs. ...
  6. In stuffing. ...
  7. On pizza.

When should you not eat leeks? ›

Avoid leeks with cuts or bruises. The dark green tops of leeks should look fresh. Avoid leeks with yellowing or wilting tops. Choose smaller, younger leeks when you want to eat them uncooked.

Can you eat the dark green part of leeks? ›

Yes, you can eat the green part of leeks. While the white and light green parts are commonly used in cooking, the dark green leaves are also edible and can be used in various dishes.

Is it OK to eat leeks everyday? ›

Studies suggest that people who regularly eat leeks and other allium vegetables may have up to a 46 percent lower risk of gastric cancer than people who don't eat them, but further studies are needed to be sure. Leeks may also protect you from colorectal cancer.

Do the French really drink leek water? ›

They refer to it as "magic leek soup" that people in France make by boiling leeks, discarding the solids and drinking the remaining water. It is credited with helping French people keep a svelte shape.

What is the secret of French women's weight loss? ›

"French women don't work out; they walk," Guiliano has told WebMD. This daily physical activity is one of the reasons they tend to be thinner. Having a car in any European city is a challenge. As a result, city folks do plenty of walking, and in the country, they walk or ride bicycles.

Why do you soak leeks in water? ›

Before cooking, it's important to thoroughly wash leeks as dirt and grit often gets trapped between the layers of leaves as they grow.

Why does my leek and potato soup taste bitter? ›

Potato leek soup can taste bitter if you burn the leeks when first reducing them down in your pot. To avoid burning your leeks, stir the leeks often and reduce with butter or oil to help avoiding burning the leeks.

What flavors pair well with leeks? ›

The fried leek tops and garlic add aroma and crunch, but, if you want to avoid deep-frying, you can easily leave them out and simply serve the leeks with the salsa. They will go well with the turnip cake in Ottolenghi FLAVOUR, for example, or alongside fried tofu or roasted meats.

What meat goes well with leeks? ›

Leeks have a mild and sweet onion-like flavour that pairs well with a variety of ingredients, both sweet and savoury. Some popular options include: Dairy: Leeks pair well with butter, cream, and cheese such as Gruyere, Cheddar, and blue cheese. Meat: Leeks pair well with meats such as bacon, ham, and sausage.

Are leeks inflammatory? ›

May reduce inflammation and promote heart health

For instance, the kaempferol in leeks has anti-inflammatory properties. Kaempferol-rich foods are associated with a lower risk of heart attacks or death due to heart disease ( 10 ).

What is the secret to growing leeks? ›

Leeks prefer a deep, fertile, friable soil with plenty of organic matter. A well-drained, light-textured soil makes planting and harvesting easy and contributes to production of clean and presentable produce.

How can I make my leeks bigger? ›

Once your leeks are ready to harvest, dig the largest ones up first and leave smaller ones in the ground. A couple more weeks in the ground will enable the smaller stem to grow a bit larger.

How do you harvest leeks so they grow back? ›

Harvest leeks from loose soil by pulling them up. Pulling them out of heavy soil can injure the roots. Use a garden fork to reach under the roots and lift them from heavy clay soil. Shake the plants and brush off as much soil as possible and then rinse them thoroughly.

Should I top my leeks? ›

Your leek seedlings will grow tall and look almost similar to grass. Trim your leek seedlings to keep them around 4 inches tall to prevent the tops from falling over and breaking. Simply take a pair of scissors and trim along the tops. As the leek tops get stronger you can let them start to grow taller.

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