A cousin to onions and garlic, but with a sweeter, more subtle flavor, leeks are less brashly assertive than many of their allium cousins. As suitable as the center of a dish as it is as a supporting player, leeks are endlessly versatile. Many hearty winter soups and stocks call for leeks—what combination is more classic and comforting than creamy potato and leek?—but their subtle flavor plays just as nicely in a lighter spring soup.
First things first: check out our all-inclusive guide to buying and preparing leeks before placing them in your stockpot. Once you've made your grocery trip, it's time to get creative. Stuff them with raisins and blue cheese before roasting for a wonderfully fragranced stuffed leek recipe. Or cook the leek tops briefly for a bright onion-flavored green dish. From Swiss cheese soup to braised pork belly with leek and ginger, here are the 18 best leek recipes in our arsenal.
Crab, Spinach, and Artichoke Dip
Crab dip is made even better when mixed with artichokes and spinach and topped with crispy pepperoni and cracker crumbs. Get the recipe for Crab, Spinach, and Artichoke Dip »
Stuffed Leeks with Blue Cheese, Raisins, and Almonds
Chilled Mexican Potato and Leek Soup (Sopa de Poro y Papa)
Swiss Cheese Soup
A traditional dish enjoyed year-round in the Alps of southern Switzerland, this homey soup takes its name from the mountain huts where it’s commonly made. Typically incorporating cheeses from the region, this version is fortified with L’Etivaz (which can be found at specialty cheese shops) and heavy cream. If you can’t find L’Etivaz, substitute Gruyère instead. Get the recipe for Swiss Cheese Soup »
Braised Pork Belly with Leeks and Ginger
Awamori, a lightly sweet rice distillate, is used to blanch and cook—as well as coat—tender pork belly, resulting in a sticky, umami-rich sauce. Get the recipe for Braised Pork Belly with Leeks and Ginger »
Cold Soba with Mushroom and Leek Seiro Broth
For this deconstructed noodle soup, dip cold noodles into the hot broth, then slurp them quickly—the technique preserves the integrity of the tender, fresh noodles. Get the recipe for Cold Soba with Mushroom and Leek Seiro Broth »
Chicken with Cauliflower and Leeks in Red Wine Sauce
Cauliflower, leeks, and bay leaf infuse this chicken dish’s luscious, reduced red wine sauce with flavor. Get the recipe for Chicken with Cauliflower and Leeks in Red Wine Sauce »
Clam, Leek, and King Oyster Mushroom Foil Yaki
Clams, leeks, and king oyster mushrooms get cooked in a foil pouch that resembles a Jiffy Pop. Get the recipe for Clam, Leek, and King Oyster Mushroom Foil Yaki »
Mustard Tart
Two kinds of mustard bring bright, tangy, and savory notes to this quiche, which is full of vegetables and less heavy than the standard. Get the recipe for Mustard Tart »
Verjus-Brined Pork Chops with Marinated Leeks
These verjus-brined pork chops are accompanied by charred leeks, which are drizzled with vinaigrette and wrapped in foil before they hit the grates. Get the recipe for Verjus-Brined Pork Chops with Marinated Leeks »
Grilled Greens and Leek Tops with Chile-Garlic Sauce
When buying leeks for this dish, cookbook author Amy Thielen says to look for ones that have all or most of their dark green tops still attached. If trimmed leeks are all you can find, use the dark and light green parts only. Get the recipe for Grilled Greens and Leek Tops with Chile-Garlic Sauce »
Marinated Leeks with Herbs (Poireaux Vinaigrette)
For a simple and delicious side dish, try poaching leeks in a mustardy dressing. Get the recipe for Marinated Leeks with Herbs (Poireaux Vinaigrette) »
Leek Bread Pudding
The chewy sourdough bread cubes in this savory dish soak up custard for a creamy interior and toast to a golden brown for a crunchy topping, perfect for a slow morning. Get the recipe for Leek Bread Pudding »
Six-Onion Pizza
Top your pizza with the unexpected combination of six different types of onion, including leeks, shallots, and red onions, for a sweet-savory delight. Get the recipe for Six-Onion Pizza »
Cong Bao Rou Si (Stir-Fried Pork with Leeks)
Leek Terrine with Goat Cheese
Leek Terrine with Goat Cheese
Hummus with Pan-Seared Duck, Leeks, and Tapenade
Alon Shaya, chef at New Orleans’ Shaya, tops hummus with baroque toppings like fried eggplant, romanesco, and dates; here, he opts for serving the creamy spread with duck, leeks, and tapenade. Get the recipe for Hummus with Pan-Seared Duck, Leeks, and Tapenade »
Leek and Herb Frittata (Kuku Sabzi)
This herb-laced frittata of eggs, potatoes, and leeks is a popular Iranian side dish. Get the recipe for Leek and Herb Frittata (Kuku Sabzi) »
FAQs
Magical Leek Soup is a broth made from boiling leeks in water. It is a mild diuretic and a secret diet food for French women for generations. The practice, as written by Mireille Guiliano in her book, "French women don't get fat" is to sip the broth throughout the day and eat the boiled leeks as the meal.
What vegetables go well with leeks? ›
Leeks in particular have a wonderful flavor that is quite mild which makes them lovely to pair with simple veggies in the spring like asparagus and peas, and heartier veggies in the fall like winter squash and potatoes.
What part of the leek do you not eat? ›
With leeks, the general trend is to use the white part and throw away the green. This green part contains a lot of vitamin C and it can be used in many recipes. You only have to remove a few centimeters of the usually woody upper part from the leaves. Boiled leaves can be used for sauces, soups or casseroles.
How do I get the most out of my leeks? ›
Getting the Most out of Leeks
- Cut leek diagonally from point where leaves start to darken to middle of dark green portion.
- Peek inside to determine where light green turns dark. Cut diagonally again, preserving light portion.
- Repeat twice to create pointed shape with pale leaves.
Is leek water the "secret" to weight loss? We dive into the science to see how true to reality this episode is. In short, leeks or leek water are likely not the sole answer to your weight-loss-related goals. That said, leeks are a nutritious vegetable, and there are several reasons to include them on your plate.
What protein goes best with leeks? ›
Flakes of soft and buttery trout served on a tangle of sweet leeks makes for a delicious but surprisingly simple starter. You can find this dish on the menu at The Grand duch*ess in London. If you enjoy cooking with trout, whip up our fabulous smoked trout frittata for an easy, healthy dinner.
Can you eat leeks everyday? ›
Leeks are a healthy food and, like most foods, can be eaten in moderation as part of a balanced diet. Eating large amounts of leeks, however, can have some negative effects. First, leeks are high in fiber and can cause digestive discomfort, bloating, and gas if consumed in large amounts.
Is leek a super food? ›
Leeks provide several nutrients, such as vitamins A, C, and B6. Leeks are very low in calories, but do contain a decent amount of essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamins like vitamins A, B6, C, and K, and minerals like copper and manganese.
Is any part of a leek poisonous? ›
The edible portions of the leek are the white base of the leaves (above the roots and stem base), the light green parts, and to a lesser extent, the dark green parts of the leaves.
How long should leeks be cooked? ›
To cook: Leeks can be boiled, braised or steamed. Sliced leeks should be cooked for 5-7 minutes until tender but still firm. Whole small leeks should be cooked for 10-15 minutes until tender but still firm, top with a cheese sauce and then brown under a preheated grill for 5 minutes or until golden.
To freeze: Leeks can be frozen! Simply slice and freeze them on a tray, before popping into a sealed container. To defrost: When you take food or drink out of the freezer, it's important to defrost it safely. Don't defrost at room temperature.
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.
Why do you soak leeks in water? ›
Soak the stalks in a bowl of cold water for 10 minutes or so, then rinse under cold running water in the sink. The long soak allows the water to penetrate the leek's many layers, clearing out all the bits of debris. Once your veg is all cleaned up and dirt-free, it's time to get cookin'.
Can you eat leek raw? ›
Leeks are sweeter and milder than onions and can be eaten raw. If cooking, wash before steaming, boiling, or pan-frying. Any recipe that calls for onions can be easily replaced by leeks.
Are leeks good for weight loss? ›
Like most vegetables, leeks may promote weight loss. At 31 calories per 3.5 ounces (100 grams) of cooked leaks, this vegetable has very few calories per portion. What's more, leeks are a good source of water and fiber, which may prevent hunger, promote feelings of fullness, and help you naturally eat less ( 21 ).
Does drinking leek broth help you lose weight? ›
A cup of leek soup broth contains about 15 calories, and because it's all you'll be ingesting for 48 hours, you may drop a few pounds. This weight loss may be primarily from water weight because you're not consuming solid foods; as soon as you start eating solid foods again, those lost pounds may creep back on.
Is it OK to eat leeks everyday? ›
Leeks are a healthy food and, like most foods, can be eaten in moderation as part of a balanced diet. Eating large amounts of leeks, however, can have some negative effects. First, leeks are high in fiber and can cause digestive discomfort, bloating, and gas if consumed in large amounts.
Are leeks a laxative? ›
Given its fibre content, the leek has laxative properties and is a real ally for the bowels. Leeks have diuretic properties and they are recommended in diets for urinary tract problems, constipation, obesity, haemorrhoids, rheumatism, and arthritis.
