Home » Recipes » Produce Guides » 23 Best Leek Recipes (+ Produce Guide)
by Marcie //April 5, 2022 (updated 2/8/24)
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Celebrate leek season with this collection of 23 of the best Leek Recipes! You’ll find recipes for potato leek soup, mushroom risotto and pasta, along with handy info such as nutrition information, how to cut them and more!
Leeks always make me think of spring. They’re one of my favorite ingredients because of their delicate onion flavor, and they truly make every dish even more special.
I think they’re underused because people just haven’t been exposed to them outside of classic potato leek soup, and they’re great prepared so many other ways!
They’ve been a staple in my kitchen for many years, and I hope that the information and recipes provided in this post will inspire you to use them more often. 🙂
If you love produce, be sure to check out the following round ups:
- Butternut squash recipes
- Cabbage recipes
- Carrot recipes
- Chicory recipes
- Corn recipes
- Delicata squash recipes
- Fava beans
- Fennel recipes
- Fig recipes
- Persimmon recipes
- Poblano pepper recipes
- Pomegranate recipes
- Rhubarb recipes
- Tomatillo recipes
- Shish*to pepper recipes
- Swiss chard recipes
- Winter fruits and Vegetables
FAQs
What are leeks?
Leeks are vegetables in the Allium ampeloprasum family, which also includes varieties of onions and garlic. While onions and garlic form tight bulbs, leeks grow in long cylinder shapes comprised of bundled leaf sheaths or layers.
They look similar to green onions but they’re much larger. They’re often 1 – 2″ in diameter and up to 12″ long.
What part of leeks are edible?
While the dark green parts are edible, they’re not often used because they’re quite tough. The white and light green parts are great raw or cooked, and you can save those dark green parts for your homemade vegetable stock.
What do leeks taste like?
Leeks have a very mild onion aroma and flavor, and they’re a bit sweeter than regular onions. They’re delicate flavor will never overpower your dish, and they won’t make you cry when you cut them either. 🙂
Choosing and storing
Select leeks that are firm and straight, with no signs of discoloration, wilting or cracking. It’s best to choose ones that are untrimmed as the dark green leaves promote longer life.
The younger the leek the more delicate the flavor, so look for leeks that are no less than 1/2″ in diameter and not much larger than 1 1/2″ in diameter. You should also look for some that have at least 2-3 inches of white/light green parts since those are the parts that you’ll be using in your recipes.
Store leeks in the refrigerator untrimmed and unwashed for up to 5 days to 2 weeks in the vegetable crisper drawer, depending on their freshness. They have a strong aroma that can be absorbed by other foods in your refrigerator, so you can wrap them in plastic wrap to avoid this (I’ve never wrapped my leeks and have never had a problem with this).
Freezing leeks isn’t recommended as their delicate flavor will turn bitter and the texture can be mushy.
Nutrition benefits
Leeks provide the same nutrients and health benefits that garlic and onions do. They’re high in Vitamin A, C and K, and are good sources of iron, calcium, folic acid, riboflavin, niacin, magnesium and thiamin.
Alliums like onions, garlic and leeks are known for their cancer and disease fighting compounds, and they also contain diuretic, laxative and antiseptic properties.
How to cut leeks
1. Remove the dark green tops.
2. Trim the “hairy” end off of the bottom of the leek, being careful not to remove the entire base
Slice the leek in half lengthwise, leaving the base intact.
3. From there, clean the leeks. My favorite way to do this is to gently spread the layers and hold upright under cold running water. Be sure to spread each layer well to allow the water to rinse away all the grit. Blot dry before slicing.
4. Place cut-side down on the cutting board and cut into thinly sliced half moons. Once prepped, use within 1-2 days.
23 Best Leek Recipes:
30 Minute Skillet Pasta Primavera Skillet
One Pot Pasta Primavera is packed with veggies, fresh basil and cooks up in a creamy sauce. It's a vegetarian dinner the family will love, and it's on the table in 30 minutes!
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Bacon Leek Dip
This Bacon Leek Dip recipe is full of chunks of smoky bacon swirled with caramelized leeks, crème fraiche, cream cheese, and goat cheese.
Creamy Asparagus Soup Recipe
This Creamy Asparagus Soup recipe is like spring in a bowl! It's smooth and luxurious, and bursting with the flavors of lemon and fresh chives. It's an easy spring recipe that's guaranteed to impress!
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Bacon Mushroom Make Ahead Quiche (Dairy-Free)
Bacon mushroom make ahead quiche is easy to prep ahead and freeze for an easy brunch or lunch. Tips on how to reheat frozen quiche, and how to serve it as a meal prep lunch.
Creamy Butternut Squash Soup
Butternut Squash Soup is velvety smooth, creamy, and one of the most comforting soups you'll ever eat. It's naturally gluten free, vegetarian and great for meal prep!
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Dirty Rice with Collards and Leeks {vegan and gluten-free}
Dirty Rice with Collards and Leeks–a vegan and gluten-free version of New Orleans “dirty” rice. With brown rice and pumpkin seeds.
Instant Pot Mushroom Risotto
Instant Pot Risotto is creamy and delicious with mushrooms, fresh lemon and plenty of parmesan! It's perfect every time with no stirring involved and it's on the table in 30 minutes!
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Autumn Vegetable Soup
Autumn Vegetable Soup is packed with chunky fall vegetables, creamy white beans, herbs and kale for a healthy meal prep lunch or dinner!
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Farro Salad with Butternut Squash, Brussels Sprouts and Leeks – Floating Kitchen
Farro Salad is packed with wholesome veggies and makes a healthy meal prep lunch or vegetarian dinner!
Healthy Potato Leek Soup with Orzo
This healthy potato leek soup is thick and creamy without cream. Orzo is added near the end of cooking for a hearty addition to this easy soup recipe.
Low Carb Riced Cauliflower Stuffing (Gluten Free, Keto)
Low Carb Riced Cauliflower Stuffing is an easy keto stuffing recipe that's hearty and bursting with the flavors of traditional stuffing. You'll never miss the bread!
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Instant Pot Irish Potato Kale Soup
Delicious 5-ingredient vegan recipe for Instant Pot Irish Potato Kale Soup. With sautéed leeks and garlic. Made easy in pressure cooker.
Spring Vegetable Risotto
Spring Vegetable Risotto is creamy vegetarian risotto packed with spring produce and bursting with fresh lemon flavor. Recipe includes tips to make perfect risotto every single time!
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Leek and Parmesan Muffins
This blog post is all about what leeks are, how to clean a leek, what to do with leeks. I also have a healthy leek snack recipe: Leek and Parmesan Muffins
Cauliflower Soup Recipe – Kristine’s Kitchen
This Cauliflower Soup is smooth, creamy and comforting! Roasting the cauliflower brings out its delicious caramelized, nutty flavor.
One Pot White Bean Pasta with Leeks – Sweet Peas and Saffron
A healthy vegetarian one pot white bean pasta recipe made with leeks, asparagus, lemon and gruyere. Ready in 30 min, only one pot to wash up!
Spinach Frittata Recipe
This Spinach Frittata Recipe is packed with creamy feta cheese and plenty of mediterranean flavor. It's ready in about 30 minutes and it's great for meal prep!
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Parmesan Roasted Leeks – Spend With Pennies
For a tasty side dish that will enhance any savory meal, try roasted leeks. They have just a few ingredients and make an easy and delicious side!
Spring Potato Salad – Making Thyme for Health
Spring Potato Salad- a combination of spring’s best produce tossed in a simple vinegar dill dressing. (vegan, grain-free + gluten-free) Growing up in Florida, I never imagined Georgia to be a particularly special place. We often drove through on our way up to North Carolina and to be honest, there j…
Overnight Cheesy Broccoli Strata
Overnight Cheesy Broccoli Strata is an easymake-ahead breakfast casserole loaded with broccoli, leeks, and plenty of cheese. It’s perfect for busy mornings or weekend brunch!
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Instant Pot Vegetable Soup
Instant Pot Vegetable Soup is healthy, flavorful and so easy to make! It's gluten-free, vegan and great for meal prep!
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Spanakopita Stuffed Zucchini Boats
Spanakopita Stuffed Zucchini Boats are an easy zucchini boat recipe filled with a flavorful spinach feta filling. This is the low carb, gluten-free way to enjoy Greek spanakopita!
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Sweet Potato and Leek Hash with Andouille Sausage
Sweet Potato and Leek Hash with Andouille Sausage is a hearty, easy, and satisfying breakfast. Make sweet potato hash on all the weekends!
References:
posted in: Produce Guides, Recipe Roundup, Recipes, Spring, Winter // 22 comments
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Julia — Reply
I LOVE leeks! This is such an excellent guide. I love how versatile they are and how much buttery onion flavor they add to a meal. Thanks so much for including my recipe, m’dear! xoxoxox
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flavorthemoments — Reply
Thanks so much Julia and I have got to try your hash! 🙂
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Letty / Letty's Kitchen — Reply
This guide reminds me I should just keep leeks in the fridge drawer so I have them when I want them! I Pinned a bunch of these recipes to save for later! Thank you Marcie for including my leek and collard dirty rice and Irish potato soup in this awesome roundup of recipe inspiration!
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flavorthemoments — Reply
I forget about leeks sometimes too and your recipes look so delicious Letty — I need to try them!
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Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health — Reply
I love leeks so much! This post has me craving them now. Thanks for including my potato salad! <3
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flavorthemoments — Reply
You’re welcome…I need that potato salad! 🙂
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Ashley@CookNourishBliss — Reply
Oh leeks, how I always forget about you! haha I love them and have such a tendency to forget about them! So bad. Love this post Marcie!
Ugh I hear you on the pollen – I’m all for spring but it is making me sneeze like crazy lately!
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flavorthemoments — Reply
I forget about them sometimes too then once I remind myself I go crazy cooking with them! haha I’m sneezing like mad too…’tis the season!
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Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice — Reply
I love this post, Marcie! And I love leeks, but you’re right, I don’t have many ideas on how to cook with them outside of soup. Such great information and I love the recipes you provided! I’m definitely going to cook with leeks more often now!
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flavorthemoments — Reply
Thanks Gayle! 🙂
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Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary — Reply
I am so excited for spring too, Marcie! Bring on all the leeks! They are so delicious and really don’t get enough love! Obviously I am just swooning over this post! So informative and filled with great ways to use up those lovely leeks! Pinning! Cheers!
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flavorthemoments — Reply
Thanks so much Cheyanne! 🙂
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flavorthemoments — Reply
They’re very similar Puja, but leeks are so much larger! And thank you, my friend. 🙂
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flavorthemoments — Reply
You’re so welcome Robyn — those pickled leeks are brilliant!
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Leanne | Crumb Top Baking — Reply
I love cooking with leeks! They add such a great flavour to a variety of dishes. And the health benefits are a bonus. Such a helpful guide Marcie. Especially appreciate the guidance on what to look for when buying leeks. Great recipe round up too!
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flavorthemoments — Reply
Thanks so much Leanne!
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mira — Reply
I love leeks and would like to use them more often! This guide is great and the recipes sound delicious!
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flavorthemoments — Reply
Thank you Mira!
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Katherine | Love In My Oven — Reply
Great post, Marcie!! I will admit I”m a little clueless when it comes to leeks, especially about cleaning them! Thank you for all of the tips – you’re even inspiring me to consider growing them this year 🙂
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flavorthemoments — Reply
Thanks so much Katherine! My culinary instructor enlightened me on how to clean them standing them upright in water — I love that method! I’ll let you know how I fare growing them this year. 🙂
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Nicole @ Foodie Loves Fitness — Reply
I just used leeks last night in a soup recipe! I like how mild they are. Do you know, even though it’s probably what most people think of when they hear leeks, I’ve never made potato leek soup… I think I might have to try that soon!
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flavorthemoments — Reply
They are nice and mild aren’t they? Potato leek soup is super delicious and I bet you’d love it!
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