37 Leek Recipes That Will Change Your Onion Outlook
Tender green and white leeks can elevate or perfume any dish that calls for onions, chives, shallots, or even garlic, but these leek recipes really help the allium shine. While there's nothing wrong with a basic white onion, leeks offer a delicate, subtly earthy flavor and freshness to whatever you're cooking, whether you're looking to fry, sauté, roast, poach, boil, or even burn them. Leeks can stand alone and absorb all the attention—think leek soup, cheesy leeks, roasted leeks, and mor). But know this: Before you start cooking, make sure your leeks are carefully cleaned and rinsed of grit. (A salad spinner can be handy for drying them off.) Read on for all the leek recipe inspiration you need.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell1/37Steamed Winter Veggie Bowls
Steaming vegetables isn't the flashiest cooking technique, but it truly lets veggies become their best selves. Here, they get a little help from sherry vinegar, honey, and cayenne. File this dish under the best leek recipes to try whenever you get your hands on some nice ones at the market.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Frances Boswell2/37Braised Leeks, Peas, and Lettuce
Braising may sound like a winter move, but this delicate spring braise will bring something fresh and nuanced to your table. Have a salad another time, and cook your lettuce with leeks tonight.
Photo by Marcus Nilsson, Prop Styling by Kalen Kaminski, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich4/37Glazed Leeks With Pine Nut Salsa Verde
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell7/37Spring Pea Fish Chowder
Photo by Alex Lau, Prop Styling by Elizabeth Jaime, Food Styling by Susie Theodorou8/37Charred Leeks With Honey and Vinegar
Sometimes you want to burn your dinner on purpose. Alliums (plants in the onion family, such as leeks) are among the group of ingredients that really benefit from a good char on a grill. Their exteriors become potato chip-like, while their interiors become almost creamy.
Photo by Laura Murray, Food Styling by Susie Theodorou9/37Chicken and Rice With Leeks and Salsa Verde
Photo by Jim Henkens10/37Leek-Top Baking-Sheet Hash
This recipe highlights one of the most under-utilized greens: leek tops. If you're trying to get more bang for your buck and cut down on waste in the kitchen, keep this one in your back pocket.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, prop styling by Brian Heiser, food styling by Rhoda Boone11/37Crispy Potato-Leek Kugel
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Katherine Sacks12/37White Pizza With Shaved Vegetables and Pesto
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell16/37Creamy Potato and Leek Gratin
Ryan Liebe19/37Grilled Zucchini and Leeks with Walnuts and Herbs
Don't be shy now—leeks love a good char. Pair them with zucchini as a side dish for grilled chicken or pork—or just serve with bread for a satisfying lunch.
Gentl & Hyers22/37Chicken and Leek Pot Pie
The chicken and leeks meld beautifully together as they cook in the filling of this dish. Make your own pie dough or use a roll-out storebought piecrust.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Astrid Chastka, Food Styling by Anna Hampton29/373-Ingredient Lemony Green Beans With Frizzled Leeks
Olive oil–fried leeks add crunch, flavor, and an impressive look to this classic green bean dish. It's great at Thanksgiving, but there's no need to wait for November to enjoy it.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop and Food Styling by Ali Nardi32/37Braised Chicken With Asparagus, Peas, and Melted Leeks
Photo by Kyle Johnson34/37Ember-Roasted Corn and Leeks
For a deeper, meatier flavor, char leeks right on the embers along with some summer corn. You may find yourself snacking on these right off the grill. (Let them cool a little first!)
35/37Charred Onion Dip
