Get ready to fall in love with your new favorite vegetable side dish! These leeks sauteed with butter and garlic have a sweet and mild onion flavor that works with almost any main dish. They make a fun addition to any holiday spread tastes so much better than the more traditional pearled onions.
Let's talk about leeks. When it comes to overlooked vegetables, leeks may be number one. They are for so much more than soups! In fact, you can use them just about anywhere you would use an onion.
Leeks are alliums and are closely related to garlic, chives, shallots, and onions. They have a similar flavor but it is really mild and slightly sweet. They are affordable, versatile, and really delicious when cooked the right way.
Leeks - Your New Favorite Side Dish
If you love onions, it’s definitely time to give this overlooked vegetable a prime spot on your menu.
- Onion’s cooler cousin: The best mild, sweet onion flavor with any sharpness or pungency.
- Quick and easy. Ready in just 10 minutes with 5 ingredients
- Unexpected. Surprise people at the holiday table with a new side dish to try
- Versatile: Add sauteed leeks to eggs, pizzas, pasta, rice, and more!
Looking for more easy recipes for sauteed vegetables? Try this Sauteed Cauliflower, Carrots, Broccoli, Peas, and Mushrooms.
Ingredients
Here is everything you need to make this tasty vegetable side dish.
- Fresh leeks: Always start with fresh leeks and make sure to clean them well and trim off the tough green leaves.
- Butter and olive oil: The combination of butter and olive oil adds richness to the dish without the leeks getting greasy. The butter also enhances the sweetness of the leeks. You can swap in another oil, use all butter, or use ghee.
- Garlic: Garlic and leeks are from the same family and adding garlic to the dish, brings out the garlicky flavors that are naturally in leeks. Leave it out or use garlic flavor for a more mild flavor.
- Salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes: Kosher salt and fresh black pepper bring out the flavor. The red pepper flakes are completely optional and only add them if you want some spice.
- Parmesan cheese: The nuttiness of the Parmesan is delicious with these buttered leeks. It is completely optional but really tasty. If you add Parmesan cheese, be careful about how much salt you add.
How to Prepare and Clean Leeks
Leeks grow in the ground and tend to have a lot of dirt trapped inside. Therefore it is very important to clean them well.
- Only the whites and light green parts: Always start by trimming the leeks and removing the dark green tops. The tough green leaves at the top of the leeks are tough and fibrous, and not great for eating. Cut them off the leeks and save them for vegetable stock. Also, trim the stem end.
- Rinse well: Slice the white section of the leek in half and rinse in water to remove any dirt, using your fingers to separate the leaves and loosen any dirt. You can also slice the leeks into smaller pieces and rinse them in a colander. Once rinsed, dry them well. Some people soak leeks in a bowl of cold water for 10-15 minutes, stirring them a few times to remove the dirt. This works but takes longer than simply rinsing then,
Recipe Tips and Ideas
To make the most delicious leeks, make sure to follow these tips.
- Do not overcook the leeks: When they are cooked too long, they can get gummy. Make sure to only cook them until they are tender but not disintegrating.
- Let them caramelize: To get those delicious, browned bits, make sure to let the leeks cook without stirring them for a few minutes. Then stir the leeks when they begin to brown.
- Add more flavor: Like caramelized onions, leeks taste great with fresh herbs. Consider adding some fresh thyme or rosemary to the dish. You can also add a splash of white wine to the pan to flavor the leeks.
- Add bacon or pancetta: Bacon and leeks are a really delicious combination. Start by cooking chopped bacon (or pancetta) until crispy. Remove the bacon and cook the leeks in the bacon fat. Yum!
- Add more vegetables: Like onions, leeks make other vegetables even more delicious. Consider adding mushrooms, spinach, parboiled potatoes, or corn.
- Creamed leeks: Creamed leeks are a classic French dish. Once the leeks are tender, simply add 1/4-1/2 cup cream to the pan along with the Parmesan cheese.
What to Serve with Sauteed Leeks
Much like onions, leeks can be paired with almost anything. Here are some favorite dishes to serve with this delicious side dish.
- Salmon: Leeks work really well with the delicate flavor of salmon. Serve it alongside this Pan Seared Salmon or Dijon Baked Salmon.
- Egg dishes: Leeks work really well in frittatas and omelets. Add them to this Ham and Cheese Frittata or this Baked Frittata with Tomatoes and Goat Cheese.
- Chicken: Serve leeks with this tasty Chicken Saltimbocca or Crispy Parmesan Chicken.
- Holiday meals: These leeks are perfect for the holiday table. Pair them with this Slow Cooker Turkey Tenderloin, traditional roasted turkey, holiday ham, or a Beef roast.
Leftovers and Storage
If you have any leftover leeks, they can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat them over medium heat in a skillet or in the microwave. Add them to eggs, sandwiches, grain bowls, and salad.
Do not freeze cooked leeks. They will get mushy and gummy after being frozen and reheated.