23 Leek Recipes For The Whole Family

If you’re looking for ways to feed your family based around simple, inexpensive ingredients, we recommend trying out some leek recipes!

The humble leek is an affordable and easily accessible vegetable that many consider to be a superfood due to its incredible nutritional value.

23 Leek Recipes For The Whole Family

Not only are leeks high in fiber and low in calories, but they also contain antioxidants (flavonoids) that reduce inflammation, boost your immune system, and improve your cardiovascular health.

If all that weren’t enough to convince you to start cooking with leeks more, another thing you should know about leeks is that they’re extremely versatile.

You can cook so many different recipes using leeks that you’ll never get bored of this staple food. 

To demonstrate the versatility of the leek, we’re going to be sharing 23 delicious and nutritious leek-based recipes with you today!

1. Leek And Potato Soup

We couldn’t make a compilation of leek recipes without including the classic leek and potato soup!

This might seem like a basic option, but there’s a reason it’s one of the most popular leek recipes. 

This leek and potato soup is especially creamy and flavorful because it’s made with butter and heavy cream and is cooked for 40 minutes in a dutch oven (see also ‘30 Delicious And Comforting Dutch Oven Recipes‘) for maximum flavor infusion.

2. Mushroom And Leek Pizza

Leek might not be known as a common pizza topping (see also ‘Top 20 Tasty Pizza Toppings‘), but once you’ve tried this amazing mushroom and leek pizza, you’ll want to add leeks onto your pizza on a regular basis. 

In just one hour, you can prepare this pizza from scratch, including the dough.

For the best results, this recipe suggests using only the white and light green parts of the leek (which are often discarded) because they’re actually sweeter than the dark green leaves.

The more you know!

3. Leek Gratin

Leek and cheese is a delightful combination, so if you’re in the mood for some cheesy comfort food with some added nutritional value, try out this leek gratin recipe!

You’ll need 4 large leeks for this recipe along with heavy whipping cream, butter, gruyere, and parmesan cheese.

You’ll cover the top of the dish with breadcrumbs before baking in the oven, and for the seasoning, you’ll use a mix of garlic, thyme, parsley and pepper.

4. Parmesan Roasted Leeks

Another cheese and leek combination recipe we absolutely love are these parmesan roasted leeks.

This is a similar premise to the leek gratin, but if you’re specifically a fan of strong cheese, you might prefer this option. 

The only ingredients you need in addition to the leeks are parmesan, melted butter, and some salt and pepper to season.

It’s so easy and can be served as a side dish.

5. Leek And Jalapeno Cornbread

Leeks generally have a fairly mild flavor, so if you want a leek recipe with a bit of a kick to it, we recommend this incredible leek and jalapeno cornbread. 

This simple recipe takes just 45 minutes to make and is perfect for pairing with a hot soup or a satisfying chili.

It’s also really versatile, and the recipe recommends some additional savory ingredients you could add to the batter if you want.

6. Coconut And Leek Corn Chowder

Corn chowder is a thick and filling alternative to soup, and we think this coconut and leek corn chowder recipe is the perfect way to incorporate more leeks into your cooking as the weather starts to cool down. 

Despite leeks not having an especially strong flavor, this chowder is extremely tasty thanks to the combination coconut, herbs, pepper, turmeric, and cayenne pepper.

7. Spinach And Leek Stuffed Mushrooms

There are so many different possible fillings for stuffed mushroom recipes, but these spinach and leek stuffed mushrooms have become a firm favorite with us. 

This recipe for stuffed portobello mushrooms involves stuffing each onion with leek, baby spinach, and onion.

Breadcrumbs and mozzarella cheese get sprinkled on top for added texture.

8. Leek And Crab Lasagne

You’ve probably never tried a lasagne dish quite like this one, but once you’ve made this recipe, you’ll wonder where it’s been all your life!

Leek and crab lasagne is an unusual but delicious flavor combination.

In addition to being amazingly creamy thanks to the double cream, butter, and grated parmesan cheese, the lasagne is packed with fresh flavors from the crab meat (see also our favorite imitation crab recipes), capers, and parsley.

9. Anything Goes Grain Salad

If you have a small quantity of leek that you’d like to use up, why not add the leftover cuttings to this grain salad recipe? 

You can serve this salad on its own or make a bowl for the table to act as a side dish. Either way, it’s extremely nutritious and full of flavor. 

What we love about this salad is that it really contributes to your 5-a-day, featuring carrots, leeks, multiple types of beans, tomatoes, bell peppers, and arugula.

Your body and your palate will thank you for this one!

10. Caramelized Leek And Seared Mushroom Toast

Believe it or not, leeks on toast is not only a valid food combination, but it’s absolutely delicious.

If you’re not convinced, try this recipe for caramelized leek and seared mushroom toast. 

This recipe provides instructions on how to make an incredible mustard and pine nut spread, which includes wholegrain mustard, agave nectar, olive oil, and pine nuts.

11. Greek Leek Pie

One thing you should know about leeks is that they make great pie fillings, as exemplified by this Greek leek pie recipe. 

This traditional Greek recipe takes an hour and a half from start to finish but the results are absolutely worth it.

It features two types of cheese, milk, white wine, and either olive oil or butter, so it delivers full and rich flavors.

12. Salmon And Leek Parcels

We were absolutely blown away by these salmon and leek parcels, and we’re pretty sure you will be, too. 

This recipe is indulgent and healthy at the same time because although it’s made with full-fat creme fraiche and butter, you get all the good fatty acids and protein from the salmon as well as the anti-inflammatory benefits of the leeks, all wrapped in filo pastry (see also ‘28 Phyllo Dough Recipes‘).

13. Leek Fritters

Leek fritters make a great side dish to serve with some soup or as the main course with some dips.

These fritters would be especially delicious with some yogurt dip or fresh coconut chutney, and the recipe itself recommends serving alongside avocado or watercress salad.

You can make a batch of these fritters in 30 minutes, but the masterful flavor combination of mustard and mature cheddar makes them taste like hours of work!

14. Cauliflower And Leek Soup

If leek and potato isn’t your ideal flavor combination, you can still enjoy a hot leek-based soup.

For example, this cauliflower and leek soup is equally creamy and tasty. 

There is still a single russet potato in this soup recipe for added thickness, but the main flavors come from the chicken broth, chives, bacon, and garlic.

15. Leek And Mushroom Chickpea Pancakes

Although pancakes are often thought of as a dessert option, savory pancakes can be just as satisfying. 

These leek and mushroom chickpea pancakes are an amazing source of plant-based protein and antioxidants.

The recipe is suitable for vegetarians and vegans and it’s also gluten-free, which we love.

The mushroom and leek filling for these pancakes has a slightly cheesy flavor thanks to the nutritional yeast, so you’d never even know they were vegan!

16. One-Pot Leek, Zucchini And Garlic Pasta

There’s nothing like an easy one-pot pasta recipe (see also ‘33 One-Pot Recipes Perfect For Vegetarians‘) for evenings when you don’t feel like cooking anything high-effort.

If you want to use leeks, our one-pot pasta recommendation is this recipe featuring leeks and zucchini. 

Despite being a quick and easy recipe, this one-pot pasta (see also ‘29 Tasty One-Skillet Recipes‘) has some really sophisticated flavors because of the lemon and white wine sauce.

17. White Cheddar And Leek Dip

We’ve provided plenty of main meal options using leeks so far, but some dishes really need a good dip to elevate the flavors.

If you only ever make one dip using leeks, we think it should be this white cheddar and leek dip. 

This recipe gives you everything you could want from a cheese dip: strong flavors, creaminess, and the secret ingredient – beer!

The combination of cream cheese, sharp cheddar and mayonnaise with the dark beer is incredible.

18. Glamorgan Sausages

Glamorgan sausages are a traditional Welsh recipe made with leeks, cheese, and breadcrumbs. 

You can make your own Glamorgan sausages in under an hour, and if you’re a fan of powerful flavors, this will be a recipe you’ll make again and again.

The Dijon mustard and strong mature cheddar make for a great taste experience.

19. Leek Bread Pudding

You may have assumed that bread pudding is exclusively a dessert, but this savory version featuring leeks is the perfect comfort meal for cold days.

The fresh nutmeg, chives, and thyme create a herby, spicy flavor that pairs well with the creaminess of the heavy cream and the leeks.

If you use brioche, as the recipe suggests, this might just be the best bread pudding you’ve ever tasted.

20. Leek, Chicken, Mushroom And Bacon Soup

Our final soup recommendation for today is this chicken, mushroom and bacon soup made with leeks. 

This recipe is grain-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, keto-friendly, and paleo, so it’s compatible with many dietary choices and restrictions. 

Because of the multiple forms of protein in the recipe, it’s a great way to hit your daily protein goal while getting a good dose of micronutrients from the vegetables.

21. Smoked Haddock And Leek Risotto

Risotto is a great meal choice for when you’re craving carbohydrates, and this smoked haddock (see also ‘16 Haddock Recipes‘) and leek risotto also provides great sources of protein and antioxidants. 

We appreciate that this is a versatile recipe that allows you to use either fish or vegetable stock and also lets you make your own choice of risotto rice.

22. Spinach And Cheese Quiche

Leek may not feature in the recipe title of the spinach and cheese quiche, but they definitely contribute to the overall creaminess of the dish. 

Admittedly, making this quiche requires a time commitment of about 2 hours, but if you love quiche then the 6 servings you can make in this time will make all the effort worthwhile.

23. Curried Leek And Potato Hash

You’ve probably heard of potato hash, but you may not have tried leek and potato hash, especially a curried version like this recipe. 

The curry powder, mustard seeds, and cumin make for a spicy flavor experience but it’s not overpowering, so you can still enjoy the subtle flavors of the leek.

Frequently Asked Questions 

What Do Leeks Go Well With?

Because leeks have quite a subtle flavor, they work well with many different foods.

In particular, we love pairing leeks with ingredients like cheese, ham, chicken, cream, potatoes, and garlic. 

What Is The Best Way To Cook Leeks? 

You can cook leeks in a variety of different ways but they are particularly delicious and creamy when cooked in butter.

Are Leeks Good For Weight Loss? 

Leeks are a low-calorie vegetable so they can definitely be useful for weight loss (check out our favorite weight watchers recipes), but be careful not to cook your leeks with too many cream-based sauces or similarly high-fat products if weight loss is your goal.

Final Thoughts 

From soups and salads to pies and pastas, there are so many recipes you can make using leeks. 

We hope you’ve found some leek-based recipes that appeal to you in our selection!

23 Leek Recipes For The Whole Family

23 Leek Recipes For The Whole Family

Recipe by Jenna

Leeks are both delicious and nutritious, so you should try to cook with them as much as possible. Here are 23 different recipes to help you do that.

Course: Dinner
5 from 1 vote
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