Leeks are a versatile vegetable that can be used in many dishes. Their mild, onion-like flavor pairs well with a variety of ingredients. Here is an overview of what leeks go well with and some recipe ideas.
Proteins
Leeks pair excellently with all kinds of proteins. Their flavor complements and enhances the flavors of meats, fish, eggs, beans, and more. Some specific proteins that go well with leeks include:
- Chicken
- Pork
- Beef
- Lamb
- Seafood like shrimp, scallops, halibut, and salmon
- Tofu
- Beans and lentils
- Eggs
Leeks add moisture and flavor when cooked with proteins. They are often sautéed with meats as the base for dishes like stews, soups, and casseroles. Leeks pair very well with fish and make a tasty topping or side for salmon, halibut, or shrimp.
Chicken and Leek Recipes
Some popular chicken and leek recipe ideas include:
- Chicken and leek pot pie
- Creamy chicken and leek pasta
- Chicken and leek frittata or quiche
- Chicken and leek soup or stew
- Leek and chicken sausage sauté
Seafood and Leek Recipes
Delicious seafood and leek recipes include:
- Baked salmon with leeks
- Shrimp and leek risotto
- Scallops sautéed with leeks
- Halibut baked with leeks and white wine
- Clams or mussels steamed with leeks
Vegetables
Leeks pair well with a wide variety of vegetables. Their subtle onion flavor adds depth and complements the flavors of other veggies. Good vegetable pairings for leeks include:
- Potatoes
- Carrots
- Celery
- Onions
- Garlic
- Mushrooms
- Spinach and other greens
- Asparagus
- Bell peppers
- Tomatoes
- Peas
- Green beans
- Brussels sprouts
- Cauliflower
- Broccoli
Leeks add moisture, texture, and flavor to roasted, sautéed, or steamed vegetable medleys and sides. They also make tasty soup and stew bases when cooked with a mix of vegetables.
Potato and Leek Recipes
Some classic potato and leek pairings include:
- Leek and potato soup
- Potato leek gratin
- Mashed potatoes with sautéed leeks
- Roasted potato and leek salad
- Twice baked potatoes stuffed with leeks
Grains
The mild flavor of leeks goes well with various grains. Leeks add moisture and flavor when sautéed with grains or added to grain dishes. Good grain pairings include:
- Rice – Use leeks in risotto or mix with rice pilaf.
- Barley – Make leek and barley soup.
- Farro – Sauté leeks and farro for a tasty side dish.
- Quinoa – Combine quinoa with chopped leeks for a salad or pilaf.
- Polenta – Top polenta rounds with sautéed leeks.
- Couscous – Fluff couscous with sautéed leeks, herbs, and broth.
Cheeses
The subtle flavor of leeks pairs nicely with creamy, tangy, and mild cheeses. Good cheese choices include:
- Goat cheese
- Feta
- Mozzarella
- Parmesan
- Gruyère
- Cheddar
- Blue cheese
- Monterey Jack
- Ricotta
Leeks add a lovely accent to cheese-based dishes like gratins, quiches, mac and cheese, cheese soufflés, and more. They also taste great with cheese in omelets, sandwiches, salads, and pasta.
Leek and Goat Cheese Recipes
Some tasty leek and goat cheese combinations include:
- Leek, goat cheese, and walnut tart
- Goat cheese stuffed leeks
- Roasted beet salad with leeks and goat cheese
- Pizza with leeks, goat cheese, and arugula
- Pasta with sautéed leeks and goat cheese
Herbs
Leeks pair well with an array of fresh and dried herbs. Herbs that complement leeks include:
- Thyme
- Parsley
- Tarragon
- Dill
- Chives
- Basil
- Oregano
- Rosemary
- Bay leaves
- Sage
Herbs accent the onion-like flavor of leeks and add freshness. Use them together when making soups, stews, sautés, roasted veggies, and more.
Leek and Thyme Recipe Ideas
Thyme is a classic herb pairing for leeks. Some recipes include:
- Leek and thyme galette
- Roasted chicken thighs with leeks and thyme
- Sauteed leeks with lemon and thyme
- Fish en papillote with leeks and thyme
- Creamy leek and thyme pasta
Spices and Seasonings
Leeks taste great accentuated with spices. Some good spice pairings include:
- Pepper
- Paprika
- Cumin
- Coriander
- Nutmeg
- Cinnamon
- Curry powder
- Garam masala
- Caraway seeds
Use spices to give leek dishes extra flavor and depth. Spices work well in soups, stir fries, roasted vegetables, and stews containing leeks.
Leek and Pepper Recipe Ideas
Some recipes showcasing leeks and black pepper include:
- Peppered leek and potato soup
- Pan-seared scallops with leeks and pepper
- Penne pasta with leeks, bacon, and pepper
- Pork tenderloin stuffed with leeks and pepper
- Peppered leeks and apple salad
Acids
Bright, acidic ingredients help balance the subtle sweetness of leeks. Good acid pairings include:
- Lemon juice
- Lime juice
- Vinegar (wine, rice, balsamic, etc)
- Tomatoes
- Wine
A squeeze of citrus or splash of vinegar gives leek dishes nice brightness. Leeks also taste great cooked in tomato-based dishes. Deglazing a pan with wine when cooking leeks boosts flavor.
Leek and Lemon Recipes
Some tasty leek and lemon combinations:
- Sautéed leeks with lemon
- Roasted chicken with leeks and lemon
- Leek and lemon risotto
- Leek, lemon, and herb salad
- Leek and lemon pasta
Fats and Oils
When cooking leeks, the choice of fat or oil makes a difference in flavor. Some excellent options include:
- Butter – Adds richness when sautéing leeks.
- Olive oil – Pairs well with leeks in Mediterranean-style dishes.
- Bacon fat – Adds smoky flavor when cooking leeks.
- Walnut oil – Toasts well and adds nuttiness.
- Chicken fat – Use schmaltz to cook leeks for Jewish dishes.
Fats help balance the sharpness of leeks and add richness. Use them for pan frying, roasting, or making creamy leek soups and sauces.
Butter and Leek Recipes
Butter nicely complements the flavor of leeks. Some recipes to try:
- Buttered braised leeks
- Leek and butter croissants
- Buttered leeks with radishes
- Buttery leek tarts
- Parsley butter baked cod with leeks
Other Leek Pairings
In addition to the ingredients above, leeks also pair well with:
- Nuts like walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, pine nuts, and almonds – toast nuts and add to leek dishes for crunch and flavor.
- Mushrooms like cremini, shiitake, oyster – sauté with leeks for an umami flavor boost.
- Legumes like lentils, white beans, and chickpeas – use with leeks as the base for vegetarian soups and stews.
- Sweet ingredients like apples, pears, and honey – add to leeks to balance their sharpness.
- Salty ingredients like capers, olives, anchovies, and bacon – complement the savoriness of leeks.
Cooking Methods for Leeks
Some of the best cooking methods to bring out leeks’ flavors and textures include:
- Sautéing – Cook leek slices or rings in butter, oil, or other fat over medium-high heat until softened.
- Braising – Brown leeks then cook with a small amount of liquid like broth, wine, or water until very tender.
- Roasting – Roast halved leeks drizzled with oil at a high temperature to caramelize their sugars.
- Steaming – Steam whole leeks or leek rounds until just tender.
- Simmering in soup – Add sliced leeks to soups and stews and simmer until soft.
- Grilling – Grill leeks over direct heat, turning occasionally, until charred and tender.
These cooking methods all bring out the best in leeks so you can enjoy their onion-y sweetness in your dishes.
Conclusion
With their versatile, mild flavor, leeks pair well with a wide variety of ingredients. They add moisture, texture, and sweet oniony notes to proteins, vegetables, grains, cheeses, herbs, and more. Some particularly delicious pairings include leeks with chicken, seafood, potatoes, goat cheese, thyme, and lemon. The best cooking methods for leeks include sautéing, braising, roasting, steaming, simmering in soups, and grilling. With so many tasty combinations possible, leeks are a great vegetable to always have on hand.