How to Cut and Clean Leeks

Learning How to Cut Leeks

When I first tried making the French classic, Potato Leek Soup, I had NO clue how to cut and clean leeks.

I mistakenly thought the leafy dark green parts were the star of the show. (Boy was I wrong!) The parts of the leek that are cooked and eaten are the more tender white bottoms and the lighter green pieces.

What Are Leeks?

Leeks are a vegetable in the same family as the onion, garlic, shallot, scallion, and chive. They have a mild onion flavor, but are slightly sweeter, and can be eaten raw or cooked. When raw, they have a crisp bite and more pungent flavor.

Cooking leeks helps to mellow out the strong flavor and can be accomplished by roasting, sautéing, or even boiling.

How to Cut Leeks

Cutting raw leeks is a quick and simple process once you understand the basics. All you need is a really sharp chef’s knife and one of your favorite cutting boards.

Step 1: Remove the Root

The first step is to find the root end of the leek. Similar to a green onion, it is the white part with small root-like strings.

Move the knife slightly up, no more than an inch. Make a clean slice down, straight through the leek.

Step 2: Remove the Leaves

With the veggie still on the cutting board, locate the intersection of the dark and light green parts of the leek. Make a cut and remove the dark green leaves

Step 3: Slice the Leek

For Round Slices:

Starting at one end, chop leeks into round, thin slices for the entire length. Be sure to keep the slices as evenly spaced as possible.

For Half Moons:

Slice the white part of the leek in half, lengthwise. Then cut it into thin strips, across its width.

How to Clean Leeks

Since leeks grow in the ground, there is often a lot of dirt hidden between all their layers.

While you can prepare leek pieces by washing them before cutting, you’ll get the cleanest leeks if you rinse them in a bowl of water after slicing. Otherwise, you’re mostly cleaning the outer layer rather than the middle of the leek, where much of the dirt is hiding.

Step 1: Soak in Water

Add the chopped leeks to a bowl of cold water. Toss them around in the water until all of the dirt detaches from the leeks.

Step 2: Drain in a Colander

Drain the water carefully or use a colander. Pat dry before using.

FAQs

Selecting the Best Leeks

There are a few things you will want to look for in order to select the best leeks at the grocery store:

• More white stalk and less green. Unlike green onions, the white part is the portion you eat. Look for leeks that have a longer white, edible stem.
• Minimal to no yellowing. Yellow spots indicate that the leek is getting old and is not as fresh.
• Crisp and firm. Select ones that are about the same firmness as an onion. Avoid ones that are soft or have leaves that are wilting.
• Organic. Since leeks grow in the dirt, they have the most direct contact with harmful chemicals. If available, opt for organic over conventional.

Best Leek Recipes

Your leeks are now in perfect slices, cleaned to perfection, and it’s time to cook them! They’re a great addition to so many recipes.

Leeks taste incredible when roasted in the oven, sautéed in a pan, or boiled for a soup.

Here are a few healthy leek recipes for you to try:

• Potato Leek Soup
• Parmesan & Leek Quiche
• Buttery Sautéed Leeks
• Roasted Leeks