42 leek recipes

When buying leeks, check that the dark green tips are in good condition and make sure that you wash them thoroughly – they're experts at trapping dirt between the layers. Don’t ditch these dark green ends, they are tough but quickly cooking in some oil or butter will soften them up.

Want expert advice for growing your own crop? Learn how to grow your own leeks from our friends at Gardeners' World.

Why we love leeks

Leeks have a delicate, sweet flavour and become delightfully soft when cooked low and slow.

How to serve leeks

From the same family as the onion, they can be used in all manner of pies, soups, stews and casseroles. It's important to wash and peel your leeks to remove the tough outer layer.

Can you freeze leeks?

Yes, you can freeze cooked and uncooked leeks. It's best to slice them before – this will also make it easier to store them.

Health benefits of leeks

Leeks are an impressive source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, C and K. These contribute to healthy skin, immune system and bones. They're also packed with fibre, so help keep your gut happy – and they contain antioxidants which protect cells from being damaged.

Leek recipes

Leek carbonara

The oniony kick of leeks adds a lovely richness to this classic carbonara, which can be ready and on the table in just over 30 minutes.

You'll also love our classic spaghetti carbonara.

Leek risotto

Leek and risotto makes a dreamy combination, here topped with a fried anchovy and breadcrumb topping for extra flair. Don’t ditch the dark green ends of your leeks – they may seem tough but a quick fry in oil or butter will soon soften them up.

Recreate this risotto, then check out our chicken risotto, pea risotto and more risotto recipes.

Leek lasagne with kale and ricotta

Leeks are layered with kale, ricotta and pesto in this vegetarian lasagne. Sure to become a family favourite and rival the classic meaty lasagne, this dish is under 500 calories and really easy to whip up.

Give our butternut squash lasagne a go, too.

Chicken and leek bake

The sweetness of leeks and the depth of flavour that chicken thighs and bacon bring, plus rich cheese sauce and crunchy breadcrumbs, makes for a comforting midweek meal.

For another one-tray dinner, try our pomegranate chicken traybake.

Curried leek and potato hash with fried eggs

A new and delicious way with leeks, flavoured with curry powder, cumin seeds and black mustard seeds. Serve with a just-fried egg on top.

Get stuck in to our easy brunch recipes.

Chicken, leek and bacon pie

Check out Edd Kimber's chicken, leek, tarragon and bacon pie. This classic British pie is a great warming recipe for those winter months; what's more, it will be a winner with the whole family.

Another winter winner is our chicken braised with cider and bacon.

Buttery leek and smoked trout kedgeree

Check out our super simple kedgeree recipe with buttery leeks and smoked trout. This flavoursome dish is ready in just 30 minutes, an easy midweek meal for two.

Next time, enjoy our easy prawn kedgeree.

Bacon, cheddar and leek quiche

Give your shortcrust pastry a salty, umami hit with Marmite. This quiche is filled with streaky bacon, soft leeks and plenty of cheddar.

If you're the ultimate Marmite lover, our Marmite carbonara is for you.

Leek soup with bacon and barley

Check out this hearty bacon, barley and leek soup. This simple yet warming soup is low in calories and easy to make. A great rejuvenating recipe.

Use up a bag of barley with our warming mushroom pearl barley risotto with roasted carrots.

Stuffed butternut squash with blue cheese and leek

This filled roasted squash makes a showstopping meat-free centrepiece — the combination of nutty grains, sweet leeks and blue cheese works wonderfully alongside all the festive trimmings.

If you're a fan of squash, try our butternut squash risotto and more butternut squash recipes.

Effortless leek fondue toasts

Ever tried leek fondue? Now’s your chance! Leek fondue also makes a delicious filling or topping for mini baked or smashed potatoes.

For a wholesome lunch, try our healthy baked beans on toast.

Leek fritters

Brilliant with avocado for a weekend brunch, check out these golden leek fritters mixed with cheddar cheese. Alternatively, serve with a watercress salad for an easy veggie dinner.

Mix up your fritters depending on what's in season, we've got pea, courgette and cauliflower fritters.

Buttered leeks with pangritata

A treat in its own right, or perfect as a side to a sumptuous Sunday roast. It could even be an indulgent toast topper.

Browse all our best roast recipes to enjoy all year round.

Chicken and leek pie

Easy chicken and leek pie: on the table in about an hour using ready-made puff pastry makes chicken pie an easy meal for the family. With a delicious creamy filling, we love this pie for cold days.

Make this classic pie then check out our leftover roast chicken pie, chicken and chorizo pie and more pie recipes.

Leek and potato soup with frizzled leeks

This classic potato and leek soup is super simple to make and ready in just half an hour. It's perfect for a comforting lunch, served with plenty of crusty bread.

We've got plenty more soup recipes to keep you warm all winter, including potato soup, cabbage soup, pea and ham soup and chicken soup.

One-pot chicken, leek and beans

This one-pot chicken with leeks and beans recipe is really easy and under 500 calories – perfect for a healthy midweek meal.

We've got lots more ideas for easy low-calorie meals.

Blue cheese leeks with crispy bacon breadcrumbs

This indulgent blue cheese leek recipe with crispy bacon breadcrumbs is super simple to make, it only takes 30 minutes to prepare, and makes the perfect Sunday roast accompaniment.

Serve up a slice of hearty steak and blue cheese pie.

Leek, pea and spinach soup

For a bowl packed with nourishing flavours and soothing textures, you can’t do better than our smooth leek soup. A perfect pick-me-up lunch.

Go green with our easy pea risotto.

Healthier chicken and leek pie

An easy and healthy leek supper for when you feel like you’ve overindulged! Chicken and leeks are cooked in a creamy sauce and finished off with golden ciabatta breadcrumbs for a clever and healthier alternative to pastry.

For another light yet comforting dish, try our healthier sausage traybake.

Homity leek pie

Our homely, hearty pie uses delicious leeks with potato and spinach to create this traditional British pie – perfect as a midweek vegetarian meal.

We've got plenty more comforting vegetarian pie recipes.

Creamy leek and cheese pie

This creamy leek and cheese pie is a great, comforting veggie main that'll please the whole family. You can also freeze this easily for a stress-free midweek meal.

We've also got more delicious vegetarian recipes including vegetarian shepherd's pie.

Spanakopita

Check out this traditional Greek spanakopita pie recipe. This easy spinach filo pastry pie is super crispy and packed with creamy feta.

Serve with a Greek salad or pick your favourite from our easy Greek recipes.

Chicken, leek and Dijon casserole

Our chicken, leek and Dijon casserole is really simple to make, is ready in under and hour and comes in at under 500 calories. What more could you want from a midweek meal?

For more healthy meals, enjoy our healthy chicken stew,healthy chilli and more healthy one-pot recipes.

Goat's cheese pizza with leeks and pancetta

Made with nutty rye flour and wheatgerm, this earthy pizza base is loaded with greens, goat's cheese, garlic and salty pancetta for an Italian feast.

Learn how to make your own pizza dough at home with our easy step-by-step recipe.

Leek fondue linguine

Shredded leeks are cooked in a buttery sauce with white wine and crème fraîche to create a melting fondue for linguine. This veggie pasta is quick and easy to make but feels really comforting.

There's plenty more to choose from our vegetarian pasta recipes.

Tortellini in a leek and herb broth

In this warming recipe, leeks swim in a flavoursome and herby broth with little parcels of spinach and ricotta tortellini. This one step recipe takes only 20 minutes and can easily be made vegetarian by swapping the chicken stock for vegetable and using a veggie alternative to parmesan.

For another super easy pasta dish, try our artichoke spaghetti.

Leek, green olive and sultana pissaladière

Pissaladière is a dish which originated from Nice in Southern France. The dough is usually a bread dough thicker than that of the classic Italian pizza. This is a great version using leeks, green olives and sultanas.

Escape to France with our delicious French recipes.

Lemon chicken with charred leeks and fennel

This is a really easy midweek meal for one. It's ready in just 20 minutes and is under 300 calories, so it's great if you're looking for something light.

Check out our lemon chicken with orzo.

Sea bream with barley and leeks

Leeks are combined with pearl barley, chopped sundried tomatoes, a splash of white wine and garlic in this winning accompaniment to pan-fried sea bream in this quick and easy fish supper. A hearty midweek meal for two that's low in calories and simply delicious.

Browse all our fantastic healthy fish dishes.

Cheddar, leek and amaranth flapjack

Amaranth is an incredible little seed that’s gluten-free and high in protein, calcium and vitamin C. This cheesy, herby savoury flapjack makes a filling and wholesome snack that would go well with a bowl of soup or as a post-workout energy bar.

For something sweet, try our classic flapjacks.

Spring veg and lemon broth

Ready in 20 minutes, our spring vegetable broth with leeks, baby leaf greens, garlic and lemon is an easy and healthy meal to make midweek. Adding small pasta shapes bulks it out into a hearty lunch, plus it's under 300 calories.

Have a look at all our healthy lunch ideas.

Whole roast mackerel, leeks, kohlrabi and jerusalem artichokes

Wow your dinner party guests with this easy but impressive recipe for whole roast mackerel and jerusalem artichoke crisps by chef Jackson Berg from moveable restaurant Xiringuito in Liverpool. Here baby leeks are grilled to garnish this restaurant dish alongside strips of kohlrabi and a jerusalem artichoke purée.

Serve up a bowl of roasted jerusalem artichoke soup.

Leek and crab lasagne

Leek and crab lasagne is lighter and more refreshing than the meat version and it has a great flavour. Either buy cooked crabs and pick out the meat yourself, discarding the grey-coloured gills and stomach, or buy pre-prepped meat.

For a meat meal, enjoy our classic lasagne.

Caramelised baby leeks

A side dish with a difference – balsamic adds sweet and sour notes to the oniony depth of the baby leeks. This would work well as a side to a roast dinner or fish supper.

Browse all our best vegetable side dishes.

Mini chicken, leek and mushroom pies

Beat the winter chill with these deliciously creamy individual chicken, leek and mushroom pot pies. Easy to make and suitable for freezing when you're in need of a quick midweek meal.

Next on the menu: individual cottage pies with cheesy mash.

Chicken, leek and mustard sauté

Chicken thighs are a great budget choice for a midweek supper. This recipe cooks them with cream, leeks and mustard, then is finished with a crisp breadcrumb topping. Just add greens.

For another filling meal, go for sausages with mustard and cider gravy.

Crab and leek on toast

The best lunch or easy snack. Thick slices of toast topped with buttery leeks, cooked crabmeat and cheddar cheese, served up for a quick weekend lunch.

You've got to try our crab mac and cheese.

Turkey, leek and bacon pie

This turkey, leek and bacon pie is a great way to use leftover turkey leg from Christmas dinner, although you could also use turkey or chicken thighs. This recipe comes from The Pelican in Notting Hill.

Another good way with Christmas leftovers is warming turkey curry.

Butter-poached trout, burnt leeks and hazelnut

Flakes of soft and buttery trout served on a tangle of sweet leeks makes for a delicious but surprisingly simple starter. You can find this dish on the menu at The Grand Duchess in London.

If you enjoy cooking with trout, whip up our fabulous smoked trout frittata for an easy, healthy dinner.

Ash-roasted leeks, caper and tarragon dressing

An alternative method of cooking leeks, this recipe comes from restaurant John Doe, a British brasserie in Notting Hill and gives the leeks a smoky flavour by cooking them over coals on the BBQ. If the British summer doesn't allow it, you can also use a grill pan but the leeks won't be as smoky. The rich tomato and chilli dressing with capers and tarragon is a great accompaniment drizzled over the leeks.

We have plenty of vegetarian BBQ ideas.

Blinis toppings

These blinis are a perfect canapé for festive gatherings, as they’re simple to prepare and versatile. Try topping with sweet charred leeks and whipped ricotta for a vegetarian option.

Leek gratin with crispy leek topping

Take classic leek sauce to the next level with this gratin, featuring plenty of grated cheddar, golden breadcrumbs and extra-crispy leeks on top.