Description
Creamed Leeks is a luscious and comforting side dish featuring tender leeks simmered in a buttery, garlicky sauce enriched with cream and parmesan cheese. This rich yet simple recipe highlights the delicate sweetness of leeks with a subtle kick from red pepper flakes and a bright finish from fresh lemon juice. Perfect to serve alongside roasted meats or as a standalone vegetarian delight.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 large leeks, cleaned, halved and thinly sliced (about 4-5 cups)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- pinch of red pepper flakes
- 1/3 cup broth, vegetable or chicken
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup shredded parmesan
- juice of a half a small lemon (about 1-2 tsp lemon juice, more or less to preference)
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the leeks and start cooking: Clean and slice your leeks by halving and thinly slicing them. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced leeks, minced garlic, and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Cook for 4-5 minutes until the leeks have wilted and become tender.
- Simmer with broth: Pour in the broth of your choice (vegetable or chicken) and season with salt and pepper. Cover the skillet and reduce the heat to low. Let the leeks cook covered for 8-10 minutes until very soft and tender.
- Finish with cream and parmesan: Remove the lid and increase the heat to medium. Stir in the heavy cream and shredded parmesan. Cook for a few minutes until the sauce thickens and becomes creamy. Then add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to brighten the flavors.
- Serve: Serve the creamed leeks hot as a delicious side dish to complement your meal. Enjoy!
Notes
- Clean leeks thoroughly by rinsing between the layers to remove any grit or sand.
- You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter version, but the sauce will be less rich.
- Adjust the amount of lemon juice according to your taste preference to balance the richness.
- For a vegan version, replace butter with olive oil, use vegetable broth, and substitute parmesan with a vegan cheese alternative.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
