Leeks are a delicious addition to soup and other recipes. They’re in the aromatic group with plant ingredients like garlic and onions, but their flavor is slightly sweeter and much more mild.
Leeks tend to be less well known, so if you’re interested in experimenting with leeks, you may need a few pointers on how to wash and trim leeks first. I’m here to teach you how to trim leeks!
For ideas on what to use your leeks once they’ve been cut, scroll down to the “Keto Leek Recipes” section below the How-To.
Can You Eat Leeks on Keto?
Yes! Of course, if you’ve read any of my articles on Keen for Keto, you know that I will rarely tell you that a whole food or vegetable is “not keto.”
There are just so many ways to do keto, and no one should be telling you which type is right for you.
Get your FREE list of keto-approved foods for grocery shopping!
Just to put it in perspective, a cup of chopped onions is 15 grams of total carbs (12.3 net carbs) and a cup of leeks has 13 grams of total carbs (11.4 net carbs).
So if you eat onions on the keto diet, there’s no reason you can’t also have leeks.
It’s so nice to be able to try new ingredients and not feel restricted!
Now let’s talk about how to prepare leeks for soup (or whatever else you fancy!).
How to Trim Leeks
This how-to instructional will teach you how to trim, wash, and slice leeks for your next keto meal!
Materials
- Leeks (one will do, or however many you need for your recipe!)
- Your favorite knife for chopping
- Cutting board (I've had my eye on this one!)
- Sink and water for washing
Instructions
Cutting the ends off the leek
- Cut the root off the leek. You should have about a 1/2 inch stump that you've cut off. Discard the root.
- Cut off the top leafy part of the leek. You want the white part, not the green part. When choosing leeks, you should choose leeks that have as much white as possible, since you'll be cutting the rest off. I generally place my knife about 1-2 inches past the part where it is starting to turn white, so I still get a little bit of light green. The green part is tough and fibrous, and not as flavorful. If I'm sauteeing the leeks, I'm not as picky and may allow some of the lighter green part to pass. After cutting the ends off the leek, this is what you will have:
- Slice the leeks in half lengthwise.
- Holding the leek layers together in a fist, run the leeks under water, flipping through the layers to rinse any dirt out.
- Place the cut side of the leek down on a cutting board. Using a very sharp knife, slice along the curve of the leek as thinly as you like.
- If you prefer diced leeks to sliced leeks, before slicing the leeks widthwise, slice them into strips lengthwise. Then proceed to dice the strips into whatever size you're looking for.
How to Clean Leeks
How to Cut Leeks
You can now use your sliced leeks for whatever yummy recipe you like!
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Fred THE OBSESSIVE CHEF Bamboo Cutting Board, 9-inch by 12-inch
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What Do Leeks Taste Like?
Leeks are aromatic like onions and garlic, but they have a much more delicate and mild flavor. They’re great for giving soups just a small onion-like taste without being overpowering.
Many people say leeks are slightly sweeter than other aromatics, as well.
Keto Leek Recipes
Funny story.
I LOVE leeks.
I was recently at the grocery store picking out leeks and cheerfully and choosily decided on a bunch of leeks as a man next to me in the produce aisle looked on.
He leaned over and asked me what I do with them and I was a bit taken off guard. I shouldn’t have been, because I never had a leek in my life till I was an adult, but it took me a second to recalibrate and then try to rein in my leek passion while telling him what I like to use leeks for the most.
If you love soup, try this Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage Soup!
I’ll give you a few suggestions. My first is that you can try putting leeks anywhere you would cook onions (especially sauteed onions–yum!). You’ll be surprised at what the pleasantly delicate flavor can do in place of onions.
Two great places to use sauteed leeks are in soups and quiches. Enjoy!! More keto leek recipe ideas:
Turkey Leek Soup with Broccoli and Bacon
Keto Rosemary Bacon Goat Cheese Crustless Quiche
Keto Turnip Breakfast Hash with Bacon (and leeks!)
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