The Best Buttered Sauteed Leeks (Quick & Easy)
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What’s better than buttery, yummy, easy sauteed leeks? In my mind, nothing! These yummy leeks only require four ingredients and are one of the best easy leek recipes ready in fewer than 30 minutes. They’re a healthy alternative to heavier dishes like Cheesy Mashed Potatoes, yet still are packed with flavour.
A Quick Look At The Recipe
- ✅ Recipe Name: The Best Buttered Sauteed Leeks
- 🕦 Ready in: 15 minutes
- 🤝 Serves: 4
- 🍴 Calories: 117kcal
- 🧑🍳 Main ingredients: leeks, butter, garlic, lemon
- ✨ Summary: These delicious buttered sauteed leeks are simple, easy, and ready in a few minutes. This is a great option for a healthy side dish!
Why you’ll love this recipe
Here is why this is the perfect side dish for your weekly rotation:
- Quick & simple: Using simple ingredients, you’ll learn how to cook leeks in pan for a tasty, healthy dish ready in fewer than 20 minutes. Check out this Easy Skillet Roasted Corn for another simple side.
- Flavourful & budget friendly: The butter, salt, and pepper help bring out the natural sweet, oniony taste of the sauteed leeks, while keeping the budget low per serving.
- Versatile: These leeks work well with various spices. Turn them into garlic leeks or fried leeks, or serve them alongside Lemon and Thyme Chicken Thigh Tray Bake.
Add veggies into the mix for a more filling side dish such as Creamy Polenta with Parmesan, Sauteed Broccoli or Roasted Sweet Potato Cubes.
Table of Contents
Ingredients
Here are the key items you need to make this delicious side dish:
- Leeks: The leeks are the star of this pan fried leeks dish. However, you can use the same sauteed leeks recipe to prepare other veggies like mushrooms, asparagus, and green beans. Try using leftovers in this Creamy Leek and Potato Soup.
- Butter: I recommend using unsalted butter when learning how to saute leeks, as you can better adjust the seasoning. You can use salted butter, but you’ll need to taste the recipe before adding more salt. Or, use a combo of butter and olive oil. If you love buttery flavors, try these Delicious Boulangere Potatoes.
- Seasoning: Salt and black pepper are essential for bringing out the flavor.
See the recipe card for full information on all ingredients and quantities.
Variations/ Adaptations
There are a few ways you can alter this yummy sauteed leeks dish to fit your tastes:
- Change the seasoning: This recipe teaches you how to cook leeks with simple salt and pepper, but you can add other herbs like fresh thyme and chives. These leeks are also great with freshly shredded cheese like mozzarella and parmesan. If you have extra cheese, use it in this Healthy Chicken Lasagna.
- Add more veggies: If you want leek recipes easy enough for weeknights but more filling, swap out the leeks with other veggies or add them into the mix. Try adding veggies such as Roasted Tenderstem Broccoli.
- Make it vegan: Simply swap the butter for a high-quality vegan butter or olive oil.
How to make The Best Buttered Sauteed Leeks
- Start by trimming the ends of the leeks and then cut them in half lengthwise (Image 1).
- Rinse them thoroughly under running water to remove any dirt (Image 2).
3. Once washed, thinly slice the leeks (Image 3).
4. Meanwhile, heat ½ of the butter in the pan over a low heat and add the sliced leeks to the pan and increase the heat to medium (Image 4).
5. Sauté the leeks for around 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they become soft and golden brown. Add the garlic and remaining ½ of the butter to fry during the last 2 minutes (Image 5).
6. Once the leeks are tender and caramelised, remove them from the heat. Season with a squeeze of lemon, salt and pepper to taste and enjoy! (Image 6).
Pair these sauteed leeks with a protein-rich main like The BEST Crispy Chicken Wrap, Tender Braising Steak with Gravy, or Creamy Chicken and Chorizo Pasta.
Tips for the best result
- Leeks are grown in sand-like dirt, so it’s essential to clean them well to avoid a gritty texture when making sauteed leeks. Slice them in half lengthwise first before rinsing. If necessary, use a vegetable scrubber.
- Cook these leeks slow and low. Learning how to cook leek properly means understanding that the longer you cook them, the more the flavour develops.
- Start this fried leeks recipe with a generous amount of salt and pepper. Then, add more as you’re cooking and to taste. Salt and pepper will help bring out the delicious, mild flavor.
Serving Suggestions
This sauteed leek dish is incredibly versatile and pairs beautifully with almost any main course. I love serving this sauteed leek side alongside hearty proteins or mixing it into grain bowls.
Try it with:
Leftover Storage and Reheat Instructions
To keep your sauteed leeks fresh, proper storage is key.
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezer: Yes, this easy sauteed leeks dish freezes well! Place the cooled leeks in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months.
- Reheat: Thaw overnight in the fridge. Simply reheat in a pan over low heat with a splash of butter until warm. You can also mix leftovers into this Creamy Bacon Pasta.
FAQs
Yes, you can eat the green section when creating this sauteed leeks dish, but only the light green parts. The dark green tops at the end of the leeks should be discarded, as they have a tough texture from the fibres.
A leek and an onion are two different plants, but they are both from the allium family. Leeks have a mild onion flavor and look like larger/longer green onions. In a pinch, you can use this recipe as a substitute for cooking leeks or onions interchangeably.
Yes, leeks are healthy. They are packed with nutrients like vitamins, which offer antioxidant properties, making this a nutritious leek side dish.
To wash the leeks before making this sauteed leeks dish, start by removing damaged outer leaves. Then, slice off the bottom end of each leek and the green tops. Slice the leeks in half lengthwise, then rinse the chopped leeks thoroughly under running water. After cleaning the leeks, they’re ready to chop for the buttered leeks recipe.
If you’re craving something sweet, try these Chocolate Protein Muffins with my Quick Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting, or this Easy Nutella Puff Pastry.
Explore More Recipes
If you tried this Buttered Sauteed Leeks recipe, it would mean so much to me if you could leave a review & a star rating to let me know how you found it! I love hearing about your experiences – it motivates me to keep creating more and more recipes for you guys 💛 Let’s get cooking! – Mimi x
The Best Buttered Sauteed Leeks
Ingredients
- 500 g leeks, washed and sliced (£1.30)
- 50 g butter (£1.79/5)=(£0.35)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (£0.39)
- 1 lemon (£0.30)
Cupboard Essentials
- Salt & Pepper
Method
- Start by trimming the ends of the leeks and then cut them in half lengthwise and rinse them thoroughly under running water to remove any dirt. Then thinly slice the washed leeks.
- Meanwhile, heat ½ of the butter in the pan over a low heat and add the sliced leeks to the pan and increase the heat to medium.
- Sauté the leeks for around 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they become soft and golden brown. Add the garlic and remaining ½ of the butter to fry during the last 2 minutes.
- Once the leeks are tender and caramelised, remove them from the heat. Season with a squeeze of lemon, salt and pepper to taste and enjoy!
Nutrition
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