Simple Braised Leeks with Lemon
This elegant and incredibly simple side dish transforms humble leeks into a tender, sweet, and succulent accompaniment perfect for any meal. Braising gently coaxes out their delicate flavor, enhanced by a bright lemon finish.
For 4 servings
Prepare the Leeks: Trim off the dark green tops and the very root end of the leeks. Slice each leek lengthwise down the middle. Rinse thoroughly under cold running water, fanning out the layers to remove any trapped dirt or sand. Cut each leek half into 3-4 inch (7-10 cm) segments.
Sauté Aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or shallow Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and 2 sprigs of fresh thyme. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to brown the garlic.
Arrange and Add Liquid: Place the prepared leek segments cut-side down in a single layer in the skillet. Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth, ensuring it comes about halfway up the sides of the leeks. Season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Braise: Bring the liquid to a gentle simmer. Once simmering, reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet tightly, and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the leeks are very tender when pierced with a fork.
Reduce and Finish: Uncover the skillet. Increase the heat to medium-high and continue to cook for 5-7 minutes, allowing most of the liquid to evaporate and slightly thicken into a glaze.
Enrich and Brighten: Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the unsalted butter until melted and emulsified with the remaining liquid. Squeeze the juice from half of the lemon over the leeks.
Serve: Transfer the braised leeks to a serving dish. Garnish with the remaining fresh thyme sprigs and, if desired, a few thin slices of the remaining lemon. Serve warm.
What to keep in mind.
4 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1Thorough Cleaning is Key: Leeks are notorious for trapping dirt. Always fan out the layers and rinse thoroughly under cold running water after slicing them lengthwise.
- 2Don't Overcrowd: For even cooking and browning (if desired), ensure the leeks are in a single layer in your skillet. If you have too many, braise in batches or use a larger pan.
- 3Customize Your Broth: While chicken broth adds richness, vegetable broth makes this dish vegetarian. For an even richer flavor, a splash of white wine can be added along with the broth.
- 4Utilize the Glaze: The reduced braising liquid, enriched with butter and lemon, makes a fantastic light sauce. Spoon it generously over the leeks when serving.
Adapt it for your goals.
Creamy Braised Leeks
After the liquid has reduced, stir in 1/4 cup of heavy cream or crème fraîche for a richer, more decadent side dish.
Spicy Lemon LeeksSpicy Lemon Leeks
Add a pinch of red pepper flakes along with the garlic in step 2 for a subtle kick.
Herbaceous LeeksHerbaceous Leeks
Experiment with other fresh herbs like dill, chives, or parsley, adding them in the last few minutes of cooking or as a fresh garnish.
Why this is on our healthy list.
Rich in Fiber
Leeks are an excellent source of dietary fiber, which aids digestion, promotes gut health, and helps maintain stable blood sugar levels.
Vitamin K Powerhouse
They provide a significant amount of Vitamin K, essential for blood clotting and bone health.
Antioxidant Properties
Leeks contain various antioxidants, including polyphenols and flavonoids, which help protect the body's cells from damage caused by free radicals.
Frequently asked questions
After trimming and slicing lengthwise, hold the leek halves under cold running water, fanning out the layers with your fingers to dislodge any sand or soil trapped within.
