How to clean leeks properly is essential for removing the dirt and grit trapped between their layers. This guide will walk you through the best techniques for cleaning, selecting, and preparing leeks for cooking.

sliced leeks on a wooden cutting board with a knife

What Are Leeks?

I love substituting leeks for onions in certain recipes. If you haven’t ever tasted a leek before, they are related to onions and garlic and have a delicious, mild onion flavor.

Leeks look like giant green onions and consist of delicate layers that often trap dirt and sand. To prepare them for cooking, you must clean them properly before use.

You’ll only use the white and pale green portions of the leek, as the dark green parts are too tough and woody.

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How to Select the Best Leeks

When purchasing leeks, look for:

✔ Crisp, white stems – Avoid yellowing or discolored leaves.

✔ Medium-sized leeks – More flavorful than larger ones.

✔ No mushy spots – Fresh leeks should be firm and unblemished.

Tools Needed to Clean Leeks

Before you start, gather these essential tools to make cleaning leeks quick and easy:

Paper towels or clean kitchen towel – For drying leeks before using.
Sharp knife – For trimming the root end and dark green tops.
Cutting board – Provides a sturdy surface for slicing.
Large bowl – Used for soaking leeks to remove dirt.
Colander – Helps drain excess water after rinsing.

How to Clean Leeks

a quick overview!

Not sure how to wash leeks? Since leeks grow in sandy soil, their layers trap a surprising amount of dirt. This step-by-step guide will ensure they’re grit-free and ready to use.

Trim the Leeks—Cut off the root end just above the base. Slice off the dark green tops and discard (or save for broth).
Slice the Leeks—If large, slice the white and pale green parts in half lengthwise.
Chop or slice as required for your recipe.
Wash the Leeks—Place sliced leeks in a bowl of water. Swish with your hand to loosen dirt. Drain into a colander and rinse under cold water.
Pat dry and proceed with your recipe.

Tip: Dirt often hides between leek layers, so don’t skip soaking!

The above is simply a quick summary of this tutorial for cleaning leeks. Check out the full recipe in the free printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for all the detailed instructions.

Leek FAQs

Have questions about how to clean a leek, storing, or cooking with leeks? I’ve answered some of the most common ones below to help you get the best results. If you don’t see your question here, leave a comment—I’m happy to help!

How do you store cleaned leeks?

If you prefer to clean your leeks ahead of time, follow these steps for proper storage:

Make sure the leeks are completely dry after their final rinse.
Store in a zip-top bag or airtight container in the fridge.
Place a paper towel inside the container to absorb excess moisture.
Use within 3-5 days for the best freshness.

What part of leeks do you eat?

The white and pale green portions of the leek are tender and flavorful.

While the tough dark green tops aren’t ideal for eating, don’t throw them away! Use them to add depth to homemade vegetable or chicken broth, or toss them in your compost bin.

How do you prepare leeks for cooking?

Not sure how to prep leeks? After cleaning, slice them into rounds or lengthwise, depending on the recipe. They work well in soups, risottos, and stir-fries.

After cleaning, leeks can be chopped, sliced, or diced depending on the recipe. They work well in soups, stews, quiches, risottos, and sautés.

Do you need to soak leeks before cooking?

Yes! Leeks grow in sandy soil, so soaking them in a bowl of water helps remove any trapped dirt between the layers.

Can you eat leeks raw?

Yes! Finely sliced raw leeks add a mild onion flavor to salads, slaws, and garnishes. However, cooking leeks softens their texture and enhances their sweetness.

cleaned leeks on a dish towel next to other ingredients for a recipe

What to Make with Leeks

Now that your leeks are clean, try these delicious recipes:

Homestyle Chicken Noodle Soup – A comforting, made-from-scratch soup featuring tender chicken, leeks, carrots, and egg noodles. Perfect when you need a cozy meal.
Colcannon (Irish Mashed Potatoes) – This creamy Irish mashed potato dish combines buttery potatoes, sautéed leeks, and kale for a deliciously hearty side, perfect for St. Patrick’s Day.
Quiche Lorraine – A flaky, buttery crust filled with leeks, crispy bacon, and melted Gruyère cheese. An elegant and satisfying brunch dish.
Bacon and Leek Stuffing – This savory stuffing features leeks, applewood bacon, and fresh herbs, making it the perfect side dish for Thanksgiving or any special meal.
Creamy Leek and Potato Soup – With just five ingredients, this velvety, rich soup inspired by Julia Child’s classic recipe is easy to make and full of flavor.
Lemon Asparagus Risotto – A fresh and creamy risotto featuring leeks, asparagus, peas, mascarpone cheese, and a squeeze of lemon for a springtime side dish or a delicious vegetarian main course.
Roasted Mushroom Risotto – Rich and cheesy, this risotto is packed with umami from roasted mushrooms and sautéed leeks.

For more leek-based recipes, check out my Leek Recipe Collection

a bowl of freshly prepared leeks next bowls of other recipe ingredients

Try This Kitchen Tip!

Now that you know how to clean leeks, put your skills to the test in your next recipe! This simple technique ensures your leeks are grit-free and ready to use.

Did you find this tutorial helpful? Leave a comment below—I’d love to hear how it worked for you!

On Instagram? Tag me @goodlifeeats with #goodlifeeatsrecipes so I can see your kitchen creations!

a bowl of washed and cut leeks next to bowls of peas

More Kitchen Tips

Want more kitchen hacks? Try these tutorials:

How to Freeze Basil – Learn four easy methods to freeze basil and get 10+ recipes for using it year-round.
How to Blanch Asparagus – Keep asparagus crisp and vibrant with this quick technique, perfect for salads, risotto, and more.
How to Roast Garlic – Roast garlic to create a creamy, spreadable ingredient that adds deep flavor to soups, dips, and sandwiches.
How to Peel Peaches – Quickly remove peach skins in minutes—perfect for pies, cobblers, and freezing for later.

Want to cook smarter and more efficiently? My Kitchen Tips and Tricks section is packed with time-saving hacks, essential techniques, and expert tutorials to help you master key kitchen skills with ease.

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How to Clean Leeks

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Need a quick refresher on cleaning leeks? Use this easy step-by-step guide to clean leeks properly. Follow these instructions to remove dirt and grit so your leeks are fresh and ready for cooking!

Materials

Leeks

Tools

Instructions

Cutting the Leeks

Using a knife, remove the roots portion off the bottom of the leek just above the base and discard.
Then, cut the dark green, woody part of the stalk off and discard. You’ll only use the white and pale green portions of the leek.
Next, slice the white and pale green reserved portion in half lengthwise.
Chop or slice the leek halves as directed in your recipe instructions. Place all the sliced leeks in a medium-large bowl, one with enough room to add water.

Washing the Leeks

Fill the bowl with water and submerge the leeks. Swish the leeks with your hand to help remove any sand or dirt embedded in the layers.
Drain the leeks and water into a colander.
Give the leeks a quick rinse with cold water, swishing again with your hand.
Remove from the bowl and pat dry. Drain the leeks and water into a colander.
Give the leeks a quick rinse with cold water, swishing again with your hand. Remove from the bowl and pat dry.

Notes

How to Store Cleaned Leeks

If you prefer to clean your leeks ahead of time rather than the day you need to use them you can definitely do that. Here are my suggestions for storing cleaned leeks:

Complete the cleaning instructions contained in this post.
Make sure the leeks are dried well after their final rinse.
Then, place the clean leeks in a zip top bag or an air tight storage container.
You can also include a sheet of paper towel folded in half to fit in the storage container to absorb any excess moisture that might be remaining.

How To Clean Leeks

What Are Leeks?

How to Select the Best Leeks

Tools Needed to Clean Leeks

How to Clean Leeks