Do you cook with leeks? I am going to let you in on a secret. Come closer. Come even closer. Did you know that the dark green parts are yummier than the white and light green parts? Yeah, I am talking about leek greens. See, recipes always call for the white and light green part, then you probably toss the dark part. Well, Mother Nature didn’t intend you to toss the leek greens but use them. Here’s her secret that she whispered to me one day.
Yes, I have become the leek greens whisperer.
Leek Greens Magic
Cut off the greens and store them in the freezer. If you are using a lot of leeks for a recipe like potato leek soup, then go ahead and spread them on a baking sheet or pop them into the dehydrator.
Watch my video below as to how to dehydrate the leeks.
Ingredients:
Clean leek greens. (They tend to have dirt in and among the leaves.)
Instructions:
- Cut the greens the size of chips. (About 2 to 3 inches)
- Spread them on unbleached parchment paper or silpat mat in the oven or dehyrdrator.
- Cook for about 8 hours in the oven at 130 degrees or your lowest setting. Alternatively, cook them in the dehydrator at 110 degrees. I haven’t cooked them in the dehyrator yet.
- Chips are done when they are crispy like a chip.
- Store them in an air tight container.
Eat them like a chip or use them for garnishment when a recipe calls for crispy onions. (Um, if you go down the chip route, you won’t be able to eat just one.)
These dehydrated leeks are much tastier than their white dehydrated counterpart. Trust me I tried both.
Other Leek Green Recipes:
I love the leek greens dehydrated but you can cook with them as well.
- Saute with them. The greens are much milder than onions. See HERE for a recipe.
- Wrap fish with leek greens. According to the Louis Bonduelle Foundation, cooking fish surrounded by leeks is a “great way to cook fish in a natural and edible parcel that enhances its digestibility.”
- Make a leek tart.
- Use for stock. (Here is my vegetable stock recipe. Store the greens with the other leftover peels.)
- Frizzle the greens so that they are more crisp and brown.
- Roasted Leek Greens (Paleo and AIP friendly)
- Leek Green and Saucy Shrimp Stir Fry
- Crustless Leek Greens and herb quiche. (This recipe uses the whole leek–greens and all.)
- Leek Greens and Salty Pork Belly Stir-Fry Recipe.
- Toasty Oven Roasted Leek Greens
Help Out a Leek Green
Would you mind helping a green girl out? Please pin this image on Pinterest and share this post on Facebook, G+ and Twitter so all the unloved leek greens can be used instead of going to compost heaven?
The leeks thank you from the bottom of their roots.
Join the Conversation:
How do you use your leek greens?
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Micaela @Mindfulmomma says
January 29, 2016 at 12:33 pmSo resourceful Anna! I never would of thought of all these ideas. You may be on to something with leek chips!
Anna@Green Talk says
January 29, 2016 at 11:09 pmMicaela, move over kale chips. Anna
Lori Popkewitz Alper says
January 29, 2016 at 2:47 pmSuch a timely post Anna. We’re getting all sorts of greens in our CSA box right now. I’m always looking for creative ways to prepare.
Anna@Green Talk says
January 29, 2016 at 11:09 pmLori, they are so simple to make. Your boys will love them. Anna
Betsy (Eco-novice) says
January 29, 2016 at 4:21 pmI am always in awe of your ability to use EVERYTHING and eliminate kitchen waste. What a great alternative to chips!
Anna@Green Talk says
January 29, 2016 at 11:08 pmBetsy, when you grow it, it is so hard to compost any part of it. Anna
Tina @AMindfulFairytale says
February 1, 2016 at 3:29 pmWow! I never would have thought of that! Recipes always say to only use the white and light green parts so I thought maybe we shouldn’t eat the greens. I’m definitely going to try this because we have been on a major leek craze lately. My favourite is leeks in my chicken veggie soup! Thanks so much for this new recipe!
Anna@Green Talk says
February 1, 2016 at 10:06 pmTina, let me know how you like the “greens” when you use them? Anna
Jessica says
February 2, 2016 at 12:49 pmI totally love these ideas. I’ll all about not wasting.
Anna@Green Talk says
February 2, 2016 at 9:54 pmJessica, that is exactly what I say. If I grew it, I am using it.
linda spiker says
February 2, 2016 at 1:29 pmI have an admission to make…I never cook with leeks! I need to change that!
Anna@Green Talk says
February 2, 2016 at 9:53 pmLinda, I am so surprised! I bet you could figure a use for those leek greens. Anna
Ritta says
February 2, 2016 at 3:16 pmI’ll try this next time I have leeks! Great idea:)
Anna@Green Talk says
February 2, 2016 at 9:53 pmRitta, you will love them.
Emily @ Recipes to Nourish says
February 2, 2016 at 3:27 pmWhat a cool idea! My husband and I love leeks, but don’t get them often.
Anna@Green Talk says
February 2, 2016 at 9:53 pmEmily, you can’t eat just one leek chip. Anna
Sylvie says
February 3, 2016 at 6:00 amSuch a great idea to make chips with them, very smart!
Anna@Green Talk says
February 4, 2016 at 1:13 pmSylvie, I bet you could come up with a recipe to use them in! Anna
Renee Kohley says
February 3, 2016 at 9:15 amNo way! I am totally doing this! Thank you!
Anna@Green Talk says
February 4, 2016 at 1:13 pmRenee, your girls will love this! Anna
Megan Stevens says
February 3, 2016 at 4:28 pmI shared this on my FB page and it was popular! Such a helpful post!
Anna@Green Talk says
February 4, 2016 at 1:12 pmMegan, the mother of necessity. I can’t bear to get rid of what I grow. Thanks for sharing on Facebook! Anna
maureen says
May 23, 2016 at 10:20 amMy mom used to steam them, and serve with a white sauce for dinner. Love them that way!
Anna@Green Talk says
May 24, 2016 at 9:34 pmMaureen, sounds delicious! Anna
Zeny says
March 12, 2017 at 10:28 pmI harvested some leeks today and nearly throw out the leaves. Lucky I googled first and found this site. Very helpful, now I can use & preserve my leeks leaves, I used to tell my family the leaves are not edible, I stand corrected.
Anna says
March 14, 2017 at 12:40 amZeny, I am glad you found the site! Anna
Patti says
September 16, 2017 at 4:47 pmPerfect timing for me…I just bought 2 huge bunches of 3 leeks each from a local Amish farmer…I hated to throw away the greens so I looked up what to do with them and I found You !!! And What a great find !
I’m definitely going to try the chips, maybe with Ranch seasoning and some plain…then make powder with the rest !
Thank You and have a Great Weekend !
Patti says
September 16, 2017 at 4:50 pmPS…I’m going to post this on my 2 Facebook sites
Joe Gardener and I Can Can and Make It from Scratch
Edward Pinsent says
October 17, 2017 at 8:05 amThanks for the ideas, and I will definitely use a few of them as I have always “only” just cut them up and added them to stir fries or soups.
One I have to veto I’m afraid. If you have to use the oven for 8 hours at any temperature, to cook a leek which costs a dollar, you are simply wasting power.
Thanks for the ideas..
Eddy
Anna says
October 24, 2017 at 11:16 amEdward, you could just let them dry out on their own too. Anna
ISAAC says
February 18, 2019 at 5:44 pmWhen not heating the house on purpose that is true, it probably is a waste of energy. This is though is a great two-for-one idea for cooler months to help take some chill out of the kitchen/house while making a tasty snack. Still, I have a hard time with a crisp unsalted leak leaf for a chip though I game to give a try (I may soak first in a salt water for flavor). Like these green leek leaves presently chopped ultrafine (else they can be a bit too much fibrous), slightly cooked in water (or steamed) to pre-soften them up a bit, then, like leek whites, I like them added to a pan with butter/olive oil, then heated and carmelized and finally added into a chip dip, mixed into a vegetable broth, or served with a white sauce.
Anna says
February 26, 2019 at 7:24 pmIsaac, the good thing about leeks is they are really ready to pick until Fall (at least in zone 6.) Love your idea on how to use them. Thanks for your comment. Anna
Sharon says
February 24, 2018 at 10:12 amI was very excited to try these chips. I persevered in drying them for 8 hours even though they smelled horrible- like a gas leak (several candles helped). But both my husband and I thought they had a horrible taste. Too bad.
Anna says
March 9, 2018 at 10:09 pmSharon, they smell like onions. Did you clean them well before you dehydrated them?
Victoria says
March 20, 2018 at 10:06 amI’m using leeks for the second time and almost threw away the dark green! Just saw your idea for the chips, one question, I just washed them, do they have to dry completely before I can bake them? and can you season them while baking? pink salt? or creole seasoning? for the chips?? I hate wasting anything!
Anna says
March 26, 2018 at 11:31 pmYou can dry them a little damp and yes you can season them. Anna
Jen says
May 12, 2018 at 5:09 pmThis is my second year harvesting leeks. Last year I didn’t use the greens, bummer! SO glad I took time to look up how to keep them. Thank you 🙂
Anna says
May 23, 2018 at 5:45 pmJen,let me know how this recipe works out for you this year. Anna