How to Boil Leeks: Everything You Need to Know

Leeks are a part of the allium family, a lot like garlic and onions. However, they have a taste that is unlike those two members of its family. If you eat leeks raw, they give out a very harsh and sharp taste. Because of this, only very young leeks are eaten raw. When cooked, a leek is quite the treat, having the bitter taste of onions with a tinge of sweetness. You must know how to boil leeks to get that taste you’re seeking out of them. Although boiling a leak may seem like a simple process, it must be done in a certain way to get the best out of it. Everything you eat should have great taste. Let’s have a look at how to boil leeks.

How to Boil Leeks (Step by Step Instructions)

Boiling leeks is a very simple process, but each step of the process must be followed to get the best out of what you make. Here’s the process:

Step 1: Get a piece of Leek

The first thing you need to do is obtain your leek. Leeks are available throughout the year with the best batches being available from September to March. Make sure the leek you buy is as fresh as possible. The normal indication of a fresh leek is a thoroughly white and firm lower half with green leaves that give off a crisp look. The size of the leeks also has a bearing on the taste you get. Small leeks are sweeter and far tenderer than larger leeks. So if you’re not a fan of the harsh taste that longer leeks bring with them, go for the shorter variety.

Step 2: Wash them thoroughly

You must make sure your leek is as clean as possible. Soak them in water and rub every inch of the leek clean to get rid of any impurities. If there is any dirt or other impurities on the leek, the water cannot reach every inch, and the leek will not properly boil. So rub your leek clean using mild hot water and leave it to dry once you’re done. Drying the leek helps restore its firmness, making it easier to cut it up for the boiling.

Step 3: Cut it into Pieces

Next, you must cut up the leek in as many pieces as you want. You can cut it horizontally or vertically depending on the shapes you want to see. The ideal approach to cutting a leak is to cut it into rings. This means a larger surface to volume ratio which allows the water to move throughout and affect every single inch of the leek. Moreover, it also becomes easy to eat and digest when you have the leek in small rings.

Step 4: Get boiled water

The best way to boil leaks is to put them directly in boiled water before boiling. The hotter the water at the start, the more quickly the leeks will be boiled. It’s not only faster but a more efficient method as well, as the rings of leek will not have to adapt to the rising temperature but will have done so as boiling begins. Simply put water in your pressure cooker or some other utensil and boil it. Once the water has boiled, take it off the stove.

Step 5: Add one tablespoon of salt

In the nearly boiled water, you must add one tablespoon of salt. The salt not only adds taste to the water, but it also increases the boiling point of water. An increased boiling point means more heating is needed to boil the water. This allows you to boil your leeks in the already hot water without having to worry about the water boiling too quickly. Salt is a very important ingredient here. Remember to mix the solution thoroughly, so the salt dissolves.

Step 6: Place the Rings Inside and Boil

Simply place the rings of leek inside the salty water and put the lid on your utensil. Put the utensil on the stove and turn the fire on to boil it.

How Long To Boil the Leeks

10 minutes is a decent amount of time to leave your leek inside the water. After 10 minutes of boiling, you must take the utensil off of the stove and take off the lid. Take all the pieces out and take out as much water from them as possible. Then simply put them on a plate to serve. Your boiled leeks are ready for consumption.

Here’s how your boiled leeks will look when done: