How to Cut Leeks

Wondering how to cut leeks? Here’s a step by step guide and video that shows you exactly how to clean leeks and cut them into half moons.

Video: How to cut leeks

Are you wondering how to cut leeks but not sure the best way? Alex and I love cooking with leeks; their flavor brings a flair that’s more unique than the standard onion. Here’s our method for how to cut leeks; we use it for leek recipes like our potato leek soup or quinoa with leeks and herbs. This method is slick and simple, and we hope you find it to be too! Here’s our step by step guide for how to cut leeks, including a video of me cutting leeks in our kitchen.

Related: 20 Knife Skills Videos: How to Cut Everything!

How to cut leeks step by step

Step 1

Using a large chef’s knife, slice off the root end of the leek.

Step 2

Slice off the tough green top.

Step 3

Slice the leek in half lengthwise.

Step 4

Place both halves cut side down, then use a circular motion to cut the leek into thin half moons.

Step 5

Leeks generally have quite a bit of sand and dirt between the layers. To clean the leeks, place them into a bowl of water. The dirt will settle to the bottom. Use your hands to shake loose any visible dirt.

Step 6

Scoop the leeks out of the bowl with your hands, allowing any dirt and sediment to stay on the bottom of the bowl.

And there you have it: how to cut leeks in 6 easy steps!

Let us know if you try our methods for how to cut leeks and how to clean leeks, and tell us how it goes in the comments below.

How to use leek greens

Since you remove the leek greens from the leek when you cut it, you might wonder how to use leek greens? Some people say you can use them for vegetable broth (here’s our Best Homemade Vegetable Broth recipe); others say that leek greens have the potential to add bitterness. So Alex and I simply discard them to our compost pile: they’re great for compost! If you’re wondering how to get started composting, here’s our Composting 101 tutorial.

Best chef knife & cutting boards

Alex and I are often asked about the best kitchen tools. And every time we answer, “A good sharp chef’s knife!” A good knife can drastically improve your time in the kitchen, and lasts for years (we’ve had our chef knives for 10 plus years). Here are some of the knives we recommend, as well as cutting boards and the best knife sharpener. These recommendations are perfect for outfitting your own kitchen, or great gifts for a wedding registry or someone who loves to cook!

Video: Knife Skills, Gear, & How to Hold a Knife!

• 7″ Chef’s Knife — our best knife recommendation
• 10″ Chef’s Knife — our favorite large knife
• 8″ Chef’s Knife — our favorite affordable knife
• Paring Knife
• Serrated Knife / Bread Knife
• Non-Slip Wood Cutting Board (used in the video!) or Non-Slip Bamboo Cutting Board
• Non-Slip Plastic Cutting Board
• Knife Sharpener
• Drawer Knife Organizer — this is how we store our knives, and it’s even slicker than a knife block

Looking for leek recipes?

Now that you know how to cut leeks, here are some of our favorite leek recipes for you to try:

• Ultra Creamy Leek Soup
• Potato Leek Soup
• Quinoa with Leeks and Herbs
• Whole Grain Classic Homemade Stuffing
• Butternut Squash Lentil Soup with Kale
• Three Onion Homemade Fried Rice
• Stuffed Acorn Squash with Quinoa and Herbs
• Vegetarian Stuffed Acorn Squash

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20 Tasty Leek Recipes

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Classic Potato Leek Soup

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How to Cook Leeks

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How to Cut Leeks

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