How to Clean Leeks

Published on Monday, March 2, 2009, by CHOW Video Team / Edit Post

How to Clean Leeks

Rinsing the outside of a leek will get you a shiny leek that’s still stuffed full of grit. CHOW Associate Editor Roxanne Webber shows a simple way to trim a leek for maximum dirt access.

CHOW Tips are the shared wisdom of our community. If you’ve figured out some piece of food, drink, or cooking wisdom that you’d like to share on video (and you can be in San Francisco), email Meredith Arthur and tell us what you’ve got in mind.

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  • dmd, I third that. What's more, although I've been told over and over that leeks always have dirt in them, in my experience, they rarely do. However, better safe than sorry, and I use your method for rinsing that (potential) dirt off.

  • Ditto dmd. I just made a batch of leek and potato soup last night and cleaned the leeks after chopping them into the size I wanted. One British chef I worked for said to swish the pieces around like you were 'washing your smalls' (translation- underwear).

    Also don't agree with the top part of the leek automatically being tossed into the stock bin. I use a lot of that. The inner leaves at the...+READ

    Ditto dmd. I just made a batch of leek and potato soup last night and cleaned the leeks after chopping them into the size I wanted. One British chef I worked for said to swish the pieces around like you were 'washing your smalls' (translation- underwear).

    Also don't agree with the top part of the leek automatically being tossed into the stock bin. I use a lot of that. The inner leaves at the top are quite tender and yellow. Of course, my soup has a slightly green tinge (definitely not a classical vichyssoise colour), but it was just for me, so who cares.-COLLAPSE

  • Man, I love this site, but this advice is just wrong in every way. It wastes gallons upon gallons of water, and it won't get your leeks clean.

    The right way:

    1. Chop your leeks to the size you want.

    2. Place them in large bowl of cold water. They float.

    3. Swish around and let settle for 10 minutes or so.

    4. Lift the leeks out without disturbing the water. Use a slotted spoon or preferably a...+READ

    Man, I love this site, but this advice is just wrong in every way. It wastes gallons upon gallons of water, and it won't get your leeks clean.

    The right way:

    1. Chop your leeks to the size you want.

    2. Place them in large bowl of cold water. They float.

    3. Swish around and let settle for 10 minutes or so.

    4. Lift the leeks out without disturbing the water. Use a slotted spoon or preferably a spider.

    5. Throw the water out in the yard. Don't put it down your drains, because it's full of dirt and/or sand.-COLLAPSE