Braised Leeks with Lemon Mustard Sauce

This wonderful recipe is the perfect way to enjoy the wonderful flavors and textures of Leeks. When slowly braised, Leeks produce the most beautiful flavor, absorbing the wonderful tastes from the liquid they are cooked in. In this recipe we’ll show you how to make a simple and delicious Braised Leeks with Lemon Mustard Sauce. The Leeks themselves are braised in a beautiful broth and taste great by themselves. When topped with the Lemon Mustard Sauce, they are transformed into a restaurant quality side dish

Inspiration for this Recipe

This recipe is one we were inspired by the folks at Food & Wine. We made a few adjustments to their recipe, but for the best part the cooking process remains similar. The main adjustment we have made to our Braised Leeks with Lemon Mustard Sauce is the inclusion of White Wine

White Wine is such a great pairing with Leeks, and works perfectly in this dish. The Food & Wine folks used Water, which we’re not the biggest fans of.  It’s an interesting dish because it also calls for the use of Chicken Stock. I always find using Stock as a substitute for Water makes dishes so much more flavorful. So, adding Chicken Stock along with Water seemed a little strange

Anyway, by swapping out Water with White Wine you will achieve a richer, more sophisticated flavor in the dish. Leeks absolutely love being cooked in Wine, and this recipe is no exception. It will require about ½ cup of White Wine, leaving plenty left to enjoy while you’re cooking the dish!

How to make Braised Leeks with Lemon Mustard Sauce

There are a few steps in this dish, but all in all it’s a very simple recipe to make at home. The cookery of the Leeks is one that requires several steps, as we first pan-fry the Leeks in a combination of Butter and Olive Oil to get them beautiful and caramelized

Then, to get those Leeks to their famously silky-smooth texture they are cooked over a low heat, covered, in a braising liquid consisting of White Wine and Chicken Stock. They’re then finished with a simple Lemon Mustard Sauce that ties the whole dish together

Preparing the Leeks

Before any cooking commences, the first step is to prepare our Leeks. They’re a fun vegetable to prepare, and their texture is so unique. Leeks are a type of Onion, and like Onions, have many layers that can be peeled away as you cut through them

As Leeks are grown in the earth they tend to retain some dirt and grit in them once harvested. This is typically found within the layers of the Leek flesh and will need to be removed. To do so, first cut away the root and the leafy greens from the Leek, then slice the Leek into 2 – 3 pieces (depending on how big your Leeks are)

Then, cut the Leeks through the middle to reveal their layered center. At this point, grab each piece of Leek and wash them under cold water, fanning each layer of the Leek as you do to remove the dirt and grit. When doing so, pleas ensure you keep the Leek intact, as it’ll make cooking them a lot easier!

Once the Leeks are sliced and washed they are ready for cooking. I’d suggest sitting them out on some paper towels to remove any of that excess water before we begin cooking

Cooking the Leeks

First step is to melt some Butter with Olive Oil in a large pan. You’ll want a pan that’s large enough so that all the Leeks will fit without overlapping. Once melted, add the Leeks cut side down and pan fry for about 5 – 6 minutes, until they begin to caramelize and turn golden

In goes the White Wine, which we cook for a few minutes to burn off all the Alcohol. Then, add the Chicken Stock and bring to a simmer. Cover, then braise over a low heat for about 10 minutes until the Leeks are perfectly cooked and tender

We recommend you use homemade Chicken Stock for these Braised Leeks with Lemon Mustard Sauce instead of any store-bought stuff. It’ll taste 100 times better and not be loaded up with Salt. You can use our Chicken Stock recipe here. Alternatively, Vegetable Stock is another good option, recipe here

Finishing the dish with a simple Lemon Mustard Sauce

Once the Leeks are cooked, carefully remove them from the pan and place them on a serving platter. Try to keep the Leeks together as much as you can. You may need to use two spatulas here! In the pan you’ve just cooked with, add Lemon Juice and Mustard along with some Salt and Pepper

No need to use any heat, just mix everything together along with any leftover braising liquid that’s in the pan and you’ve got a delicious Lemon Mustard Sauce. Drizzle the Sauce over those plated Leeks and finish the whole dish off with freshly chopped Parsley and it’s done!

Braised Leeks with Lemon Mustard Sauce Recipe

Ingredients

• 3 Large Leeks
• 1 tbsp. Olive Oil
• 1 tbsp. Butter
• ½ cup of Chicken Stock (recipe here)
• ½ cup of White Wine
• ¼ cup Parsley, roughly chopped
• Juice of 1 Lemon
• 1 heaped tsp. Dijon Mustard
• ¼ cup Parsley, roughly chopped
• Salt and Pepper
  
  

Instructions

1. Remove the root and the leafy greens from the Leeks and then cut them into three equal sized pieces. Slice each in half to expose their insides. Wash well under cold water by fanning the layers out to remove any dirt stuck in between the layers
2. Heat a large saucepan over medium heat then add Olive Oil and Butter. Mix well, then add the Leeks cut side down. Season with Salt and Pepper then cook Leeks for 5 – 6 minutes until lightly charred on the underside
3. Add the White Wine and cook for 2 minutes until the alcohol has burnt off, then add Chicken Stock. Bring to a Simmer then drop heat to low. Cover and braise for 10 minutes until tender
4. Remove Leeks and place them on a serving plate. Remove the pan from the heat then add Lemon Juice and Mustard. Mix well and season with Salt and Pepper
5. Drizzle the Mustard Sauce over the Leeks and top them with freshly chopped Parsley
   
   

Recipe Notes

• For a booze-free dish you can replace the White Wine with Water
• Be sure to wash the Leeks thoroughly before cooking them
• You can swap out the Chicken Stock for Vegetable Stock if you prefer
  
  

These tasty Braised Leeks with Lemon Mustard Sauce are the perfect Vegetable Side for a hearty family meal. Try them with your favorite protein like Pork, Steak, or Chicken for a full and delicious dinner

If you enjoy this recipe then we also recommend you check out these delicious Vegetable Side Dishes:

• Miso Roast Broccoli
• Cauliflower Cheese
• Celery Root Puree
• Roast Shallots with Chicken Stock
  
  

Happy Cooking!