Leek is a vegetable that belongs to the Allium family. The genus also contains Chinese onion, chive, shallot, scallion, kurrat, and elephant garlic. These are all closely related vegetables with varying tastes, flavors, and fragrances. Their uses in food also differ. [1] [3]
Leek has a long cylinder of green leaves bundled in a sheath with a dense white base at the bottom. The whitest bulb at the base is most commonly used in dishes. However, the leaves too can be added to soups, stews, and salads. [2]
Leeks taste like onion and garlic with a milder flavor and rich texture.
You may think of substituting leeks in your dishes—when it is out of season and not affordable due to their relatively higher price.
Other vegetables of the allium family make suitable substitutions for leeks. Though you cannot expect them to give out the exact flavor of leeks in your dishes, the alternatives can save your day.
Here are 6 substitutes of leeks that you may try.
6 Leek Substitutes That You May Try
1. Onion
Onion is the most widely cultivated vegetable of the allium family. You can easily find it at local groceries in all seasons. In addition, it’s cheaper than leeks.
Onion has a more robust flavor and fragrance than leeks. But the bulb can provide similar bulk and texture to your dishes. There are different varieties of onions. Red and white onions may not come close to leeks’ flavor. So it would help if you looked out for yellow onions. As a rule of thumb, saute chopped onions to sweeten the taste before adding them to your dish. [4]
For 1 cup of leeks, you may replace ½ cup of chopped and sauteed yellow onion.
2. Scallion or Green Onion
Scallion or green onion can be the closest substitute for leeks. It is also known as spring onion or salad onion. Scallion doesn’t have fully developed bulbs as the leeks and mature onion.
However, you may use the raw green leaves as an alternative to leeks in your salad garnish and soups. Scallion has a sweet and juicy flavor as mild as leeks. [5]
In the recipe, you can replace 1 cup of chopped or sliced scallion with 1 cup of leeks.
3. Shallot
Shallot is another close substitute for leeks. It is a type of onion with a slightly milder taste and texture. [6] So, its flavor comes close to leeks. Fresh shallots are widely available in all supermarkets.
You can use sautéed or raw, thinly chopped shallot as a substitute for leeks.
Add less amount of the ingredient than what’s in the recipe. For example, a good rule for substituting shallot for leeks is to replace 1 cup with ¾ cup of shallot.
4. Garlic
The old English term for garlic is garlic which translates to ‘spear-shaped leek.’
Garlic is another relative of leeks with a more intense smell, savory flavor, and taste. [7]
Garlic is readily available and a cheaper alternative to leeks. To retain the delicate flavor of leeks, you replace them with a small amount of chopped and sauteed garlic in the dish.
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5. Ramps or Wild Leeks
The ramp is getting popular as a culinary ingredient in North American restaurants. It is an early spring vegetable that grows extensively in the eastern U.S.A and Canada. Ramps look like scallions but have smaller bulbs and one or two light-green, smooth leaves. The ramp has a distinct flavor that is milder than leeks. It has a pronounced onion smell and a strong-pungent garlic-like taste. That’s why the vegetable is easily adaptable to various dishes. [8]
Ramps are easy to clean and prepare. The freshly chopped ramps can be used in all traditional dishes that call for leeks or scallions. Ramps make a good substitute for leeks in scrambled eggs, soup, rice, bacon, and potato dishes.
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6. Frozen Leeks
Frozen leeks may be available in the freezer section of many supermarkets or groceries. It makes an easy replacement for fresh leeks. Because it’s already chopped, it saves preparation time, and there’s no wastage. In addition, you can add it to your soups and casseroles just like you use fresh leeks.
Bottom Line
Leeks belong to the onion family with many other vegetables that closely imitate its flavor, texture, fragrance, and taste. You can always substitute leeks with any of the alternative vegetables discussed above.
However, many substitutes have a slightly more pungent taste and flavor than leeks. Therefore, ensure you add less of the replacing ingredient to retain the delicacy of leeks in your dishes.
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