Leek Mashed Potatoes

This Leek Mashed Potatoes recipe is a simple yet flavorful twist on a classic side dish. Creamy potatoes are cooked alongside tender leeks, creating a deliciously smooth and savory mash. With just a touch of butter and seasoning, the natural flavors of the leeks and potatoes shine through, making it a perfect accompaniment to any meal. This dish is easy to prepare and adds a subtle, aromatic depth to your traditional mashed potatoes, making it a family favorite for weeknight dinners or special occasions.

Why We Can’t Get Enough of Leek Mashed Potatoes During Leek Season

Leek Mashed Potatoes have become a beloved staple in our home, especially when leeks are in season (leeks are typically in season during the cooler months, from late fall through early spring). This dish is one of those simple pleasures that brings so much comfort to our meals. The combination of creamy, buttery potatoes with the subtle, sweet flavor of leeks is just irresistible. When leeks are fresh and abundant, this is hands down the most made side dish in our kitchen.

One of the reasons we love this dish so much is its versatility. It pairs beautifully with so many main courses, from a classic roast chicken to a perfectly cooked salmon fillet. It even goes well with a hearty beef stew or a simple grilled steak. The leeks add just the right amount of flavor without overpowering the dish, making it a perfect companion to almost any meal.

If you’re thinking about growing leeks in your garden, they’re relatively easy to cultivate with a little care. Leeks prefer well-drained soil and plenty of sunlight. Start them indoors if you live in a cooler climate, and once the seedlings are sturdy enough, transplant them into your garden. They require consistent watering, especially during dry periods, and they thrive when given plenty of space to grow. Harvesting them when they’re young and tender will give you the best flavor, perfect for dishes like this one.

Leek Mashed Potatoes have become more than just a side dish for us – they’re a way to celebrate the fresh, seasonal produce we grow and love. Whether it’s a weeknight dinner or a special family gathering, this dish always brings smiles to our table. Give it a try, and I’m sure it will become a favorite in your home too!

Best,

Ana

More Cozy Dinner Recipes

How to clean leeks?

Cleaning leeks can be a bit tricky since dirt and sand can get trapped between their layers. To properly clean leeks, cut off the dark green tops, slice the leeks into thin half-moon shapes, and place them in a bowl of cold water. Swish the leeks around to loosen any dirt or sand. Let the leeks sit for a few minutes to allow any grit to settle to the bottom of the bowl. Then, lift the leeks out of the water with a slotted spoon or your hands and rinse under running water to remove any remaining dirt or sand. Finally, drain the leeks in a colander and pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels.

What kind of potatoes are best to use in this recipe?

For mashed potatoes, starchy potatoes are generally recommended as they break down well and create a nice, fluffy texture. Russet potatoes (sometimes called Idaho potatoes) are a good choice due to their high starch content. Yukon Gold potatoes are another good option for mashing. They are slightly less starchy than Russets, but they have a creamy texture and a buttery flavour which can enhance the overall taste of the dish. You can use different types of potatoes, but starchy potatoes like Russet or Yukon Gold are the best for achieving a light and fluffy texture.

Ingredients for Leek Mashed Potatoes

Potatoes: A starchy, versatile vegetable that serves as the creamy, comforting base for this dish. Potatoes add a hearty texture and mild flavor that pairs well with a variety of ingredients.
Leeks: A member of the onion family, leeks have a subtle, sweet flavor that adds a delicate onion-like taste to the dish, enhancing the overall flavor without overpowering it.
Butter: Rich and creamy, butter adds a smooth texture and a delicious, indulgent flavor to the mashed potatoes, making them velvety and satisfying.
Salt: An essential seasoning that enhances the natural flavors of the ingredients, bringing out the savory notes in the dish.
Black Pepper: A warming spice that adds a hint of mild heat and a subtle depth to the dish, complementing the other flavors perfectly.

How to Make Leek Mashed Potatoes

For the potatoes: Add potatoes to cold, salted water and cook for 10 - 12 minutes or until halfway cooked.
For the leeks: Add them to potatoes and cook additional 8 - 10 minutes or until both vegetables are fork tender and cooked through.
Add butter: Drain leeks and potatoes and return to the same pot. Add butter and carefully mash with potato masher or a fork. Season with salt and black pepper and serve.

Recipe Variations

Creamy Leek Mashed Potatoes: For an even creamier texture, add a splash of warm cream, milk, or half-and-half while mashing the potatoes and leeks. This will give the dish a richer, more luxurious consistency.
Cheesy Leek Mashed Potatoes: Stir in grated cheese like cheddar, Parmesan, or Gruyère after mashing the potatoes. The cheese will melt into the mixture, adding a savory depth and creamy texture.
Garlic Leek Mashed Potatoes: Sauté a few cloves of minced garlic in the butter before adding it to the potatoes and leeks. This will infuse the dish with a rich, garlicky flavor that pairs beautifully with the leeks.
Herbed Leek Mashed Potatoes: Stir in chopped fresh herbs like parsley, chives, or dill after mashing. The herbs will add a burst of fresh flavor and brighten up the dish.
Leek and Potato Colcannon: For an Irish-inspired variation, stir in some cooked, chopped kale or cabbage along with the leeks. This turns the dish into a version of colcannon, a traditional Irish mashed potato dish.
Bacon and Leek Mashed Potatoes: Cook and crumble some bacon, then stir it into the mashed potatoes and leeks for a smoky, savory twist. You can also use the bacon drippings to sauté the leeks for extra flavor.
Roasted Leek Mashed Potatoes: Instead of boiling the leeks with the potatoes, try roasting them in the oven with a drizzle of olive oil until caramelized. Then mash them with the potatoes for a deeper, sweeter flavor.
Mustard Leek Mashed Potatoes: Stir in a teaspoon or two of Dijon mustard after mashing the potatoes. This will add a tangy, slightly spicy flavor that complements the sweetness of the leeks.
Truffle Leek Mashed Potatoes: For an indulgent touch, drizzle a small amount of truffle oil over the mashed potatoes before serving. The earthy, aromatic flavor of the truffle oil pairs beautifully with the leeks.
Vegan Leek Mashed Potatoes: Replace the butter with olive oil or vegan butter to make the dish vegan-friendly. You can also add a splash of plant-based milk for extra creaminess.

To make Leek Mashed Potatoes you only need three ingredients and one pot. It is buttery but light and bright.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 25

Total Time 45

Course Side Dish

Cuisine Croatian

Servings

Ingredients

4 medium potatoes peeled and cubed
4 leeks sliced
40 g butter or to taste
salt to taste
black pepper to taste

Optional, for garnish:

1 green onion thinly sliced

Instructions

For the potatoes: Add potatoes to cold, salted water and cook for 10 - 12 minutes or until halfway cooked.
For the leeks: Add them to potatoes and cook additional 8 - 10 minutes or until both vegetables are fork tender and cooked through.
Add butter: Drain leeks and potatoes and return to the same pot. Add butter and carefully mash with potato masher or a fork. Season with salt and black pepper. Garnish with green onion and serve.

Notes

How to clean leeks: Start by cutting off the root end and dark green leaves. Slice into thin rings and place into a bowl of cold water. Gently separate the layers of the leeks with your fingers to ensure all the dirt is removed. Place the slices in a colander and rinse under cold water.

Serving options: Serve it as a side dish with chicken or other poultry. It also goes really well with roasted beef or pork.

Meal prep: You can make Leek Mashed Potatoes in advance, It will hold well in the fridge up to three days. You can reheat it in the microwave or on the stove top. When re-heating on the stove top add a couple of spoons of water to prevent from sticking and burning.

What drink to serve with Leek Mashed Potatoes: the best wines to pair with leek dish are dry white wines such as Chenin Blanc and unoaked or subtle oaked Chardonnay.

Vegan option: Replace butter in this recipe with vegan butter.

Keyword kid-friendly, side dish

Author

Ana

Welcome to my culinary haven! My name is Ana, and I'm the passionate voice behind World Cuisines Network. Here, I share recipes that have not only won the approval of my family but have also stood the test of time in our kitchen. My goal is to introduce the rich tapestry of global flavors right to your family table. Thank you for dropping in! We're thrilled to have you join us.
View all posts