21 Best Leek Substitutes For Flawless Recipes

Picture this…you’re getting ready to make a recipe that calls for leeks (like this incredible Potato Leek Soup), and you can’t find them at the store. Leeks add loads of flavor and nutrients. But if you’re not able to get them, this post gives you 21 of the best leek substitutes to ensure a flawless recipe finish!

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Table of Contents

What are leeks?

Leeks are in the same family as garlic and onions, though they are long, green, and tube-shaped. This veggie is known for its mildly sweet flavor that adds a nice touch of complexity to any dish without as much power as onions. You can use them in tons of recipes, from soups, stews, salads, and beyond. 

Nutrition

Leeks are nutrient-dense and low in calories. They contain high amounts of antioxidants and carotenoids. Your body converts carotenoids into vitamin A. They are also a good source of vitamins K1, C, B6, and iron.

The List: 21 Best Leek Substitutes

When you’re in the middle of a recipe and realize you’re out of leeks, don’t panic! Here’s a comprehensive guide to the 21 best leek substitutes that can save your dish and add a unique twist.

1. Leek Powder: Made from finely ground leeks, leek powder will be the closest thing to leeks that you can get. The downside is that you’ll miss out on the texture that leeks tend to provide.
   Recommended ratio: For a recipe that calls for one large leek (or 1 cup chopped leek), use one teaspoon of leek powder. 
2. Wild Leeks (Validallium tricoccum): If you can find wild leeks or ramps as they are known, you’ll have an excellent substitute. They’re more garlicky and oniony, though their texture will be sublime for dishes that require sauteing. 
   Recommended ratio: 1 cup chopped leek = 2-4 wild leeks. (Wild leeks are much smaller than store-bought leeks.)
3. Green Onions (Scallions): Green onions look similar, though they have a bolder onion flavor. You may want to use a little less of these in your dish to keep from overpowering things.  
   Substitution ratio: One large leek (or 1 cup chopped leek) equals about six medium green onions.
4. Calçot: When leeks need to be more of the star, this substitute has a mild taste. When cooked, they’re tender, though when raw, they have a similar crunch. 
   Recommended ratio: For a recipe that calls for one large leek (or 1 cup chopped leek), use six to eight medium calçots.
5. Chives: Subtle and more delicate, chives may be the answer when your recipe calls for a little bit of leeks. 
   Recommended ratio: For a recipe that calls for one leek, use 1-2 tablespoons of chopped chives. 
6. Shallots: Shallots are similar in texture, though they offer a slightly more delicate and sweet flavor than leeks. 
   Recommended ratio: For a recipe that calls for 1 cup chopped leek, use two large shallots or 3 medium shallots.
7. Yellow Onions: Yellow onions are sweeter, making them a good option for leeks in soups or stews without taking over.
   Substitution ratio: For a recipe that calls for one large leek (or 1 cup chopped leek), use one small yellow onion in its place.
8. White Onions: I recommend white onions in place of leeks in a recipe where the leeks would be raw, such as in a salad. 
   Recommended ratio: For a recipe that calls for 1 cup of chopped leek, use one small white onion.
9. Sweet Onions: Use sweet onions in place of leeks in cooked recipes for the best results. 
   Recommended ratio: Use one medium onion in place of one medium leek.
10. Red Onions: When you need a raw garnish in place of leeks, red onions give that punch of color and flavor.
    Recommended ratio: For a recipe that calls for one large leek, use one small red onion or half of a larger red onion. 
11. Onion Powder: If you’re standing in your kitchen with just a spice rack, onion powder can literally help you in a pinch with concentrated, savory onion flavors. 
    Substitution ratio: Use one teaspoon of onion powder to one-leek ratio.
12. Wild Garlic (Allium ursinum): You can also choose wild garlic, though it will be a bit earthier and stronger in flavor, so use a little less than you need in the recipe.
    Sub ratio: For a recipe that calls for one leek, substitute 2-3 wild garlic.
13. Garlic Scapes: A little spicier and complex yet less pungent than garlic itself, garlic scapes can save you when you can’t find leeks.
    Recommended ratio: For a recipe that calls for one cup of chopped leek, use 3-4 garlic scapes. 
14. Fresh Garlic: I recommend making the swap with fresh garlic only in cooked recipes, or the raw taste of garlic will overpower your entire dish. 
    Alternative ratio: Start with one clove minced for each leek called for in the recipe. 
15. Fresh Elephant Garlic: This one is similar to fresh garlic. I only recommend using this leek alternative in cooked recipes.
    Recommended ratio: For a recipe with one leek, use 1/2 – 1 small minced elephant garlic clove. 
16. Garlic Powder: Just like onion powder, garlic powder can also assist in any recipe that requires cooked leeks.
    Suggested ratio: Use one teaspoon of garlic powder for a recipe that calls for 1 cup of chopped leek. 
17. Fennel Bulb: Fennel bulbs offer a subtle sweet taste that is ideal for savory dishes. It has a crunchy texture when raw, though it is incredibly tender when cooked.
    Recommended ratio: Use 1/4 to 1/2 of a fennel bulb in place of one leek.
18. Celery: Celery can give you a milder taste when cooking a dish that calls for leeks. 
    Substitution ratio: For a recipe that calls for one large leek (or one cup of chopped leek), use two stalks of celery.
19. Celery Leaves: These herbaceous leaves are a great way to get that depth you want in salads.
    Recommended ratio: For a recipe that uses one large leek, use one cup of celery leaves. 
20. Bok Choy: Crisp and tender bok choy is a nice substitute for leeks that you can try in soups, stir-fry, or salad.
    Recommended ratio: Use one large bok choy or two smaller ones as a leek alternative.
21. Green Cabbage: Crunchy and versatile, the mild flavor of green cabbage may be an appropriate stand-in for leeks in your recipe.
    Suggested ratio: Use 1/4 of a head of green cabbage to substitute for one leek.

If you found this resource, the 21 Best Leek Substitutes, helpful, let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!

Final Words

Leeks do have their own unique flavor profile and texture, though there may be times when you can’t find them. Rather than omit the flavor they provide completely from the recipe and have it lack something, you can use these leek substitutes to help fill in. Ultimately, it will depend on what you’re making as to which one will be the best fit. By using this guide, you should find the best match for your needs.