Leeks work as a great replacement in a variety of dishes, either raw or cooked. A lesser-known fact about this veggie is that you can also use them to prepare delicious juices. If you wonder about its flavor, benefits, and juice yield, let’s find out if it is worthy or not!
It is possible to juice leeks, plus they turn out to be super healthy. They have a sweet earthy flavor with some oniony undertone. You can also pair it with different foods, in case you find the taste of leek juice off-putting. Drinking it has no such side effects and provides you with tons of essential nutrients. Still, avoid overconsuming the juice.
While thinly sliced leeks look appealing in soups, their usage does not end here. We have compiled an informative guide about the pros of juicing leeks with easy-to-follow recipes and instructions.
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Juicing Raw Leek Vegetable: A Hit Or Miss?
Leeks belong to the onion family and resemble scallions or green chives. But, they are a milder version of an onion with a similar base flavor but far less intense. It makes leeks a versatile veggie that goes well in various side dishes and main dishes from distinct cultures and cuisines.
Apart from adding depth to soups, stews, and pasta, they are surprisingly a good candidate for juicing. Though it is less common to consume this veggie juice, it has naturally present flavonoids, vitamins A, E, K, and fibers. If you don’t get bothered by the oniony flavor of leeks, you can benefit from its health-improving properties.
While raw leek juice is sweeter and mellower in terms of flavors, you always have the option of combining it with other ingredients. Also, as they are larger and firmer than regular green onions, it can be a little tough to juice them. You might have to put more time and effort into juicing leeks, but the results are worth it.
How To Juice Leeks: Tips And Tricks!
If you are trying to juice leek for the first time, it can feel somewhat confusing about how and where to start. Thus, for your ease, we have listed all the necessary steps required so you can get a fresh glass of leek juice within minutes. Let’s get started!
1. Wash and clean the leeks
As leeks grow in dirt, they are often full of hidden dirt and traces of harmful chemicals. So, to get rid of them, prepare the veggie by rinsing and washing it thoroughly. Once you remove the excess residue, pat them dry with a paper towel.
2. Cut them into pieces
Take a sharp knife to trim the root end and coarse dark green top part. These parts of leek are stiff, with an intensely bitter taste. Thus it is better not to put them in your juice. Don’t’ discard them because you can add them later to stocks and soups. Next, cut the leeks into medium-sized chunks so they can slide easily in a juicer or blender.
3. Mix leeks with other ingredients
If you are not a fan of the subtle oniony flavor, you can pair leek with different fruits and veggies to cover the taste. Some ingredients that go well with this veggie include carrots, beetroot, ginger, parsley, and many more. Leeks are versatile and allow you to experiment with flavor combinations.
4. Use a blender
Toss your ingredients in a blender, plus add some water and ice cubes. The quantity of water can be more or less, depending on the consistency you desire. The blending will take about 3-4 minutes and once you are satisfied with the result, plug off the machine.
5. Strain the extracted juice
In the final step, you shall filter out the juice to eliminate all the unwanted bits and pieces. Just pass the leek juice through a strainer placing a container under it to catch all the liquid. That’s all! Serve leek juice while it’s still fresh.
Healthy Leek Juice Recipes To Try
here are a few tried and tested leek drink recipes that will give you an instant nutrition boost after a long productive day.
A. Digestion-improving leek drink
Ingredients:
- Six celery stalks
- One piece of leek (about 4 inches)
- One head of green leaf lettuce
- One onion ( small)
- Four carrot sticks
- Two red apples
- Two golden apples
- Three/four oranges
- About 3 ounces of green cabbage
Steps:
- Wash and cut all the fruits and veggies into moderate size pieces.
- Put the ingredients one after another into a blender or a juicer.
- Once they are juiced, transfer the freshly prepared mixture into a clean glass.
- You can strain the juice if you don’t like pulpiness or extra bits in your drink.
- The presence of apples and oranges will make the juice even more delicious and palatable.
- This recipe will yield around six cups of liquid. Enjoy it with family and friends!
B. Luscious lean leek juice
Ingredients:
- ¼ small leek (with the upper green leaves)
- One large tomato
- One handful of fresh coriander or parsley
- Two carrots
Steps:
- Grab your juicer/blender and toss the ingredients into the machine and juice them.
- After a while, all the liquid will get extracted from them, and the final product will have a slight pulpy consistency.
- Stir the mixture well before you finally serve.
Is Drinking Leek Juice Good For You?
Leeks are an excellent source of many vitamins, such as vitamin C, K, and E. In addition, their leafy stems contain folic acid essential for DNA synthesis and cell division. Besides, they are also abundant with antioxidants, flavonoids, and minerals like potassium, iron, calcium, manganese, etc. (source)
- Due to its good iron content, leek juice helps fight off several types of anemia, including those caused by iron deficiency.
- It has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. Experts highly recommend it for people with arthritis, gout, or urinary tract inflammation.
- Leek juice plays a role in regulating the digestive system and improving intestinal motility.
- Moreover, as it is rich in potassium, it helps regulate and lower blood pressure.
- The most powerful benefit of leek juice is its purifying action on the body. It successfully removes toxins and stimulates the cleansing of the colon.
Conclusion
Leeks may look like a giant green onion, but they have a mild, slightly sweet flavor with a creamy texture. They are a unique yet healthy addition to juiceable veggies. They are nutrient-dense, which means they are high in vitamins and minerals and low in calories. Regular intaking leek juice can bring many positive changes to your body and improve your wellbeing.
Also, contrary to popular belief, they are not that difficult to juice, and you can easily extract their liquid with a juicer or blender. The veggie stalk, bulb, and leaves can all be juiced and blend well with other juices like carrot or celery. Now you can experience the unique taste of leek juice by following the tips and tricks mentioned in the article.
