Indulge in a savory delight with my Leek Dip recipe. This creamy dip is oozing with golden cheddar cheese, ready in just 40 minutes!

I find that most people have never cooked with leeks before. I’m here to change that. They are easier to cook with and have a mild onion flavor to them. That’s why the rustic charm of caramelized leeks with the comforting richness of cheddar cheese in my tantalizing Leek Dip recipe. With just 10 minutes of preparation time, this savory delight promises a symphony of flavors and textures that will elevate any gathering to new heights.
Whether you’re hosting a cozy game night with friends or planning an elegant soirée, this easy-to-make dip is sure to steal the spotlight with its golden, bubbly perfection. Get ready to dazzle your taste buds and impress your guests with this irresistible appetizer that strikes the perfect balance between simplicity and gourmet elegance.
Why this Recipe Works
Flavor Explosion: The combination of caramelized leeks and rich cheddar cheese creates a flavor profile that’s irresistibly addictive.
Crowd-Pleaser: Whether it’s a casual gathering or a formal dinner party, this leek dip is sure to impress guests with its creamy texture and delectable taste.
Easy Prep, Impressive Results: With minimal ingredients and simple instructions, this recipe yields a gourmet-worthy dip that looks and tastes like it took hours to make.
Ingredients
- Butter – Unsalted butter works best.
- Leek – 1 leek cut in half and in thin slices will go along way.
- Salt – You will need a little salt to taste to season the sweet leeks as they caramelize.
- Cream Cheese – The cream cheese is best incorporated at room temperature for this recipe.
- Shredded Cheese – I love to use sharp cheddar cheese that is mixed into the dip and I like to reserve a little to top the dip off.
- Mayonnaise – This sounds odd, but trust me it adds to the creaminess.
- Stout Beer – A little beer will thin out the dip, add a dimension of flavor, and the beer will cook out. So no worries–you can serve this to all.
- Baguette – This is what I serve the dip with.
Directions
First, preheat oven to 400 degrees. While the oven preheats, melt one tablespoon of unsalted butter over medium heat in a large skillet. Add the sliced leeks to the skillet and sprinkle with salt. Cook until tender and slightly caramelized, about 12 minutes.
Transfer the leek mixture to a large bowl and add 2 cups of shredded cheddar, 8 oz package of cream cheese, ¼ cup of mayonnaise, and 3 tablespoons of stout beer. Mix until smooth and well incorporated.
Transfer to a baking dish and bake until bubbling and browned on top, about 18 to 20 minutes. Toast sliced baguette and serve with it.
FAQs
Leeks have a unique flavor profile that is often described as a milder and sweeter version of onions. They offer a delicate onion-like taste with subtle hints of garlic, making them versatile for a variety of dishes. When cooked, leeks develop a tender texture with a slightly sweet and earthy flavor, adding depth and complexity to soups, stews, and savory dishes. Overall, leeks contribute a distinct and pleasant taste that enhances the overall flavor of any recipe they are used in.
Yes, you can substitute frozen leeks for fresh ones, just make sure to thaw and drain them thoroughly before using.
Absolutely! You can prepare the dip up to a day in advance, then cover and refrigerate until ready to bake.
This dip pairs perfectly with sliced baguette, crackers, vegetable sticks, or even tortilla chips for a twist.
While you can freeze the dip, the texture may change slightly upon thawing, so it’s best enjoyed fresh.
Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with different cheese varieties like Gruyere or Swiss to customize the flavor to your liking.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
Here are a few of my favorite tips and tricks when making my creamy leek dip.
- Stout Beer – I like to use a stout beer such as Guinness or even an Oatmeal Stout works well too.
- Caremelizing – Be patient when caramelizing the leeks; low and slow cooking will develop their sweet flavor without burning them.
- Seasonings – For extra depth of flavor, consider adding a pinch of smoked paprika or cayenne pepper to the dip mixture.
- Cheese – Don’t skimp on the cheese! Using high-quality cheddar cheese will elevate the taste of the dip.
- Topping – To achieve a golden-brown crust on top, broil the dip for the last few minutes of baking, keeping a close eye to prevent burning.
- Rest Time – Allow the dip to rest for a few minutes after baking to allow the flavors to meld together before serving.
If you make this recipe, I would be honored and love for you to take the time to leave a ⭐ star rating and comment! I spend hours developing and testing these recipes, and always love to hear feedback and user experience!
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Leek Dip
Equipment
- 1 Knife
- 1 Cutting Board
- 1 Skillet
- 1 Stove Top
- 1 Oven- Safe Baking Dish
- 1 Oven
- 1 Hot Pads
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 leek sliced into thin half-moons
- salt to taste
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 2 cups shredded cheddar
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoon stout beer
- 1 baguette
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- In a large skillet, melt one tablespoon of unsalted butter over medium. Add one leek to the skillet and sprinkle with coarse salt. Cook until tender and slightly caramelized, about 12 minutes.
- Transfer leek mixture to a large bowl and add 2 cups of shredded cheddar, 8 oz package of cream cheese, ¼ cup of mayonnaise, and 3 tablespoons of stout beer. Mix until smooth and well incorporated.
- Transfer to a 1-quart baking dish and bake until bubbling and browned on top, 18 to 20 minutes. Serve on slices of baguette.
Notes
- Stout Beer – I like to use a stout beer such as Guinness or even an Oatmeal Stout works well too.
- Caremelizing – Be patient when caramelizing the leeks; low and slow cooking will develop their sweet flavor without burning them.
-
- Topping – To achieve a golden-brown crust on top, broil the dip for the last few minutes of baking, keeping a close eye to prevent burning.
- Seasonings – For extra depth of flavor, consider adding a pinch of smoked paprika or cayenne pepper to the dip mixture.
Mav
Any tips on substitutes to keep a similar beer-ish flavour without using beer?
Katie
Hi Mav, you could use a non-alcoholic beer so that you still get the beer flavor. Hope that helps!
Gloria Latta
I see dark green in the pictures. Do you use the dark green part of the leek?
Katie
Hi Gloria, I did. If you do use the dark green parts make sure you cook those down as they can be a little tougher and chewier. Enjoy!
Shut Up & Cook
This is perhaps the very first moment in months that I have wished for summer to be over, but only so I can make this dish. It looks outstanding!
Sophie
MMMM,..What a truly appetizing & tasty dip: just perfect for me!
Lovely flavours in here too 🙂
Bree
This sounds great-so happy to have found your site!
Katie
Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you’ll make this dip one day!
Maureen
This looks awesome and I love your new blog design. Happy St. Patrick’s Day (early)
Aggie
Oh and I have to say, your photos are awesome!!
Aggie
Oh this looks so good…I love leeks, never thought to include them in a dip! What a great recipe, perfect for any kind of entertaining!
Your blog looks beautiful 🙂
Katie
Thanks for all the kind words! Yes, you are right–perfect any type of entertaining!
Kelly Senyei
This looks fantastic! I’m a sucker for anything involving leeks 🙂 I’m beyond excited to meet you at FBF!!!
Katie
Thanks! I can’t wait to learn more about what goes into recipe development next week.
Droolius
Great recipe and the photos rock! I really like your new wordpress layout too =)
Katie
Thanks friend! You know I’m working diligently on improving my food photography 🙂
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com
Great appetizer! and congrats on the new blog look — it’s cool 🙂
Katie
This is an awesome appetizer indeed! Thanks for the kind compliments about my blog!
Alyssa
Great dip and the site looks great too!
Katie
Thanks, Alyssa! You must give this recipe a try ASAP!