This Corn & Leek Saute is crunchy, full of buttery flavor with bites of corn, leeks, garlic and salt & pepper. Only 5 ingredients, and it’s pure heaven in a dish!
What side dishes are planned for your Thanksgiving table?
I could talk about this dish all.day.long. Seriously.
This recipe is sssooo easy for me to share today. It’s one of our favorite side dishes.
With the holidays just around the corner (Thanksgiving is only 3 and 1/2 weeks away, and Christmas only 8!), I wanted to take this month and load you up with several side dishes to bring to your holiday table.
Are you ready for this?
In this dish, I use yellow corn. Personally, I feel that white corn is softer and more delicate than yellow corn (although I don’t know if there is scientific evidence to prove that), and since it will be sauteed, I want to make sure the corn holds it shape during and after sauteeing!
For the leeks, use just the bottom white part. I typically slice them in half so that I can clean between the leaves. What I love about using leeks is, leeks don’t make me cry like onions do. 🙂 Onions, bad! Leeks, good!
Just kidding. I love them both equally, but I’m not a huge fan of crying in the kitchen unless there’s a kitchen disaster post in the making. I’ll cry then – and loud too!
Once the leeks are cut in half, they’re really easy to slice by putting the cut side down. They make cute little rainbow shapes.
Ever had a rainbow in your kitchen?
Oh! {Rainbow} That reminds me! Check out this Paper Lamp out of a Trader Joe’s Grocery Bag made by Ananda at one of my favorite blogs A Piece Of Rainbow. You will love it! It’s so creative and has a great design. Ananda amazes me, and you’ll love her blog with DIY steps to create the same thing in your home. She really is so talented!
Now, you knew this next ingredient had to happen, didn’t you?
Come on! The Husband is Italian. They wear this stuff like cologne.
Yes, garlic! Load and loads of garlic in big chunks. What can I say? I like it chunky! Garlic = Chunk-a-hunk-of-burning-love. #yesihadtogothere
Now, just throw it all together. They’re all going in the same skillet at the same time. They’re risk takers like that.
Ok, now this part is optional…I love, love, love my cast iron skillet, but any old skillet will do. Besides, if you use a skillet other than cast iron, you probably won’t break your wrist lifting it. You been forewarned.
Generously shake, shake, shake with lots of salt and pepper. Leeks and corn like salt and pepper.
And, in just a few minutes, you’ll have a gorgeous, colorful and flavorful Corn & Leek saute. So beautiful for your holiday table! And it smells heavenly too.
I could seriously eat just this alone. No other dinner required. See? I just made your Thanksgiving really easy! Skip the turkey and just make this! You’ll be gobbling this up anyway. 🙂
You will be amazed at how simple, fresh and delicious this 5 ingredient recipe is. Everyone loves it!
It’s that good. And, I think you’re going to love how easy it is to make for your holiday table! Trust me – everyone will rave about it. Who doesn’t love a good rave?
Enjoy!
Corn & Leek Saute
Ingredients
- 3 cups fresh corn kernels cut off corn cobs
- 2 cups leeks chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh garlic coarsely chopped
- 2 tablespoons real butter
- sea salt to taste
- cracked black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Peel, husk and clean 3-5 corn cobs. Cut kernels from corn and set aside. Discard cobs.
- Wash leeks, cut off green ends and root end, and cut leek in half. Then, slice into 1/2 rounds.
- Coarsely chop garlic and set aside.
- Melt butter into a medium-high skillet. Add corn, leeks and garlic and saute. Add salt and pepper to taste. Saute 10 minutes or until corn and leeks are tender.
- Serve.
Corn & Leek Saute
Monica says
This looks gorgeous and delicious! I pretty much could skip the turkey (okay, maybe one slice) and eat a big pile of this instead. I really like the leeks over onions…and I’m with you on the white corn. I prefer yellow, I think…
Kristi says
The 1st time I made this, I was surprised at how good it was. We seriously can’t get enough of it now! Hope you enjoy it Monica! Have a great day!
[email protected] in the Kitchen says
Oh, Thank you for this!! I need a good side dish for Thansgiving and this looks perfect! I
Kristi says
Thank you Renee! It makes me happy to think this is going on your holiday table! You will love it, for sure!
[email protected] says
Now this is one gorgeous corn dish! Literally my first thought when I saw that first photo was THANKSGIVING. My fam would love this stuff, but I don’t think I’d be able to share. They can fight over the turkey. 😉
Kristi says
Thanks Sarah! Yes! I was hoping readers would associate it with Thanksgiving, so that makes me happy! I hope you love it!
mimi says
Love this! Leeks seem underappreciated by the bulk of the American pblic, it seems, except for foodies, of course. This is simple and lovely.
Kristi says
I absolutely LOVE working with leeks Mimi! And, I agree with you – they are so under-used. It’s a shame!
Melanie @ Carmel Moments says
Corn is always on the menu in our house for Thanksgiving. It’s definitely a staple. Creamy Parmesan corn is our fav. But this look incredible! And what gorgeous photos, Kristi!
Kristi says
Ooooo, Creamy Parmesan Corn sounds fabulous Melanie! I’m hopping over to your site to see if you’ve posted a recipe. If so, I’ll pin it! xoxo
Zainab says
Side dishes and stuffing are my favorites at Thanksgiving. Love this fresh and exciting side.
Kristi says
Mine too Zainab! There are only so many ways you can cook a turkey, but side dishes are endless!
Manali @ CookWithManali says
looks good Kristi! Bet this would make a great side dish for Thanksgiving! Love that it’s so easy to make 🙂 Pinning.
Kristi says
Thanks for the pin Manali! It is super easy, and so good – you will love it!
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes says
This is gonna sound weird but I love anything with leeks in it! Sounds like a great holiday side dish to me!
Kristi says
Me too Ashley – they add such a nice, subtle onion flavor without being overpowering
Marissa | Pinch and Swirl says
This is my favorite kind of side dish – and just the kind of thing I’d stir into pasta on some busy weeknight. And the even better news, I have everything I need to make it in my refrigerator as I write this. Yay!! Awesome recipe…
Kristi says
Thanks Marissa! I love your unique idea of putting it into pasta! I would’ve never thought of that, but I love the idea! 🙂 Be sure to send me a link to the recipe when you do it – I am excited!
Sara | Belly Rumbles says
That looks absolutely delicious, I think I could quite easily eat that by the bowl full.
Kristi says
Sara, after I saw your Beer Battered Mushrooms – I seriously couldn’t think of a better appetizer! So you loving this, girl…bonus!
Juliana says
This is pretty simple and easy side dish…I never thought of leek and corn…looks beautiful as well…thanks for the inspiration Kristi.
Have a great week my dear 😀
Kristi says
Thank you Juliana! That’s one of the things we love about it – so simple, pretty and tastes delicious! Have a beautiful week Juliana! xoxo
Shikha @ Shikha la mode says
I can’t believe Thanksgiving is coming up – I’m not ready!!
Kristi says
Me either Shikha! The year has just flown by! Thanksgiving is almost here! 🙂
Josefine {The Smoothie Lover} says
Aw, we don’t celebrate Thanksgiving 🙁 But if we did this dish would surely go on the table – looks amazing.
What a cute lamp 🙂 I really like it!
Kristi says
Thanks Josefine! I’m glad you like the dish. And, the lamp? I loved that too!
Mariana @The Candid Kitchen says
This is the dish my mum makes when I need comfort food. It’s almost exactly the same although sometimes she adds onions instead of leeks. LOOOOOOVE!
Kristi says
Thanks Mariana! We first had this at a local restaurant, and I fell in love with it!
Annie @Maebells says
What a great side dish! I love that you added leeks in with the corn!
Kristi says
Thanks Annie, I love using leeks in dishes! Have a great week!
Kelly says
This looks absolutely delicious!!! I can have corn all the time, it’s my favorite side dish. It sounds amazing with the leeks. I would totally skip the turkey and eat the whole pan especially since it has lotsa butta :)))
Kristi says
We love it too Kelly, especially when it’s fresh off the cob! This is such a great and easy side dish – so perfect for holidays!
Amanda @ The Kitcheneer says
What a gorgeous and simple side dish! Not to mention a healthier option too!
Kristi says
Thanks Amanda! I hope you get a chance to try it. I think you’ll love it! And, the best part is, it’s make ahead!
K / Pure & Complex says
I haven’t planned my thanksgiving side dishes yet, but this could definitely be a contender. I love it.
Kristi says
I think you will love it if you get a chance to try it! Thanks for visiting.
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
Oh wow I don’t know how you guys go from Halloween to Thanksgiving to Christmas! It must be such a busy period! And I didn’t know that your husband is Italian. We just came back from Rome-LOVED it (although doesn’t everyone?)!! 😀
Kristi says
Ah Lorraine – I’ve never been to Rome, but it looks absolutely beautiful! Yes, the holidays are crazy busy with all three so close together. People are rushing to do it all! Have a great week!
Lindsey @ American Heritage Cooking says
Cutest post ever! I LOVE this side dish! I just bought some leeks and my husband would never pass up corn, so I feel this side dish becoming a regular part of our lives! Hooray for easy side dishes!!! {and kitchen rainbows} Pinned. Hugs.
Kristi says
Thanks for the pin Lindsey xoxo! You will LOVE this side dish. I promise. It is all that in a bowl. {Hugs right back!}
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts says
I just bought leeks for the first time this week. I might have to make this if I have any left!
Kristi says
Erin, I LOVE using leeks in dishes! The only thing is – you have to clean them carefully because dirt does get between the leaves – and don’t eat the green part! 🙂 I hope you love them.
Marcie says
This is the kind of side dish I could eat enough of to call it a main course…seriously! I agree, yellow corn is sturdier, if you will…heartier, and I love leeks to death! Pinning!
Kristi says
Thanks for the pin Marcie! You will love this dish, I promise – it is so good, you won’t miss anything else at the dinner table!
Johlene @Flavours & Frosting says
Oeee love these photos they are so nice and bright.. when I opened your page it made me feel happy 🙂 xoxo
Kristi says
Thanks Johlene! I love to think I brightened your day! xoxo
Lynn @ Order in the Kitchen says
Wow this looks SO good…leeks are one of my all time favorite veggies to use! This looks fantastic!
Kristi says
Thanks Lynn – it is delish, and you’ll love it. The other great thing is how easy it is! And, can be made in advance!
Melanie | Melanie Makes says
Hooray for an out of the box side dish for Thanksgiving! Sounds delicious!
Kristi says
Thanks Melanie! I’m glad you like it! Have a great week!
[email protected] says
Is it bad that I’ve never thought to actually saute corn!? I LOVE this recipe for a side dish this Thanksgiving … especially with those leeks! Yum!
Kristi says
Thanks Justine! Sauteing corn is so delicious. With the butter & leeks – you will love it!
ananda says
kristi you are so sweet!! thank you!! and this dish is amazing, as always! xoxo
Kristi says
I love your work Ananda, and it gives me such joy to visit your blog (apieceofrainbow.com). I *loved* that lamp post – it was so cool and innovative! You are such an inspiration to me! xoxo
Daniela @ FoodrecipesHQ says
Leek and corn is a combo I have never tried. Never thought of it, not sure why. It sounds like a very yummy match. Well done, Kristi!
Kristi says
Thanks Daniela! You will love this! It’s buttery, crunchy, and so full of flavor. I hope you get a chance to try it!
Vera Ward says
Hi Kristi – I made this side dish for Thanksgiving and it was a hit – everyone loved it! It was so easy! Even the leftovers was delicious! Thanks a bunch!
Kristi says
I’m sssooo glad you loved it Vera! It is absolutely one of our favorites! xoxo