Potato Leek Gratin Recipe (2024)

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Cooking Notes

JMR

I've found the easiest way to clean leeks is to slice of roots end, split them down the middle, stand in a tall jug, run water over them til jug is full and water looks clear. Allow to stand in the water and any dirt usually sinks to the bottom of the jug.

Tessa

I make this in layers -- half the potatoes, leeks, half the Gruyere, potatoes, pour cream, then the rest of the Gruyere. This is a very good dish!

Bohemian

One clove of garlic? As Lynne Rossetto Kasper would say, "Why bother"? I'd up it to 4-6 cloves. Richard Olney, in recipes such as Gratin Dauphinois, would also use a cut clove of garlic when he started the recipe to rub down the interior of the gratin dish, and then let it dry there as he continued on.

Terri

Smelled delicious in the oven. Looked less than delicious coming out. Love at first bite. I used a truly fat clove of a garlic, and I regret nothing.

Marty O'C.

Obvious first adjustment is to triple the garlic. Better if you use the 3 leeks that are normally bundled so at the market. Fresh thyme: inconvenient and can overpower. Use a dash of dried oregano and rosemary instead so the taste of leeks is more face forward. Double the shredded gruyere topping and finish at 400-425 for a crisper brown crust, ease in cutting, and the serving of tight, coherent portions, Layering the Gruyere amidst the potatoes can result in a runnier dish needing a soup spoon

Becky Swaffield

I have made this with chicken broth instead of cream. It's delicious and less rich. I also add parsley, but then I add it to everything.

Etta Abrahams

At the risk of being voted off the island (Manhattan Island, that is) I confess that, out of gruyere and 20 miles from the nearest civilized supermarket, I used cheddar, and it was wonderful. I kept the leeks on top, as the recipe called for, omitted the nutmeg because it's really not suited to cheddar, and used half and half instead of whipping cream--and 3 fat garlic cloves. Fantastic both in looks and flavor--the leeks were positively creamy, the sliced potatoes a slightly firm surprise.

Elizabeth

I cooked it as stated a day ahead of the dinner party, it was refrigerated overnight and then warmed as the rack of lamb cooked at 400-450, for 20 minutes. It was fabulous with each person wanting the recipe.

Miriam R.

Like Tessa, I baked this as a layered dish. I doubled the recipe so the layers were nicely defined. I love leeks and used 3 lg leeks rather than two per recipe. I also increased the amount of cream by half, and the amt of butter by half for each recipe. It is an excellent recipe, although it would be too time labor intensive without the use of a mandoline. (I use a handheld one that cost very little but works wonders in prepping a dish such as this one.)

Patricia

If you divide this dish into 8 servings, there would be 285 cal, 8.8 gm protein, 16.8 gm carbs, 1.4 gm dietary fiber and 20.8 gm fat per serving. This is, therefore, one serving of carbohydrates for a diabetic.

It would be REALLY helpful if this food section includes the nutrients , as a guide to healthy eating. There are MANY diabetics. Others watch their caloric intake, total fat consumption, gluten content, etc. Not everyone has the time to sit and calculate the nutrients for each recipe.

Kara C

Hands down best gratin I’ve had. Made for a dinner party to rave reviews. None of the issues of other recipes (too runny, too bland, etc.). Used 2 lbs Yukon, 3 garlic cloves, 3 leeks and a handful more of gruyere. Everything else according to recipe. Cooked first segment day ahead then refrigerated and finished next day uncovered with the roast. Very forgiving recipe—you can’t go wrong.

Cathy

Add additional leek/Triple the Garlic. Start with leeks - longer saute to golden. Layer the Potatoes/Leek/Cheese. Prep is at least an hour. Bake first segment of 40 min the day or morning before, to simplify cooking for the main meal.

VinXpert

Step 1 states to thinly slice the washed and halved leeks crosswise. You'll end up with thin half moon slices.

Ellen

Excellent! Didn't peel potatoes and needed about 20-30 minutes baking time so that potatoes were done. This is a winner.

Bear

To get the true golden color for the leeks, I sautéed them for another 10-15 minutes. So to keep things on schedule, I recommend starting with the leek sautéing and then do the potato slicing and layering while the leeks are still warming up.

Dessy

Made this last night for my hubby's bday. Doubled recipe, we had 12 people.Stupendous!!Served it with Beef Wellington. Great success!! thank you

JoJo

Excellent! Didn't peel the potatoes, used 1/2 and 1/2 rather than cream, and used pancetta instead of butter...everything is better with pancetta. Easy and absolutely perfection of flavors.

BFF

If you like potato slices of varying thickness, cut by hand.

Tim

This dish is a hit with my friends, and I love it as well. It's quite rich, so I'll reserve the recipe for gatherings and special occasions.

Jennifer A.

Increase garlic to 3-4 cloves

Pamela Breckenridge

Now I know how to use up those leeks and potatoes! What an amazing winter warmer! So easy to make and so tasty. Great on its own or with other dishes. I wouldn't change the ingredients or the cooking instructions in any way.

Kathleen

Made as directed other than more garlic, and half stock/cream. High caloric deliciousness, as expected. I found the leeks to be too gloppy on top. Next time I will put some in with potatoes and leave some on top as directed. Bake without the cheese, uncover after 20-25 min, to try to crisp up the top a little , bake another 10 or so. then melt the cheese on in the last 10 min

Mahalo

This was with out a shadow of a doubt an excellent choice. I listened to the comments and put more garlic in between the layers of potatoes. Also took the leeks and spread them through the many layers of cheesy potato goodness. Shared it with some seasoned Foodie friends and posted it on my social media account. Requests for the recipe came from family and friends across the country.

potato leek gratin

Cook 15 minutes longer

Jayne M. Weiske

Layered potatoes, leeks and cheeseDoubled the leeks and sauced until almost caramelized Increased cheese significantly- at least doubleFinished the dish at 425 for 15-20 min for a crisp browned top

David

This was excellent. It’s perplexing though, how the author thinks leeks can be rendered tender and golden in 5 minutes. It takes a good 20 minutes, and that’s on a medium flame. I used about 1.5c shredded Gruyere, and it would have benefited from even more. I would also add an extra 0.5c of cream; 1c isn’t enough to seep through the leeks into the potatoes. Alternating multiple layers of potatoes and leeks would make this even better (the potatoes are a bit isolated). Cooking time is spot on.

Lauren

Is this just as good if I make a day ahead? Looking to prep this today to lessen my load tomorrow!

Pamela Breckenridge

Yes, it keeps very well in the fridge for a few days and can easily be warmed through in the oven or a microwave.

Ann F

I doubled the recipe and the potatoes came out crunchy. Next time I’ll increase the cooking time significantly - like, to 90 minutes. I think if it’s covered for most of the cooking time it will not overcook.

JamieSF

I have made scalloped potatoes layering cheeses and béchamel sauce. I didn't think it would be all that different from making this so I did layer in the cheese and cream at each layer because this method had been successful in past:the gratin did come out really soupy, did not hold a form: it looked terrible! I parcooked it the day before for 40 minutes and then refrigerated to finish cooking next day for another 40 minutes: not cooked through- awful. Follow recipe & don't parcook.

Marina

This is AMAZING! My family are big foodies, and the dish was the talk of the night. I used the combined advice of increasing the heat to 425 the last 20 minutes, using 2 lb of potatos (to be a little less soupy) and maybe a handful more of cheese, and it was perfection.

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Potato Leek Gratin Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the cooking technique of gratin? ›

Derived from the French verb gratiner — to broil — gratin is a process that involves topping a dish with either cheese or buttery breadcrumbs and baking or broiling until crispy. While potatoes au gratin is most traditional, the contents beneath the golden crust can vary widely.

Why are my au gratin potatoes watery? ›

If you used a pre-prepped potato from the refrigerator section instead of slicing your own, they can have preservatives that make them a bit watery. If you stored your potatoes in water to prevent discoloring, be sure to drain them well and pat them dry before adding to your casserole.

Which is better scalloped or au gratin? ›

The difference comes down to cheese. Scalloped potato recipes are usually baked in a basic cream sauce until soft and tender, with no cheese topping. Potatoes au gratin are a bit more decadent. They are made with lots of cheese sprinkled in between the layers of potatoes and also on top of the casserole.

What makes a gratin a gratin? ›

A “gratin” is any dish that is topped with cheese or breadcrumbs mixed with butter, then heated in the oven or under the broiler until brown and crispy, according to The Food Lover's Companion. The term au gratin or gratinée just refers to anything prepared in that manner.

How deep should a gratin dish be? ›

The vessel best suited for most au gratin dishes is, simply enough, an au gratin pan. It can be round, oval or rectangular, and most commonly it is about an inch and a half deep.

What is the difference between au gratin and gratin? ›

A “gratin” is any dish that is topped with cheese or breadcrumbs mixed with butter, then heated in the oven or under the broiler until brown and crispy, according to The Food Lover's Companion. The term “au gratin” or “gratinée” just refers to anything prepared in that manner.

Why did my au gratin potatoes turn GREY? ›

Once they have been peeled and cut, raw potatoes will turn brown quickly. This process, which is called oxidation, happens because potatoes are a naturally starchy vegetable. And when exposed to oxygen, starches turn gray, brown, or even black. An oxidized potato is completely safe to eat.

How to tell if au gratin potatoes are done? ›

Au gratin potatoes bake uncovered for 60 to 75 minutes.

You'll know they're done when a paring knife can be easily slipped into the center of the casserole and the top is browned and crisped. Cool the whole dish for at least 10 minutes before scooping and serving.

How do you fix watery gratin? ›

Try letting the dish rest for 10 minutes or so to let the water get absorbed and let the sauce thicken. Try cooking your recipe longer.

What to serve with potatoes gratin? ›

Au Gratin potatoes are rich. Serve them with leaner proteins such as beef tenderloin, grilled or roasted chicken, and pan-seared fish. Another excellent pairing for Au Gratin potatoes is a fresh salad with herbs and a tart vinaigrette. Au Gratin potatoes make a great casserole and are a great entrée themselves.

What does au gratin mean in French? ›

The phrase au gratin literally means "by grating" in French, or "with a crust," from the verb gratter, "to scrape, scratch, or grate."

What's another name for au gratin? ›

Also known as Dauphinoise Potatoes, this French classic is adapted from a Julia Child's recipe. With layers upon layers of finely sliced potatoes baked in, cream, butter and cheese with a hint of fresh thyme, it's luxurious and thoroughly indulgent. Bonus: It's the ultimate make ahead potato side dish!

What is a substitute for cream in gratin? ›

Substituting Milk for Heavy Cream

Whole milk alone can work in some instances as a substitute. At 3.5%, its fat content is low, but it's a good substitute in mashed potatoes or potatoes au gratin.

Is gratin unhealthy? ›

As such, anything made with a cream sauce and cheese is probably not going to scream healthy. However, using non-fat milk instead of heavy cream or whole milk, omitting the cheese and cutting back on the salt are easy modifications that can lower the calories, sodium and saturated fats.

What does gratin literally mean? ›

The etymology of gratin is from the French language words gratter, meaning "to scrape" (from having to scrape the food out of the dish it was cooked in). The technique predates the current name, which did not appear in English until 1846 (OED, s.v. "gratin").

How do you cook frozen gratin? ›

Cooking Instructions

Pre-heat the oven to 220°C/425°/Gas Mark 7. Spread on a baking tray and place the tray in the middle of the oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes.

What is an example of au gratin? ›

Examples of au gratin

Brains, chicken, etc., too, are served au gratin, but a combination of the three in one dish is no longer practiced. These are separated by a course consisting of a single vegetable, potatoes or stewed celery or macaroni au gratin, or, perhaps, cauliflower with sauce tartare.

Is gratin supposed to be liquidy? ›

It's probably just differences in the type of potato - some are wetter than others and it changes with the seasons. Do you cover it when you bake it? I would use double cream rather than milk if you want it thicker, or bake it for longer to burn off the liquid.

What is the difference between gratin and casserole? ›

Both are baked in the oven, but a gratin is a special form of a casserole. When cooking it, you will layer the ingredients instead of just adding them all together. In most cases, a gratin is also served as a side dish, not a main, and it has a signature crust that has to be, well, gratinated.

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