Wondering what to do with wild garlic? Want to find out how to make wild garlic pesto? Read on to find out how to use this seasonal foraged favourite.

Then have a look at our recipes using rhubarb, blackberries, elderflower and spring greens. For the best back-to-nature breaks, read our review of the best foraging courses and stays. Read our guide on how to forage in cities in spring and summer.

When is wild garlic season?

Wild garlic shoots will start to show around mid February, it will be fully grown by end of March and the flowers will appear in April.

Why we love wild garlic

Wild garlic (allium ursinum) is a fabulous springtime ingredient. It grows in abundance and is easy to recognise, so can be foraged and safely enjoyed at home. It has a punchy flavour similar to regular garlic, and it's delicious in pesto, whizzed into sauce for steak or fish, or added to pasta dishes. If you can’t find any to forage, it can be found frozen in some supermarkets.

What does wild garlic look like?

Recognisable by its broad, pointed leaves that grow in clusters, this vibrant green plant comes into bloom from April onwards, showcasing delicate, star-shaped white flowers that resemble snowdrops.

Wild garlic

How to pick wild garlic

Picking wild garlic is simple and requires minimal equipment. All you need is a pair of scissors and a basket or bag. Snip the leaves or whole plant at the base, making sure not to uproot the bulbs, as it is illegal to dig them up without permission. Remember only to take as much as you need to ensure sustainability. Avoid stripping one area entirely—spread your picking across different patches to allow the plant to continue thriving.

Showing 1 to 10 of 10 results

  • A lamb hotpot in a casserole dish with fresh herbs
    Family

    Lamb hotpot with wild garlic

    A star rating of 4.8 out of 5.4 ratings

    A classic Lancashire hotpot made with a spring-inspired twist from wild garlic and watercress butter. This comforting classic has got family-favourite written all over it

  • Bowls of green wild green soup topped with a swirl of crème fraîche
    Vegetarian

    Wild garlic soup

    A star rating of 5 out of 5.1 rating

    Put the spotlight on this spring ingredient in a vibrant vegetarian soup, swirling through high-quality crème fraîche and serving with hot buttered toast for a comforting lunch

  • a oaf of soda bread on a sheet of baking paperwuth a knife, next to a small plate of salted butter with a white background
    Baking and desserts

    Wild garlic soda bread

    A star rating of 5 out of 5.1 rating

    If you're planning to go foraging for wild garlic this spring, here's a perfect recipe for putting those fresh, pungent leaves to great use

  • Jersey Royal Potatoes Recipe with Garlic
    Vegan

    Jersey Royals with wild garlic

    A star rating of 0 out of 5.0 ratings

    Make the most of two great seasonal ingredients while you can with this recipe for Jersey Royal potatoes with wild garlic. It's vegan, easy and ready in just 15 minutes

  • Grating parmesan over a plate of lasagne
    Chef recipes

    Lamb, pea and wild garlic lasagne

    A star rating of 0 out of 5.0 ratings

    Fresh from Ombra, a Venetian-styled bacaro in London, this next-level lasagne showcases seasonal ingredients and is the perfect lazy weekend project

  • Steak Sauce Recipe From Foraged Herbs
    Chef recipes

    Green sauce with steak

    A star rating of 0 out of 5.0 ratings

    Herbs and edible flowers come in a wonderful variety of flavours and aromas. Traditional herb-based green sauces, such as chimichurri and salsa verde, can be adjusted using whatever you find around. Peppery nasturtiums, tart wood sorrel and bitter flower petals mixed with good olive oil, shallots and a touch of lemon make a great accompaniment to steak, especially a tender, rare rump.

  • Plate of roast chicken with garlic
    Meat and poultry

    Roast spatchcock chicken mojo rojo

    A star rating of 0 out of 5.0 ratings

    Try this roast with a Mediterranean twist, where roast chicken is drizzled in a wild garlic pesto, a squeeze of lemon, a sprinkle of flaky sea salt and a twist of black pepper. This recipe comes from The Sun Inn in Dedham

  • Lamb Neck Recipe with a Fresh Fennel Salad
    Meat and poultry

    Lamb neck and fennel salad

    A star rating of 0 out of 5.0 ratings

    This succulent lamb recipe with a vibrant and crunchy fennel salad comes from East London restaurant, Sapling. Chef Jon Beeharry finishes this dish with wild garlic buds and flowers. If they’re in season and you can get some, do so – they add a super-garlicky edge to the dish

  • Wild garlic and cheddar flatbreads on a plate
    Vegetarian

    Wild garlic and cheddar flatbreads

    A star rating of 0 out of 5.0 ratings

    These are simple, pillowy and perfect for serving in a meze spread. Cheddar and wild garlic make a punchy duo to flavour the dough.

See more 10 wild garlic recipes

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