Wild Garlic Butter

Wild Garlic Butter is a delicious and versatile way to add the mild garlic flavour of this seasonal herb to all kinds of dishes. Learn how to identify wild garlic and turn it into this simple seasoned butter.

Why should I make Wild Garlic Butter?

I first started making wild garlic butter because I can never resist free foaged food! I have continued to make it every year because it tastes so good. Wild garlic butter is easy to make and you can freeze it so you have the flavour of wild garlic all year round.

What ingredients do I need to make Wild Garlic Butter?

This recipe couldn’t be more simple. You only need two ingredients to make Wild Garlic Butter and they are salted butter and wild garlic leaves.

What is Wild Garlic?

Wild garlic is also known as ransom, buckram, broad-leaved garlic, wood garlic, bear leek and bear’s garlic. It is a leafy plant that grows from a bulb and appears in spring.  You can eat the young leaves which are a long oval shape. You can also eat the flowers and although they both have a pungent garlic scent they are mild in flavour. 

Where does Wild Garlic grow?

Wild garlic likes a damp, shaded place to grow. It grows in woodland and along the banks of waterways. You can also see wild garlic growing in hedgerows along the roadsides but it’s wise to avoid this as it may be contaminated by traffic pollution and also possible dog urine.

It’s best to go further away from a road where the wild garlic is unlikely to be contaminated. It’s also imporatnt to wash the wild garlic leaves thoroughly to remove any grit and dust. You can get more information about safely foraging for wild garlic on the Countryfile website

How do I prepare Wild Garlic?

Wash the wild garlic carefully then you can use it just as you would other herbs. You can store it wrapped in damp kitchen paper and a plastic bag in the salad drawer of the fridge. It will keep for 2 or 3 days stored like this without any ill effect.  

What kind of butter should I use?

You need to use block butter and not a spreadable butter because a spreadable butter won’t set into a log. You can use any salted butter, I used a supermarket own brand butter which was ideal. If you like a more highly salted butter you can either beat in a little more salt or buy butter with higher salt content.

Can I use plant-based spread?

If you don’t eat butter then you could use a plant based spread. Just make sure it is a full fat spread and has a firm enough texture to hold the wild garlic.

How should I store Wild Garlic Butter?

You can keep your Wild Garlic Butter in the fridge for up to two weeks. Simply slice off however much you need for a recipe or to add to dish when serving.

Can I freeze Wild Garlic Butter?

Yes! I highly recommend freezing this butter. You can freeze the whole ‘log’ of butter, but I find it easier to slice it then open freeze the slices on parchment paper on a baking tray (sheet). You can then store them in a freezer bag or lidded container for up to 6 months. This way you can take out as much as need as you need it.

Can I make a larger batch?

You can make as much as you want. Just increase the quantities in proportion, so one-third wild garlic to two-thirds salted butter.

Vegetarian

Wild garlic butter is suitable for a vegetarian diet.

Gluten Free

There are no wheat products used in this recipe. Please check the contents of any ingredients to ensure that they meet your dietary requirements.

For more information regarding any dietary information provided on this website, please refer to my Nutritional Disclaimer.

How should I serve Wild Garlic Butter?

You can serve Wild Garlic Butter in all the same ways as you serve garlic butter. I like to add it to grilled or roasted meats like steak or chicken It’s also delicious on salmon or use it to pan fry some prawns (shrimp).

Stir Wild Garlic Butter into rice, pasta or mashed potatoes for a simple side dish. A pat of Wild Garlic Buter is delicious on a baked potato too and always adds flavour to simply cooked vegetables like green beans or tenderstem broccoli.

This delicious seasoned butter is also perfect to make Garlic Bread with Wild Garlic to serve as an appetiser. It’s also a favourite with many entrees including lasagne, Beef Goulash or Moussaka.

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