Wild Garlic Recipes
A collection of the most delicious wild garlic recipes to make when you forage for this fabulous leafy herb. Including tips on where to look and how to forage sustainably for wild garlic.
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 appears in spring. You can eat the young leaves which are a long oval shape. You can also eat flowers and although they both have a pungent garlic scent they are mild in flavour.Â
It’s best to pick the leaves when they are young before the flowers start to bloom. Later in the season, the wild garlic leaves become tough.Â
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 best 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
When is wild garlic ready to pick?
You can start to look for the leaves towards the end of February. Although, this does vary depending on where you live and the weather conditions in early spring.
How much wild garlic can I collect?
You should only pick the leaves that you need for the recipe you plan to make. It is illegal to dig up the bulbs, and if the wild garlic is growing on private land, please ask permission before you gather the leaves.
Pick your leaves and leave the area as you found it with no damage. Make sure there is plenty left for wildlife which may rely on this food source.
What can I make with wild garlic?
Wild garlic has a slightly milder flavour than bulb garlic but you can use it in most recipes where you would usually use garlic. Here are some of the wild garlic recipes that I like to make:
