Wild Garlic Butter (Easy Vegan Recipe)

Wild garlic butter is one of the easiest – not to mention most delicious – ways to make the most of wild garlic season.

Fresh, vibrant, and packed with flavour, it’s perfect for spreading on bread, melting over vegetables, or using as a base for simple meals like pasta or classic baked garlic bread.

It takes just a few minutes to make and keeps well in the fridge or freezer, so you can enjoy that wild garlic flavour long after the season has passed.

New to all this? Check out my ultimate guide to wild garlic and how to use it or learn more about how to preserve wild garlic.

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What is wild garlic?

Wild garlic (also known as ramsons) is a leafy green plant that grows in woodlands across the UK in spring. It has a mild, fresh garlic flavour and a distinctive smell, making it easy to identify when foraging.

Unlike bulb garlic, the leaves are the main part used in cooking, and they’re perfect for recipes like this where you want a softer, more delicate garlic taste. If you're new to the world of foraging, check out my explainer post covering everything to do with wild garlic.

How to make wild garlic butter vegan

Traditionally, garlic butter is made with dairy butter. But it’s very easy to make a vegan version if you're that way inclined.

All you need to do is swap in vegan margerine or a good-quality vegan butter. Everything else in this recipe is naturally plant-based, so there’s no need for complicated substitutions.

Why you’ll love this recipe

• Ready in 5–10 minutes
• Only a few simple ingredients
• Perfect way to use fresh wild garlic
• Keeps well in the fridge or freezer
• It's versatile and can be used in loads of other recipes

Recipe testing notes

• Use softened, not melted butter for the best texture
• Finely chop the wild garlic so it mixes evenly
• Taste before chilling – you can adjust salt or lemon easily at this stage
• The flavour intensifies slightly over time, especially after a few hours in the fridge

What you’ll need

This recipe keeps things simple:

• Fresh wild garlic leaves (washed)
• Vegan butter
• Salt and pepper (optional)
• Lemon juice (optional, but a nice touch)

You don’t need anything fancy – just a bowl and something to mix with.

How to make wild garlic butter

See recipe notes for tips on responsible foraging and how to prepare wild garlic.

To prepare the wild garlic, wash the leaves thoroughly, dry completely (tea towel or paper towel), and finely chop. The finer the chop, the greener the butter will be.

To a bowl, add the softened butter or margarine, chopped wild garlic, salt, pepper, and lemon juice.

Use a fork to mix everything well until evenly combined.

Spoon the mix onto a piece of greaseproof paper.

Roll into a log shape, twisting the ends of the greaseproof paper to create a tight cylinder shape. You could also simply transfer to a container.

Refrigerate or freeze ready for use in a savoury recipe that calls for butter.

How to store wild garlic butter

Wild garlic butter stores really well, making it ideal for batch prep.

• Fridge: Keeps for up to 1 week in an airtight container.
• Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months.

If freezing, it’s best to roll it into a log or portion it into small amounts so you can take out what you need. I knew I'd be using this batch to make wild garlic bread, so I froze the whole thing then took it out of the freezer when needed. 👇

Where to use wild garlic butter

Wild garlic butter is incredibly versatile. You can use it:

• Spread on warm bread or toast
• Stirred through vegan cheesy pasta
• Melted over roasted vegetables
• In smoked tofu risotto
• As a base for sauces
• Added to roast potatoes or mashed potatoes
• In place of spinach in a butter bean stew or haggis toastie

Or use it to make wild garlic garlic bread! 👇

Recipe FAQ

Variations and tips

• Add lemon zest for extra freshness
• Mix in nutritional yeast for a slightly cheesy flavour
• Add a small amount of regular garlic for a stronger kick
• Try blending instead of chopping for a smoother texture (and brighter green colour)

More wild garlic recipes

If you liked this recipe, you might also enjoy:

You can also check out my full list of vegan dairy alternative recipes.

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