There’s something truly special about cooking with wild garlic—the fresh, earthy flavor of this herb just makes everything taste like spring! When wild garlic is in season, we find ourselves adding it to everything, from simple spreads to hearty soups. But our Wild Garlic Risotto? That’s a whole other level of comforting, creamy goodness that we can’t get enough of.
Making risotto is one of those magical experiences where simple ingredients come together to create something extraordinary. We remember the first time we tried making wild garlic risotto—we were so excited to use fresh wild garlic, and the result was nothing short of amazing. The creamy, herby risotto with a hint of garlic is now one of our favorite dishes to prepare, and we can’t wait for you to try it too!
🌱 What Is Wild Garlic?
If you’ve never had wild garlic before, you’re in for a treat! Also known as ramsons or bear’s garlic, wild garlic is a wild herb that grows in shady woodlands in spring. With its soft green leaves and mild garlicky flavor, it’s perfect for cooking. Unlike regular garlic, wild garlic has a gentler flavor that makes it incredibly versatile in a variety of dishes.
We absolutely love the subtle garlicky aroma it adds to this risotto—it’s earthy and fragrant without being overpowering.
💡 Fun Fact: Wild garlic has a rich history as a spring tonic, helping to detoxify the body and energize you after the long winter months.
🍚 Why Risotto?
Risotto is one of those dishes that’s perfect for showcasing ingredients like wild garlic. Its creamy texture is ideal for carrying the flavors of the herbs and vegetables, and with a bit of patience, you get a sublime result.
We love that risotto is so forgiving—you can make it with any number of vegetables or herbs, and it always turns out creamy and comforting. But when we make Wild Garlic Risotto, it’s like we’re inviting the flavors of spring straight to the table.
🍋 Pro Tip: A squeeze of lemon juice right before serving helps balance out the richness and brightens up the dish!
🍷 Why Wild Garlic Works So Perfectly
Wild garlic brings the perfect balance to this creamy risotto. The herbaceous and garlicky notes of the wild garlic work beautifully with the richness of the risotto, while the subtlety of the garlic doesn’t overwhelm the dish. We love how the wild garlic softens as it cooks, blending into the creamy risotto like it was always meant to be there.
🌿 Fresh Tip: For the best flavor, use fresh wild garlic from the season—don’t go for the dried version. The fresh leaves are tender and full of vibrant flavor!
🧀 The Creamy Risotto Finish
What really takes this wild garlic risotto over the top is that last touch of creamy, cheesy goodness. Stir in a bit of butter and parmesan right at the end, and you’ll get a velvety, indulgent texture that makes this dish a real crowd-pleaser.
We often like to serve this risotto with a simple salad or some roasted vegetables on the side for a well-rounded meal. It’s great for family dinners, weekend lunches, or even a special date night dinner.
🧀 Cheese Tip: If you prefer a vegan version, feel free to swap the parmesan for nutritional yeast—it’ll still give you that cheesy umami flavor!
🥄 How to Serve Wild Garlic Risotto
This wild garlic risotto can be served on its own or as a side to some of our favorite dishes. Here are a few ideas:
🍗 With roasted vegetables or grilled tofu – It’s the perfect creamy side.
🍖 Pair with a light protein – Grilled tempeh or baked tofu goes beautifully with the risotto.
🍚 Topped with extra wild garlic – For an added burst of color and flavor.
The beauty of this risotto is that it can stand alone as a meal or pair wonderfully with other dishes—it’s incredibly versatile.
🍽️ Final Tip: Serve with a light drizzle of olive oil or a sprinkle of fresh herbs for an extra touch of elegance.
Why You’ll Love This Wild Garlic Risotto
Our Wild Garlic Risotto is creamy, comforting, and packed with springtime flavor. The fresh wild garlic gives it a unique twist on the classic risotto, creating a dish that’s full of flavor and easy to make. Plus, it’s a great way to make use of fresh, seasonal herbs when they’re at their best!
So, if you’re looking for a dish that’s rich, comforting, and packed with flavor, this wild garlic risotto is the one to try. We know it’ll quickly become one of your favorites, just like it is for us!
Ingredients
- 1 bunch of fresh wild garlic, about 100 g
- 300 g risotto rice, e.g., Arborio or Carnaroli
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 50 g parmesan, freshly grated
- 1 liter vegetable broth, hot
- 150 ml white wine (optional)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- A splash of lemon juice (optional)
Instructions
Instructions
- Prepare the Wild Garlic: Thoroughly wash the wild garlic and shake it dry. Cut off the stems and roughly chop the leaves. Some of the wild garlic can be set aside for decoration.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: Heat the olive oil in a wide pot. Add the finely diced onions and garlic and sauté them over medium heat until translucent.
- Add Rice: Add the risotto rice and toast it briefly until it also becomes translucent. This ensures that the rice grains gradually absorb the liquid.
- Deglaze with White Wine: (If using) Deglaze the rice with the white wine and let it reduce almost completely while stirring. The alcohol will evaporate, leaving only the flavor.
- Add Vegetable Broth: Gradually add hot vegetable broth, just enough to cover the rice. Stir continuously and let the rice slowly absorb the broth before adding more.
- Stir in Wild Garlic: When the risotto rice is almost done (after about 18-20 minutes), stir in the chopped wild garlic. The residual heat will cook the wild garlic slightly without losing its fresh flavor.
- Butter and Parmesan: Take the pot off the heat and stir in the butter and freshly grated Parmesan. This gives the risotto its creamy consistency.
- Seasoning: Season the risotto with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and a splash of lemon juice.
- Serve: Serve the wild garlic risotto immediately. Garnish it with the reserved wild garlic leaves and possibly some more grated Parmesan.
Notes
- Make sure to always add the broth hot to the rice so the cooking process is not interrupted.
- Continuous stirring ensures the risotto becomes creamy and doesn't stick or burn.
- Adding lemon juice at the end emphasizes the freshness of the wild garlic and adds a nice tangy note.
Frequently Asked Questions About Our Wild Garlic Risotto
🌿 Can I Use Regular Garlic Instead of Wild Garlic?
Yes, you can substitute regular garlic, but the flavor will be more intense and different from the fresh, mild taste of wild garlic. You can also mix in other herbs like parsley or spinach for a similar depth.
🍚 Can I Make This Risotto Vegan?
Absolutely! To make the risotto vegan, swap out butter for vegan butter or olive oil, and use plant-based Parmesan or nutritional yeast instead of dairy Parmesan.
🍷 Can I Add Wine to This Recipe?
Yes! A dry white wine can add great depth and richness to the risotto. Just make sure to cook it off completely before adding the stock.
🍅 Can I Add Other Vegetables to This Risotto?
Definitely! Asparagus, peas, or roasted mushrooms would pair beautifully with the wild garlic. Just sauté them separately and stir them in at the end for added texture.
🌡️ How Do I Store Leftovers?
Store any leftover risotto in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. Reheat with a splash of vegetable stock or water to keep it creamy.
🥄 Can I Make This Risotto Ahead of Time?
Risotto is best enjoyed fresh as it can lose its creamy texture when stored. However, if you must make it ahead, store it and reheat it gently with some extra liquid.
We hope these tips help you create the perfect Wild Garlic Risotto! Enjoy! 🌿🍚
I absolutely loved the Wild Garlic Risotto! The creamy texture paired with the fresh, earthy flavor of wild garlic made it a comforting and satisfying dish. It’s simple yet full of flavor, perfect for a cozy dinner.