8 samphire recipes

When is samphire in season?

UK samphire season is a short one that starts in July and ends in August.

Why we love samphire

Samphire is a UK delicacy and we love it unique salty flavour. Make the most during it's short summer season to serve as a simple side dish, an alternative to green veg available all year round. It's quick to cook, taking just a few minutes to steam or boil, and is easy to add to pasta dishes, whilst it's salty edge makes it a brilliant accompaniment to fish. Discover more about samphire, including where to shop for it, in our ingredient glossary.

Health benefits of samphire

Samphire is high in fibre (making it good for digestion), plus vitamin and minerals including good levels of magnesium and calcium.

Samphire recipes

Samphire with beurre blanc

Check out this bright and vibrant vegetarian samphire dish with easy homemade beurre blanc. It's an ideal side to serve with roast lamb or grilled white fish. Perhaps make a bowl to eat as a side with your BBQ.

Spaghetti alle vongole with samphire

Spaghetti alle vongole makes a classic Italian supper. The samphire here complements the clams perfectly and, along with dry white wine, helps make a lovely rich sauce that slicks the spaghetti.

Roasted skate wing with charred leeks and samphire

This simple, elegant recipe for roasted skate wing and charred baby leeks served with a creamy buttery sauce makes for a very chic main when entertaining. This easy recipe comes from Amy Corbin and Patrick Williams’ South London restaurant, Kudu in Peckham.

Tagliolini alle vongole

A simple, flavour-packed dish combining clams with punchy garlic, fiery red chilli and fragrant herbs, including salty samphire and fresh parsley.

Samphire with browned butter

This vibrant veggie dish, oozing with buttery zing, makes a satisfyingly crisp side to a spring roast or other meat-heavy meals.

Linguine with samphire and prawns

This easy dish pairs the sea vegetable samphire with king prawns in a super-quick pasta sauce. Toss linguine through it and you're in for a delicious, speedy dinnertime treat.

Jersey Royals, samphire and prawn fritteda

A fritteda is an Italian stew of spring vegetables. Our version uses samphire paired with prawns to create a light and flavoursome meal that's ideal for hot summer days.

Samphire and sea beet sambol

Sambols are a very popular accompaniment to most meals in Sri Lanka – this version from Hoppers restaurant celebrates the British coast with crab and foraged samphire.