In The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, gaining temporary bonus hearts is crucial. At the start, Link only has three hearts, but they can be increased by obtaining Heart Containers from Shrines and praying to Goddess Statues.
However, players can also acquire bonus hearts by consuming elixirs and meals infused with Hearty ingredients. To create an elixir, a Hearty Lizard mixed with monster parts is essential. On the other hand, when it comes to meals, there are various ingredients that can be used to create many bonus hearts throughout Link's adventure.
6 Hearty Simmered Fruit
The Faron region's tropical rainforest holds numerous secrets, but it is abundant in valuable fruit. In addition to the powerful Mighty Bananas, Link can collect an abundance of Hearty Durians during his exploration of the area. This exquisite fruit can also be found on Satori Mountain, purchased in Gerudo Town, and serves as a lifeline on Eventide Island. However, players can only fully benefit from this nourishing fruit by utilizing it in cooking.
By combining five Hearty Durians in a cooking pot, the majestic fruit transforms into Hearty Simmered Fruit, granting Link an additional 20 hearts.
5 Hearty Steamed Meat
When exploring the grasslands of Hyrule, players will often come across Hearty Radishes. These unique vegetables are recognizable by their tall stalks and heart-shaped bulbs. They can be found in abundance in the grassy areas of Hyrule Ridge and East Necluda. Alternatively, players can also purchase Hearty Radishes from Beedle at the East Akkala Stable or from the General Shoppe in The Great Deku Tree in Korok Forest.
Hearty Radishes can be utilized in various recipes, but one particularly effective dish involves combining 4 Hearty Radishes with a piece of Raw Prime Meat. This combination produces Hearty Steamed Meat, which grants an additional 12 hearts. Raw Prime Meat can be easily obtained in Breath of the Wild by hunting medium to large animals such as boars, deer, bears, moose, wolves, and coyotes.
4 Hearty Clam Chowder
Mixing different ingredients in Breath of the Wild allows players to create exquisite meals like the Hearty Clam Chowder, granting an additional 6 hearts. To prepare this delightful dish, combine 2 Hearty Blueshell Snails with Goat Butter, Fresh Milk, and Tabantha Wheat. Spotting the Hearty Blueshell Snails is a breeze, as they inhabit the shores of the Lanaryu and Necluda seas.
Obtain Goat Butter from High Spirits Produce in Kakariko Village, The Slippery Falcon in Rito Village, or the nomadic merchant Agus. Fresh Milk can be found at East Wind General Store in Hateno Village or acquired as a reward for completing side quests. Alternatively, procure Tabantha Wheat by either cutting grass in the Tabantha region or purchasing it from The Slippery Falcon or a Stall in Gerudo Town.
3 Hearty Mushroom Balls
Rice Balls in Breath of the Wild are incredibly versatile, allowing you to combine them with any ingredient to create a convenient and hearty meal for Link. However, if you add an ingredient that gives an extra boost of hearts, they become even more accessible and beneficial.
To make Hearty Mushroom Rice Balls, you'll need one Big Hearty Truffle and three Hearty Truffles, along with a bunch of Hylian Rice. This combination results in a delicious dish that grants Link an additional 7 hearts. Harvest Hylian Rice by cutting grass in East Necluda, or you can find it for sale at various locations such as East Wind in Hateno Village, the General Shoppe in Korok Forest, and The Slippery Falcon. Hearty Truffles can be found in the Great Hyrule Forest and Hyrule Field, while Big Hearty Truffles grow at the base of trees in the Hebra Mountains and the Great Hyrule Forest.
2 Hearty Salmon Meuniere
Upon completing the main quest for the Divine Beast Vah Medoh, Link can embark on the Akh Va'quot Shrine quest. This quest involves preparing a Salmon Meuniere for Genli, a young Rito. By conversing with Genli's sisters stationed throughout the village, Link will receive the necessary ingredients for the recipe, including Hearty Salmon, Tabantha Wheat, and Goat Butter.
To maximize the dish's benefits, players are advised to add two additional Hearty Salmons, granting an additional 12 hearts. After receiving one Hearty Salmon from Kotts, Link can locate more in the ponds leading to Rito Village or in bodies of water within the Tabantha Frontier or Hebra Mountains.
1 Hearty Fried Wild Greens
One of the simplest meals in Breath of the Wild is creating Fried Wild Greens using the easily accessible Hyrule Herb. By adding a herb, flower, or vegetable, this dish becomes a valuable resource for restoring hearts early in the game. However, to enhance its benefits, one can incorporate Hearty and Big Hearty Radishes.
By combining a single Big Hearty Radish with four Hearty Radishes, Link can increase their heart count by 17 when consuming the Hearty Fried Wild Greens meal. Big Hearty Radishes are less common but can typically be found in the same grassy areas as Hearty Radishes, such as Hyrule Ridge and East Necluda.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is currently available on Switch.