how to cook dandelion greens

Who would have thought that those common golden star flowers that grow rampantly and freely in everyone’s yards—that some even call ‘weeds’—could be highly nutritious and healing super food? 

Dandelion greens seem to be the new kale. The entire dandelion plant is completely edible, from root to stem to blossom.

Dandelion greens are high in iron, calcium, vitamin C, A, K and many other vitamins and minerals. In fact, dandelions have been a part of traditional medicine for quite some time because of their reputation for helping to heal cancer, inflammation and many common health issues.

They even have more protein and iron than spinach! 

Dandelion greens are also diuretic, meaning they will help clear all the toxins that come out through urination. That’s exactly why in French it is called ‘pissenlit’, meaning to wet the bed. 💦

Yep, dandelion greens are super medicinal and absolutely delicious when cooked and we have some incredible five star recipes to share with you.

recipe: dandelion greens with a kick

For this delightful slightly asiatic and peppery recipe, you will need:

  • chopped dandelion greens 
  • red pepper flakes, to your taste
  • salt to soak the greens 
  • olive oil
  • butter (optional)
  • onion, chopped 
  • garlic cloves, chopped 
  • lemon juice from half a lemon
  • salt and ground black pepper to taste 

Step 1: Soak your dandelion greens

Soak your dandelion greens in a bowl of cold water with 1 teaspoon of salt for about 10 minutes and then drain.

Step 2: Boil a large pot of water

Boil a large pot of water with 1 teaspoon of salt. Add dandelion greens and cook until they are soft and tender. Drain and rinse with cold water until the temperature has cooled down.

Step 3: Gently sauté

Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet on medium heat. Add some onions, salt and pepper. You can add the amount of red pepper flakes you would like depending on your taste. Increase heat and stir in the dandelion greens until they are wilted. Add parmesan cheese and lemon juice for a more zesty flavor.

Each serving is about 150 calories and the prep time is about 10 minutes. In total with cooking time, this healthy recipe will take you about 25 minutes.

7 ways to eat dandelion greens

Looking for a bit more than some deliciously and simply sauteed dandelion greens? Fear not, there are so many ways to enjoy these health-supporting and spicy weeds.

1. raw dandelion greens salad with citrus vinaigrette

raw dandelion greens salad with citrus vinaigrette

Of course, this is a non-cooked option but to keep things simple we had to include the easiest way to prepare a meal with dandelion greens. Just pick the youngest dandelion leaves, add organic olive oil and season with salt. You can eat them alone on their own (if you like bitter taste) or add greens like organic lettuce leaves, arugula or spinach. You can add blue cheese or a generous splash of citrus vinaigrette to combat the bitter flavor of the leaves.

2. sautéed greens with garlic

You will need a sauté pan and wooden spoon. First, boil the greens for about 5 minutes then on medium high heat sauté your greens in the pan with garlic + sea salt.

3. chopped dandelion greens wilted with brown rice or quinoa

Cook your quinoa or brown rice. Heat up some olive oil and sauté your garlic, mushrooms and pine nuts, mixing with a wooden spoon. Add the greens until they are slightly wilted. Toss everything together and serve with parmesan, salt, pepper and sliced avocado as desired.

4. foraged dandelion green pesto

dandelion greens pesto

This foraged recipe is super exciting for all those new to making pesto with different types of greens replacing the classic basil. It is super tasty and delicious. If you don’t have enough dandelion greens growing in your garden, you can buy fresh greens from a local market or food co-op nearby. The lemon zest and juice help with the bitterness. Blend your leaves, garlic clove, black pepper, extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pine nuts together. Process until the mixture is completely smooth and then add your parmesan cheese. This pesto is delicious in a dish with pasta, boiled potatoes, or even in a salad.

5. vegetable or chicken broth soup

When your broth is ready and prepared, simmer with dandelion greens and mushrooms (or other vegetables). If using a vegetable broth, you can add white miso which is highly nutritional and will add a more salty flavor.

6. oven-baked greens with potatoes and scallions

You will need a large gratin dish to cook in. Heat your oven to 375 degrees, and add butter or olive oil in the dish. Slice the potatoes into one fourth inch pieces. Overlap the potatoes on the bottom of the dish and then add your already wilted dandelion greens. Continue creating layer upon layer with your potatoes, scallions and dandelion greens. Season with salt + pepper. Whisk fresh cream with milk (or soya cream for a vegan option) and pour over evenly. Add parmesan cheese or vegan cheese. Bake for 45 minutes until the potatoes are soft and the cheese is browned.

7. dandelion greens pasta italian style

spicy pasta
spicy herb pasta

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil, add your fettuccine or penne pasta when ready. In a skillet on medium heat, add pine nuts, garlic and olive oil. Cook for about 1 to 2 minutes then add your greens. Combine with your pasta and freshly grated parmesan cheese! If you’re more into red sauces, then add them to this spicy tomato and herb sauce for a warming pasta dish.

8. dandelion greens greek style

Greeks have been eating dandelions for centuries, way before it became trendy. This is a traditional Greek dish called Horta, which uses a bunch of dandelion greens. Wash your greens thoroughly and boil in a slightly salted pot of water. Drain and drizzle with olive oil. Just add some lemon juice, salt, and sea salt to get a highly packed nutritional dish full of iron, vitamin C, K, A and antioxidants. No wonder the Greeks live so long and well!

If you use any of these recipes, be sure to leave a recipe review in the comments of what you loved the most! We would love to hear your tips & suggestions.

FAQs

how to make dandelion greens less bitter?

There are many ways to make dandelion greens less bitter, there are also best times to pick dandelions to avoid the strong flavor. Many herbalists say early spring is the best time to harvest the leaves, especially the younger ones before the get older and more bitter. Fresh dandelion greens are the most nutritious and delicious.

If you can embrace the bitter aspect, your body will not regret it, as dandelion cleans the blood and assists digestion. The more dandelion greens you eat, the more you will get used to the taste and find new creative ways to make it taste more delicious.

Another really helpful tip is blanching your dandelion leaves. Blanching means cooking them in boiling salted water for a short amount of time, around 1 to 2 minutes. After, drain the greens and transfer them into water with ice. Sauté with olive oil and lots of garlic to cover the taste.

how to clean and cook dandelion greens?

Use clean scissors to cut off the leaves. If foraging from your garden or other wild area, you want to make sure that you remove all the dirt and debris from the leaves with fresh water. You can fill a pan with water and swish the leaves around until they are completely clean. Cut off the bottom of the stems as they are the most bitter part.

where to buy dandelion leaves

You want to make sure that the dandelion leaves you are cooking and eating are picked away from highways and places sprayed with pesticides. This is super important because your otherwise healthy, medicinal dish will have unwanted chemicals and toxins. It’s especially important to source the freshest, purest greens and flowers to get the most benefits of brewing dandelion tea.

The second option if dandelion leaves can be abundantly foraged in your garden is to go to your local market or food shop.

Lastly, if still difficult to find we recommend some brands for organic dandelion leaf + root to make tea with so you can still receive the medicinal benefits of the plant.

Frontier Leaf Organic
This tea is officially sourced in Bulgaria. It has a sweet flavor that can be used in different dishes, soups, and salads. Dried dandelion leaves have a sweet, earthy taste similar to arugula. It makes a very relaxing tea that will help your body with digestion.

Traditional Medicinals Dandelion Leaf & Root Tea

This tea is made with dandelion leaves and roots. It is supportive to the kidneys and digestion. You can make a really delicious dandelion tea latte, by brewing with almond milk and cinnamon. It’s a great alternative to coffee in the morning!

Starwest Botanicals Organic Dandelion Root

This brand offers 100 percent organic and ethically harvested wild dandelion root. It is caffeine-free and originally comes from China. You can make your own homemade tea or tincture.

final words

There really are endless recipes that you can make with dandelion leaves! We hope you feel inspired after reading this article, and will honor dandelions as the magic and medicinal plants they are instead of seeing them as weeds. It’s all about perspective, and how amazing that this is an edible you can find easily in your own garden, or in your neighbors! 😉

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