Dandelion loves lawns and parks and thrives in moist or dried, disturbed soil. All you have to do is restrain yourself from pulling it up when you are blessed with this healing herb growing in your yard! If you’re wondering how to eat dandelion, here are three simple and tasty ways to absorb this nutritious herb into your diet.
“Dandelion is an amazing mineral-rich powerhouse with more nutrients than any veggie in the grocery store.”
Can You Eat Dandelions?
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) may be a common weed, but it’s also an amazing mineral-rich powerhouse with more nutrients than any veggie in the grocery store. Dandelion leaf is one of the most nutrient-dense greens that nature has to offer and is loaded with vitamin C and antioxidants, which reduce inflammation and slow the aging process. Dandelion root is a nutritive tonic that enhances overall wellness and contains a generous amount of minerals and electrolytes.
Any time you are wildcrafting for food or medicine, it is important to have 100% accurate identification of your plants. Ask someone knowledgeable or consult a field guide to your area. Be sure to avoid harvesting plants that have been sprayed with chemicals or herbicides.
#1 Green Garden Soup
A handful of dandelion leaf adds a boost of nourishment to this vibrant green soup recipe. Dandelion greens are rich with vitamins A, C, and E, and they strengthen your body’s digestion, helping you better assimilate nutrients. You don’t even need to stand over a hot stove to make this delicious no-cook soup!
Get the recipe: Green Garden Soup
#2 Summer Garden Pesto
Dandelion has a bitter flavor that some people aren’t that into, but sneak it into your pesto and nobody even knows they are eating bitter weeds! And with this pesto around, you can get super creative about how to get an extra serving of greens into your meals. Put it on eggs, salads, pasta, soup, pizza, and more.
Get the recipe: Summer Garden Pesto
#3 Dandelion Mocha
Okay, technically this recipe is for drinking, not eating dandelions! Roasted dandelion root gives this drink a smoky, slightly chocolate-y, coffee-like flavor. In my clinical herbal practice, I’ve witnessed hundreds of people wean themselves off coffee with this drink that’s also good for your gut and a great liver tonic.
Get the recipe: Herbal Coffee Alternative
I would love to hear from you! How do you like to eat (or drink!) dandelion? Please share in the comments below.
More edible weeds
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How to Eat Dandelion Greens
5 Edible and Medicinal Spring Weeds to Forage
I dehydrate . I put some of it into a ‘super greens’ mix that I sprinkle on salads, add to my soups, chili, stews, roasted veggies. I made an infused oil, using your method, thank you very much! I use that topically on my psoriasis, on my feet at night, across my abdomen to help my liver area.