How to Eat Lamb's Quarters

Have you ever seen lamb’s quarters? Sometimes this weed is called pigweed, sometimes it’s called goosefoot or lambsquarters. Most people just pull it out of their yards and gardens. But you’re missing out if you don’t know how to eat lamb’s quarters. It’s yummy and full of nutrition!

Lamb’s Quarters Plant

Lamb’s quarters (Chenopodium album) is a member of the amaranth plant family and related to quinoa. Spinach, beets, and chard are also part of this family.

Considered a weed, lamb’s quarters grows everywhere except Antarctica. It is commonly found in disturbed soils, fields, pastures, and gardens.

Typically emerging in spring, lamb’s quarters can grow up to five feet tall. The young leaves often have a whitish or grayish coating on them. Mature leaves can be darker green, and there’s also a magenta lamb’s quarters where the leaves have a bit of pink on them. So there are different varieties.

After setting dense clusters of tiny flowers and then seeds in the summer, this annual plant dies back by autumn. A single plant can produce up to 70,000 seeds!

(Remember, it is important to 100% accurately identify plants before using them for food or medicine. If you aren’t sure, check a field guide or ask someone knowledgeable in your area.)

What Part of Lamb’s Quarters Do You Eat?

Many people know about eating lamb’s quarters leaves. This green has protein and is high in B vitamins. It’s a powerful, nutrient-dense green and super good for you.

You can also eat the flowers and seeds! What I like to do it pick the stem, and I strip it to get all the leaves and whole seed pods that are filled with seeds. The little black seeds are edible and crunchy and are a high-protein grain.

How to Eat Lamb’s Quarters

Early in the season, you can gather up the leaves and eat just the lamb’s quarters leaves, or you can use them to supplement any other green that you’re sautéing or steaming. For example, you can mix lamb’s quarters leaves in with your chard, kale, and dark leafy greens.

However, the stage I like best is when you can harvest the leaves, whole seed pods, and seeds all at once. This is truly one of my favorite vegetables and I love to sauté the leaves, seed pods, and seeds all together. It’s delicious with scrambled eggs.

Lamb’s quarters may be considered a weed, but it’s really good for you! It’s high in B vitamins, high in protein, and a super great leafy green. According to Michigan State University, one ounce of lamb’s quarters has 65% of the recommended daily allowance for vitamin A and 37% for vitamin C.

I would love to hear from you! Does this weedy plant grow near you? How do you like to eat lamb’s quarters? Please share in the comments below!