Recipe for Dandelion Greens

Last Updated on May 30, 2022 by Ellen Christian

Do you have a favorite dandelion green recipe? Check out my favorite recipe and learn how to clean dandelion greens properly.

I look forward to the first dandelions I see appear in my front yard. And, if you enjoy cooking dandelion greens, chances are you do too.

If you love cooking with dandelions, you have got to try my dandelion jelly recipe. It’s delicious on fresh biscuits or toast.

Cooking Dandelion Greens

Cooking dandelion greens is actually very simple. For the most part, I don’t even use a recipe. I just toss the greens, some oil, and some garlic or seasonings and saute until wilted.  Check out my dandelion green recipe below.

How do you season dandelion greens?

So, you can season dandelion greens much the same way you would season spinach when you saute it. My preference is onion, garlic, salt, and pepper.

I occasionally toss in some grated Parmesan cheese. If you want to eat them fresh, this Dandelion Salad with Eggs and Bacon from Vibrant Plate sounds delicious.

Or, this Dandelion Puntarelle Salad from Bacon is Magic uses a Burnt Onion Syrup that sounds amazing.

Do you eat the stems of dandelion greens?

Yes, all of the dandelion is edible, stems included. If you pick the dandelion greens when the plant is young (before the flowers open), the stems are just as tender as any other part of the leaf.

If you are harvesting an older plant, you may want to snap off the very end of the leaf. Make sure that you use the buds in this Dandelion Capers recipe from Practical Self Reliance.

How to wash dandelion greens

You can eat them as-is from the front yard. Just make sure to wash them first. You can use them the same way you would lettuce. Just rinse them under cool water and pat dry gently.

They are great in a garden salad. Or, add a few to your sandwich in place of lettuce.

Why not try them in this Dandelion Salad with Balsamic Strawberries and Onions from Umami Girl. Next, you can try Dandelion Pesto from Learning and Yearning.

How do you get the bitterness out of dandelion greens?

If you plan on eating the dandelion greens raw, it’s best to soak them in cold water for an hour before you eat them. Another way to get the bitterness out is to cook them.

Or, you can try adding a bit of vinegar and oil to the greens. Pair them with something sweet like sliced oranges or fresh strawberries. The bitterness won’t be quite as evident that way as if you eat them plain.

If you’re enjoying them in a salad, try adding a spoonful of dairy-based yogurt dressing to the top. Or, add lemon juice for a different type of taste your tongue may appreciate more.

Where to find dandelion greens

When picking dandelion greens, never pick them from near the road. You never know how much car exhaust will end up on them.

And, never pick from a yard that may use pesticides. That’s not something you want to eat. So, I stick to picking them from my own yard when I want to make a dandelion green recipe.

If you’re tired of dandelion greens in your salad, why not try making these Dandelion Egg Noodles from Homespun Seasonal Living. There are so many delicious things you can do with dandelion greens.

Paleo dandelion greens recipe

So, if you’re looking for a paleo dandelion greens recipe, simply leave out the parmesan cheese. Everything else in this recipe is allowed on the paleo diet.

For more paleo recipes, check out my Mediterranean Spaghetti.

How to cut dandelion greens

So, when I pick dandelion greens, I do not remove the root system unless it’s somewhere in my yard I don’t want it. I have no problem leaving the dandelions to grow in my yard each year.

But, I do not want them mixed in with my herbs or vegetables. I like to have them available whenever I want to try a new dandelion green recipe.

Or, if you have a few dandelion flowers available, why not try them in this Dandelion Iced Tea recipe from Canadian Cooking Adventures.

How to saute dandelion greens

First, check out my recipe below to learn how to saute dandelion greens. Next, check out this Dandelion Greens Saute with Bacon and Raisins from Savory Spin.

Or, learn how to make Minestra from Christina’s Cucina. It uses a variety of greens. Keep experimenting until you find your favorite dandelion green recipe.

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