Did you know that you can eat dandelions? Instead of mowing them down, harvest them for greens, soup, jelly, pesto, and even wine! Learn more about dandelion’s benefits and find a selection of dandelion recipes to try. Consider adding dandelions to your diet!
Are Dandelions Safe to Eat?
Native to Eurasia, this humble member of the aster family has traveled far and wide. Believe it or not, the dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) was not always considered a weed. Cultures worldwide thought of the dandelion as a “common herb” and have used every part of the plant as both nutritious food and powerful medicine.
So yes, in short, the dandelion is very safe to eat.
| Part of Plant | Flavor | Common Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Leaves | Slightly bitter | Salads, sautéed greens, pesto |
| Flowers | Mild, honey-like | Jelly, syrup, fritters |
| Roots | Earthy | Tea, coffee substitute |
| Buds | Slightly nutty | Pickled like capers |
Health Benefits of Dandelions
The dandelion is rich in nutrients, including protein, calcium, iron, and Vitamins A and C.
Dandelions are good for digestion and may ease rheumatism or liver problems. In fact, one of the plant’s common nicknames in French—pissenlit (pee-the-bed)—attests to dandelion’s use in traditional healing cultures as a valuable diuretic agent (rich in potassium). Learn more about the health benefits of eating dandelions.
How to Cook Dandelion Greens
Dandelions are so abundant that they’re easy to harvest! And most of the plant can be used—flowers, leaves, and roots. Yes, even the flowers can be eaten!
As with most greens, the plant leaves are best when they are young and tender. Ideally, gather dandelion leaves before the plant blooms, as they will become increasingly bitter and tough.
Young dandelion leaves make an excellent addition to salads and bring a sharp taste to the mix.
Or, the young leaves can be cooked like spinach sautéed in oil and garlic like many leafy greens.
Our favorite way to eat the greens? Grind them into Dandelion Pesto!
Photo: Quanthem/Shutterstock
Dandelion Flower Recipes
One of our favorite recipes is a Dandelion Syrup (also called Dandelion Honey), which you make from the flowers. It’s great over pancakes and waffles or mixed with oatmeal. Or stir it into tea or a carbonated drink, which is an old-style European favorite!
Pick newly yellow dandelion heads (ones on short stems) and try these yummy Fried Dandelion Blossoms.
Photo: Lyudmila Mikhailovskaya/Shutterstock
For something spreadable, try Dandelion Jelly! Harvest 1 quart of bright, fresh dandelion blossoms!
Photo by minadezhda/Shutterstock.
Drinks Made With Dandelions
To wash those down, try a “spirit” of spring, like Pink Dandelion Wine or Dent-De-Lion Wine. Dandelions have been used to make these brandy-like drinks for centuries.
How to Use Dandelion Roots
Even the dandelion roots can be used for making a caffeine-free coffee-like drink. For a refreshingly different brew in the morning, try Dandelion Root Coffee.
Dandelion Foraging Tips
- Harvest from untreated lawns or wild areas only
- Avoid roadsides or places sprayed with herbicides
- Pick young leaves for the mildest flavor
- Leave some flowers for pollinators
A couple of safety notes: Obviously, only eat dandelions from areas that don’t use chemical weedkillers; we’d also avoid public areas where dogs may have peed on them. If you are foraging on public land, harvest sparingly so you don’t disturb the plant population and leave plenty for the pollinators! Learn more about safety harvesting dandelions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are dandelions safe to eat?
Yes, dandelions are edible and have been eaten for centuries. The leaves, flowers, and roots can all be used in recipes. However, only harvest dandelions from areas that have not been treated with pesticides or herbicides.
What do dandelion greens taste like?
Dandelion greens have a slightly bitter, earthy flavor similar to arugula or mustard greens. Younger leaves are more tender and milder, while older leaves tend to be more bitter.
Which parts of a dandelion are edible?
Almost the entire plant is edible. The leaves are used in salads or cooked greens, the flowers can be made into jelly, syrup, or fritters, and the roots can be roasted for tea or a coffee substitute.
When is the best time to harvest dandelions?
The best time to harvest leaves is early spring before the plant flowers, when they are most tender. Flowers are best picked when fully open and bright yellow, while roots are typically harvested in fall.
Can you eat dandelions from your yard?
You can eat dandelions from your yard if the lawn has not been sprayed with chemical weed killers or pesticides. Avoid harvesting from roadsides, public parks, or areas where pets frequently visit.
Are dandelions healthy?
Yes, dandelions are rich in vitamins A and C as well as minerals like calcium and iron. They also contain antioxidants and have traditionally been used to support digestion and overall health.
How do you reduce the bitterness of dandelion greens?
Harvest young leaves, blanch them briefly in boiling water, or mix them with milder greens in salads. Cooking the greens with garlic or oil can also mellow their bitterness.
Do you eat your weeds? Ever made food or drink with dandelions? Share your recipes or comments below! We’d love to hear from you.
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