Dandelion Recipes
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Do you know that dandelions are edible? There are so many easy dandelion recipes you can make to enjoy this free food source.
Growing up, everyone I knew made such a fuss over having dandelions in their yard. They would mow them down, dig them out, and even pay kids to pick them out of their lawn.
I welcome these wild herbs in my garden and lawn. They are a fast-growing perennial that provides food from their flowers, leaves, and roots.
What Do Dandelions Taste Like?
The entire dandelion plant is edible. The yellow dandelion flowers are sweet and have a taste similar to honey.
Young dandelion greens in the early spring have a fresher, sweeter taste. As the leaves get older in the summer and fall, they start to taste more bitter, similar to arugula or spinach. But the taste mellows after cooking the greens. Both the leaves and leaf stems are edible.
The flower stem is best not eaten because it tastes very bitter from the milky white sap.
Can I Eat Dandelions Raw From My Yard?
Yes, you can eat and harvest dandelions from your yard, but only if they are clean. Never harvest edible plants from an area that pets or livestock have been in or that has been sprayed with herbicides, pesticides, or other sprays.
Are Dandelions Good For You?
Dandelions are loaded with vitamins and minerals. The greens are especially a good source of vitamins A, C, and K, potassium, calcium, and folate.
How To Store Dandelion Flowers
If you’ve picked to many flowers to use up in one day they can easily be stored to use up in the next day or two.
If the flowers still have the stems attached, simply place them into jars of water like any cut flower. They will stay hydrated for a day or two until you have time to work with them.
If you have already separated the dandelion flower from the stem, give the flower a quick rinse in cool water and place the flower head petal side down on a clean kitchen towel or screen.
This will help to keep the flowers open, making it easier to pull or cut off the petals the next day.
How To Preserve Dandelion Flowers
Freezing Dandelion Flowers – A quick and easy way to freeze dandelion flowers to use in tea or recipes later.
Drying Dandelion Flowers – The best way to preserve dandelion flowers for making infused oils and salves. It’s also handy for making teas and other recipes.
Dandelion Recipes
Whether you are using freshly picked dandelions, frozen, or dried, there are so many delicious treats you can make with them.
Dandelion Drink Recipes
Dandelion Iced Tea – The perfect summer drink idea.
Dandelion Flower Recipes
Dandelion Jelly – Tastes like honey, and is easy to preserve for later.
Dandelion Syrup – Easy homemade syrup is perfect for flavoring drinks or enjoying over pancakes or desserts.
Dandelion Flower Iced Tea – A fun and easy summer drink.
More Edible Flower Recipes
There are so many more flowers you can enjoy eating. Don’t miss these edible flower recipes for more fun jellies, syrups, sugars, and more.
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Kim Mills is a homeschooling mom of 6 and lives on an urban homestead in Ontario, Canada. Blogging at Homestead Acres she enjoys sharing tips to help you save money, grow and preserve your own food.
