16 Dandelion Recipes | The Prairie Homestead (2024)
Growing up, dandelions were always the enemy…
I remember my Dad devoting hours each summer to vigorously spraying them when they would pop up in the yard.
I also remember how annoyed I was during the first spring after we purchased our homestead when I realized the little yellow buggers were ALL OVER the yard and pastures.
Dandelions are a fast-growing competitive perennial that goes from flower to seed in a matter of days. The number of seeds and how easy the fluffy white seeds spread make them hard to keep up with. There is never a short supply of those bright yellow blossoms.
My oh my… how times have changed.
Are Dandelions a Weed or an Herb?
Since my Lamb’s Quarter revelation several years ago, I tend to wholeheartedly agree with Ralph Waldo Emerson’s perspective on weeds:
“What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered.”
Nutrients and Health Benefits of Dandelion Recipes
So, since changing my mindset a bit, I now get giddy when I see the little yellow blossoms pop up all over my yard. Not only are dandelions very edible, but they are alsoincredibly nutritious.
The nutrients found in dandelions rival any leafy greens, they are full of vitamins and minerals. Dandelions contain vitamins A, C, K, Folate, calcium, and potassium.These vitamins and minerals provide those that use dandelion recipes with many different health benefits.
**My one caveat about dandelion recipes is this: if you do plan to harvest dandelions, be very certain that they have NOT been sprayed with any sort of chemical or herbicide. I don’t have to worry about that out here on our homestead, but would definitely think twice before foraging handfuls from your local park or neighbor’s yard.
Do Dandelions Taste Bad?
Each part of the dandelion has its own flavor and it can change slightly depending on how they are prepared. The young flower of dandelion has a sweet almost honey-like flavor, while the greens have a bitter taste that resembles spinach or arugula.
The best time to eat the greens of a dandelion plant is when they are fresh and young as they age the bitter flavor gets stronger. The same goes for the dandelion blooms, when they are first opened is the best time to harvest them. As they age the sweet flavor turns bitter.
18 Dandelion Recipes
Dandelion Roots:
1.Dandelion Root Coffee— I’m dying to try this! Although I will admit, my hubby is a bit skeptical. 😉
4.Dandelion Root Tincture— “Dandelion has been used historically to detoxify the kidneys and liver, reduce swelling, fight skin problems, alleviate digestive discomfort, fight fever, improve vision problems, and prevent diabetes…”
13.Dandelion Wine Recipe— “Dandelion flower wine was considered so therapeutic to the kidneys and digestive system that it was deemed medicinal even for the ladies…”
18. Dandelion Salve Recipe— This is not an edible recipe, but it is a great salve that is used for aching muscles and joints.
Are You Ready to Try These Dandelion Recipes?
Dandelions are a great source of vitamins and minerals that provide many health benefits. Start getting excited when you see all of the yellow blossoms start to pop up in your yard. Dandelions are in no short supply so you can continue to try these recipes all summer long. Dandelions are not the only edible plants out there learn the Secrets of Successful Edible Landscaping by listening to the Old-Fashioned on Purpose Podcast.
If natural recipes for your homestead are what you are looking for then you may be interested in my Natural Homesteading Ebook. This ebook is filled with 40+ natural recipes for around the homestead.
Have you already added dandelions to your diet? What is your favorite way to use them?
The leaves are used to stimulate the appetite and help digestion. Dandelion flower has antioxidant properties. Dandelion may also help improve the immune system. Herbalists use dandelion root to detoxify the liver and gallbladder, and dandelion leaves to help kidney function.
Dandelion might cause allergic reactions, stomach discomfort, diarrhea, or heartburn in some people. Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if dandelion is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
The leaves have a unique flavor, both earthy and bitter—it's similar to endive and radicchio. The earlier you pick dandelion greens, the less bitter they will be, which is why people pick ones that emerge in early spring to use raw in a dandelion salad.
Not only are dandelion greens safe to eat, but they also provide a range of health benefits. All parts of a dandelion plant are edible, from the top of the yellow flower down to the roots. The green leaves of the dandelion can make a healthy addition to salads, sandwiches, omelets, and more.
Dandelions are rich in antioxidants and could be a healthful addition to a person's diet or daily supplements. As with any supplement, it is best to speak to a doctor before taking them to discuss possible risks and interactions with other medications.
Interestingly, a Korean study found that dandelion may have similar effects on the body as weight loss drug Orlistat. Some data shows that this anti-obesity drug can help reduce the amount of belly fat, the most dangerous fat linked to Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, some forms of cancer, etc.
Dandelion leaf is a safe and gentle herb for stimulating the kidneys and helping them to function efficiently. It contains bitter glycosides, carotenoids, potassium, iron and other minerals, and is regularly used by herbalists to treat fluid retention which often causes swollen ankles and generally puffy skin.
“[Drinking dandelion tea] any time of day is completely fine because it is caffeine-free, but there are two times of the day I would recommend not having it,” instructs Ross. “First is right before bed, because it is a diuretic and you don't want to be up in the bathroom all night ...
Some compounds in dandelion may decrease triglyceride and cholesterol levels, which are key risk factors for heart disease. Some of the polyphenols in dandelion, such as flavonoids and hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives, may have cholesterol and triglyceride-lowering properties ( 5 ).
Dandelions are definitely safe to eat both raw and cooked, and you can eat almost all parts of the dandelion, aside from the stem. The dandelion greens, especially, taste great when mixed into dishes. The flavor is a bit bitter, especially when eaten raw, but in a pleasant way.
Dandelion greens are packed with nutrients, but calcium and iron are the most prominent. Raw dandelion greens contain 10% of the DV for each mineral, whereas cooked dandelion greens contain between 11% and 15% of the DV.
The quintessential weed, dandelions are rich in vitamins A, C, and K. They also contain vitamin E, iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and B vitamins. 2 Every part of this flowering herb, from the roots to the bright-yellow blossoms, can be eaten raw or cooked.
Regardless, experts recommend letting one common weed grow.
"Dandelions attract bees, which are important pollinators. They also attract other beneficial insects, like ladybugs and lacewings. And dandelions are a good source of food for birds."
You can harvest the flowers, leaves and roots each spring or fall and store for later use by drying the plant parts. There are several ways to dry dandelions for tea. You can simply leave the dandelions out in the sun to dry them and prevent oxidation.
The dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is an abundant “weed” plant that also happens to be edible. In fact, nearly the entire plant can be consumed in one way or another. The only inedible part is the stem, which contains a very bitter, milky substance.
It helps to detox the liver, gallbladder, kidneys and blood, and also regulate bowel motions. The root is used for the liver and colon and the leaves are used as a diuretic to gently flush toxins through the kidneys. Dandelion is rich in vitamin C and antioxidants which helps protect cells from toxin damage.
Not only does it metabolize this important hormone, but it also helps eliminate it, whether the estrogen is from natural sources or from artificial sources such as hormone-replacement therapy, plastics, or plants. To keep metabolism and elimination working well, we want to nourish the liver.
Dandelion has a high potassium content, which gives it diuretic properties, which contribute to the removal of water from the body. Thanks to this, you can easily lose up to two kilograms of weight per week, while drinking from 2 to 3 cups of this tea per day.
2. Supports liver health. Dandelion tea has been used to promote liver function in holistic medicine for centuries, Kim says. Preliminary studies show this may be due to dandelion's ability to increase the flow of bile, which helps detox the liver and relieve symptoms of liver disease, Kim says.
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