Fewer herbs represent abundance more than dandelions. They sprout up in the most unlikely places and cover fields, gardens, and front lawns nearly everywhere. Dandelions teach us that we have so many resources available to us – we just need to learn how to use what’s around us! Learning how to use dandelion can open up a whole range of possibilities when it comes to caring for yourself and your community.
So many herbalists I’ve met use dandelions as a symbol of their apothecary or business, or just gush about how much they love dandelions in general. And what’s not to love? From a yummy snack to a colorful salad garnish to deep healing medicine, dandelions are versatile. It’s no coincidence that they’re so abundant – they’re the medicine our bodies need.
Every part of the plant is useful and medicinal – the flowers, stems, leaves, and roots. Dandelions are one of my favorite plants to experiment with because it doesn’t take much effort to find them and they’re safe and easy to use. The possibilities are limitless.
Here are just a few of my favorite dandelion recipes:
1. Dandelion Fritters
This is one of my favorite comfort food recipes. All you’ll need are dandelion flowers, some sort of batter, and oil. Once you have your flowers, you’ll simply dip them in the batter and fry them in the oil. Although I haven’t tried it, I’m sure they would be great air-fried too!
The recipe below is just a general guideline. You can customize the batter based on your preferences. Dandelion pesto (see below) also makes a great dipping sauce!
Ingredients:
Dandelion Flowers
2 Cups of Flour
2 Eggs
2 Cups Milk/Milk Alternative
Whisk the flour, eggs, and milk in a bowl. Add any extras you’d like, such as herbs or lemon. Dip the dandelion flours in the batter and fry in a pan with your oil of choice until golden brown. Enjoy!
2. Dandelion Capers
When I found out you could make capers from dandelions, I was just beside myself. What a creative and delicious way to enjoy this versatile plant! While you’re off in search of flowers or leaves early in spring, keep an eye out for the little buds that haven’t bloomed yet.
The first step is to learn what a dandelion rosette looks like. They’re super easy to identify and you’ll start seeing them everywhere once you know what to look for. You’ll find the buds at the center of the rosette. You’ll want to make sure that the bud is young and firm – ones that are close to blooming, soft, or partially opened will come out soft and mushy.
After picking the primary bud, you should find a number of smaller buds underneath, which are also great to use. Once you’ve collected enough buds, you can fridge pickle them! Here’s a basic pickling recipe to get you started:
Ingredients:
Dandelion buds
1 Cup Vinegar (I prefer apple cider vinegar)
1 Cup Water
1/2 tsp of salt
Bring the vinegar, water, and salt to a boil. Add any other herbs or spices you’d like. Place the dandelion buds in a mason jar. Once the salt is dissolved and the mixture is boiling, pour it over the buds until they’re covered. Screw on the lid and store in the fridge.
3. Dandelion Wine
Admittedly, I have yet to make a successful batch of dandelion wine. But this year is the year! Although it’s fun to do, it’s quite a lot of work. This is an activity for a quiet Sunday afternoon with not much else going on. You’ll need a lot of dandelions and you’ll want to make sure the flowers have no green leaves on them.
Since I’m still a learner in this aspect, I’ll direct you over to The Spruce Eats for a great recipe. I’d love to hear about your successes and challenges with this process!
4. Make a Salad
One way to impress your dinner guests is to create a salad using dandelion greens. Dandelion leaves are packed with vitamins, minerals, and all-around goodness, including antioxidants, calcium, iron, and zinc. They are a bit bitter, so be sure to mix some other greens in with them too. You can also sauté them along with some other vegetables!
5. Roast the Roots
Dandelion roots are hands-down my favorite part of the plant. This medicine has supported me through so much – most notably through some horrible skin issues. There’s a lot of debate about whether it’s best to harvest dandelion roots in the fall or spring. To me, it intuitively makes more sense that they’d have more energy in the fall, when the energy is moving downward and inward. I encourage you to do whatever feels right to you.
There are so many benefits that dandelion roots bring. They help purify the blood, provide exceptional liver support, and more! Check out this great recipe for making dandelion root coffee.
6. Use the Stem for Skin Ailments
The dandelion stem provides a great remedy for skin issues like warts, rough skin, callouses, and more. To use it, simply squeeze the sap out of the stem and apply it directly to the affected area. Some of my favorite herbal remedies are ones I can find on the spot when I need them, like this one.
7. Make Dandelion Pesto
Who doesn’t love pesto? Especially when you can make it with fresh, local, wild ingredients. You can make a large batch of dandelion pesto and save it in ice cube trays or a freezer-safe container. That way you have fresh pesto all year round! Here’s a basic recipe to get you started:
1 Cup Dandelion Leaves
1 Cup Fresh Basil
2 Garlic Cloves
1/2 Cup EVOO
Parmesan Cheese and Pine Nuts to Taste
You can also add other herbs, spices, and greens based on your tastes and what you have available! I like to toss in some carrot tops so they don’t go to waste.
Whether you’ve had a lifelong love of dandelions or are just beginning to realize their magic, working with this beautiful “weed” is a safe and fun way to begin working with wild medicinal plants. What’s your favorite way to use dandelions?
