Can You Eat Dandelions?

Edible flowers are nothing new, and they continue to be a great way to spruce up salads, sandwiches, and stir frys. The bonus is often a beautiful pop of color.

But what about dandelions? Are these flowering plants ok to eat? Turns out that they are alright to consume. In fact, dandelion consumption goes back a long way, to the time of the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. But dandelions aren’t just edible; they are healthy too. They are said to be full of vitamins and minerals including calcium, magnesium, iron, and vitamins A, C, and K.

Is It OK To Eat Dandelions?

Yes, it is OK to eat dandelion leaves, roots, and flowers. Diego Campos, the Chef de Cuisine at CAMP in Greenville, South Carolina, says as long as you get the plants from a reliable vendor, such as a farmers market, or forage for them in a clean environment, you are good to go. Diego says, “You want to stay away from dandelions that grow next to highways or roads.”

In addition, if you have dandelions growing wild in your yard, Campos says to “make sure that you have not sprayed your yard with pesticides or any type of harmful chemicals,” otherwise it doesn’t count as clean foraging. If foraging, avoid choosing dandelions found near animal waste or other pollutants, advises Campos.

What Do Dandelions Actually Taste Like?

Campos describes dandelion greens as tasting slightly bitter and citrusy. They’re “almost peppery,” in flavor, says the Chef — a “mix between arugula and sorel.” 

• A member of the sunflower family, the sometimes-misunderstood plant is related to lettuce like chicory and endive. 
• Choose younger leaves, which contain less bitter compounds that build up over time as the plant works to defend itself against predators, since these will taste less bitter. 
• As for the yellow flower petals? Also edible. 

How To Store Dandelions

Dandelions foraged should be rinsed well under cold water. Follow these steps:

1. Fill a large bowl with cold water and let the dandelions hang out for about five minutes to rid them of any debris or lingering dirt.
2. Lay the dandelions out on paper towels or a dish towel so they dry and don’t become moldy from the water soak.

How To Cook With Dandelions

• Raw: Campos likes to mix them into leafy green salads, often with the yellow petals as well.
• Garnish: If plate presentation is important to you, put dandelion petals to work as a garnish on a salad or a pasta dish.

• Creamed: Try creamed dandelion greens instead of the classic creamed spinach. Add it to a broth and bean soup. Try it in a pesto (if you enjoy an arugula pesto, you’re bound to enjoy this too).
• Roasted: Roast the roots for a healthy and delicious side dish.
• Dried: Dried dandelion flowers can be saved for later use in teas, infusions, and broths. Campos points out that many cultures drink dandelion tea for its nutrients and vitamins.