Dandelion Recipes
Enjoy these easy and delicious dandelion recipes this summer. Plus, learn some of the best foraging tips and health benefits of dandelions.
Growing up I remember my grandparents hating those pesky weeds that filled their yard in the summer. I, however, enjoyed the bright yellow flowers that would pop up each summer and make the yard colorful.
In school, one of our teachers introduced us to the idea of foraging and taught us that we could eat those yellow dandelion flowers I had admired every summer. They weren’t just a pesky weed that needed to be plucked from the yard.
I was amazed at the idea of foraging and how those dandelions (taraxacum officinale) could be used in various recipes and that they were a nutritious food with lots of benefits.
Easy Recipes with Dandelions

I’ve always remembered that dandelion experience at school and have taught my kids the benefits of dandelions and other foraged flowers. I paired this with a honey bee life cycle activity because we often saw dandelions while studying the bees.
One of my favorite dandelion recipes is honey (aka dandelion jelly). It’s versatile and can be used as a honey substitute for just about any recipe.
Besides frying the dandelion flowers or making sautéed dandelion greens in a large skillet, dandelion jelly was our first experience using the flowers in an actual recipe.
Dandelion Foraging Tips
Before you head out to forage dandelions, here are some tips to get you started.
When to pick dandelions? You may notice those bright yellow flower head parts of the dandelion popping up quickly during the summer. The dandelion season officially goes from May through October giving you most of the summer and a bit of fall to use them in your dandelion recipes.
Steer Clear of Pesticides. Be careful when foraging for dandelions. You don’t want to pick them if they have been treated with weed killers or other harmful pesticides. If you are looking specifically for dandelion leaves for fresh dandelion greens for your dandelion recipes, you can find them at many grocery stores and farmers markets.
Consult your healthcare professional. As with anything you’ve never used before or tried, you’ll want to speak with your healthcare professional before consuming dandelions.
Are All Parts of a Dandelion Edible?
Yes! All the parts of the dandelion can be eaten. Dandelion flowers (dandelion petals), green leaves, and dandelion roots are all edible (and packed with nutrients) so you can cook up some tasty treats with them.
What can I Make with Dandelions?
- Drinks like dandelion wine, iced tea, or a coffee substitute
- A creamy dandelion soup
- Cookies, dandelion cupcakes, and other desserts
- Salads
- Medicinal herbs
Dandelion Recipes
Dandelions and dandelion greens have that earthy flavor to them, some would say a bitter flavor, but that can easily be changed by adding a bit of sweetener to the dandelion recipes.
1. Dandelion Flower Fritters

Use a batter to coat the dandelion plants and fry them in a pan until they are golden brown. The dandelion flower fritters can be used as a side dish or snack and it’s an easy recipe to make with dandelions.
2. Dandelion Honey

Use dandelions to make delicious and sweet dandelion honey that you can use in your recipes or as a substitute for honey in your favorite foods.
3. Warm Dandelion and Bacon Salad

The leafy greens of a dandelion flower, bacon, smashed potatoes, shallots, and seasonings make a delicious warm salad that you can enjoy. The warm dandelion and bacon salad is an easy to put together and flavorful dandelion recipe you can enjoy.
4. Dandelion Chips

Use dandelion greens (the leafy part of a dandelion) to make crispy dandelion chips for an early spring snack. Top with some parmesan cheese and enjoy or add them to salads.
5. Dandelion and Lemon Biscuits

These flavorful dandelion and lemon biscuits are the perfect treat for enjoying during the summer. The dandelion blossoms and a squeeze of lemon juice give these cookies a nice flavor and texture.
6. Dandelion Greens Soup

Older generations have passed down their dandelion greens soup recipe for years. You can use dandelions from the yard or purchase dandelion greens at your local grocery store to make this soup. Cook the leafy bitter greens on medium heat and use them in soup.
7. Dandelion Oil

Make dandelion oil for your DIY soaps, massage oils, and lotions. It does take a bit of time to make the oil but there are ways to make the process a little quicker.
8. Dandelion Root Coffee

If roasted properly, dandelion root coffee tastes very similar to coffee. Dandelion coffee is healthier since it’s packed with vitamins and minerals.
9. Dandelion Pesto Recipe

Make dandelion pesto and use it on your potatoes, pasta, and other dishes. Since pesto can be made with almost any herb and pine nuts, you can use dandelion leaves to make a homemade pesto sauce.
10. Dandelion Tea

Dandelion Tea is one of the most popular dandelion recipes and has an earthy flavor to it. Think of it like an herbal tea. The simple recipe can help with digestion, liver health, and more.
11. Dandelion Shortbread Cookies

Another tasty treat you can make with foraged dandelions is dandelion shortbread cookies.
As the kids learn more about nature or head outside to play during the summer, they’re likely going to see dandelions.
This is a great opportunity to teach them about foraging, various dandelion recipes, the benefits of dandelions, and their life cycle.
