Grammie Bea's Dandelion Greens

Bring a touch of nostalgia and rustic charm to your table with "Grammie Bea's Dandelion Greens," an earthy and flavorful side dish that pays homage to timeless homestyle cooking. This recipe highlights the natural, slightly bitter taste of fresh dandelion greens, perfectly balanced by the smoky richness of crispy bacon and the tangy kick of apple cider vinegar. Sautéed with caramelized onions and fragrant garlic, these tender greens are simmered to perfection with a hint of spice from optional red pepper flakes. Quick to prepare in just 40 minutes, this dish makes a versatile companion to any meal or can be savored on its own with a slice of crusty bread. Perfect for lovers of foraged ingredients and hearty, wholesome flavors, this recipe brings comfort food to life with every bite.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound Fresh dandelion greens
• 4 slices Smoked bacon
• 1 medium Yellow onion
• 3 cloves Garlic cloves
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 2 tablespoons Apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 1 cup Water
• 0.25 teaspoon Optional: red pepper flakes

Directions

Step 1

Thoroughly wash the dandelion greens to remove any grit or dirt. Trim the tough stems and chop the leaves into bite-sized pieces. Set aside.

Step 2

Chop the smoked bacon into small pieces. Dice the onion and mince the garlic cloves.

Step 3

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped bacon and cook until it is crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the bacon pieces from the skillet and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pan.

Step 4

Add olive oil to the skillet if needed, then add the diced onion. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent.

Step 5

Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.

Step 6

Add the chopped dandelion greens to the skillet in batches if necessary, allowing them to wilt down. Stir well to coat the greens in the bacon fat and aromatics.

Step 7

Pour in the apple cider vinegar and water. Sprinkle with salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Stir to combine.

Step 8

Cover the skillet with a lid and allow the greens to simmer on low heat for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender and the liquid has mostly evaporated.

Step 9

Return the crispy bacon pieces to the skillet and mix them into the greens. Adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed.

Step 10

Serve warm as a side dish or pair with crusty bread for a light and rustic meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(937.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	848.4

Total Fat 56.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 13.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 66mg	0%
Sodium 3750.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 57.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 18.4g	0%
Total Sugars 8.0g
Protein 36.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 915.0mg	0%
Iron 15.6mg	0%
Potassium 2377.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 57.7%

Protein: 16.5%

Carbs: 25.9%