Dandelion Greens Lemon Vinaigrette (Print Version)

Fresh dandelion greens tossed with lemon vinaigrette, pine nuts, and Parmesan for a vibrant dish.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Salad

01 - 6 cups dandelion greens, washed and roughly chopped
02 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
03 - 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
04 - 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
05 - 1/3 cup shaved Parmesan cheese

→ Lemon Vinaigrette

06 - 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
07 - 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
08 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
09 - 1 teaspoon honey
10 - 1 small garlic clove, finely minced
11 - 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
12 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

# Step-by-Step:

01 - In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
02 - Place the dandelion greens, cherry tomatoes, and red onion in a large salad bowl.
03 - Drizzle the lemon vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
04 - Sprinkle the toasted pine nuts and shaved Parmesan over the top.
05 - Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Dandelion greens pack a peppery punch that feels bold and sophisticated without being difficult to make.
  • The lemon vinaigrette is so quick you can whisk it while water boils for something else entirely.
  • It's the kind of salad that tastes like spring showed up on your plate, no matter the season.
02 -
  • Dandelion greens wilt quickly once dressed, so this salad is not a make-ahead situation—assemble and serve within minutes of tossing.
  • The bitterness of the greens intensifies if you let them sit in the vinaigrette too long, so taste as you go if this is your first time with them.
03 -
  • Wash dandelion greens thoroughly and spin them dry in a salad spinner—water clinging to the leaves dilutes the vinaigrette and prevents proper coating.
  • Toast your own pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for two to three minutes, stirring constantly, and your salad will taste noticeably more vibrant than using store-bought toasted versions that have been sitting around.
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