20 Purslane Recipes You Never Knew You Needed (2024)

Though it may look like a pesky weed, these purslane recipes are here to prove that this herbaceous plant deserves pride of place on your dinner table.

If you just found out that purslane is edible, know that you’re not alone.And in case you’re wondering, it’s a little sour and kind of salty.

20 Purslane Recipes You Never Knew You Needed (1)

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But it’s also got a ton of health benefits and requires far less tending to than other garden veggies.

So next time you notice some growing in your yard, grab a basket, let the foraging commence, and try one of these fantastic purslane recipes.

1. Steamed Purslane

If this is your first time trying purslane, I suggest starting with an easy recipe like steamed purslane.

It lets you get a sense of the taste, which is close to spinach and takes little to no effort to whip up.

You’ll cook it with garlic until the stems turn tender, which doesn’t take long, so keep an eye on it.

When it’s done, add a sprinkle of cotija and a squeeze of lemon.

2. Tomato, Cucumber, and Purslane Salad

It doesn’t get any more garden-fresh than this salad.

In Mexico, purslane is a common plant known as verdolaga. It’s used in an array of dishes, including this refreshing Mexican salad.

It adds a crunchy, salty kick as well as a ton of vitamins. And there’s no need to add oil to this – all you need is lemon juice or lime.

3. Sicilian Purslane Salad

Purslane isn’t only a Mexican ingredient; it’s an Italian one too. And this is how they toss the Sicilian way.

It’s a wild, rustic salad with a bed of purslane spruced up with cherry tomatoes, capers, oil, and vinegar.

Take a bite, and you’ll notice the leaves are juicy and crunchy with a mild sour taste.

4. Purslane Chimichurri

Get creative with your sauces and try something different like this purslane chimichurri.

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Purslane adds a lemony, peppery flavor to this bright steakhouse favorite.

It’s garlicky, vinegary, and tastes good on just about everything. Try it on flank steak, salmon, and burgers, just to name a few.

5. Sautéed Purslane

Need an easy veggie side dish full of nutrients? Purslane is where it’s at!

Give it a quick sauté with garlic and a splash of soy sauce until the leaves and stems are fork-tender.

Not only is this dish rich in vitamins A and C, but you get an immunity boost from the garlic too.

6. Purslane Dip

Purslane is often compared to spinach and watercress.

So you know what that means? You can use it as a substitute in all the best spinach appetizers!

This garlicky yogurt dip has a burst of dill and a hefty amount of purslane.

It’s a stellar way to introduce your friends to purslane, and it’s lovely smeared on sandwiches and inside wraps.

7. Pickled Purslane

Don’t let all that purslane you picked go to waste! Instead, eat what you can and pickle the rest.

Pickling is such a fun way to preserve food, especially when using not-so-typical ingredients.

Before pickling, be sure to wash the purslane thoroughly. Then toss it in a jar with the brine and let it rest for a few days.

8. Corn Salad with Purslane

All of these purslane recipes have me thinking about this refreshing Mexican salad.

It’s rife with summer flavors like tomatoes, corn, and cucumber, and you’ll use just enough purslane to enhance the taste without drowning everything out.

Dressing this salad doesn’t take much, either – a hint of lime and olive oil is all it takes.

9. Pork Chops with Purslane

This is how you turn pork chops and purslane into a comforting homestyle Mexican dish.

The juicy pork chops get doused in tomatillo sauce, then simmered with purslane.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a proper homestyle meal without a side of rice and beans.

10. Purslane Pockets (Lebanese Bakleh)

You can even turn purslane into an incredible Lebanese hand pie. Bakleh is Arabic for purslane, which is the star of these flaky pockets.

The inside is full of purslane and onion coated in pomegranate molasses and spices.

Since this calls for store-bought pastry, these hand pies are very easy to make. Use dairy-free puff pastry, and they’re also vegan!

11. Spaghetti with Winter Purslane Pesto

When it comes to pesto, why not think outside of the box and make it with purslane. The salty, sour taste is perfect for pesto.

The recipe makes it old-school with a mortar and pestle. But if you don’t have one, a blender or food processor will do just fine.

In the meantime, get the pasta going, and this quick dinner will be ready in no time at all.

12. Purslane Pizza

Purslane even makes for a great pizza topping!

When you cook purslane, it tastes sort of like spinach. So you can think of this as spinach, tomato, and goat cheese pizza.

And what could be better than that?! I can’t wait to whip this up for our next pizza night.

13. Verdolagas (Purslane in Salsa Verde)

This recipe will revolutionize how you think of Mexican food.It’s not loaded in cheese or pork, but instead, it’s brimming with fresh veggies.

This vegetarian dish takes sautéed mushrooms, potatoes, and purslane and drowns them in homemade salsa verde.

Next time you crave Mexican food, give this a try. I think you will be pleasantly surprised by your new favorite dish.

14. Pork Stew with Purslane

If you’re craving Mexican food with meat, this pork stew is a prime choice.

You’ll pan-roast tomatoes, garlic, and jalapeños for a quick sauce. Then, you’ll smother the pork and purslane with it.

This recipe also calls for epazote, which is an aromatic Mexican herb. If you can’t find any, use cilantro instead.

15. Purslane Herb Salad

This herb salad is an excellent addition to the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine.

It’s got four different types of herbs in addition to purslane. So it’s very fresh, healthy, and tangy, too, thanks to the apple cider vinegar.

It’s good with pita chips if you want to dive right in. Or you can pair it with a protein for a more complete meal.

16. Purslane and Avocado Tacos with Pico de Gallo

If you put it in a taco, chances are, I’ll come running. And if you add pico de gallo and avocado, you better watch out because I’m coming in hot!

Sautéed purslane is the main filling here, so these are vegetarian-friendly.

I like to pile mine with cotija cheese, but you can leave it out if you’re making this vegan.

17. Wild Greek Salad with Purslane, Stonecrop, and Grape Tendrils

I love foraging for food! If you do too, this wild salad is an excellent use of the fruits of your labor.

This bed of succulent purslane leaves gets fixed up with flavorful Mediterranean ingredients, like salty kalamata olives, cucumber, grape tendrils, and feta.

It also has a hint of stonecrop, which is a type of herb that adds a nice peppery finish.

18. Cream of Purslane, Avocado, and Lime Soup

Healthy and fresh, this zesty bowl is a fantastic summer soup.

It’s served gazpacho style, so it’s eaten cold, making it super refreshing. I find it also fills me up nicely without that weighed-down feeling.

19. Fattoush Salad

Fattoush is one of my favorite salads, and it’s a great use of purslane.

I love the touch of sweet pomegranate molasses and the burst of mint.

This one calls for Lebanese flatbread, but use any day-old bread you have sitting around the kitchen.

20. Kulfa Dal

Kulfa dal is an Indian dish featuring legumes and purslane.

Like all versions of dal, it has an aromatic spice blend that infuses just a few simple ingredients with a surprising amount of flavor.

Serve a flatbread or naan with this one because you’ll want to soak up every last bite.

20 Purslane Recipes You Never Knew You Needed (2)

20 Purslane Recipe Collection

Though it may look like a pesky weed, these purslane recipes are here to prove that this herbaceous plant deserves pride of place on your dinner table.

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20 Purslane Recipes You Never Knew You Needed (3)

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20 Purslane Recipes You Never Knew You Needed (2024)

FAQs

Who should not eat purslane? ›

The plant is nutritious and generally considered safe for human consumption. Due its content of oxalic acid, purslane should not be consumed by people with kidney disease or that have high uric acid (Gardner and McGuffin, 2012; Berdonces, 2009; Duke et al., 2009).

What is the best way to eat purslane? ›

The flavor of purslane has been compared to that of watercress or spinach, making it a great option for salads and other dishes that contain greens. It can be eaten raw or cooked.

Do you eat the stems of purslane? ›

Yes, purslane is actually a very useful plant to find in your garden. The leaves, stems, flower buds and seeds of purslane are all edible.

How much purslane should I eat a day? ›

Although this plant can be nutritious, much like wood sorrel, eat it sparingly as it also contains oxalic acid. To maintain a healthy oxalate level, it is recommended to eat less than 23g of purslane a day (6.71-8.69mg/g based on 200-300mg/day).

Does purslane raise blood pressure? ›

Purslane is High in Important Minerals

It is a good source of potassium, a mineral that helps regulate blood pressure. High potassium intake has been linked to a lower risk of stroke, and may also reduce the risk of heart disease ( 15 ).

What happens if you eat too much purslane? ›

Side Effects. Only a few studies have assessed the potential side effects of purslane. It has been reported that purslane contains high levels of oxalate, which can lead to hyperoxaluria and an increased risk of calcium oxalate crystals and kidney stones [57].

Can I eat purslane from my yard? ›

You can even pickle purslane for a bright, peppery flavor. If you do decide to eat purslane from your yard or garden, wash it very well first. Avoid using pesticides and herbicides in your yard before you harvest the succulent leaves of this tasty weed.

Is purslane good for arthritis? ›

This suggests a potential protective role of purslane against arthritis associated with obesity, likely attributed to its lipolytic capacity and anti-inflammatory properties.

What is the white stuff on my purslane? ›

White rust on Purslane first appears as yellow spots that transition to chalky-white raised blisters. These spots stand out against the green foliage. The leaves also appear wilted and lighter in color than usual.

What plant looks like purslane but is poisonous? ›

The lowest rank they share is Magnoliopsida, which is a large class of flowering plants. One reason it's important to know the difference between these two plants is that common purslane is known for being edible, while spotted spurge is considered poisonous.

Is purslane good for hair growth? ›

Purslane is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, particularly alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). These fatty acids are essential for maintaining the overall health and strength of your hair, as they help to nourish the scalp and follicles.

Can you take too much purslane? ›

One note of caution, however: Because, like spinach or sorrel, purslane contains high amounts of oxalates, you should not eat too much at a time, and people who have kidney stones or other kidney problems should probably avoid it.

Is purslane anti aging? ›

Purslane promotes the anti-aging enzyme telomerase which protects the cells DNA repair function acting like a regenerative fountain of youth for your skin. Purslane holds the distinction of highest levels of omega-3 fatty acids of any vegetable.

Is purslane good for kidneys? ›

Conclusion: The present study revealed that purslane improved some kidney function parameters due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Does purslane lower blood pressure? ›

A small clinical study found that people who ate purslane seeds ended up with a lower body mass index, lower serum triglyceride levels, and lower blood pressure than a control group.

Can diabetics eat purslane? ›

In Near Eastern folk medicine, purslane is used for its antidiabetic properties. This has been confirmed in animal models of diabetes, in which improved glucose homeostasis was observed.

References

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