Tuscan Salmon with Dandelion Greens

This Creamy Tuscan Salmon with Dandelion Greens Recipe teaches you how to cook dandelion greens Italian style in only 20 minutes. You'll also learn the secret on how to make dandelion greens less bitter so your kids will love them too!

If you're anything like me, you’ve probably spent a few too many spring Saturdays pulling dandelions from your yard. But what if I told you those weeds are actually dinner?

Dandelion greens are packed with nutrients, and when you cook them Italian-style - with a splash of lemon, a touch of white wine vinegar, and yes, even a spoonful of sugar - they turn into something downright delicious. Think Mary Poppins meets Nonna from Italy.

In this Tuscan Salmon with Dandelion Greens recipe, we pair the richness of a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce with bitter greens, mellowed just enough to keep things balanced. The result is elegant and rustic all at once.

Why You'll Love This Tuscan Salmon Recipe

• It’s fast. From fridge to fork in only 20 minutes.
• It’s family-friendly. Creamy sauce? Check. Tender salmon? Check. Secret veggie boost? You bet.
• It uses wild ingredients. If you've got dandelions in your yard, you've got greens.
• It’s surprisingly light. Thanks to a balanced mix of acid and herbs, this cream sauce doesn’t feel heavy.

Dandelion Greens Nutrition and Benefits

Dandelion greens are the leafy tops of the same dandelions you see popping up in your yard. Just like fresh spinach, they’re loaded with vitamins. In fact, the dandelion greens nutrition and benefits are even better than spinach. They have about the same amount of vitamin A as spinach; twice the amount of vitamin C, iron, and potassium; three times the amount of calcium; and four times the amount of Vitamin E. They also have natural detoxifying properties that have been used in traditional medicine for centuries.

Raw dandelion leaves can be bitter. Like, chewing aspirin in a salad kind of bitter. That’s why knowing how to make dandelion greens less bitter is key.

How to Make Dandelion Greens Less Bitter

You might see other folks out there try to convince you that soaking your dandelion greens in ice water, or blanching them, will remove the bitterness to make them more palatable. These two ideas help a little, but if you are trying to serve them to your kids like I am, the secret is a mixture of lemon juice, white wine vinegar, and a dash of sugar.

• Add acid: A splash of lemon juice and white wine vinegar makes the greens taste brighter and less aggressive.
• Add sugar: Just ⅛ teaspoon of sugar is all it takes. Like Mary Poppins says, “A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down.”
• Cook them down: A couple of minutes in a hot skillet with the creamy sauce does wonders.

Now you’re cooking dandelion greens Italian style so the entire family will love them! I wanted to share the secret of adding lemon juice, white wine vinegar, and sugar because everyone should be able to enjoy eating the readily-available dandelions in your yard. Once I figured that out, it was easy to get my wife and daughter to approve this Creamy Tuscan Salmon and Dandelion Greens recipe.

Our 9-year-old daughter loved the dandelion greens prepared this way so much that she used the garlic bread on her plate as a spoon to gobble them up.

How to Make This Creamy Tuscan Salmon with Dandelion Greens Recipe

Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients and Season the Salmon

Gather all of your ingredients. Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels. This helps the surface crisp up when seared. Sprinkle each fillet with ½ teaspoon of the kosher salt and all of the black pepper.

Step 2: Dredge in Flour

Place the flour on a large plate or in a pie pan.
Dredge each salmon fillet in the flour until coated on all sides. Shake off any excess.

Step 3: Sear the Salmon

In a large nonstick skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
Carefully place the salmon fillets into the pan.
Cook for about 2 minutes per side. You want a golden crust.
Transfer the salmon to a plate and set aside.

Step 4: Start the Tuscan Salmon Sauce

Reduce the heat to medium.
In the same skillet, melt the butter.
Add the chicken broth, sun-dried tomatoes, and roasted red peppers.
Stir and cook for 1 minute to combine and release the flavors.

Step 5: Add the Dandelion Leaves

Now it’s time to cook the dandelion greens.

Toss in the washed greens, followed by the vinegar, lemon juice, and sugar.
Cook for 2 minutes, stirring often. This softens the greens and mellows the bitterness.

Step 6: Spice It Up

Add the remaining ¼ teaspoon salt, garlic powder, paprika, and oregano.
Reduce heat to medium-low.
Stir to combine and let cook for another minute.

Step 7: Make It Creamy

Pour in the heavy whipping cream.
Stir and cook for 1 minute. The sauce will start to thicken slightly.

Step 8: Return the Salmon

Nestle the salmon fillets back into the skillet.
Spoon a little sauce over the top of each one.
Cook for 1 final minute to warm through.

Step 9: Serve Creamy Tuscan Salmon and Garnish

Divide the salmon and sauce among four dinner plates.
Sprinkle generously with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Serve immediately.

Substitutions and Variations

• Add in a two or three cloves of minced garlic when you add the sun-dried tomatoes and roasted red peppers for extra garlic flavor.
• Add an additional 1 or 2 cups of fresh dandelion greens if you like lots of greens - it really does shrink down.
• You will get the best results using heavy whipping cream, and something with lower fat like skim or 2% milk might curdle and won’t taste as good. 

Leftovers

• Store leftovers of this Tuscan Salmon for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
• Reheat slowly over a low heat so that the fish doesn’t dry out.
• I don’t recommend freezing because it contains dairy, and the cooked salmon will quickly change to a texture that isn't that great.

Pro Tips for Success

• Don’t overcook the salmon. It only needs about 4 minutes total before finishing in the sauce.
• Use a fish spatula. A fish spatula helps prevent salmon from breaking when flipping. Just be sure you use the non-metal kind of fish spatula so you don't scratch your non-stick pan.
• Taste as you go. Especially the greens. Add a tiny bit more vinegar or sugar if they’re still too bitter for your taste. You want your kids to love this dish too!
• Make it your own. While this creamy Tuscan salmon recipe is just right as written, you could easily swap spinach or kale if don't have dandelion greens.

Need Another Salmon Recipe?

If you loved this Creamy Tuscan Salmon recipe and are looking for another great salmon recipe, look no further than our popular bacon-studded Easy Salmon Chowder.

You can also find dozens more of our fresh, delicious, and easy fish recipes right here.

Need More Dandelion Nutrition In Your Life?

If you want another great way to utilize those dandelions in your yard, be sure and check out our Dandelion Iced Tea Recipe.

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