The Top 3 Purslane Recipes

If you’ve never cooked with purslane, I want you to have the chance to try his unique leafy green popularized last year on Netflix’s Chef’s Table Pizza by an amazing Portland restaurant called Lovely’s 50/50, where they use it as a pizza topping.

Purslane is so versatile both in its raw and cooked form – I’m showing you the must-make top 3 purslane recipes along with tips for foraging and growing them in your garden.

The local Portland farmers’ markets have been abundant with purslane this summer, so even if you aren’t a forager, you may be able to find this special green.

✅ Tips for foraging wild purslane

• WHERE to look for purslane: Look for it in gardens, fields, parks, and even cracks in sidewalks! Avoid picking it in areas that are likely to be contaminated with pesticides. Remember, always ask for permission before picking purslane from someone’s private property.
• WHEN to look for purslane: Purslane pops up in late spring, summer, and early fall. The best time to forage is when the plant is actively growing and the leaves are still tender. Browse all the summer recipes here.
• HOW to pick purslane: Gently pull or cut the stems close to the base of the plant with your fingers or a pair of scissors/shears. I recommend going for the young, tender leaves as they are more tasty. The older leaves can be tough and have a slightly sour taste.

🪴 Safety precautions for wild purslane

• Make 100% sure it’s purslane and not a toxic look-alike: Purslane has leaves that are spoon-shaped and clustered around reddish stems. The leaves are smooth and can be shiny. Plants like spurge, which is poisonous, can be easily mistaken for purslane. If you’re uncertain about whether a plant is purslane it’s best to be safe and not eat it.

• Clean the purslane thoroughly: Once you’ve picked the purslane, give it a thorough wash with cold water to remove any dirt, insects, or debris.

🏡 Tips for growing wild purslane in your garden

I also now grow purslane in my garden and have some advice for fellow at-home growers:

• Stop purslane taking over: Purslane is an aggressive weed that can grow under any conditions, so you need to tend to it to avoid mass spreading. If you don’t want the plant to take over your garden, you need to pull it from the root before flowers are showing or pluck the flowers as soon as they start to appear.
• Start seeds indoors: If you want to prolong your growing season, you can start your purslane seeds in egg cartons or milk cartons with soil.
• Propagate cuttings: Get your purslane garden flourishing even faster by clipping 6-inch cuttings and placing them in water. They will root in less than a week.

🌿Top 3 Purslane Recipes

Psst, try a delicious classic garlic basil pesto recipe, too.