Dandelion Smoothie

Name: Dandelion Smoothie
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: approx. 1.2 l, 4 servings
Cuisine: International
Ingredients: 400.0 ml Water; 80.0 g fresh dandelion leaves; 2.0 Frozen Banana; 2.0 Green Apple; 150.0 g Frozen Mango Chunks; 2.0 EL Fresh lemon juice

Wild herb smoothie with fresh dandelion leaves, banana, and mango.

10 minEasySmoothieVeganVegetarianGluten-FreeLactose-Free

Dandelion grows in nearly every meadow — and in the Vitamix it turns into a fresh green smoothie with a mild bitter note. The leaves before flowering are less intense than later in summer, and the flowers themselves taste mild and slightly sweet. With banana, mango, and a splash of lemon, the fruit balances the natural bitterness without covering it completely: the result is a balanced spring and summer smoothie with a fresh, slightly tart character.

Season: March to October. The leaves of young plants before flowering are the mildest — if you want the mildest possible smoothie, harvest early in the year. The Vitamix high-performance blender breaks down the fibrous leaves completely, no pulp is left behind, and the entire gathered plant is used.

Instructions

1
Place the dandelion leaves in a bowl with plenty of cold water, swirl several times, and drain thoroughly. Use only the leaves — don't blend the stems, they are noticeably more bitter. Cut the apple roughly into pieces (remove the core to taste). Peel the mango and separate the flesh from the pit.
2
First add the water to the Vitamix container. Then add the dandelion leaves, banana pieces, apple pieces, and mango. Use the tamper if needed — dandelion leaves are bulky and can jam at first. Secure the lid, start on the lowest setting, and quickly increase to the highest setting. Blend for 45 to 60 seconds, until the smoothie is completely smooth and homogeneous.
3
Pour the smoothie directly into glasses. Optionally season with a splash of fresh lemon juice — this brightens the color and rounds off the bitterness. Drink right away, it tastes best freshly blended. If you want a noticeably sweeter smoothie, add a teaspoon of maple syrup.

Chef's Note

Dandelion leaves don't require gloves — they don't sting. Even so, wash them thoroughly under cold running water to remove dirt and possible parasites. Young leaves before flowering (March to May) are noticeably milder in flavor; later in the year the bitter compounds intensify noticeably.

Dandelion leaves are bulky and fibrous — a juicer separates the juice from the pulp here, discarding the fiber-bound compounds. In the Vitamix the whole plant is broken down on the highest setting, and you can control the bitterness through the degree of breakdown and the amount of liquid, without needing a second appliance.

The bitterness is easy to control: if you want a milder smoothie, add more banana or mango, or swap part of the dandelion leaves for milder flowers. Conversely — if you appreciate the tart wild herb character — you can increase the leaf amount slightly (maximum 60 g for 2 servings, beyond which the bitterness becomes very dominant). The splash of lemon juice brightens the color and rounds off the flavor.

Dandelion flowers (only the yellow flower heads, without stems) are mild and slightly sweet and can be placed as a topping on the finished smoothie — or blended in. Don't blend the stem, it contains more bitter compounds than the leaves.

You'll also find this smoothie in our overview of wild herb smoothies — there we show how nettle, ground elder, and wild garlic work in the blender.

Note: only gather plants you can identify with certainty, and at your own responsibility. Mix-ups with poisonous plants can be dangerous — if in doubt, don't gather. Wash all gathered wild herbs thoroughly (fox tapeworm). This information does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. In case of pre-existing conditions, pregnancy, or medication use, always consult a doctor.

Nutrition per 100 ml

Energy	42 kcal176 kJ
Fat	0.2 g
Carbohydrates	10.0 g
of which sugars	7.1 g
Protein	0.6 g

Values per EU FIC Regulation (1169/2011). Values are averages and may vary depending on ingredients and preparation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is dandelion safe to gather? Is there a risk of mix-ups?

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is one of the easiest wild plants to recognize: characteristic deeply lobed leaves (the name comes from the leaf shape), a hollow stem with white milky sap, and the unmistakable yellow flower. A truly dangerous mix-up is rare with dandelion — unlike, for example, with wild garlic. Similar-looking plants such as chicory or young hawkweed are harmless. Even so, the basic rule applies: what you can't identify with certainty doesn't go in the smoothie. Wash all leaves thoroughly under running water before blending — this removes dirt and possible parasites (fox tapeworm).

How can you control the bitterness of the dandelion smoothie?

The bitterness of dandelion leaves varies depending on the plant, location, and season. The most effective adjustments: first, reduce the leaf amount — 40 g for 2 servings is a good starting point, less gives a milder smoothie. Second, choose young leaves before flowering (March to May), they are noticeably less intense. Third, use more mango or banana — ripe mango balances bitterness particularly well. Fourth, add lemon juice — it brightens the flavor and lets the bitterness recede into the background without covering it. Dandelion flowers (yellow heads without stems) are milder than the leaves and can replace or supplement the leaf portion.

Can I also blend in the dandelion flowers?

Yes, the yellow flower heads without stems are well suited for blending. They are milder and slightly sweeter than the leaves. Don't blend in the stem — it contains more concentrated bitter compounds and the characteristic white milky sap, which can be off-putting in the smoothie. Only use flowers if the plant was gathered fresh and clean and the location is clearly safe.

When is the best time to harvest dandelion?

Dandelion is available from March to October. The leaves before the first flowering (March to May) are the mildest and best suited for smoothies. From flowering onward, the bitter compounds in the leaves intensify noticeably. In high summer, very old plants are noticeably more bitter than young ones. Flowers can be gathered as long as the plant is in bloom — they are available for a longer part of the season than the mild young leaves.

Do I need to watch out for oxalic acid in the dandelion smoothie?

Dandelion leaves contain oxalic acid, similar to spinach or Swiss chard. With occasional consumption in normal smoothie amounts, this is not a problem for healthy adults. Anyone prone to kidney stones (particularly oxalate stones) or with gout should avoid large amounts of plants high in oxalic acid and consult a doctor if in doubt. This is not a health claim, but a factual safety note — analogous to the notes that also apply to spinach and Swiss chard.

Where should I gather dandelion for smoothies?

Only gather dandelion in unpolluted locations: at least 50 meters from heavily traveled roads, not along dog paths, park paths, or busy walking trails, not at field edges where pesticides are used, and not in nature reserves (observe local gathering rules). Suitable spots are your own untreated garden, secluded meadows, and forest edges. Wash all leaves thoroughly under cold running water. If in doubt, use store-bought organic dandelion leaves from a health food shop.

Which Vitamix container is suitable for this dandelion smoothie?

For 2 servings the 1.4 L container is ideal — it fits the Explorian E310, E510, and all Ascent models. For 4 servings we recommend the 2.0 L Low-Profile container, which is used with the E520 and the Pro 750. Dandelion leaves are bulky and can jam at first — keep the tamper ready and use it if needed. Enough water as a base ensures the vortex forms immediately and the leaves are caught evenly.

Do I need to remove the apple core?

That's a matter of taste, not a safety question. Apple seeds contain amygdalin, which releases traces of hydrocyanic acid when crushed — but the amount from the core of a single fruit is negligible for health. The Vitamix crushes the seeds completely, so no hard pieces are left behind. In terms of flavor, the seeds bring a slightly bitter, almond-like note — with an already tart wild herb smoothie, this can intensify the bitterness. If you prefer it milder, remove the core; if you favor the full whole-fruit approach, you can blend it in.