Purslane is a tangy, verdant herb, and I’m all in on exploring its culinary potential! If you’re looking to branch out and add some intrigue to your meals, look no further. I’ve compiled a list of 20 purslane recipes that showcase the incredible versatility of this underappreciated plant.
1. Pork Chops with Purslane
Here’s how you can transform basic pork chops and purslane into a comforting Mexican-inspired meal.
The succulent pork chops receive a generous coating of tomatillo sauce before gently simmering alongside the purslane. And what would a classic homestyle dish be without the essential pairing of rice and beans?
2. Verdolagas (Purslane in Salsa Verde)
This particular recipe will completely change your perception of what Mexican cuisine is all about. Rather than being laden with cheese or pork, it’s overflowing with vibrant, garden-fresh produce.
In this vegetarian delight, you take sautéed mushrooms, potatoes, and purslane and smother them in a luscious homemade salsa verde. If you’re hankering for some Mexican food, I wholeheartedly suggest giving this a shot.
3. Cream of Purslane, Avocado, and Lime Soup
This vibrant bowl is healthy and refreshing, truly an exceptional summer soup.
Served chilled, reminiscent of gazpacho, it provides a uniquely refreshing experience. For me, it hits the spot, leaving me completely satisfied and light.
4. Purslane Chimichurri
Explore new horizons with your sauces by experimenting with something a bit out of the ordinary, such as this purslane chimichurri. Purslane contributes a zesty, peppery dimension to this vibrant steakhouse staple.
It has a bold garlic flavor, a touch of vinegar, and enhances the taste of countless dishes. Give it a whirl on flank steak, salmon, or even burgers to experience the magic firsthand.
5. Purslane Pockets (Lebanese Bakleh)
Believe it or not, you can transform purslane into a scrumptious Lebanese hand pie. Bakleh is the Arabic term for purslane, which is showcased as the main attraction in these delightful flaky pockets.
A blend of purslane and onion, flavored with pomegranate molasses and fragrant spices, fills the inside of these amazing treats. With store-bought pastry in tow, creating these hand pies is super easy. If you want a vegan option, just use dairy-free puff pastry!
6. Spaghetti with Winter Purslane Pesto
Consider pushing the boundaries of pesto-making by incorporating purslane into the mix. Its inherent salty and sour profile makes it an excellent pesto choice.
The recipe will take you back to traditional methods by using a mortar and pestle. But don’t fret, a blender or food processor will do the job as well if you don’t have one of those. Get your pasta cooking simultaneously, and you’ll have this easy dinner ready in a snap.
7. Purslane Herb Salad
This particular herb salad is an outstanding addition to both Mediterranean and Middle Eastern fare. Alongside purslane, this dish features a diverse array of four other herbs.
The apple cider vinegar brings zest, while the herbs bring refreshing healthiness. Enjoy it with pita chips as a dip, or alongside a protein to create a well-rounded meal.
8. Sicilian Purslane Salad
Purslane shines as a versatile ingredient in both Mexican and Italian cooking. This salad from Sicily has rustic charm.
The base is a bed of purslane enhanced with cherry tomatoes, capers, olive oil, and vinegar. The result is juicy, crisp leaves with a gentle sour essence.
9. Sautéed Purslane
If you’re hunting for a simple veggie side dish with a nutritional punch, purslane is the answer! Sauté it quickly with garlic and a splash of soy sauce, and savor it once the stems are tender and the leaves are wilted.
With vitamins A and C plus an immunity boost from the garlic, this dish has flavor and function.
10. Corn Salad with Purslane
My mind keeps going back to this crisp salad from Mexico, now that I have all these purslane recipes.
It is jam-packed with summer tastes like corn, tomatoes, and cucumber, along with the perfect amount of purslane to enhance but not overwhelm the other flavors. As far as dressing is concerned, a spritz of lime and a drizzle of olive oil are all you need to turn this into something spectacular.
11. Purslane and Avocado Tacos with Pico de Gallo
You might as well consider me on my way if you mention tacos. All bets are off when you bring pico de gallo and avocado into the mix!
Sautéed purslane fills these fantastic vegetarian tacos. I like topping mine with cotija cheese, but these are still tasty without, making them a perfect vegan dish.
12. Steamed Purslane
If you are about to cook with purslane for the first time, you can start with this easy recipe for steamed purslane. I recommend this because you can fully appreciate its flavor, akin to spinach, without any distraction, and the prep time is next to nothing.
Sauté some garlic until the stems soften, being sure to check it often since this doesn’t take much time. For a tasty finish, add a squeeze of lemon and a sprinkle of cotija.
13. Kulfa Dal
Kulfa dal, a wonderful Indian dish uniting legumes and purslane, will become an instant favorite.
This dish, like all dal variations, showcases an amazing spice blend that infuses what would be simple ingredients with incredible, surprising depth. You won’t regret pairing it with a flatbread or naan to soak up every last morsel.
14. Tomato, Cucumber, and Purslane Salad
It simply doesn’t get any fresher than this garden salad. Purslane, widely known as verdolaga in Mexico, is often incorporated in different dishes, like this crisp Mexican salad.
The purslane kicks it up a notch with a salty punch and loads of great nutrients. You don’t even need oil; just a bit of lemon or lime will do.
15. Purslane Pizza
Who knew purslane could even be a fantastic pizza topping? When cooked, purslane takes on a flavor quite similar to spinach, so you can almost think of this as spinach, tomato, and goat cheese pizza, all in one.
Seriously, what could possibly be better than that? This is going to be a hit on my next pizza night, for sure.
16. Fattoush Salad
I consider fattoush one of the greatest salads of all time, and it’s a wonderful way to make use of purslane.
The hint of sweet pomegranate molasses and burst of mint in the salad bring this dish together. This recipe suggests Lebanese flatbread, but any day-old bread you have hanging around the kitchen will work just fine for this salad.
17. Pickled Purslane
Don’t throw away all that freshly picked purslane, use what you can and pickle the rest. Using less common ingredients, pickling turns preserving food into a blast.
Make sure you fully wash the purslane before you pickle it. Next, put it in a jar with the brine and let it sit for a few days before diving in.
18. Wild Greek Salad with Purslane, Stonecrop, and Grape Tendrils
I get so excited about foraging for my own food! If you have the same passion, this wild salad will do wonders with what you find.
This bed of tender purslane leaves combines wonderfully with Mediterranean flavors, such as rich kalamata olives, tangy cucumbers, sweet grape tendrils, and creamy feta. What’s more, it features a touch of stonecrop, an herb that delivers a peppery zing.
19. Pork Stew with Purslane
Here’s an excellent choice if you’re hankering for Mexican fare with some meat. The recipe involves pan-roasting tomatoes, jalapeños, and garlic to achieve a zesty, vibrant sauce.
Lastly, you use it to smother the pork and purslane. Be sure to include the epazote, an aromatic Mexican herb, but you can use cilantro as a substitute if you can’t find any.
20. Purslane Dip
Purslane is frequently likened to both watercress and spinach, which means you can easily swap it into your go-to spinach recipes!
This creamy, garlicky yogurt dip has dill and purslane. If you want to introduce your friends to purslane, this is a great option, and you can enjoy it with pita or raw veggies for dipping.