Seven common garden weeds that can be used in home cooking

Seven edible wild plants often dismissed as weeds can be foraged from backyards and used in cooking, according to food journalist and natural product advisor Anu Brask in an interview with Finnish public broadcaster Yle.

Brask recommends beginners start with milk thistle, yarrow, bistort, dandelion, broadleaf plantain, wild strawberry, and wood sorrel—all commonly found in Nordic gardens and easy to identify. She advises harvesting only young shoots, avoiding plants near roads or industrial sites, and confirming identification before consumption.

Milk thistle resembles asparagus when young, with tender red-tinged stems best pan-fried with oil, salt, and nuts to balance its bitterness. The leaves and pink flowers remain edible as the plant matures.

Yarrow has a strong, peppery flavor ideal for seasoning roasted root vegetables. Its distinctive fern-like leaves make it easy to recognize, though it may trigger allergies in ragweed-sensitive individuals.

Bistort offers mild, vegetable-like leaves, particularly when grown in shade. Traditionally used in wound care, it should be avoided during pregnancy and consumed in moderation to prevent constipation.

Dandelion is fully edible—roots (with landowner permission), leaves, and flowers. Young leaves work well in salads with a touch of sweetness to offset bitterness, while flowers can be made into syrup or pickled like capers. Finnish varieties number nearly 500, with flavor varying widely.

Broadleaf plantain, often found in lawns, contains antibacterial compounds. Its tender leaves and flowers suit salads or cooked vegetable dishes.

Wild strawberry leaves add decoration and subtle flavor to desserts, while wood sorrel provides a lemony tang to salads or garnishes.

Brask suggests beginners blend wild greens into familiar dishes like pestos or salads, noting their higher nutritional value compared to cultivated greens. Finnish law permits foraging non-protected herbaceous plants’ leaves, stems, and flowers on public or private land without special permission, though roots and tree leaves require the owner’s consent.