Sourgrass Avocado Salad Recipe

Sourgrass, also known as Oxalis, is a common wild plant found in many regions. It gets its name from its tangy, lemon-like flavor, thanks to the oxalic acid in its leaves. This distinctive taste makes it a fantastic ingredient for various culinary creations. Sourgrass is not only edible but also rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, making it a nutritious addition to your diet.

How to Identify Sourgrass

Identifying sourgrass is relatively easy once you know what to look for:

  • Leaves: Sourgrass has trifoliate leaves, meaning each stem has three heart-shaped leaflets, similar to clover.

  • Flowers: The plant produces small, yellow flowers with five petals, which bloom in clusters.

  • Stems: The stems are often reddish and juicy, adding to the plant's distinctive appearance.

  • Taste: The best way to confirm you've found sourgrass is by tasting a small leaf. It should have a bright, tangy flavor reminiscent of lemon.

About the Recipe

Creamy, ripe avocado slices are layered with juicy heirloom tomatoes, thinly sliced red onions, and refreshing sourgrass leaves, drizzled with extra-virgin olive oil, and seasoned with salt and pepper. Sourgrass Avocado Salad is perfect for showcasing the natural flavors of fresh ingredients and is sure to impress with its combination of textures and tastes.

Ingredients:

  • 2 ripe avocados, sliced

  • 2 heirloom tomatoes, sliced

  • 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced into rings

  • 1/4 cup sourgrass leaves, washed and dried

  • Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling

  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Prepare the Ingredients: Slice the ripe avocados and heirloom tomatoes into even slices. Thinly slice the red onion into rings. Wash and dry the sourgrass leaves.

  2. Arrange the Avocados and Tomatoes: On a serving platter, arrange the sliced avocados and heirloom tomatoes in alternating layers.

  3. Add the Onion Rings: Scatter the red onion rings over the avocado and tomato slices.

  4. Add Sourgrass Leaves: Place the sourgrass leaves evenly over the salad.

  5. Drizzle Olive Oil: Drizzle extra-virgin olive oil over the salad.

  6. Season: Season the salad with salt and pepper to taste.

  7. Serve: Serve the sourgrass avocado salad immediately as a refreshing and nutritious appetizer or side dish.

Join Our Foraging Classes & Explore More

Interested in exploring more wild plants like sourgrass? Join one of our foraging classes at forageSF to learn more about identifying and using wild edibles. You can also enhance your culinary skills with The Ultimate Sourgrass Cookbook: 100 Innovative Recipes for Nature’s Tangiest Herb.

Join our foraging class and consider buying the book for further inspiration!

Carla Bolado