Sourgrass Waldorf Salad Recipe

Sourgrass, or Oxalis, is a fascinating wild plant that's widely available in many regions. Known for its tangy, lemon-like flavor due to the oxalic acid in its leaves, sourgrass is a versatile ingredient that brings a unique zest to dishes. Beyond its delightful taste, sourgrass is packed with vitamin C and antioxidants, making it a healthy addition to any meal.

Identifying Sourgrass

Recognizing sourgrass is straightforward if you know its key characteristics:

  • Leaves: The plant features trifoliate leaves, with each stem bearing three heart-shaped leaflets, much like clover.

  • Flowers: Sourgrass blooms small, yellow flowers with five petals, typically grouped in clusters.

  • Stems: Its stems are often reddish and succulent, adding to its distinctive look.

  • Taste: To confirm you’ve found sourgrass, taste a small leaf. It should have a bright, tangy flavor reminiscent of lemon.

About the Recipe

This twist on the classic Waldorf salad recipe combines chopped apples, celery, walnuts, and fresh sourgrass leaves with a creamy dressing made from mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, and lemon juice. This flavorful salad is perfect for showcasing the unique taste of sourgrass while providing a satisfying and nutritious dish for any occasion.

Ingredients

  • For the Salad:

    • 2 apples, cored and diced

    • 1 cup diced celery

    • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

    • 1/4 cup sourgrass leaves, washed and finely chopped

    For the Creamy Dressing:

    • 1/4 cup mayonnaise

    • 1/4 cup Greek yogurt

    • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

    • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, freshly squeezed lemon juice, salt, and pepper until smooth and well combined.

  2. Combine the Salad Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine diced apples, diced celery, chopped walnuts, and finely chopped sourgrass leaves.

  3. Add the Dressing: Pour the creamy dressing over the salad ingredients in the bowl.

  4. Toss the Salad: Gently toss the salad until everything is evenly coated with the dressing.

  5. Refrigerate: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the sourgrass Waldorf salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

  6. Serve: Serve chilled.

Join Our Foraging Classes & Explore More

If you’re curious about incorporating wild plants like sourgrass into your cooking, you might enjoy joining one of our foraging classes at forageSF. We offer various classes on foraging mushrooms, wild plants, and more. Also, if you want to delve deeper into sourgrass, check out The Ultimate Sourgrass Cookbook: 100 Innovative Recipes for Nature’s Tangiest Herb. It’s a great way to explore more recipes and make the most of this unique herb.

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

Carla Bolado