Nikki Yelton is a Functional Medicine Registered Dietitian Nutritionist serving clients worldwide. She offers a personalized functional medicine approach using advanced labs and her unique 5-phase method. Nikki helps purpose-driven women who have tried everything finally restore their energy and reclaim their health--without another DIY protocol--so they can show up fully in their work and at home!
I’m excited to share a delicious recipe that not only tastes great but also supports your gut health, bone health, and methylation pathways — Braised Maple Dandelion Greens.
Reading Time: 3 minutes
I’m excited to share a delicious recipe that not only tastes great but also supports your gut health, bone health, and methylation pathways — Braised Maple Dandelion Greens.
Ever feel like leafy greens are more of a chore than a treat? If the answer is “yes” (and I’ve been there!), I’ve got a game-changer for you.
When trying to up your veggie game (particularly green vegetables for better methylation + detox), this dish is an easy win for your taste buds and your health.
Packed with vitamins, rich flavors, and a touch of sweetness, this recipe is far from your average “I guess I should eat more greens” meal.
But it’s not just about flavor— it’s about fueling your body with the nutrients it craves to thrive.
ThisBraised Maple Dandelion Greens recipe is nutrient packed AND delicious. We’ve combined nutrient-dense ingredients like dandelion greens, ghee or grass-fed butter, maple syrup, and more.
Let’s talk about the why behind this dish:
Dandelion greens are loaded with vital nutrients, but they also contain a hidden superpower…
They’re rich in vitamin K2 (a form of menaquinone), are liver-supporting, and activate B vitamins like folate.
But why is this so important?
Bone Health
Many of my clients with leaky gut are deficient in K2. K2 works hand in hand with calcium to ensure it gets absorbed in your bones, not in places like your arteries, which could otherwise lead to cardiovascular problems. This dish helps you eat your way to stronger bones by incorporating these leafy greens alongside healthy fats like ghee, grass-fed butter, or even duck fat— all packing a K2 punch.
Gut Healing & Detox
Dandelion greens are also a liver-supporting food. Since detox pathways are vital for overall wellness—especially for those with MTHFR gene mutations—eating foods that support your liver (like dandelion greens) is essential for boosting your body’s detox mechanisms.
Bonus: Dandelion greens are also loaded with fiber, which helps with digestion and feeds the good bacteria in your gut—this is crucial for anyone dealing with gut dysbiosis or autoimmunity.
Methylation Magic
Methylation is the body’s process for regulating genes, including activating B vitamins like folate. If you have sluggish methylation, it could impact your thyroid, cardiovascular system, and even gut health. This recipe naturally boosts your methylation pathways by including folate-rich leafy greens that optimize these processes and promote a healthy gut.
I’m excited to share a delicious recipe that not only tastes great but also supports your gut health, bone health, and methylation pathways — Braised Maple Dandelion Greens.
Ingredients
Scale
1 tbsp Avocado Oil
1/2 cup Red Onion (thinly sliced)
3 Garlic (clove, minced)
6 cups Dandelion Greens (chopped)
1 tbsp Lemon Juice
1 tbsp Maple Syrup
1/2 tsp Sea Salt
Instructions
Heat the oil in a pan over medium-low heat. Add the red onion and cook for two minutes. Add the garlic and continue to cook for another two minutes or until fragrant.
Add the dandelion greens, lemon juice, and maple syrup. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thoroughly wilted and cooked. Season with salt. Enjoy!
This recipe is a great way to enjoy leafy greens without resorting to plain steamed spinach again!
The touch of maple syrup balances the slight bitterness of dandelion greens in a way that’ll have you coming back for seconds.
Think of it as a two-for-one: you’re nourishing your gut while satisfying your taste buds. Incorporating these greens regularly into your diet can ease that constant battle of figuring out how to get more variety of veggies in.
Try it out, and feel free to add a side of your favorite protein for a complete, nutrient-packed meal that supports your health on multiple levels.
Let me know how you like it and what ingredients you paired it with! Bonus points if you snap a pic and share it with me!
"When it comes to balancing our body, healing the gut, reversing autoimmunity, and achieving optimal health—we are a lot like a car that won’t run right. In order to fix the problem once and for all instead of relying on jumper cables, we must get underneath the hood, run the diagnostics, and replace the battery so that it runs good as new."
-Nikki Yelton, RD
a note from nikki:
If you are ready to stop wasting precious time, get off the never-ending hamster wheel, and finally surrender trying to figure things out on your own—this is your moment.
You don’t have to settle for just getting by and hoping tomorrow is a better day. We both know you are a woman who deserves better and are made for so. much. more.
are you ready?
Ready to restore your energy, reclaim your health, and live your extraordinary life?
