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a collage of 4 photos of different recipes using stinging nettles.

Surprising Ways to Use Stinging Nettles (With Recipes)

Last Modified: April 28, 2020 // by Tracy Ariza, DDS // April 28, 2020 I may receive a commission if you purchase through links in this post. Learn more here.

es_ES Español

Think stinging nettles are just a weed? Think again. They’re a delicious, plant with numerous health benefits that can be used in recipes and in so many other ways!

a collage of 4 photos of different recipes using stinging nettles.
Pin this recipe for later!

It’s easy to have a love-hate relationship with stinging nettles. While they’re packed with antioxidants and vitamins, their painful stings make you want to banish them from your life sometimes, especially when you’re weeding your garden.

Luckily, while their sting is irritating to the skin, it’s harmless. In fact, it’s thought to help with arthritis and improved blood circulation.

What is the Stinging Nettle?

You have likely seen the nettle plant, scientifically named Urtica Dioica, even if you don’t think you know what it is. It’s native to Europe, Asia, North Africa, and Western North America, but has been also introduced into other areas of the world.

Most people consider it an annoying weed, but it’s a plant that is often used in teas. It has also been used in herbal medicines for years.

overhead view of several stinging nettle plants.

My son used to hate that we have so many stinging nettle plants all over our yard. He likes to go outside and play and would often run through a patch of them by accident. He cried when he’d lose his ball in a patch of it and get stung when trying to retrieve it.

Over the years, though, he’s learned to recognize them and stay away, when needed. This time of year, when the nettles start popping up again, he offers to help me “harvest” some (with gloves). He knows I like to use nettles in herbal teas, smoothies, and other recipes.

How do Nettles “Sting”?

The stinging nettle plant has tiny little needle-like projections all over the leaves and stems. These “hairs” are hollow and act like mini hypodermic needles that inject a shot of formic acid, histamine, and other substances that can irritate your skin. That’s why you may feel pain and/or itchiness after touching them.

Knowing that, makes it seem like it would be impossible to use in smoothies and other foods. Don’t worry, I’ll cover that in a minute…

Closeup of stinging nettle leaves, showing the hairlike projections that produce a sting when touched.
Closeup of the nettle’s “needles”

Health benefits

You might think that this plant would be highly poisonous and impossible to eat, but it’s actually packed with health benefits.

It is a good source of vitamins A, C, D, and some of the B complex vitamins. It also has protein, calcium, iron, beta-carotene, and magnesium.

Nettle is thought to help with urinary tract problems by reducing inflammation and increasing urinary output. It may also help dissolve kidney stones! (I have a history of getting frequent UTI’s and like to drink herbal teas with nettle when I feel minor symptoms coming on.)

This useful plant is anti-inflammatory, and may have some antioxidant enzyme activities, and may even slow the formation of certain types of tumors!

Extracts of the plant were studied to see if its antioxidant properties could help with oxidative stress that negatively affects certain diseases. The conclusion reached was that it may be a helpful addition to those with diabetes and heart conditions to help prevent complications from either of those diseases.

It may also help you reduce blood sugar and blood pressure.

Nettle can also help with diarrhea. I notice that my digestion is better when I add it to my smoothies every few days!

Warning

Avoid nettle during pregnancy, and perhaps while breastfeeding.
Nettle is thought to affect the menstrual cycle, by reducing heavy menstruation, which means that it may also provoke uterine contractions that could lead to premature birth if used during pregnancy.

Advice

No matter what your health condition is, you should start off slowly when adding new foods to your diet. Start out slow and see how your body reacts before you go overboard.

Where can you find them?

I guess I should consider myself lucky to have wild stinging nettle plants growing all over my garden, especially in the late winter and early spring. Right around this time of year, the small nettle plants are springing up almost all over the place in my area.

Some people, who aren’t so lucky, actually buy small nettle plants to plant in their garden. I’ve heard it can be found in many farmers’ markets and gardening centers. So, if you can’t find any, it’s something to consider.

When to harvest them?

Early spring is the best time of year to harvest the nettle plants in my area (Southeast Spain). Any time you can find young plants, though, is ideal. It’s best to pick the young leaves before the plants start to flower. Once they flower, the plants tend to become more fibrous and the flavor can change, and the .

I harvest more than what I need when I have access to young plants. The excess leaves can be dried for use in herbal infusions (teas). You can also freeze them for use in soups, smoothies, and other recipes year-round.

Freezing tip

To save space, I recommend pureeing the leaves and freezing them in cubes as shown in my post about freezing fruits for smoothies or baby food.

overhead view of a green smoothie made with nettles, garnished with nettle leaves and next to a banana and pineapple

Can you really eat them?

Yes!

I was really surprised to learn that you could actually eat nettle plants. The first time I tasted them, several years ago, I boiled them in water. Boiled nettles are a lot like cooked spinach.

Cooking the plant inactivates its ability to sting you. There are other ways to do it, though, so you can enjoy them raw…

How to keep nettles from stinging you

  • Wear gloves when foraging for stinging nettles. (Some people choose not to. They say the sting helps their arthritic hands. I, on the other hand, am not that hardcore.) ?
  • Dehydrate the plants. Once the leaves and “needles” have wilted enough, they will no longer sting you when handling them. This is a great way to make herbal teas with nettles.
  • Boil the nettles. Once you cook the leaves in boiling water, the needles will no longer be able to hurt you. This is great for recipes that use cooked nettles, and for making fresh herbal infusions. Cooked stinging nettles can be used in place of cooked spinach in many recipes.
  • Crush the nettles. Once the needles on the nettles have been crushed, they will no longer sting you. This is great for being able to use nettles raw in smoothies and pestos. I love using nettles in my smoothies like my tropical stinging nettle smoothie.

What do they taste like?

Stinging nettle plants are often compared to spinach because they can be used in the same ways that you would normally use spinach. That said, I think they have a more subtle, lighter flavor, especially when used raw.

Stinging Nettle Recipes

I knew that nettles were a great replacement for spinach in recipes, but I didn’t realize how versatile they really are. They can be used in soups, rice dishes, smoothies, and even desserts.

Interesting Idea

I recently learned that you can actually make a nettle rennet for cheesemaking using stinging nettles! How cool is that?

Snack recipes

You may be familiar with kale chips, but how about nettle chips? Kale chips have gained popularity over the years because they’re salty and crunchy and a tasty way to eat nutritious kale. By subbing out the kale for nettles, you can convert your garden weeds into a delicious snack.

Stinging Nettle Chips

Crispy, light, and nutritiously delicious, nettle chips are a fun alternative to kale chips.
Check out this recipe
nettle chips on a plate in front of a hamburger.

This kid-friendly breakfast or snack uses “nettle flour” made from drying and grinding up nettle leaves.

Savory Cookies with Stinging Nettle Flour

These low-carb savory biscuits are a gluten-free treat for the entire family.
Check out this recipe
several cookies in the shape of clover leaves

Sauces

Nettles can also add color and flavor to a simple dip or sauce. This tzatziki-like dip is perfect for dipping veggies and other snacks.

Stinging Nettles Dip with Roasted Garlic Mint

This tangy yogurt-based dip, reminiscent of tzatziki, is easily whipped up in just a few minutes.
Check out this recipe
scooping up some nettles dip onto a cucumber slice.

Pesto sauce, my son’s absolute favorite, is traditionally made with basil leaves. Consider switching out some of the basil leaves of your traditional pesto recipe for nettle leaves. Or, try one of these alternative recipes.

Nettle and Ramps Pesto

This delicious sauce combines two wild vegetables into a highly addictive favorite.
Check out this recipe

Nourishing Nettle Pesto

Dandelion greens pair up with nettles to make a mineral-rich pesto sauce.
Check out this recipe
overhead view of nettle pest in a wooden mortar, surrounded by nettle leaves.

Soups

I’m sure you’ve heard of chicken noodle soup. But what about chicken nettle soup? It sounds like a delicious, healthy alternative to me!

Chicken Nettle Soup

The perfect pick-me-up for days when you need an energy boost. This soup will warm you up on cold winter days.
Check out this recipe

If you prefer creamier soups, these nettle based soups may be exactly what you’re looking for.

Roasted Asparagus and Garlic Stinging Nettle Soup

This creamy soup tastes like spring! It combines roasted asparagus with garlic and lots of fresh nettles.
Check out this recipe
Overhead view of a creamy green soup with asparagus and nettles.

Easy Nettle Soup

Simple to make, with just 7 ingredients, this potato-rich soup can be whipped up quickly and is a nourishing, comforting meal.
Check out this recipe
overhead view of two bowls of a green, nettle soup

Main dishes and sides

The epitome of comfort food, risotto is a creamy rice dish that can serve as a complete meal. This risotto, made with vegetable broth, is an ideal vegetarian meal.

Spring Brown Rice Risotto with Asparagus and Nettles

This healthy gluten-free meal is packed with spring flavors, yet can warm you up on those early cooler spring days.
Check out this recipe
Overhead view of a bowl of risotto with asparagus and nettles

Traditionally a breakfast dish in Isreal and the middle east, shakshuka is a simple yet complete meal. This recipe is packed with healthy greens including the nettle.

Green Shakshuka

This healthy, one-pan meal is easy to make and can be used for breakfast or other meals.
Check out this recipe
scooping up the egg and greens of shakshuka with a wooden spoon

Gomae is a Japanese side dish normally made with spinach and sesame. Here, nettles take the place of spinach, giving an interesting alternative to this classic recipe.

Nettle Gomae

This side dish, inspired by Japanese cuisine, is a delicious and healthy complement to any meal.
Check out this recipe
Nettle Gomae

Desserts

Nettles don’t need to be reserved for only savory recipes. They can also add color and nutrients to sweeter treats.

Nettle and Lemon Cakes with Lemon Icing and Blackberries

This cake gets its beautiful color, and a few extra vitamins, from nettles. It looks absolutely delicious!
Check out this recipe
a slice of a nettle cake with white frosting, garnished with raspberries, in front of a cake on a stand.

Drinks and smoothies

Making beer with nettles instead of grains is absolutely genius, and is an idea that’s totally up my ally. It’s definitely on my “to-do” list of things to try!

Nettles Beer

This healthy, gluten-free beer uses nettles and lemon, fermented into a refreshing fizzy drink.
Check out this recipe

It’s quite common to add spinach to smoothies, but most people haven’t thought to add nettles. They’re a healthy, lower-oxalate greens option for those with kidney stones (or anybody needing to lower their oxalate intake).

Foraged, Tropical, Stinging Nettle Smoothie

Don’t let its sting scare you away, the stinging nettle packs a powerful nutritional punch, and is a great addition to smoothies like this foraged, tropical stinging nettle smoothie.
Check out this recipe
overhead view of a green smoothie made with nettles, garnished with nettle leaves.

Similar to my homemade ginger ale, this nettle ade is easily made with seltzer water, and is a healthy alternative to soda pop.

Nettle Ade

This simple, yet refreshing drink is a healthy alternative to soda.
Check out this recipe
a glass pf a nettle based sparkling beverage garnished with mint leaves

Tea Blend Recipes

Support your immune system with a variety of herbs and plants that may even help fight infections.

Sore Throat Tea

Echinacea, nettle, and elderberries come together with licorice in this immune-boosting tea.
Check out this recipe
overhead view of mixed herbal tea leaves including dried nettle leaves

Help your body get rid of toxins with a blend of herbs that help support live and kidney function.

Herbal Detox Tea

This blend of dandelion, horsetail, and nettle, with mint leaves for pleasant flavor, helps your body gently detox
Check out this recipe

For those warm summer days, why not try in herbal ice tea instead?

Raspberry Leaf Chia Iced Tea with Nettles

This iced tea uses a combination of leaves that is especially nourishing for women. The chia seeds add a bit of fun, and extra nourishment, to this drink.
Check out this recipe
A glass with iced tea with chia seeds

A touch of hibiscus adds color and a touch of sweetness to a nettle tea, making it appealing for kids. While it was designed for kids, I won’t judge any adults who drink it. (I bet it would be great as an iced tea too!)

Nettle Infusions for Kids

This kid-friendly tea helps hydrate and replenish minerals after a busy day at school or playing sports.
Check out this recipe
young girl sipping a cup of tea.

preservation tip

Because you can’t normally use nettles fresh from the garden year-round, drying them for herbal teas is a great idea. The dried leaves can also be ground into a fine powder and added to other recipes to boost their nutritional value.

Hair products

Nettle is said to help clear clogged hair follicles, which correspondingly helps prevent hair loss. It may also strengthen hair, add shine, and help against dandruff.

These simple, natural hair care recipes take advantage of those benefits.

Strengthening Nettle Vinegar Hair Rinse

Reap the hair strengthening benefits of nettles by infusing them in vinegar for a DIY herbal hair rinse.
Check out this recipe
Closeup of a bottle of a nettle infused hair rinse on its side over some dried nettle leaves

DIY Root Lifting Spray with Rosemary and Nettle

Add volume to flat hair without leaving a residue and without toxic ingredients.
Check out this recipe

Update Information

This post was originally published on May 7, 2017. It was rewritten with added information about how to harvest nettle plants, their health benefits, and a few new recipes in April of 2020.

Category: Appetizers & Snacks, Beverages & Smoothies, Condiments & Sauces, Desserts & Sweets, Hair, Lunch & Dinner, Soups & Salads

About Tracy Ariza, DDS

Tracy Ariza, B.A., D.D.S., left dentistry and the United States to found Oh, The Things We’ll Make!, writing to you from the Spanish Riviera. She loves making things herself in order to keep control of what goes in them. While far from perfect, she strives each day to live a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Angela

    August 26, 2021 at 9:41 AM

    Just recently found out the benefits of stinging nettles. So I now use them with fresh ginger, chopped apples and a squeeze of lemon juice,add to pure water and blend into an amazing energising drink like your smoothie recommendation.

    Reply
    • Tracy Ariza, DDS

      October 11, 2021 at 8:24 PM

      Sounds delicious, Angela!
      Thanks for the idea and I’m glad you liked the smoothie idea! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Sarah O. Thomas

    May 22, 2020 at 6:36 AM

    Thank you for sharing Spring Nettle Soup, I also try it, The leaves are known to be deeply nutritive as a food and as a tea, able to improve skin, hair, and nail health.

    Reply
  3. Alex

    May 21, 2020 at 11:02 PM

    I have heard of eating stinging nettles before, but I never realised how beneficial they could be! Unfortunately, I don’t believe I have any growing in my backyard, but I will find a way to get my hands on some… I would love to try that tropical smoothie you posted!

    Reply
    • Tracy Ariza, DDS

      May 22, 2020 at 2:06 PM

      Hi Alex,
      Good luck! Here, they grow all over the place. I used to hate it, and now realize I’m quite lucky. 😉

      Reply
  4. Sandra-Skye Woodcock

    July 7, 2019 at 4:11 AM

    I love this, and with how much can be found at campsites and hiking trails, it makes for a great foraging food. We keep hand sanitizer to take away the sting, and just let it dry in a small net laundry bag as we walk.

    Reply
    • Tracy Ariza

      August 3, 2019 at 11:16 AM

      That’s a great suggestion! Thank you! I had never tried that before. Glad to hear it works!

      Reply
  5. AW

    April 5, 2019 at 10:53 PM

    Hi — Just a tiny typo to fix:

    It’s painful stings when I’m trying to weed out my garden each year

    “It’s” (contraction of “it is”) should be “Its” (possessive).

    Reply
    • Tracy Ariza

      April 9, 2019 at 10:29 PM

      Ha! Thanks for catching that.
      It’s – got it right that time 😉 – actually one of my pet peeves to see that one used wrong, and now I’m the guilty one.

      Reply
  6. Vernon Quarles

    March 6, 2018 at 3:26 AM

    Thanks so much for this article! My family owns an organic farm and I’ve eaten nettles since I was young. We used to eat them raw on long days for extra energy. I’m very lucky as I have about an acre that we let grow. We harvest the tips until they flower, and then the new leaf buds after once the plants have fallen over. You can also use them to make a high-nitrogen fertilizer for other crops. If anyone is interested in learning more about the nutritional values or about foraging for wild foods in general, check out my website blog at http://www.justnaturalfarms.com Thanks again for posting! I found some new recipes here that I can’t wait to try!

    Reply
    • Tracy Ariza

      March 7, 2018 at 9:36 AM

      Yes, nettles are great, aren’t they? 🙂

      Reply

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Hello, I’m Tracy!

I love making my own natural products like soaps and lotions and my own pantry items like yogurt and salad dressings.
Why do I do it? Sometimes to save money, sometimes because it's healthier, but I always love having control of the ingredients!​
Oh, the things we'll make!...

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