Seedling Herb Garden Salad

Have you ever wondered what you can do with your thinned seedlings from the garden? Give the Seedling Herb Garden Salad recipe a try!

We thinned our seedlings earlier in the morning and were able to gather some early season fresh herbs and edible flowers from our garden. The Seedling Herb Garden Salad has an earthy fresh flavor with a little spice depending on your herbs of choice. 

The video below will take you to our backyard to harvest some herbs and bring you into our kitchen to make the Seedling Herb Garden Salad.

What are thinned seedlings?

Thinned seedlings are small newly sprouted vegetable plants that are removed from the garden due to overcrowding of too many plants in one space.  

If all seedlings are left in the garden, they will end up competing against each other for space and stunt their growth. Thus resulting in the need to thin out or remove some of the newly growing seedlings to give room for the plants who will stay in the ground and grow.

What can I do with thinned seedlings?

I have always had a hard time thinning seedlings because all the plants look so strong and I want them all to survive. If you have this feeling as well, remember many of these seedlings can be saved and eaten fresh in salads! They are full of nutrition and will give your salad favor as well. You can also saute the seedlings and use them in your meals or add them to your smoothies!

What seedlings are edible?

Most of the edible seedlings are those that you normally eat the plant leaves of.

• lettuce
• kale
• spinach
• arugula
• chard
• broccoli
• herbs
• pea shoots

You can also eat the seedlings of many root vegetables.

• radish
• turnip
• carrot
• beet
• fennel
• onion

Seedling Herb Garden Salad Tips

• Soak harvested seedlings, herbs, and flower petals in ice water to clean and revive.
• Trim the ends of the seedlings to separate the leaves. This will allow them to disperse evenly throughout the salad.
• Lightly dress the salad to taste the full flavor of nature’s beauty in every bite.
• Fresh dill and parsley would be a great addition to this salad.
• Omit the thinned seedlings and purchase all ingredients from the farmers market or grocery store if you do not have a garden to harvest from.
• The amounts of thinned seedlings and herbs will vary depending on your garden and harvest. This recipe used about 1/2 cup of seedlings, 15 rose petals, 1 tbsp mint, and 1-2 tbsp of arugula, cilantro, and basil mixed. Add more or less depending on your preferences. 

Seedling Herb Garden Salad

Have you ever wondered what you can do with your thinned seedlings from the garden? Here is a new recipe for you to try! 

We thinned our seedlings earlier in the morning and were able to gather some early season fresh herbs and edible flowers from our garden. The Seedling Herb Garden Salad has an earthy fresh flavor with a little spice depending on your herbs of choice. 

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Course Salad

Servings 4

Ingredients

  

• thinned seedlings*
• rose petals*
• mint*
• basil*
• cilantro*
• arugula*
• 1 head romaine lettuce
• 1 small persian cucumber
• 1 medium tomato
• 1/2 green onion

Dressing Ingredients

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• salt
• pepper

Instructions

 

• Thin and save your edible garden seedlings.
• Harvest edible flower petals and herbs.
• Soak harvested seedlings, herbs, and rose petals in ice water and rinse clean.
• Chop the lettuce, cucumber, tomato and green onion.
• Trim the ends of the seedlings to separate the leaves.
• Lightly chop the herbs: mint, basil, cilantro, and arugula. Keep the rose petals whole.
• Lightly dress the salad with olive oil and apple cider vinegar. Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Enjoy!

Notes

* The amounts of thinned seedlings and herbs will vary depending on your garden and harvest. This recipe used about 1/2 cup of seedlings, 15 rose petals, 1 tbsp mint, and 1-2 tbsp of arugula, cilantro, and basil mixed. Add more or less depending on your preferences. 

Keyword fresh, garden herbs, garden salad, nutritious, thinned seedlings, vegetables

There is something about growing and harvesting your own food. I am full of gratitude for the food that I can grow and feed to my family. And it always seems to taste so much better! I swear this is one of the best salads I have ever made. The only thing that will make it better is when my garden lettuce, cucumbers, and tomatoes are ready! I can’t wait!

If you are able to, even if it is a small herb garden, I would encourage all of you to start your personal gardening journey. It is such a joy to go outside and see what has changed from day-to-day. There are definitely challenges (and successes) along the way, but I continually learn something new through every gardening experience.

Visit our article How to Start and Care for a Garden in 11 Simple Steps to learn more about in-ground, above ground, and container gardening as well as how to care for your garden along the way. 

Enjoy this recipe!

Have you used your thinned seedlings in your kitchen? What did you make? Please share it below.