Can You Eat Nettle?

Natural Sources of Stinging Nettle
Stinging nettle can be eaten on its own or as an ingredient in foods. Nettle leaves must first be cooked or steamed to destroy the hairs on them, which contain a number of irritating chemicals. Most medicinal uses of stinging nettle use more of the plant than you would typically eat.

Is it safe to eat nettles?

Summary Dried or cooked stinging nettle is safe to eat for most people. However, you shouldn't eat fresh leaves, as they may cause irritation.

What do nettles taste like?

Flavor Profile: Nettles have a rich, earthy, spinach-like flavor with a slight tang. How to Eat Them: Nettles are of the genus Urtica, derived from the Latin uro, which translates to “I burn” and, boy, do they. Luckily, cooking nettles or soaking them in water gets rid of the stinging chemicals in the plant.

Alexander Ross

Alexander Ross

Gaming, Esports & Interactive Media Writer

Alexander Ross has covered the video game industry for a decade, writing deep dives on game design, esports tournaments, VR developments, and gaming culture.