Published: April 2, 2026
What Is Mache
Sometimes referred to as doucette, lamb’s lettuce or corn salad, mache is an early spring crop often found in farmers markets. Once considered a weed, mache is now a delicate, nutritious green that works beautifully in salads of all kinds.
What Does Mache Taste Like?
Mache is tender and mild with a softer, nuttier taste when compared to spinach. It pairs especially well with cooler weather ingredients like beets, carrots, arugula, kale, citrus, soft cheeses, nuts, and simple vinaigrettes.
When to Use Mache
Mache shines in cooler months and early spring when you want something fresh but still cozy. It works especially well with roasted vegetables, citrus, nuts, cheese, and simple vinaigrettes.
How to Grow and Harvest
Mache is very easy to grow and is extremely hardy. I planted mine in the fall and had beautiful rows pop up in March!
Washing and Storage
Wash like you would any tender green, submerged in water to shake off dirt.
Mache can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 weeks wrapped in a reusable plastic bag.
How To Cook with Mache
Mache is most often used fresh, but it can also be added to a variety of simple meals.
Because it is so tender, it works especially well in spring recipes where you want a soft green that does not overpower the other ingredients.
For more on mache, check out the wikipedia page!
Inspiration For Mache Recipes
Salads
- Mache and Roasted Beet Salad: Toss mache with vinaigrette, nuts, cheese, and any roasted vegetables
Sandwiches
- Add mache to sandwiches with chicken, turkey, or egg salad for a fresh, mild green
Wraps
- Add mache to wraps with hummus, feta, roasted vegetables, grilled chicken, or crispy chickpeas
Salad Rolls
- Use mache in salad rolls with herbs, carrots, cucumber, tofu, shrimp, and a peanut sauce
Grain Bowls
- Add mache to grain bowls with quinoa, lentils, farro, roasted beets, carrots, soft boiled eggs, or salmon
Soups
- Stir mache into brothy soups right before serving so it lightly wilts, similar to spinach
Smoothies
- Blend a handful of mache into smoothies the way you would spinach such as with my Green Juice Smoothie
Pasta and Cooked Dishes
- Cook it down like spinach and add to pasta, risotto, eggs, or other cooked dishes
More Recipes You Will Want To Save!
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Hi, I’m Sarah Harper, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist passionate about cooking, eating, and sharing all things food! At The Addy Bean, you’ll find a variety of flexitarian recipes designed to inspire and empower you to explore the delicious world of plant-based eating. My mission is to make plant-forward meals approachable, enjoyable, and part of your everyday life!
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