Amaranth/Pigweed

Growing Together Newsletter: Issue #2

Amaranth/Pigweed

[Scientific name: Amaranthus retroflexus]

Growth

These weeds thrive in hot weather, can tolerate drought, respond highly to nutrients in the soil, and can adapt to avoid shading. This puts them in competition with warm-season vegetables. Most pigweeds can grow into large, erect-to-bushy plants anywhere from 2 to 7 feet high. There are over 60 different species of pigweed, which make their identification tricky.

History

Pigweed was considered by the Aztecs as a vital grain and was used in a variety

of ways. Despite its Latin American roots, pigweed received its name from being used as fodder for pigs and is typically regarded as an invasive weed.

Consumption

Similar to other weeds, pigweed can accumulate nitrates and oxalates which

can make ingestion unsafe. It’s better to forage for these weeds outside of large

crops to avoid toxic levels of nitrates. You can consume pigweed in a similar way to how you would consume spinach; do not eat Pigweed raw, but rather cook them in boiling water for 25-30 minutes before consumption.

Diseases / Pests

Pigweed/Amaranth flea beetles are common pests of these weeds. They

have red and black heads with yellow lines on their black back. Due to pigweeds’ presence among warm-season crops in North America, it is common for these pests to harm other crops as well. For management, planting late in the season can help avoid these beetles, and removing dead crop matter can prevent their feeding and housing.

Preservation

Freezing pigweed is one way to preserve the weed for safe and future

consumption. To preserve, follow these methods:

1. Harvest: Pick when they are young and soak in cool water for 2 minutes and rinse away remaining dirt.

2. Blanch: Place the plant in boiling water until it changes to a deep green color and the leaves become limp. Remove from the pot of water, drain, and cool in your refrigerator.

3. Freeze: When cooled, place in the freezer. Pack in small, shallow bags for up to one year.

---

Pigweed, Spinach, and Fruit Smoothie

Nutrition

Recipe makes 1 serving. Each serving provides 380 calories, 6 grams (g) fat, 7g protein, 76 g carbohydrate, 12 g fiber and 65 milligrams sodium.

Prep Time: 5-10 minutes

Servings: 1 8-ounce serving

Ingredients

1 cup orange juice

½ cup pigweed, cooked in boiling water

½ cup spinach

½ apple

1 cup strawberries

1 tablespoon honey, to sweeten

1 tablespoon chia seeds or flax seeds,

optional

Directions

Add all of the ingredients to a blender and blend until to the desired consistency.

Compiled by Clair Frydenland and Anna Seefeldt, former NDSU dietetic interns and Julie Garden-Robinson, Ph.D., R.D., L.R.D, Food and Nutrition Specialist. Reviewed May 2026 by Lindsey Barton, B.S.

North Dakota State University is an equal opportunity educator and employer. This work is supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print) print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact NDSU Extension at 701-231-1865.