Can You Really Eat Aloe Vera? These 4 Tasty Recipes Say Yes!

Aloe vera is well known for its topical uses. It has long been used to treat sunburn and other sources of skin irritation. It is soothing and cooling on the skin, both straight from the plant and in preparations.

Did you know you can also eat aloe vera? The gel inside the leaves isn’t just refreshing for your skin. The taste of pure aloe can be an acquired one, but it can be successfully balanced with fruits and other flavors and is ideal for cold desserts.

Safety First

Aloe is considered generally safe for topical use, and although it is edible, you should take some precautions. As with any new ingredient, whether you’re using it topically or as food, start slow. Apply a little to your skin or eat a small amount and look for any adverse reactions. If you take medications or have health conditions, talk to your doctor before trying any new supplement.

It’s also important that you are sure you’re using true, edible aloe. Edible aloe is Aloe barbadensis Miller, or Aloe vera barbadensis Miller. Another plant, called Aloe vera var. chinensis, is not true aloe and is toxic, so take care when choosing the right plant.

The two plants look very similar but have some differences. True aloe has thicker and fleshier leaves. They are spotted when young but turn solid gray-green as they age. The toxic type of aloe has similar fleshy leaves with spots that remain as they age. The leaves are also narrower.

Get the Ingredients

How to Get the Edible Aloe Gel

The best part of the aloe leaf to eat is the gel on the inside. The outside of the leaf not inedible, but also not necessarily the part you want to eat. The latex can cause some gastrointestinal issues, like cramping and diarrhea. Aloe latex is a yellow sap just under the skin of each leaf.

Fortunately, it’s easy to get to the edible gel. Cut off each end of a leaf and then use a vegetable peeler or sharp paring knife to slice off the skin on the flat side. You can then use a spoon to scoop out the gel. Alternatively, you can cut off the skin on all sides. Rinse the gel to remove any latex clinging to it. You can then chop or blend the gel for use in any recipe. Now, you’re ready to find some fun ways to use aloe in the kitchen.

1. Aloe Juice and Smoothies

Maybe you’ve already seen this product on the market. You can find bottled aloe juice on Amazon with many touted benefits, but you can also make your own. Simply blend up the gel you’ve processed from a plant and add as much water as you like to get the desired taste and consistency.

Add still or sparkling water for a different product. You can also add flavorings, including honey or other sweeteners. Try adding additional fruit juices or just a squeeze of lemon or lime.

Kick your next fruit smoothie up a notch with the addition of aloe gel. Simply add some of the gel to your favorite recipe to enhance it with a light, refreshing flavor. Aloe goes particularly well with an icy smoothie on hot days.

Be aware that blended aloe will not be perfectly smooth. Even the products you buy in the store typically have some small chunks of plant pulp and fiber. The fiber is good for you, but if you don’t like the texture, you can filter it out using a fine strainer or cheesecloth like this from Amazon.

2. Aloe Popsicles

Another great idea for a hot day is an aloe popsicle. To make aloe popsicles, blend together:

• ½ cup of aloe gel
• 1 kiwi
• 1 cup of coconut water
• Juice and zest from one lemon or lime
• 1 tablespoon of agave syrup

Freeze the blended mixture in a popsicle mold like this one from Amazon, and enjoy on a hot summer day.

3. Aloe in Salads

For a non-blended option, consider adding aloe to your next salad. Toss in chopped chunks of aloe, or cut the gel into ribbons to add to a noodle salad. Aloe goes well with tropical flavors, so add mango or coconut. It also works well with avocado and salad dressings with Asian flavors, like sesame oil, rice vinegar, fish sauce, and chili peppers.

Here’s one recipe to guide your inspiration. Toss together:

• Ribbons cut from one leaf of aloe vera gel
• 1 skinned and sliced cucumber
• 1 julienned carrot
• 1 mango, thinly sliced
• 3 large handfuls of arugula
• 1 handful of herbs, like basil, cilantro, or mint

For the dressing, mix together:

• 2 tablespoons of sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• 1 tablespoon of agave syrup or honey
• The juice of one lime
• Salt and pepper to taste

4. Poached Aloe

These recipes call for raw aloe gel, which is not to everyone’s taste, especially when not blended. It has a slimy texture, and the flavor can be a little intense. Alternatively, you can cook the gel and use the chunks to top yogurt, ice cream, and more.

To poach aloe and make it more palatable, add chopped gel to a saucepan with sugar and an acid, like lemon juice, lime juice, or vinegar. Add a little water to thin the cooking liquid and let it simmer on the stove until you get the desired texture. The aloe cubes will solidify and become less slimy.

Aloe recipes aren’t just for your skin. Try these unique, edible recipes to get more out of your favorite aloe plant.