Sunshine in a Jar! Dandelion jelly recipe

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In past years, seeing dandelion blossoms pop up in the lawn was an unwelcome sight. Now, I get excited to make dandelion jelly with these edible and sunny blooms! This homemade dandelion jelly recipe has a delicious honey flavor, and the jelly jars are a stunning bright yellow.

You know how it is: Recipe first, questions later. So scroll to learn the alternatives I use and other tips for cooking. Or, just get cooking!

Homemade Dandelion Jelly Recipe

A simple jelly recipe using just fresh dandelion petals, lemon juice, sugar, and pectin!
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Equipment

  • Canning equipment (jars, lids, rims, tongs)

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups of fresh and loosely packed dandelion petals pick from a pet and pesticide-free area
  • 4 cups of water
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1 package powdered fruit pectin
  • 4 cups granulated sugar

Instructions
 

  • Gather dandelions (I suggest gathering the whole plant for other recipea, but only the dandelion flower heads are used here)
  • Pull the yellow petals apart from the flowers. Keep greens separate as they will make your jelly bitter.
  • Create a dandelion tea. Bring 4 cups of water to a boil then remove from heat and add the petals.
  • Cover the pot or transfer to a jar and let the petals steep for 12-24 hours to infuse (the longer you steep the denser the flavor).
  • Strain the tea through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a clean pot, squeezing as much liquid out as possible.
  • Prepare your canning equipment by washing jars, lids and rings in hot soapy water. Bring another pot of water to boil and simmer equipment for 10 minutes to sterilize, leaving the jars in the water bath until ready to use.
  • While simmering the equipment, heat your dandelion tea over medium heat and add 1/4 cup of lemon juice. Stir well.
  • Gradually stir in the pectin until fully dissolved.
  • Bring the mixture to a boil.
  • Once boiling, add 4 cups of sugar and stir continuously until it is fully dissolved.
  • Bring the mixture to a rolling boil for 1-2 minutes. It’s the right consistency when it can coat the back of a spoon and drip slowly.
  • Test for set: To check if the jelly has reached the desired consistency, you can perform a gel test. Spoon a small amount of the hot liquid onto a cold plate or spoon and place it in the freezer for a minute. If it wrinkles when you push your finger through it, it’s ready. If not, continue boiling for another minute and retest.
  • Fill the sterilized jars, leaving 1/4 inch of space at the top. Place the rings on jars.
  • To can: Place the filled jars into a boiling water bath canner, ensuring they are covered with at least 1-2 inches of water. Process the jars in the boiling water bath for 10 minutes.
  • Carefully remove the jars from the canner and place them on a clean towel or cooling rack. Let them cool undisturbed for 12-24 hours. As the jars cool, you’ll hear the lids “pop,” indicating a proper seal.

Notes

Store sealed jars in a cool, dark place for up to one year. Once opened, use your jar within a few weeks.

What is dandelion jelly?

At its core, dandelion jelly is a sweet and fragrant preserve made from the vibrant yellow petals of dandelion flowers. The dandelion jelly taste is surprisingly reminiscent of honey, offering a burst of spring sunshine in every bite.

I love to use this spring treat on breakfast toast, to elevate pastries, or to give a jar of dandelion jelly as a gift. This delicious treat is the reason I consider these weeds a cherished part of my forage garden!

How to safely forage for dandelion petals

When you’re harvesting fresh dandelion flowers, make sure you are collecting them from a place free of pesticides, herbicides, or other contaminants. Ideally, pick dandelion flowers in an area where you are certain they haven’t been treated with chemicals. Also make sure that they are not in a space where pets frequent, such as your back yard.

Harvest mature dandelion flowers with vibrant yellow petals for a delicious dandelion jelly.

How to clean the dandelion flowers

Check each of the dandelion heads and carefully and discard any that are wilted, discolored, or damaged.

Carefully pluck the yellow petals from the green base of the flower. You can do this by pinching the base of the petals and pulling them away from the center. Try to remove as much of the green parts (sepals) as possible, as they can have a bitter taste.

Then, gently rinse the petals in a colander or fine mesh strainer under cool running water to remove dirt, insects, and other debris. Gently agitate the flowers with your fingers while rinsing, but try not to bruise or damage the delicate petals.

Handling foam and air bubbles in your dandelion jelly

During the cooking process, foam and air bubbles may form on the surface of your jelly. Skim off the foam to achieve a crystal-clear preserve, and gently tap the jars to release trapped air bubbles.

Making dandelion tea

Have extra dandelion petals? I suggest trying dandelion tea! Steep your tea the same way as described above for decadent cups of dandelion tea. Simply add your favorite sweetener such as honey or simple syrup to taste.

Low sugar dandelion jelly

I definitely consider this jelly a treat (it’s got a lot of sugar…), but you can make it low sugar too. Just be warned, the flavor isn’t the same! Substitute the sugar for a substitute like stevia and opt for a low sugar pectin to make low sugar jellies.

FAQs About Dandelion Jelly

Is dandelion jelly the same as dandelion honey?

Nope! Dandelion jelly is a sweet preserve made from just the petals of the dandelion flower, sugar, and lemon juice. Dandelion honey is a syrup (not a true honey) made from the entire flower (including the green sepals), steeped in water and sugar.

Can I use other flower petals in this recipe?

As long as you make sure your flowers are entirely edible, you’re free to experiment with other petals in place of the dandelion flowers! Violet or rose jelly are my go-to’s.

How long does dandelion jelly stay fresh?

When properly made (be cautious about your sterilization process) and stored in a cool dark place, this recipe lasts up to a year. Once opened, a jar will last for up to a couple of weeks in the fridge.

What can I do with leftover dandelion tea?

You can add a sweetener and drink it as is, use it for a base for other drinks, create a simple syrup, or use it as a base for a salad dressing (toss those dandelion leaves into the salad, too!).

Conclusion

From gathering flower petals to make dandelion jelly to actually enjoying its unique flavor, making this dandelion jelly recipe is a great spring activity!

And, if you enjoyed this dandelion jelly recipe, we would love to hear from you! Connect on social media and leave your feedback below. As a new blogger, you’ll be helping me a ton!

Thank you for reading. ♡

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Elke Crosson
Elke Crosson

Elke has her Master in Teaching from the University of Toronto and a BA in International Relations with a minor in Spanish from the University of British Columbia. Her research was in the field of children's rights, and she now enjoys working as a Grade 3 teacher. She's also an avid cook, a baker, and avid lover of the outdoors, from foraging to hiking (and everything in between).

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