Dandelion Jelly & Other Flower Jelly Recipes

Dandelions may be small, but that doesn’t mean they don’t offer up a slew of potential health benefits! They’re easy to consume, too. You can brew their root into tea, and you can also make dandelion jelly from their petals.

Today we’re diving into the wonderful world of herbal jelly making! Below, you’ll find our dandelion jelly recipe as well as others made with honeysuckle, violet, hibiscus, and more. All of our recipes are healthier versions of jelly that are not loaded with sugar and factory-made pectin. We’re also sharing our favorite type of pectin (when we use it) as well as some ideas to keep your homemade jellies as natural and low in sugar as possible. 

Discover the art of making herbal jellies at home! Learn how to create the perfect dandelion jelly and explore the benefits of Pomona's Pectin, plus the best sugar alternatives for your homemade jams. You'll also learn how to make violet jelly and other floral recipes. We've also included canning techniques so you can preserve the freshness of your homemade creations! 

Benefits of Dandelion

Dandelions, often dismissed as pesky weeds, are so much more! They’re actually nutritional powerhouses packed with vitamins and minerals, especially the roots. You can learn all about the benefits of dandelion root in-depth here, but in the meantime, here are a few highlights:

• Have been used for centuries — Native Americans would chew on dandelion for pain relief
• Full of vitamins A, C, and K
• Can support digestion and liver health
• Packed with antioxidants
• Great for the skin

Another advantage to using dandelion is that it is so widely available. You likely have a few that pop up in your backyard every spring and summer! When foraging, you just want to be careful to choose places that aren’t treated with pesticides. Those nasty chemicals have no place in your homemade dandelion jam. 

Dandelion tea is another way to incorporate this herb into your life. Not only will it give you a caffeine-free boost, but it will also help your liver detox. 

You can even add dandelion to food — we love pairing it with chocolate in particular. Fudgy brownies that are actually good for your littles, anyone?! And for something a little bit more elevated for our mamas, we have been making these dandelion chocolate truffles at least once every few weeks. 

With all of these benefits, it’s easy to see why we wanted to share our dandelion jelly recipe next!

Dandelion Jelly

Our dandelion jelly recipe just screams spring — it’s light, sweet, and floral tasting. To make it, you’ll need dandelion petals, plus a few other simple ingredients you likely already have at home. This is such a fun recipe to work on with your littles, too. They’ll love helping you forage.

There are a few things to keep in mind as you gather your dandelions. First, try to forage on a sunny day. If your flowers are muddy, you’ll end up with dirt in your jam. And, remember our note about where you forage: avoid places with pesticides… or where pets go to, erm, relieve themselves!

Trimming the petals will take a bit of time and attention to detail, so throw on your favorite podcast or audiobook while you do it. Hold the flower by the petals, cut off the stem and base, and then use your hands to separate the petals from any remaining green bits. 

Once you have prepared your petals, all that’s left to do is combine them with water, lemon juice, sugar, and pectin (if using), then infuse, boil, and jar! Be sure to refer to the recipe card below for specific instructions and ingredients.

Why We Use Pomona’s Pectin

Now, when it comes to making homemade dandelion jam, we either use no pectin at all or Pomona’s Pectin. Traditional pectins typically rely on sugar to activate the gelling process — in other words, sugar is needed to get that jelly and jam-like texture and consistency you know and love. 

Pomona’s is different. It’s a natural, fruit-based pectin that’s activated by calcium powder. Because you don’t need to add a bunch of extra sugar, the natural floral flavors of the herbs can really shine through. We do, of course, add a bit of sugar in our recipe, but not nearly as much as we would have to add if we used regular pectin. 

Another low-in-sugar option is green apple pectin. It’s made from unripe green apples and is a great alternative. It’s perfect for recipes where you want the natural sweetness of the fruit to shine through instead of sugar. It’s also natural and free of preservatives!

No Sugar, No Problem

If you don’t want to use white granulated sugar at all, you can absolutely still make homemade dandelion or another herbal jelly recipe! Honey and fruit-sweetened options are just as tasty, and you don’t have to worry about that post-sugar crash either. 

Honey in particular adds depth of flavor and pairs wonderfully with flowers. You could even make a dandelion jam that is naturally sweetened with simple fruit — not only will it add natural sweetness, but it also enhances the overall flavor of the jelly you use it in. Fruit purée, fruit juice, fruit syrup, or even dried fruit are all great options.

Using fruit or honey may affect the texture and consistency of your jams and jellies, but in our experience, they’re still super tasty.

How to Can Homemade Jelly

Canning helps preserve your jellies and jams for up to 1 year or more if you do it correctly! You’ll need canning jars with lids and bands, a large stockpot, a jar lifter, a wide-mouth funnel, and a clean kitchen towel.

1. Sterilize the jars: Wash the jars, lids, and bands with hot, soapy water and rinse thoroughly. Place the jars in a large stockpot full of water, bring to a boil, and allow the jars to boil for at least 10 minutes to sterilize them. Remove from the water and place on a clean kitchen towel to dry.
2. Fill the jars: Using your wide-mouth funnel, carefully ladle your jelly into the jars, being sure to leave about ¼ inch of space at the top.

• Apply the lids and bands: Place the lids on the jars, then screw on the bands until they are “fingertip” tight — don’t overtighten, as a bit of air must be able to escape during the canning process.

• Process the jars: When all of the jars are filled and sealed, place them in your large stockpot and fill them with water so that they cover the jars by at least 1 inch. Bring the water to a gentle boil and process for about 10 minutes.

1. Remove and cool: Carefully remove the jars from the stockpot with a jar lifter and place on a cooling rack to cool for 12 to 24 hours. When cooled, check to see that the jars are properly sealed — the lid shouldn’t move or pop when pressed. 
2. Label and store your homemade jelly in a cool, dark place for up to 1 year!

More Flower Jelly Recipe Ideas (and How to Can)

Our dandelion jelly recipe isn’t the only herbal jelly you can make at home! For each of these recipes, you follow the same formula: forage the flowers, create an infusion, add sugar, lemon juice, and pectin (if using), bring to a gel point, and can. Let’s begin with one of our other favorites, violet jelly.

You can repeat the same exact process with a variety of other flowers! Let’s quickly go over one more.

You can use the same recipe you used to make honeysuckle and violet jelly to make hibiscus jelly, peony jelly, and forsythia jelly too.

Dandelion Jelly Frequently Asked Questions

How to pick dandelions for jelly?

To pick dandelions for homemade dandelion jam, make sure to choose flowers in pesticide-free lawns and fields. You only need the petals, so separate them from the green stems, then rinse under water and dry as thoroughly as you can. Use immediately or store in a breathable container in the fridge for up to 24 hours.

Is dandelion jelly good for you?

Dandelion jelly boasts several health benefits as dandelions themselves are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. That said, its nutritional value does vary based on other ingredients used to make it. Like anything else, moderation is key, especially due to the sugar content.

Can I freeze dandelions for jelly?

Yes, you can freeze dandelions to make jelly. Pick fresh dandelions, remove the petals, and spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Flash freeze until solid, then place in a bag in the freezer for 6 to 12 months.

Unlimited Flavors with Floral Infused Jellies

Whether you start with dandelion jelly or are experimenting with other herbal jelly recipes, there are many benefits and advantages to making them yourself! All you need are some fresh flowers and other very simple ingredients, and you’ll be well on your way to creating homemade jelly for your family. You can even use dried flowers from teas to make jellies as well! Feel better about what you feed your littles and loved ones — as we always say, homemade is always better! They make great Christmas gifts, too, that you can work on all throughout the year!

If you love the idea of turning flowers into jelly and want to embrace more cooking with herbs, flowers, and teas, make sure you grab our  FREE Cooking with Tea Ebook here! Real quick, before you head there to grab that freebie! I would love to know which flower jellies you have made or plan to make. Let me know in the comments below! And checkout what other's are saying as well!

More Herbal Goodness with Flowers

• Dehydrating Flowers, Fruits & Botanicals
• How to Preserve Flowers for Tea
• Healthy Floral Popsicles for Kids & moms too!
• What to do with Rose Petals (Medicinal & Culinary)
• DIY Simple Syrup Using Flowers