Canning Dandelion Jelly

Dandelion Jelly is sweet homemade jelly that offers a honey flavor with a hint of lemon flavor. Learn how to make dandelion jelly from fresh dandelions you pluck in your yard.

This homemade flower jellies recipe is so easy to make, and a great way to stock your pantry for all year round.

Are dandelions edible? The answer is yes! From the dandelion flowers to the dandelion roots, all parts are edible.

We also share how to can dandelion jelly to preserve the jelly. Also, try our strawberry jam recipe or learn to make dill pickles.

Why Make Dandelion Jelly…

• Fresh dandelions used
• Easy to make
• Simple ingredients
• Canning preserves the jelly
• Makes a great gift

Ingredients Needed

• Dandelion Flowers
• Sugar
• Lemon Juice
• Powder Pectin
• Water

How to Make

Step 1: Start by making your dandelion tea. Place your rinsed petals in a large container and fill with boiling water. Stir and let sit overnight to steep.

Step 2: Next, you will want to sterilize your jars as directed. We share more in depth below.

Step 3: Strain the liquid from the petals, using a cheesecloth. Place 4 cups of the liquid into a pot.

Step 4: Next add in the lemon juice and pectin and stir. Bring the dandelion tea mixture to a boil, and stir continously for 2 minutes.

Step 5: At this time you will take your sterilized jars and fill the jars up with the jelly. Leave 1/4 inch at the top of each jar empty.

Step 6: Wipe down the jars carefully, and place the lids and rims on the mason jars.

Step 7: Place the jars in your canning pot. Bring the water to a boil, and let it boil for 10 minutes.

Step 8: Once done, lift the jars up out of the water, and carefully place on a cooling rack. The seals will pop tight, and then you can tighten the rings.

Store in the pantry or cellar and then once open refrigerate the leftovers.

How to Sterilize Jars For Canning

Sterilizing jars is easy to do. If you are new to canning, we will share how to easily sterilize jars.

In your canning pot you will add water and place your jars and lids in the canning pot with the rack in the bottom.

Make sure you have your cans not sitting on the bottom of pot, or it will break your jars if they get to hot.

Bring the water to a simmer and let it cook for 10 minutes. Make sure to have the water be around 1 inch over the jars.

Once done, remove the jars and lids carefully, and place them on a drying rack. Using hot jars is best when you go to pour the hot jelly into the jars.

We just leave our jars simmering until we are ready to pour.

Storage

How to Store When You Don’t Can Jelly – If you do not can your jelly you can keep it in your jars and store in the refrigerator for around 1-2 weeks. Once opened it will shorten the shelf life.

How to Store of Canned Jelly – Store your jelly in your pantry or cellar. The jelly will store for around a year.

Expert Tips

• Make sure to use allow time for your jelly to cook, this is important so the pectin sets up the jelly.
• Ensure you remove all green parts of the dandelions as well as green portion. You want only the petals.
• Leave room at the top of each jar, that way it has room for the dandelion flower jelly to expand.

Practical notes

Can you eat dandelions?

You can eat dandelions from the roots to the flower petals. From making a dandelion tea, fresh dandelion jelly, and more.

What are the dandelion jelly benefits?

Dandelions are a great source of antioxidants, great for fighting inflammation and so much more.

How to harvest dandelions?

Take clean scissors to clip off the tops of the dandelion flower heads. Make sure to pick up these edible flowers when they are in fewer traffic areas. u003cbru003eYou don’t want to use dandelion flowers that have had chemicals or a lot of animal traffic.

When do dandelions bloom?

Dandelions tend to bloom in spring, depending on the region where you live the time can vary. Early spring is most often the time to keep your eyes out for those pretty yellow petals.

What does dandelion jelly taste like?

Dandelion jelly is mild in flavor. We find it offers a slight honey flavor with the light flavor of the lemon. This is a low sugar jelly recipe, so it isn’t as sweet as other recipes.

Interested in More Jelly Recipes

• Jalapeno Jelly
• Strawberry Rhubarb Jam
• Orange Marmalade
• Concord Grape Jelly

We hope you enjoy this dandelion flower recipe. Let us know if you make the jelly how you like it.

Ingredients

Makes 8 half pint jars

Supplies

• [1/2 pint mason jars ]
• [Canning Pot ]
• Canning Tools
• Cheesecloth

Ingredients Needed for Jelly

• 4 cups dandelion flowers, loosely packed
• 4 cups water
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 box Powdered Pectin
• 4 cups granulated sugar

Method

1. The first thing you want to do is place your dandelion flowers in a jar. Make sure to not have any of the greens or stems. Pour 4 cups of boiling hot water onto the petals.
2. Let the dandelions soak in the water for 4 hours to overnight. This is going to make dandelion tea you will use for the jelly.
3. Sterilize your jars by bringing a pot of water to a simmer and let jars set. Then once the jars are done, you will carefully remove and dry off the jars.
4. Now, you will take dandelion tea and strain it. If you use a cheesecloth it will give you the smoothest jelly.
5. Pour the 4 cups of dandelion tea you have, and put them into a pot on the stove. Add in the lemon juice and pectin and stir. Bring the mixture to a bowl and stir in the sugar.
6. Stirring constantly you will want to cook the jelly for 2 more minutes. You will find it begins to thicken a bit.
7. Ladle the jelly into your sterilized jars. Wipe down the jars if you spill any of the jellies on the jar itself.
8. Place the lid on, and lightly screw on the ring. Place the jars in a pot of water and lower all the jars into the water.
9. Simmer for 10 minutes with hot water. Or use the cooking time as required for your altitude.
10. Once done, remove the jars of dandelion jelly and let them cool. You will hear the seals pop shortly after removing the jars from the pot.
11. When the jars of flower jelly have cooled, you can tighten the lids on jar, and store in your pantry.

Kitchen notes

Why did our jelly not set up

– Make sure you cook the mixture for 2 minutes once you add in the sugar. This is important as it will help the pectin to activate and begin to thicken. We used lower sugar pectin but any powder pectin will work. We have not tried this recipe with liquid. Make sure you use only the dandelion petals, not the green portion or the stems of the dandelion plant.