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Dandelion Jelly

Photo Credit
minadezhda/shutterstock
Written By: The Old Farmer’s Almanac Editors The Almanac Editors and Staff
Yield
Makes about 5 cups.
Category
Dips and Spreads
Course
Other
Credit
Robert Thomas
Sources
Old Farmer's Almanac

This Dandelion Jelly recipe makes a beautifully golden, clear, delicate jelly. It’s surprisingly delicious—similar in taste to honey. Dandelions (Taraxacum officinale) are a wonderful spring foraging plant as its flowers, leaves, and roots are completely edible!

We found this Dandelion Jelly recipe in The 1977 Old Farmer’s Almanac, along with recipes for dandelion root coffee and batter-fried dandelion blossoms.

Notes: Don’t be overly concerned that dandelion blossoms are food for bees; this is not as big an issue as folks make it out to be. See which flowers are best for our native bee pollinators. However, if you are concerned, make sure you leave some dandelions for the bees and do not overharvest. Of course, never harvest dandelions from areas that have been treated with pesticides or other chemicals. 

Ingredients
1 quart (4 cups) of bright, fresh dandelion blossoms
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 package of powdered fruit pectin
5-1/2 cups of sugar

Instructions

  1. Rinse the dandelions quickly in cold water and snip off the stems and green collars under the blossoms. Boil the petals in 2 quarts (8 cups) of water for 3 minutes. Cool and strain through a fine mesh sieve, pressing the petals with your fingers to extract all the juice.
  2. Measure 3 cups of the dandelion liquid and place in a large stainless-steel saucepan. Add 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and 1 package of powdered fruit pectin (1 ¾ ounces). Bring the mixture to a boil. Add 5 ½ cups of sugar, stirring to mix well. Continue stirring, and boil the mixture for 2-½ minutes.
  3. Quickly ladle hot dandelion jelly into 4 hot sterilized pint jars leaving ¼-inch of headspace.  Wipe the rims of the jars and add lids that have been washed and dried. Add screw bands and tighten until fingertip-tight.

To Can Dandelion Jelly

If you plan to eat the jelly within several weeks, keep it in the refrigerator (or freeze). However, if you want the jelly to last up to a year, you’ll need to “can” or process the jars under high heat. Here’s how:

  1. Place jars on a rack in a boiling water bath canner and make sure they are completely covered with water (1 to 2 inches above the jars). Cover with a lid and bring to a boil.
  2. Process ½ pint and 8 oz jelly jars for 10 minutes.
  3. Remove canner lid waiting 5 minutes, then remove the jars to a towel on the counter and cool for 12 to 24 hours.
  4. Test sealing of jars by pressing lightly in the lid’s center and store sealed jars. Any jars that don’t seal may be refrigerated and used.

About The Author
The Old Farmer’s Almanac Editors

The Old Farmer’s Almanac Editors

The Almanac Editors and Staff

Under the guiding hand of its first editor, Robert B. Thomas, the premiere issue of The Old Farmer’s Almanac was published in 1792 during George Washington’s first term as president.Today, the Almanac...
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Comments

<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Mon, 04/15/2019 - 14:54

Thank you for your feedback, Toni. Very helpful.

 <span>Toni</span> Sat, 04/13/2019 - 02:34
I really want to try this recipe but would need to know how long to water bath the jelly. I don't use wax. Any suggestions?
<span>Ceecee</span> Fri, 04/12/2019 - 11:41
5 1/2 cups of sugar!!!
<span>John</span> Sat, 04/13/2019 - 08:59
Let's face it, all jellies are essentially flavored sugar. That's why they're so good!
<span>Martha Furman Kojro</span> Fri, 04/12/2019 - 10:23
PLEASE don't suggest covering jelly with paraffin. That is an UNSAFE method of sealing. The proper, safe, sanitary method is a hot water bath. Please remove this recipe until revised to include the time for water bath processing.
<span>Denise</span> Fri, 04/12/2019 - 23:45
Martha - the recipe does not need to be deleted. It can be edited. Or since you made it clear that it does not need to have paraffin wax to seal - it should be sufficient!!! I have seen enough of people trying to start drama with other topics - you don't have to be one of them! That was not nice!
<span>John</span> Sat, 04/13/2019 - 09:01
Amen to drama-free dandelion postings!!
<span>Cindy</span> Fri, 04/12/2019 - 14:52
Goodness, the article clearly states this recipe appeared in a 1977 mag. The directions given make a very small batch. Paraffin wax is still commonly used in storing small batches of jelly for a short period of time (no longer than 12 months), at least here in the South where I live! Make as directed and store in a cool, dry, dark place.
<span>Jane</span> Wed, 12/21/2016 - 22:51
How much does this make? Can you Water-Bath Process this? and How long?
<span>Roxanne</span> Sat, 04/13/2019 - 15:15
Follow the instructions on the Pectin Box