Dandelion Jam Recipe - Eat Sleep Wild (2024)

by Monica

Dandelions are proliferous in spring and this dandelion jam recipe is a great way to encapsulate their cheerful yellow petals into a delightful jam. The resulting dandelion jam has an almost honey-like quality. Springtime in a jar.
Dandelion Jam Recipe - Eat Sleep Wild (1)
Dandelion jam is super easy to make from foraged dandelion heads. The most laborious part is picking enough dandelion heads and then removing the petals. The legwork is best shared amongst family and friends. Take a nice walk and gather your dandelions along the way. You can pick the petals by hand or use scissors to snip the petals off at the base of the flower. Once you have your petals, the rest is easy. Your foraged flower jam journey awaits!

Dandelion Jam

Dandelion Jam Recipe - Eat Sleep Wild (2)

Make this dandelion jam in the spring when dandelions are proliferous! This recipe makes about 3 small jars but you can easily scale it up.

  • 2.5 cups dandelion petals
  • 450 g sugar (caster or granulated)
  • 1 Tbsp lemon juice
  • 85 ml liquid pectin (see notes)
  1. Remove the petals from the dandelion heads. You can do this by patiently pulling out the petals, or you can use scissors to cut the petals off at the base of the flower. You want to be left with only yellow petals.
  2. Take about 2 cups of your dandelions (reserving a small handful for mixing into the final jelly) and put into heatproof bowl or jug. Pour boiling water over the petals until they are just covered. Allow to steep until it reaches room temperature.
  3. Strain the soaking liquid through a fine sieve to remove the petals. Measure out the liquid – you should have about 1.5 cups. If you have less, add a bit of water to make 1.5 cups. If you have more, don’t sweat it. It will simmer away in the next phase!
  4. Combine the liquid, lemon juice, pectin and sugar in a large saucepan.
  5. Boil until jam reaches setting point (I use the wrinkle test, see notes).
  6. Take the pot off the heat. Stir in the reserved petals.
  7. Pour into hot jars. Leave the lids off for now. Check the jars after about 20-30 minutes. If the petals have risen to the top, you can use a small spoon to stir the jam in the jars to redistribute the petals. It’s no big deal if it sets with the petals on top, it just looks a lot nicer when they’re distributed throughout the whole jar!
  • 2.5 cups of dandelion petals is about 5 cups of dandelion blossoms. Expect about 20-30 minutes of dandelion picking. Make a nice walk out of it!
  • If you can’t get liquid pectin, you could try making this with jam sugar which contains pectic.
  • To test the setting point, I use the wrinkle test: put a plate in the freezer about 10 minutes before you start boiling the liquid. Test for setting point by spooning a small amount of the boiling liquid onto the cold plate. Wait about a minute, then push the jam with your fingers. If it wrinkles, your jam is ready!


Dandelion Jam Recipe - Eat Sleep Wild (3)
Recipe adapted from this recipe forDandelion Herbal Jelly.
While you’re picking dandelions, grab your glove and pick some nettles while you’re at it to make this amazing nettle spanakopita, another springtime foraging favourite.

Category: Recipes, Wild Food RecipesTag: foraged food, preserves

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Comments

  1. Dandelion Jam Recipe - Eat Sleep Wild (7)Angela Clarke

    Can the dandelions be stored until ready to make the jam? If so, how?
    Thanks

  2. Dandelion Jam Recipe - Eat Sleep Wild (9)Geoff Hewlett

    Two methods of storing.
    Complete up to section three and then freeze, this way you have a block of liquid to make into jam, remember to store the petals as well.
    I complete stage one, and then freeze the petals, double bagged, they are fine.

  3. Dandelion Jam Recipe - Eat Sleep Wild (10)Geoff Hewlett

    Sorry, just to make clear, this is the method I use for storing petals from herbs.
    There is no reason why it won’t work here.

  4. Dandelion Jam Recipe - Eat Sleep Wild (11)Julie

    Does this dandelion jam need water bath to preserve longer?

  5. Dandelion Jam Recipe - Eat Sleep Wild (12)Monica Shaw

    I don’t find any need to waterbath!

  6. Dandelion Jam Recipe - Eat Sleep Wild (13)Julie Warner

    Thank you! How long is the shelf life/ and or refrigeration needed?

  7. Dandelion Jam Recipe - Eat Sleep Wild (14)Monica Shaw

    Given the sugar content I suspect it would last for years on the shelf without refrigeration!

  8. Dandelion Jam Recipe - Eat Sleep Wild (15)Alice Louise Langton

    if using Jam Sugar, so I just use the same amount as the sugard stated in the recipe or doe sit need increasing because of the added Pectin content? If increasing, how much would you suggest?

  9. Dandelion Jam Recipe - Eat Sleep Wild (16)Monica Shaw

    I’m not 100% sure but I’d use the same amount of sugar and see how it goes!

  10. Dandelion Jam Recipe - Eat Sleep Wild (17)Sue

    I used the same amount of jam sugar and it has set fine.

  11. Dandelion Jam Recipe - Eat Sleep Wild (18)Sue

    Our garden was full of dandelions which we had left for the bees but now other nectar producing flowers are out, my mind turned to what to do with the dandelions. Found your recipe but did not have any liquid pectin in the cupboard so used jam sugar (which I always have) – same amount of jam sugar as sugar stated in your recipe & it has set quickly. I added the petals to the jars rather than the pan & then stirred in. Looks lovely.

  12. Dandelion Jam Recipe - Eat Sleep Wild (19)Elena

    Could I use pectin powder instead on jam sugar or the liquid pectin?

  13. Dandelion Jam Recipe - Eat Sleep Wild (20)Monica

    I don’t see why not!

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Dandelion Jam Recipe - Eat Sleep Wild (2024)

FAQs

What does dandelion jam taste like? ›

Got a yard full of those pesky little yellow flowers? Send your little dandelion picker out to the yard and make some jelly together. This jelly is amazingly sweet and flavorful. The flavor would best be described as tasting like fresh honey.

Is dandelion jelly safe to eat? ›

Dandelion tea is also a favorite of those that enjoy tea. You can also make sauces with dandelion greens, such as pesto, syrups, and freezer jelly! The Fresh Dandelion Jelly recipe below is a great spread and can be used like honey, spread over toast, peanut butter sandwiches, and more!

What can I do with dandelions? ›

Dandelion leaves are used to add flavor to salads, sandwiches, and teas. The roots are used in some coffee substitutes, and the flowers are used to make wines. In the past, dandelion roots and leaves were used to treat liver problems.

Why does my dandelion taste bitter? ›

Why is it that you hear and read such good things about a plant that, even in its youth, is often excruciatingly bitter? Dandelions growing in dense cut grass tend to be more bitter because of less shading and more root competition for water and nutrients.

Which jam is the tastiest? ›

Strawberry jam is the most favorite jam among jam lovers. Other popular flavor includes raspberry, grape, blackberry, and fig.

Who should not eat dandelion? ›

Bleeding disorders: Dandelion might slow blood clotting. In theory, taking dandelion might increase the risk for bruising and bleeding in people with bleeding disorders. Ragweed allergy: People who are allergic to ragweed and related plants (daisies, chrysanthemums, marigolds) might also be allergic to dandelion.

What happens if you accidentally eat a dandelion? ›

Yes, dandelions are safe to eat—and they're full of flavor and nutrients, too. Although many gardeners might think of dandelions first and foremost as a pesky weed, the plant is a bit misunderstood.

Is it safe to eat dandelion everyday? ›

A person can also use the flowers to make wine. However, it is best to eat it in moderation. In some people consuming a lot of dandelion can have a negative effect on health. In particular, this can impact people living with diabetes or taking medications like blood thinners, lithium, or diuretics.

Can I eat dandelions from my yard? ›

Not only are dandelion greens safe to eat, but they also provide a range of health benefits. All parts of a dandelion plant are edible, from the top of the yellow flower down to the roots. The green leaves of the dandelion can make a healthy addition to salads, sandwiches, omelets, and more.

Should you pull the heads off dandelions? ›

Mowing dandelions does not contribute to the spread of them, but it also does not stop the spread. To stop the spread of dandelions, you must reduce seed spreading by collecting the dandelion seed heads into a bag and taken out of your yard.

Can I pick dandelions from my yard? ›

You can harvest and use every part of a dandelion plant — leaves, flowers and roots. But as always when foraging, use caution when harvesting to ensure you're taking plants from an area free of herbicide use.

Can you pick dandelions and eat them? ›

You can pick the blossoms right from your yard, “but — if you're harvesting wild dandelions — make sure you're picking them from an area you know hasn't been treated with pesticides or other chemicals,” Geib cautions. You don't need to eat them every day to reap the benefits (though you could if that's your jam).

How do you use wild dandelions? ›

Five ways to eat dandelions
  1. Dandelion green salad. This is the most simple way to use dandelion greens. ...
  2. Sauteed greens. Cooking dandelions eliminates some of the bitterness. ...
  3. Dandelion fritters. Collect flower heads and wash them. ...
  4. Baking with dandelion petals. ...
  5. Dandelion root coffee/tea.
May 25, 2017

What part of the dandelion can you eat? ›

Every part of the dandelion is edible: the flower, roots, stems, and leaves. Dandelion greens slightly resemble arugula, though longer, and have a similar spicy and bitter taste. You can harvest the blooms and leaves to make salads and sautéed dishes and use the roots to make tea.

Are dandelions good tasting? ›

Dandelion Greens

The leaves have a unique flavor, both earthy and bitter—it's similar to endive and radicchio. The earlier you pick dandelion greens, the less bitter they will be, which is why people pick ones that emerge in early spring to use raw in a dandelion salad.

What are the benefits of dandelion jelly? ›

They are packed with vitamins and minerals and are highly nutritious. They are antioxidant-rich and high in polyphenols which decrease inflammation in the body, and may help boost the immune system.

Does dandelion root taste good? ›

Flavor Profile

Dandelion tea made from flower petals offers a delicate, sweet taste. Roasted dandelion root teas offer bolder flavor with smoky and toasty notes that are paired with robust flavor. Dandelion leaf teas offer an earthy and herbaceous flavor that can have astringent notes.

Does dandelion root taste like coffee? ›

The best part about dandelion root-based coffee is that it actually tastes very similar to coffee. They both have the same aromatic, robust smell and taste. Plus, it's very easy to dress up or down the same way you would coffee.

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