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Fresh Homemade Dandelion Jelly Recipe with Lemon and Honey

fresh homemade dandelion jelly - featured image

A simple and delicious jelly made from fresh dandelion petals, enhanced with lemon and honey for a bright, floral, and sweet spread perfect for spring and summer.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups fresh dandelion petals, loosely packed (no stems or leaves)
  • 4 cups water
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1/2 cup honey (raw or local preferred)
  • 3 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 packet (about 1.75 ounces) powdered fruit pectin (e.g., Sure-Jell)
  • Optional: pinch of turmeric powder (for color enhancement)

Instructions

  1. Pick about 4 cups of fresh dandelion petals on a dry day, removing stems and leaves. Rinse gently in cold water to remove dirt and insects (about 15 minutes).
  2. Place the petals in a large pot and add 4 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and steep gently for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  3. Strain the dandelion infusion through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a large bowl or pot, pressing gently to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the petals.
  4. Measure out 4 cups of the dandelion liquid, adding water if needed, and pour back into the pot.
  5. Stir in 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, 1 teaspoon lemon zest, and the entire packet of powdered fruit pectin. Whisk well over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until pectin dissolves.
  6. Bring the mixture to a full rolling boil, then add 3 cups granulated sugar all at once. Stir vigorously to dissolve sugar. Return to a full boil and cook hard for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
  7. Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 cup honey immediately.
  8. Ladle the hot jelly into sterilized jars using a jar funnel, leaving about 1/4 inch headspace. Wipe rims clean and seal with lids.
  9. Let jars cool completely at room temperature until jelly sets with a firm but spreadable texture. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks or process in a water bath for longer shelf life.

Notes

Use only yellow dandelion petals to avoid bitterness. Steep petals gently to preserve flavor. Fresh lemon juice is essential for flavor and jelly setting. Honey adds depth and sweetness beyond sugar alone. Work quickly when filling jars to avoid jelly setting prematurely. If jelly doesn’t set, reheat with more pectin and reprocess. For vegan version, substitute honey with maple syrup or agave nectar.

Nutrition

Keywords: dandelion jelly, homemade jelly, lemon honey jelly, floral jelly, spring preserves, natural jelly, easy jelly recipe