Turn Dandelions Into Honey With This Recipe (2024)

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  • Ingredient Information
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Peggy Trowbridge Filippone

Peggy Trowbridge Filippone

Peggy Trowbridge Filippone is a writer who develops approachable recipes for home cooks. Her recipes range from Grandma’s favorites to the latest food trends.

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Updated on 02/20/24

Tested by

Carrie Parente

Turn Dandelions Into Honey With This Recipe (1)

Tested byCarrie Parente

Carrie is a freelance food stylist and culinary producer who loves having a table full of guests.

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Turn Dandelions Into Honey With This Recipe (2)

Prep: 75 mins

Cook: 90 mins

Steep and Soak: 6 hrs 5 mins

Total: 8 hrs 50 mins

Servings: 16 servings

383 ratings

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Dandelion honey isn't honey made by bees, but rather it is really dandelion syrup made from the flowers and sugar. You're the bee converting flowers into sweet goodness. You can weed those pesky dandelions from your lawn and make a treat from the flowers.

Dandelion honey is a good substitute for honey for vegans or anyone who may have an allergy to traditional bee's honey, with a surprisingly similar flavor. The consistency is thinner than most honey. It has a very similar appearance in color.

If you have a lawn dotted with dandelions and you are sure there haven't been any chemicals applied, you can forage for the flowers. If spring has sprung but the bees aren't yet buzzing enough to make honey, this is a fun seasonal substitute.

Dandelion honey is great on toast, muffins, pancakes, and biscuits. You can use it much as you would use honey in tea and beverages. The tender greens are also good for salads and are tasty cooked with garlic, too. If you find that you really enjoy this process and you have a lot of dandelions in your yard, you can also make dandelion wine and dandelion jelly.

What You'll Need to Make This Dandelion Honey Recipe

A Heavy Saucepan
A Sharp Paring Knife

"Our yard is full of dandelions. So, I went outside and fought off the bees to pick LOTS of dandelion heads. I even got the hubs in on it because the kids are (finally) at school, so he was the only other person at home. Though this wasn't very hard prep, it took A LOT of time." —Carrie Parente

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A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 4 cups dandelion petals

  • 4 cups water

  • 3 lemon slices (1/4-inch)

  • 1/2vanilla bean, split in half

  • 2 1/2 cups granulated sugar

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

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  2. Soak petals in cold water for five minutes to allow time for any insects to exit, then drain.

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  3. Place petals in a heavy saucepan along with water, lemon slices, and vanilla bean.

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  4. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat, and simmer for 30 minutes.

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  5. Remove pan from heat and let steep for 6 hours.

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  6. Strain dandelion tea through a cheesecloth and discard solids.

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  7. Place dandelion tea in a heavy saucepan and bring to a low boil.

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  8. Gradually add sugar to boiling liquid while stirring until sugar is dissolved.

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  9. Lower heat and let simmer uncovered until it reaches desired syrupy thickness. This may take about 1 hour. It will thicken more as it cools.

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Tips

  • Some cooks leave the flower heads intact, but this can add a bitter note to the honey. It's best to use only the petals and eliminate any green parts.
  • If you're concerned about who or what was tiptoeing through the dandelions before you picked them, the rinsing and boiling processes should eliminate any lingering bacteria. However, it's best to avoid patches of dandelions that may have been treated with chemicals. Many aren't eliminated by boiling.
  • Picking the dandelion flowers will keep them from going to seed and propagating more dandelions. That's good news if you want fewer, but bad news if you discover you love dandelion honey and want lots more flowers the next season.
  • Pick dandelion flowers during the daylight while in full bloom. Remove the petals, then measure the petals only. Discard the center of the flower and the stem.

Recipe Variations

  • Try using orange slices in place of the lemon slices for a different citrus flavor.
  • You can add a little bit of fresh herbs such as thyme, sage, bay leaves or lemon verbena to the petal-water mixture. Remove them as soon as you're happy with the level of herbal flavor, before any delicate floral notes get overpowered.

How to Store Dandelion Honey

Store dandelion honey covered in the refrigerator. It should keep for about six months, and it also freezes for longer storage.

Make Your Own Dandelion Wine

  • Foraging
  • American Sides

Recipe Tags:

  • honey
  • breakfast
  • american
  • spring

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Turn Dandelions Into Honey With This Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is homemade dandelion honey good for you? ›

The primary health benefit of dandelion honey involves the digestive system. As a bitter digestive and liver tonic, it enhances appetite and digestion, increasing the flow of digestive juices and aids absorption.

Can I put dandelions in honey? ›

Dandelions are packed full of health benefits. A powerful antioxidant, they are a perfect match for making infused honey. Infusing honey is simple! You simply place the flower, herb, or root you wish to infuse in a jar and cover with honey.

What does dandelion honey taste like? ›

The taste is strong with medium sweetness and a slightly astringent lingering aftertaste that has been described as refreshing. A creamy, buttery texture suits an application on toast and this combination makes a fine morning treat.

Do dandelions produce honey? ›

Dandelion is one of the first single source honey of the season we can harvest and offer for sale, after the long Minnesota winter. It's not a plentiful honey, as only the strongest colonies can make early spring honey.

Why is my dandelion honey bitter? ›

Remove the green parts of the dandelions as they can give the honey a slight bitter taste. The easiest way is to pull the petals off whilst holding the base of the flower.

Who should not drink dandelion root? ›

In some people, dandelion can cause increased stomach acid and heartburn. It may also irritate the skin. People with kidney problems, gallbladder problems, or gallstones should consult their doctors before eating dandelion.

What are 2 things dandelions can be used for? ›

The entire plant is edible. The leaves are the parts most often eaten, either raw in salads when young, or blanched, then sautéed when older. Dandelion roots are often dried and ground to make a coffee substitute, while the flowers are used to make dandelion wine.

Why is my dandelion honey not thickening? ›

If not thickening, adjust the sugar level as needed and continue to simmer. The liquid will firm up further once off the burner, so take it off before it thickens too much. Pour the final product into a mason jar, and use it whenever you need a drizzle of something sweet.

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.

What is the side effect of dandelion? ›

Dandelion might cause allergic reactions, stomach discomfort, diarrhea, or heartburn in some people. Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if dandelion is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

What part of dandelion is bitter? ›

All parts of plant are edible, though the leaves and the flowers are the most delicious. Because the greens are quite bitter, they are often paired with ingredients that temper the bitter bite.

What does dandelion honey smell like? ›

The dandelion honey has a yellow color which varies from lemon yellow to canary yellow. The scent of dandelion honey reminds of Northern woolen sock, which has gotten wet during the archipelago boat trip. The taste of dandelion honey is mild, not too sweet and it has a minor aftertaste of liquorice.

What is the color of dandelion honey? ›

Dandelion honey has an intense golden yellow color. It has a pungent taste and he aroma is described as ammonia. The taste is strong with medium sweetness and refreshing. Dandelion honey help the liver and keep the bowels in a healthy condition.

Is killing dandelions bad for bees? ›

The real problem 2,4-D poses to bees is the destruction of their food supply. Honey bees in particular are fond of dandelions and may be dependent on them in certain seasons. But even more affected are native species of bees that cannot fly far enough to find a new food source.

What is dandelion honey used for? ›

You can use this anywhere you would use regular honey – on toast, drizzled on pancakes, in salad dressings or in tea. If you want to add more interest and complexity to the honey consider adding other fragrant edible flowers in along with the dandelions such as gorse, lavender, rose petals or a little magnolia.

What are the side effects of using dandelion? ›

Dandelion might cause allergic reactions, stomach discomfort, diarrhea, or heartburn in some people. Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if dandelion is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

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.

Is it safe to take dandelion everyday? ›

Is it safe to take dandelion every day? While consuming dandelion as part of a balanced diet is likely safe for most people, more research is needed on taking dandelion as a supplement. Some people may have an allergic reaction to dandelion.

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