3 ways to make dandelion honey
In this post we will teach you three ways to make dandelion honey! The vegan way, which is not really honey at all - but a vegan sugar syrup alternative made from dandelion flowers. And the other two ways are actually made from dandelions infused in real honey. Pick which option works best for you and read along! This would be great in our Fresh flower dandelion tea, dandelion lemonade and dandelion iced tea.
Why you'll love vegan dandelion honey:
Dandelion has a beautiful flavor and texture, very similar to real honey - but is a safe alternative to vegans. It's a great way to use those nutritious dandelions from your yard. Use it anywhere you would normally use honey, like in tea, baking, and on toast.
The recipe in the recipe card below is for vegan dandelion honey, but we will also go over the methods of making a fast and slow honey infusion in case you were looking for a true honey recipe. We've got you covered! First you'll need to gather your ingredients and harvest your dandelions.
Ingredients:
- 4 cups dandelion petals
- 4 cups water
- 3 lemon slices
- ½ vanilla bean, split in half
- 2 ½ cups granulated sugar
harvesting your dandelions:
Dandelions are easily identifiable and abundant. They’re notoriously easy to harvest and simple to clean and use. The entire plant is edible from flowers, leaves, to root.
I like the harvest my dandelions from my own garden. We’re lucky to have a garden where they grow abundantly, without fertilizer, however we also don’t have pets. Make sure you’ve located a safe space that’s free of fertilizer and that is not visited by dogs.
To harvest the entire plant from root, use a weeding fork. I have and can recommend this one. Angel the fork about an inch into the soil to loosen the root, and then carefully pull the entire plant from the ground. Shake free from dirt and remove any damp or slimy leaves.
Ideally, you would harvest dandelion while it’s still young, as it becomes extremely bitter after the leaves become older.
cleaning dandelions for consumption:
Run dandelion crowns and green through water, while carefully opening their crowns to be sure you’ve removed any dirt and pests. Let them sit in cold water for five minutes to allow any remaining bugs to exit and the drain water.
how to make vegan dandelion honey:
Step 1: Harvest and clean your dandelion flower tops, save the greens and root for Arugula and dandelion greens salad with dandelion root lemon vinaigrette or dandelion lemonade.
Step 2: Place the dandelion flower petals in a heavy saucepan along with water, lemon slices, and vanilla bean.
Step 3: Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat, and simmer for 20 minutes.
Step 4: Remove pan from heat and let steep for 6 hours - overnight to infuse all the amazing benefits of dandelion.
Step 5: Strain dandelion tea through a cheesecloth and discard plant material, leaving only the liquid.
Step 6: Place the liquid in a saucepan and bring to a low boil.
Step 7: Lower heat and let simmer uncovered until it reaches a syrupy thickness. This usually takes 45 minutes - one hour. It will thicken more as it cools.
Frequently asked questions:
Can I add other ingredients to add to the flavor?
Yes! Feel free to add some other flowers, like lavender or chamomile to infuse your honey. Add ½ tablespoon to your honey. See our How to make flower infused honey for inspiration on what to try.
How long will this honey last?
Store it at room temperature for up to one month or in your refrigerator for up to six months. You can also freeze it up to a year.
How should I store it?
In an airtight sealed container.
Can I use more parts of the dandelion?
Yes, the honey will be more nutritious if you do! But dandelion greens and root are bitter, and can change the taste of your honey. Save whatever you didn't use for for Arugula and dandelion greens salad with dandelion root lemon vinaigrette or dandelion lemonade.
What if my honey doesn't look thick enough?
It will thicken as it cools, but if you feel certain it isn't syrupy enough, add another ½ cup of sugar and continue to simmer.
how to make real dandelion infused honey:
You can also make dandelion infused honey. There are fast infusions, which include heating your honey and ingredients on low heat so that the honey takes on the flavor quickly. You can see an example of this in my garlic hot honey recipe. Or, you can use a slow infusion ( my preferred method ) and let the ingredients sit at room temperature for a long time. Slow methods are a great way to achieve stronger flavors and a little zen.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup dandelion flowers
- 2 cups raw local honey, still runny
- 3 lemon slices
- ½ vanilla bean, split in half
For slow infused dandelion honey:
Use the same method used in our How to make flower infused honey
- You start by harvesting and cleaning your dandelions, use the tops of the dandelion only - save the greens and root for Arugula and dandelion greens salad with dandelion root lemon vinaigrette or dandelion lemonade.
- Place your dandelions in a jar, and cover in raw, local honey. Be careful to ensure the honey is covering all of the plant material to prevent mold.
- You let the honey sit and infuse for 4-6 weeks in an airtight container.
- Strain ingredients from honey and store in an airtight container.
For a fast infused dandelion honey:
When you need your honey quickly, this is a good method.
- You start by harvesting and cleaning your dandelions, use the tops of the dandelion only - save the greens and root for Arugula and dandelion greens salad with dandelion root lemon vinaigrette or dandelion lemonade.
- Add all of your ingredients to a small sauce pan
- Simmer on medium low for five minutes
- Strain ingredients from honey and store in an airtight container.
How to store and shelf life: Honey never goes bad, but we make sure we use all of our infused honeys within one year. Store in jar with an airtight seal.
Nutritional benefits of dandelions:
what else can i make with my dandelions?
Enjoy these other recipes on frolic and fare with dandelions.
- Make healing soup with this herbal bone broth
- Arugula and dandelion greens salad with dandelion root lemon vinaigrette
- Refreshing dandelion iced tea recipe
- Dandelion lemonade
- Fresh flower dandelion tea
Vegan dandelion honey
Ingredients
- 4 cups dandelion petals
- 4 cups water
- 3 lemon slices
- ½ vanilla bean split in half
- 2 ½ cups granulated sugar
Instructions
- Step 1: Harvest and clean your dandelion flower tops, save the greens and root for Arugula and dandelion greens salad with dandelion root lemon vinaigrette or dandelion lemonade.
Step 2: Place the dandelion flower petals in a heavy saucepan along with water, lemon slices, and vanilla bean.
Step 3: Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat, and simmer for 20 minutes.
Step 4: Remove pan from heat and let steep for 6 hours - overnight to infuse all the amazing benefits of dandelion.
Step 5: Strain dandelion tea through a cheesecloth and discard plant material, leaving only the liquid.
Step 6: Place the liquid in a saucepan and bring to a low boil.
Step 7: Lower heat and let simmer uncovered until it reaches a syrupy thickness. This usually takes 45 minutes - one hour. It will thicken more as it cools.
Notes
Yes! Feel free to add some other flowers, like lavender or chamomile to infuse your honey. Add ½ tablespoon to your honey. See our How to make flower infused honey for inspiration on what to try. How long will this honey last?
Store it at room temperature for up to one month or in your refrigerator for up to six months. You can also freeze it up to a year. How should I store it?
In an airtight sealed container. Can I use more parts of the dandelion?
Yes, the honey will be more nutritious if you do! But dandelion greens and root are bitter, and can change the taste of your honey. Save whatever you didn't use for for Arugula and dandelion greens salad with dandelion root lemon vinaigrette or dandelion lemonade. What if my honey doesn't look thick enough?
It will thicken as it cools, but if you feel certain it isn't syrupy enough, add another ½ cup of sugar and continue to simmer.
