Elderberries are loaded with antioxidants and vitamins that can help support your immune system, so why not incorporate them into your diet? From syrup to tea to smoothies, there are plenty of ways to enjoy this super fruit. Elderberries are delightfully sweet and tangy. There’s also a tartness and a slight bitterness to them, and they have a remarkable depth of flavor. They’re perfect for making jam, pies, cakes, ice cream, and more. They aren’t as sweet as blackberries or raspberries. However, you can use them in anything that calls for either. Additionally, elderberries are so nutritious. They have tons of antioxidants and health benefits and can help boost your immune system, too. So if all that sounds good to you, check out these 25 elderberry recipes.
1. Elderberry Syrup
This syrup, while tasty, is more medicinal than culinary. You can take up to three tablespoons a day to help relieve cold and flu symptoms. You can purchase elderberry syrup at most pharmacies or supplement stores. However, making your own is simple and much cheaper. It takes about 30 minutes, but you can make an entire 12 ounces at once. Stick it in the fridge, and it’ll last for up to a month.
2. Elderberry Jelly
This delicious jelly uses only five ingredients and tastes phenomenal. It has a wild, tart, and tangy flavor that’ll take your toast to a new level. It tastes similar to blackberry jelly but isn’t as sweet. You can use it on anything that uses jelly. For example, you can put it on your bagels, biscuits, or scones. And it’s incredible on a PB&J.
3. Elderberry Pie
This vitamin-packed pie is beautiful and yummy. It features a warm, buttery crust and the earthy zestiness of sweetened elderberries. It’ll remind you of a blueberry pie, but it’s tarter and has a more complex flavor. The texture is nice, as well.
4. Elderberry Gin
Elderberry gin isn’t something you can whip up overnight. In fact, it takes a solid month to make. Fortunately, it’s well worth the lengthy time, and you won’t need to do much in that month. Basically, you’ll let the berries steep in the gin. Mix them and then store them somewhere cool and dark. After a month, strain the gin and add the sugar and water. The result is a boozy, berry-filled beverage that’ll put a smile on anyone’s face.
5. 4-Ingredient Elderberry Tea
This delicate pink tea is both medicinal and culinary. In other words, it tastes great and helps combat a cold. It uses only four ingredients and has a mild, lightly sweet flavor. Drink it hot to help soothe a sore or scratchy throat.
5. Sweet Elderberry Vinegar
This zingy purple drink is bright and bracing. It’s similar to a sweet balsamic vinaigrette and tastes fantastic on salads. Oddly enough, you can also add it to ice cream or club soda. It livens up the dessert or produces a cold, crisp, refreshing summer drink.
6. Blueberry Elderberry Cake Roll
This easy-to-make sweet treat is soft, spongy, and scrumptious. Also, it’s gorgeous. It’s the ideal treat for serving when company comes to visit. And although it looks challenging, it isn’t hard to create, either. If you can make a pumpkin roll or yule log, you can make this one, too. Note: This recipe is also excellent if elderberries aren’t sweet enough for you. Adding blueberries to the mix gives it a much sweeter flavor.
7. Elderberry Muffins
These dense, tangy elderberry muffins are delectable and vegan-friendly. They’re light and fluffy but have a rich crumble topping for contrasting texture. Serve them for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or a snack. Either way, they’ll be a hit.
8. Immune Boosting Elderberry Smoothie Bowl
This 5-minute smoothie is rich in antioxidants and will give your immune system a giant boost. It’s a simple recipe. You’ll combine elderberry syrup, bananas, berries, and coconut milk. It’s smooth and creamy with a fruity, slightly tart taste. Drink it as a straight smoothie, or add your favorite toppings for a smoothie bowl. (I like toasted pecans and vegan chocolate chips.)
9. Elderberry Kombucha Margaritas
A margarita a day can keep the doctor away. That’s the saying, right? Okay, I know it isn’t. Although, with this margarita, it should be. The elderberry kombucha base is packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and probiotics. You can improve your gut while getting your buzz on. It may not be FDA-approved, but I certainly enjoy it.
10. Special Immune Boosting Smoothie
What’s vibrant, purple, and full of flavor? This immune-boosting smoothie! It’s hard to believe something with such a bright color could be so healthy. Luckily, you don’t have to believe it for it to be true. This five-ingredient smoothie has tons of things that are good for you. It’s mostly fruit with a bit of coconut water and elderberry syrup thrown into the mix. If you need some extra protein, add the protein smoothie boost. It tastes great with or without it and takes just 5 minutes to whip up.
11. Elderberry Mead
Whether you’re a fan of fantasy or just enjoy mead, this recipe is for you. Transport yourself to the middle ages with this robust, sweet-n-sour beverage. Like all mead, it takes several weeks to make. Fortunately, it lasts for several months, as well. Go ahead and make a big batch when you make it. You’ll be glad you did.
12. No-Bake Elderberry Syrup Power Balls
Try these power balls if you’re looking for something nutty, fruity, and not too sweet. They require fewer than 10 ingredients and take less than half an hour to make. They have a dense, chewy consistency. And they’ll keep you going pretty much all day. Did I mention there’s no cooking required? Yeah, these are always a hit.
13. Honey, Elderberry & Ginger Throat Lozenges
You’ll undoubtedly appreciate these all-natural lozenges when flu season rolls around. They feature three soothing and immune-boosting ingredients: honey, elderberry, and ginger. They’re sweetly tart with that typical ginger bite. Not everyone will love their taste. However, everyone will love how quickly they numb an aching throat and calm a cough.
14. Elderberry Powder
Preserve extra elderberries by turning them into elderberry powder. Start by dehydrating the berries. Then, grind them into powder. That’s all it takes. They’re tasty, add a splash of color to your dishes, and are healthy. Also, you can add them to practically anything you want.
15. Elderberry Ice Cream
This soft pink ice cream has a tart, sweet, and slightly wild taste. It’s bright and refreshing like sherbet and will remind you of the mixed berry flavor. If you want, you can add elderberry liqueur to make it a refreshing and boozy treat.
16. Elderberry Lollipops
These aren’t the prettiest lollipops available. For boosting the immune system and fighting colds, though, they’re awesome. Like the lozenges, they help soothe sore throats. They can also keep you from coughing quite so much. They’re tangy, and there’s no ginger to make them hot. If you can’t handle ginger’s spiciness, these might be better options.
17. Elderberry Popsicles
These cold, fruity popsicles are just as beneficial. Plus, you’ll make them with only two ingredients. If you have elderberry syrup and sugar-free juice, you’re all set. They’re a nutritious, delicious way to cool down in the summer.
18. Elderberry Thumbprint Cookies
I don’t care what kind of jam you use in the centers. Thumbprint cookies are always a special treat. These feature elderberry centers and are phenomenal. They’re soft, chewy, and outrageously buttery. Furthermore, the tart and tangy elderberry filling is hard not to love. There’s no refined sugar, and each cookie has only 46 calories. These are a guilt-free treat anyone can enjoy.
19. Fermented Elderberry Honey
This nutritious honey is sweet and sour like all fermented things are. It’s very strong and not something you want to partake in regularly. However, a spoonful now and then really can help keep the doctor away. With new illnesses popping up daily, having a batch of this in storage wouldn’t hurt.
20. Easy Homemade Elderberry Chutney
Need a fall flavor to liven up your meat and sandwiches? If so, give elderberry chutney a try. It’s sweet, savory, and a tiny bit sour. It pairs well with cheeses, BBQ, and many other savory dishes. It’s also relatively easy to make, which isn’t always the case for chutney.
21. Elderberry Oxymel
This tart tonic is another therapeutic option that you won’t want to eat every day. However, if you’re looking for a way to boost your immune system, this is it. It’s full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. There are some probiotics in the mix, as well. Because of its sour flavor, it may not be the tastiest option. It’s remarkably good for you, though.
22. Instant Pot Elderberry Shrub
This five-ingredient drink is sour and herb-flavored. It certainly isn’t something you’d want to have on cheat day. Even so, it’s a natural, vegan-friendly remedy for flu season. Additionally, it takes less than an hour to make. You can whip up enough for 80 servings, so it should last you all winter long.
23. Elderberry Sea Moss Gummies with Bladderwrack and Ginger
Elderberry sea moss gummies with bladderwrack and ginger might not sound appetizing. I mean, the sea moss and bladderwrack alone will throw anyone off! Still, these are unbelievably good for you, and shockingly, they aren’t that bad. They might set your taste buds on fire. But otherwise, they have a tart and enjoyable gummy taste.
24. Apple Cider Vinegar + Elderberry Gummies
Try this recipe instead if you want elderberry gummies but can’t handle the heat. They have the same chewy, gummy consistency and plenty of elderberry flavor. There’s no cinnamon, ginger, or cayenne, though. That should keep them cool enough for you to enjoy.
25. Stewed Elderberries with Baked Semolina
Sweet, milky semolina complements tart and tangy stewed elderberries in this old-fashioned dish. Even if you’ve never had it, it’ll remind you of something your gramma would make. It’s comforting, filling, and primarily sweet, though there’s also some tartness. Unless you’ve tried it, it’s a complicated dish to describe. You’ll certainly appreciate it, though. Try it one night when you want something new and flavorful. Click on a star to rate it!
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