Easy Red Clover Jelly

This post may contain affiliate links, my full disclosure can be read here. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Try this red clover jelly recipe for a sweet, floral treat. Get easy canning tips and enjoy homemade floral jelly that’s as tasty as it is simple to make.

If you’re looking for a unique jelly recipe idea to add to your pantry, you’ll love my easy red clover jelly recipe. I’ve made this with my kids for years, and it always brings out big smiles.

If you’ve never tried making jelly from clover, you’re in for a surprise, it’s one of our favorite edible flower recipes. There’s a mild, floral taste that just reminds me of lazy summer afternoons.

It’s simple, sweet, and makes toast or biscuits extra special.

Why This Recipe Is A Keeper

Sweet & Subtle Flavor: Red clover jelly has a mild, floral taste with a hint of vanilla. It’s a refreshing change from typical fruit jellies, perfect if you love something a little different.

Simple Ingredients: With just a handful of pantry staples and fresh-picked blossoms, you’ll get a gorgeous, jewel-toned jelly that feels fancy without being fussy.

A Fun Foraging Project: It’s a chance to get outside, forage with your kids, and turn wildflowers into something special for your pantry.

Easy to Store: Water bath can this jelly for long-term storage by canning or simply keep it in the fridge or freezer, whatever works best for your kitchen and your schedule.

What Does Red Clover Jelly Taste Like?

The jelly has its own unique flavor, just like most floral jellies. To me, it tastes a little like vanilla with a floral undertone.

But it’s definitely an amazing treat and one I love to make each summer.

Ingredient Notes

• 2 cups of red clover blossoms.
• 4 cups water. This is to make the tea.
• 4 cups sugar. Sugar helps the pectin to set. Do not lower the amount of sugar unless you change to using a low/no sugar pectin. But lowering the sugar will change the taste of the jelly.
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice. Lemon juice lowers the pH, making the jelly safe for canning, it also helps the pectin set and balances the sweetness of the sugar.
• 1 box powdered pectin. I usually use the regular Certo or Bernardin Classic Pectin. If you are using bulk pectin, there are 6 tablespoons of pectin in 1 box.

Equipment You’ll Need

• Container to pick the flowers into
• Quart-sized mason jar or similar heat-proof container
• 4 cup measuring cup
• Large pot for cooking the jelly
• Water bath canner (if canning)
• Spoon for stirring
• Cheesecloth
• Strainer
• Jelly jars
• Canning lids and rings
• Jar lifter
• Ladle for filling jars
• Canning funnel

How To Make Red Clover Jelly

Harvest The Flowers

You will need to pick 2 cups of clover flowers.

Before you start harvesting flowers, make sure you know how to properly identify red clover.

Find a clean area that you can pick blossoms from, away from places where people walk their dogs or that have been sprayed with pesticides.

Make Clover Tea

Rinse the flowers under cold water to remove any dirt or bugs. Add the blossoms to a large heat-safe container, I like to use a quart-sized mason jar.

Then, pour 4 cups of boiling water over the flowers.

Close the lid and let the jar sit until it’s cooled, then place it into the refrigerator. I like to let the tea steep overnight for up to 24 hours.

Strain

Line a fine sieve with a dampened cheesecloth and place it over a large measuring cup.

Pour the clover tea into the cheesecloth to separate the solids from the liquid. You can give the flowers a squeeze to help get as much of the liquid out as possible.

You will need 4 cups, if you are a little short, you can add some water to make up the difference.

Making Clover Jelly

Pour the liquid into a large pot, add the lemon juice and powdered pectin. Once you add the lemon juice, the liquid will change from yellow to pink.

Over high heat, bring the mixture to a rolling boil, stirring to help the pectin dissolve.

Add the sugar and return the mixture to a boil while stirring. Boil the jelly for 1 minute.

Remove the jelly from the heat and ladle it into your prepared jelly jars, leaving 1/4 inch headspace.

If you are going to store them in your refrigerator, let the jars cool completely, then place them into the fridge. 

Canning Red Clover Jelly

Canning your flower jelly is optional, but it’s my favorite way to put it up to enjoy throughout the year.

To can the jelly, wipe the rims of the jars with a dampened paper towel or cloth to remove any sticky residue.

Place your canning lid and ring on and tighten finger tight.

Then, place the jars into your prepared water bath canner and process the jars for 10 minutes. If you live over 6,000 feet in elevation, increase the time to 15 minutes.

When the jars are done processing, remove the jars and sit them on a towel. Let them sit undisturbed for 24 hours. Then check the seals, any jars that didn’t seal will need to be refrigerated or reprocessed with new lids.

FAQs

More Flower Jelly Ideas

• Old Fashioned Dandelion Jelly
• Easy Lilac Jelly
• Wild Violet Jelly
• Peony Jelly

Connect With Homestead Acres!

Be sure to follow me on social media, so you never miss a post!

Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Visit my Amazon store to find all my favorite gardening, homesteading tools, and gadgets plus all of my printed garden books and journals!