Elderberry recipes are popular amongst herbalists of all levels, and for good reason! They are not only tasty, they also have wonderfully supportive herbal properties. There are so many ways to use these wild berries!

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Wildcrafting Weeds

If you want to learn more about the edible and medicinal weeds that surround us and how to use them, check out my eBook: Wildcrafting Weeds: 20 Easy to Forage Edible and Medicinal Plants (that might be growing in your backyard)!

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Herbal Properties of Elderberries

Let’s be honest, the best way to use herbs is to let your “food be your medicine.” I mean, you have to eat anyway, right?

Elderberries can be made quite flavorful and are easily incorporated into a variety of recipes and remedies. They can be transformed into a wide range of dishes, from rustic to decadent desserts, candies, cocktails, fermented beverages, and breakfast items, as well as preserved in jams, jellies, and other preserves.

Studies have shown that elderberries have a significant effect on reducing the duration of colds and their associated symptoms. Elderberry syrup is one of the best homemade herbal recipes that anyone can make.

Elderberries contain polyphenols and lectins, which have been shown to give them the ability to inhibit coronaviruses. Although further studies are needed, the antiviral properties of elderberries have also been linked to reducing the duration of influenza.

Remember, raw elderberries can upset your stomach when consumed in high quantities. The glycoside content that can cause issues is reduced when the berries are cooked or fermented.

Where to Find Elderberries

Elderberries are abundant and easy to learn how to forage. Freezing the berries before processing or using a fork to run through the umbels makes easy work of removing the stems.

If you miss the window to harvest elderberries or can’t find any in your area, you can purchase dried elderberries from Mountain Rose Herbs.

Get more winter wellness recipes for teas, infusions, syrups, honey ferments, oxymels, and gummies in my ebook Herbal Immune Support: Homemade Recipes for Wellness!

70+ Elderberry Recipes

Elderberry Drinks

Elderberries make delicious and refreshing drinks. They can be used in a gut-healthy Elderberry Kombucha.

Or a delicious, probiotic-rich, Fermented Elderberry Soda with Honey & Ginger.

Or you can infuse elderberries into cocktails like Elderberry Infused Vodka, Elderberry Gin, or Elderberry Lemon Basil Cocktail.

My elderberry syrup cocktail made with vodka is an easy cocktail recipe made with elderberries you should try if you already have elderberry syrup on hand.

This Hedgerow Martini sounds like the perfect way to enjoy your elderberry syrup at the end of a long day at work when you’re feeling run-down and like you might be starting to come down with something.

Elderberries make fantastic wine and you can make your own Elderberry Wine at home.

Elderberry Coridials are an adult version of elderberry syrup made with ginger, cinnamon, and rose hips.

I admit I’m partial to Elderberry Mead, which is a naturally fermented honey wine. It’s an excellent holiday drink when mulled. Celebrate and stay healthy!

Elderberry Smoothies made with elderberry juice, grapefruit, blueberries, raspberries, and mangoes would be a great way to start the day!

Elderberry Spritzer and Black Elderberry Lemonade sound like such a refreshing drink for those hot and steamy late summer days.

Elderberry Desserts

Indulge yourself guilt-free and enjoy beautiful, rich desserts with these elderberry recipes! This Elderberry Curd Mandala Tart, made with a chocolate crust, is beyond decadent.

Not to mention Elderberry Poached Pears or Rustic Elderberry Galette.

Whoever said you can’t have your cake and eat it too was dead wrong! Red Wine and Elderberry Pears with Ginger Cake turns pears a glorious crimson color for the perfect fall dessert.

But let’s not stop there. You could also bake Elderberry Cream Cheese Cupcakes or Blueberry Elderberry Cake Roll with that beautiful naturally lilac-colored filling.

Keep it simple with an Elder Almond Pound Cake or you can bake Elderberry Confetti Cake with Elderberry Plum Curd. Check out the ombre frosting on that one! So cool!

If you’re more of a pie person, we’ve got more than a handful of elderberry recipes for pie to share there too. These Plum & Elderberry Syrup Hand Pies are a must-bake! Love that late-summer fruity combination, it’s perfect!

Or you can simply showcase the pure berry flavor with an Elderberry Pie, a gluten-free Elderberry Cobbler, or Elderberry Honeycomb Cream Pie which is like a custard pie made with elderberry preserves. I love the fancy honeycomb top. What an easy trick!

This Elderberry & Almond Pie and a scoop of vanilla ice cream is calling my name. (Maybe Elderberry Ice Cream would be a better choice?)

While Plum & Elderberry Curd Tartlets or Cream Puffs with Elderberry Filling would be so adorable to serve at your next gathering.

Main Dish Elderberry Recipes

Elderberries aren’t just for sweets! The color on this Warm Elderberry Soup is stunning!

You can make some main dishes with all of that berry goodness too. If you’re a red-meat lover, try Venison with Elderberry Pan Sauce or Beef Tenderloin with Elderberries. Both sound delicious and are elegant enough to serve to company!

Unless it’s game night. Then you’re going to want to bust out the Elderberry Buffalo Wings!

Elderberry Breakfasts

Is there a better way to start your day than with a herbal support? Top your pancakes with Elderberry & Blueberry Yogurt Whip.

Tuck some Elderberry Jam filling into Banana Coffee Cake Muffins. Or toss some berries into Elderberry & Einkorn Scones made with wholesome ancient grains.

Bake up some quick Elderberry Muffins and entice the children with that crumbly streusel topping.

Elderberry Buckwheat Pancakes and a vibrant purple, fruity Elderberry Smoothie Bowl would also bring the kids running with no complaints.

I don’t see why Elderberry Chia Pudding wouldn’t be a great way to start the day, especially if you’re feeling crummy and don’t have much of an appetite. Sure is a lot healthier than many other “breakfast” foods.

I wouldn’t mind waking up to Stewed Elderberries with Baked Semolina or a simple Elderberry Compote beautifully swirled into Greek Yogurt.

Elderberry Herbal Support

Elderberries can be easily incorporated into various herbal support recipes. These wild berries possess amazing herbal properties, and they are also delicious in these recipes.

Elderberry Juice is the base for many of these recipes, so that’s a great place to start.

Use it to make homemade Elderberry Cough Drops. Or make the juice a little sweeter and spicier for a more flavorful Elderberry Elixir.

Fermented Elderberry Honey is such a sweet way to soothe a sore throat and calm a cough. Thanks to the properties of elderberries and raw honey, you’ll be feeling better in no time!

Elderberry Oxymel is similar, with the addition of raw vinegar, which may provide extra probiotics if needed.

But let’s not forget the good, old-fashioned, trusty Elderberry Syrup.

Echinacea is also featured in my Elderberry Tincture recipe.

Elderberry can also be incorporated into beverages like tart and fruity Elderberry Shrub and herbal teas such as Elderberry Spice Tea or my favorite, Herbal Support Tea Blend.

Elderberry Recipes for Kids

Elderberry Popsicles are great, especially if you’re having a hard time getting the poor little one to drink anything. Not many would turn down a purple popsicle!

Elderberry Vinegar Honey Caramels combine elderberry-infused vinegar and honey to make sweet herbal support candies.

Or you can make little chewy Elderberry gummy bears with grass-fed gelatin and no artificial food dyes!

If your child isn’t too sure about this whole elderberry thing, you can sweeten the pot with Elderberry Thumbprint Cookies.

They certainly won’t pass by Homemade Elderberry Marshmallows either.

Personally, I’d try making Elderberry Syrup Power Balls with dried cherries, chia seeds, toasted hazelnuts, and, of course, elderberry syrup. Cookies for mommy… and then maybe I’d share.

Elderberry Lollipops are perfect for children with sore throats that need some soothing (plus they just sound delicious!)

Preserving Elderberries

If you’re lucky enough to have come across a big yield of elderberries while foraging, you’ll need a way to preserve them. Thankfully, you have many choices!

Elderberry Powder is a new idea I’d never heard of before! It’s a great way to sprinkle a little tart flavor and herbal boost to your meals. Or you can incorporate it into many of the other recipes we’re sharing here.

You can also simply dehydrate or freeze the berries for later (which is a great way to remove the berries from the stems.)

Elderberries are wonderful candidates for all of your preserve-making ventures. You can make Sugar-Free Elderberry Jam sweetened with stevia!

Or you can make Elderberry Jelly or elegant Elderberry Chia Jam.

Elderberries mix well with other fruits when you’re making a jam. Try Elderberry Peach Jam, Elderberry Strawberry Jam, or the one I’m most excited to try, Elderberry Apple Jam. A great use for early-season apples that will be ready around the same time elderberries ripen.

You can also preserve not-quite-ripe elderberries as homemade capers! What a novel idea!

Or a spicy, chunky Elderberry Chutney is sure to be delicious.

What is your favorite way to enjoy elderberries?