INSTANT POT ELDERBERRY SYRUP AND HOMEMADE GUMMIES
This Instant Pot Elderberry Syrup and gummy recipe can help keep your family well this cold and flu season!
As cold and flu season is quickly approaching I knew I had to share my top secret recipe that helps keep this family healthy! I’m kidding of course this has long been a method people have used to stay healthy. Before I had kids I was never sick but once I had them I felt like I was always getting whatever they had. I first heard about Elderberry I naturally had to investigate this magical syrup right away! It has helped keep us on the up and up for years.
I have made Elderberry Syrup on the stove for years but the Instant Pot makes it even easier!
For thousands of years the Elderberry has been revered for it’s healing properties. It’s an effective way to support immune function during cold and flu season!
Elderberries are a great source of betacarotene, vitamin B6, and iron. They contain a flavonoid called anthocyanin, an antioxidant that supports immune health. It is antiviral, anti-inflammorty, and contains anticancer properties.
Studies have shown that “chemicals in elder flower and berries may help reduce swelling in mucous membranes, such as the sinuses, and help relieve nasal congestion.”
This elderberry syrup is a staple in our house during cold and flu season. My kiddos take a teaspoon a day and if they get sick we increase the dose to every 2-3 hours. Their favorite way to have it is in gummy form, it’s my favorite too! My husband and I take a tablespoon a day.
These are great to have on hand to give to the kids to keep them from getting sick. Since they look like gummy bears, they love them that much more.
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Brittany Williams has taken the weight loss world by storm with her best-selling Instant Loss Cookbook. After reaching a peak weight of 260 pounds and spending a lifetime struggling with obesity, yo-yo dieting, autoimmune diseases, and chronic fatigue, Brittany changed her relationship with food and lost an astonishing 125 pounds in a year through diet alone.
Brittany’s latest book, Instant Loss Eat Real, Lose Weight shows how to make this a sustainable lifestyle with kid and family-friendly meals—from Strawberry Shortcake Oatmeal to Cowboy Chili to Easy 2-Minute Pork Chops. Members of her growing community have reported losing 50 and even 100 pounds themselves! This cookbook will help others achieve similar success with simple, delicious meals, nearly all ready in 30 minutes or less.
Instant Pot Elderberry Syrup
Print RecipeIngredients
- 1 cup dried elderberries
- 4 cups filtered water
- 1 inch piece of fresh ginger, cut into 4ths
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 3 cloves or 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 cup raw honey
Homemade Elderberry Gummies
- 1 cup elderberry syrup
- 4 tablespoons grass-fed gelatin
Instructions
- Place all ingredients, EXCEPT for the honey, inside of your Instant Pot Pressure Cooker.
- Put the lid on your pot and make sure the valve is in the SEALING position.
- Using the display panel select the MANUAL/PRESSURE COOK function. Use the +/- buttons and select 12 minutes.
- When the pot has finished administer a QUICK RELEASE, move the vent valve from the SEALING position to the VENTING position. When the pressure has been released remove the lid.
- Press the CANCEL button and select the SAUTE function (SAUTE on Less not Normal or More). Let Sauté for about 10 minutes, do this to ensure that any toxin in the seeds has been removed. Liquid will be reduced by half. (You do not need to stir)
- Mash berries with a potato masher and strain through a fine mesh strainer or your Instant Pot strainer basket. Add berries to your compost pile or discard. Let liquid cool to room temperature before adding the honey. You want to make sure the liquid has cooled to at least 118F to persevere the enzymes in the raw honey.
- Store in a jar in the refrigerator for a few weeks. Children should take 1/2-1 tsp a day and adults should take 1 1/2 tsp- 1 tbsp a day during cold and flu season. During illness you can increase frequency of use to every 2-3 hours, until symptoms resolve. Our favorite way to take it is in gummy form. For longer storage, place in ice cube trays and freeze for later use.
Homemade Gummies
- Warm elderberry syrup, add gelatin, and whisk until fully dissolved.
- Spray molds with coconut oil. Using a medicine dropper add liquid to a silicone mold.
- Put full molds in the fridge over night or until liquid solidifies into gummies! Approximately 3-12 hours.
I’ve never made this myself. How sensitive are the times? I.e. putting all together, start but didn’t quickly release pressure, so it sat a while..?
Oh, that’s fine! 🙂 They aren’t sensitive at all.
Can I use a box of unflavored gelatin that can be found at a regular grocery store?
Totally! 🙂
How long does the gummies last and how you stop them.
Do you add the gelatin after you add the honey or do you reheat the syrup again? How warm does it need to be for the gelatin?
After, the gelatin will dissolve at room temp but if you refrigerate you’ll have to warm it before you add the gelatin.
Thanks for this recipe! Which molds do you use? I found that the gummy bear ones you posted are pretty small. How many of those would you think make a teaspoon?
Do you happen to make vitamin c gummies as well?
I use both molds that I have linked above. 🙂 The large red one makes 1 tbsp the small bears 2/3=1tsp. I do but I haven’t posted my recipe yet.
So for the bears, how many bears would a child take per day? How many bears would an adult take per day?
If using fresh elderberries about how many cups would you use?
Fresh ingredients are usually three to one. Shouldn’t really matter too much if it’s off a bit,
Can you substitute ground cinnamon for the cinnamon sticks? I don’t usually have the cinnamon sticks on hand. Thanks.
Absolutely. 🙂
Thanks. Now I need to get more honey. I saw this recipe last year on the instant pot community page and I have the molds and everything else. Now. I need to make it. How much ground cinnamon should I use- like 2 tsp.?
I’d start with 1 tsp. 🙂 It’s so good! You’ll have to update and let me know what you think.
Hi Brittany,
Finally made the syrup today and gummies. I had molds that are 1 inch tall. It made 56 gummy bears. I tried some and it isn’t bad. Should’ve made it sooner because we have a few kids with coughs and runny noses. Now just need to wait for them to form into gummies.
Thank you for the great recipe. I would love to have your vitamin C gummie recipe.
How long do the gummies last? Once molded do they need remain in fridge until consumed? Thanks
Yes, they need to be stored in the fridge. They last up to three weeks. 🙂
How do you store yours in the fridge? Thanks.
In a glass pyrex with a lid (gummies)/mason jar(syrup). 🙂
Thanks.
High or low pressure when making the syrup?
High 🙂
So do you give your children 1 small gummy per day? Did I read it correctly that 1tsp =2/3 of a bear? Thanks for the idea! My children love the gummies!
No. 2 gummies=1 tsp. 🙂
If using fresh elderberries about how many cups would you use?
I have always used dried, but have seen several recipes that call for double the amount of berries if fresh.
Can you use ground ginger instead of ginger root? If so how much?
I would also like to know this!
You sure can! 1/4 tsp should do the trick. 🙂
The problem with using ground ginger is you won’t get the health benefits of ginger. You will get some of the flavor. If I don’t have fresh ginger I just go without.
When you saute to reduce the liquid, do you do it on low, medium, or high saute? Thank you so much!
High 🙂
Hi,
I was wondering how do you store the gummys after they are made?
In a mason jar in the refrigerator. 🙂
Do you have an alternative to honey so that I can give my 5 month old?
Did you find a honey alternative? Also wondering for my 5 month old 🙂
Angela, You can use 100% Pure maple syrup or agave as a honey alternative.
When making the gummies, is the honey already added to the syrup? Then you reheat and add gelatin? Or does this ruin the benefits of honey?
How many gummies does each recipe make if I use the molds listed above?
Hi! How many mg of elderberry is in a serving?
What is the amount of elderberry extract in this juice compared to the commericial gummies?
What can you use in place of honey? I am highly allergic.
100% pure maple syrup?
Sugar?
Agave or molasses can be used I use for under one kiddos who can not have honey.
I just purchased some of the ingredients to make later this week. How tart is this syrup? I read that elderberries (which I never had before) can be pretty tart.
I am also planning on adding the syrup to some San Pell, in order to get an elderberry soda. Thanks for the recipe!
It don’t think it’s very tart, I think the honey helps with that. 🙂
Does it effect the medicinal properties of the honey when you heat it up to add the gelatin?
Should I just add the gelatin while warm and then stir in the honey after it cools? Thanks for the recipe, I look forward to trying it.
You want to make sure the liquid is just warm as to not effect the medicinal properties of the honey. I usually add my honey and gelatin when it’s slightly warm and don’t have any issue with the gelatin dissolving.
Do you recommend any other spray options? My husband is allergic to coconut oil. Also, I have a pressure cooker, not an Instapot. Do you have the alterations for cooking it without the Instapot? I want to make sure they are well cooked to rid the toxins.
Do you put a label on yours? I didn’t see one here. If you had one I could print I would put it on my jars that I make for friends and would be able to give you credit:)
Can I just use regular honey? What is the difference? I need these to ward off colds!!
Does the water need to fe filtered or can I use tap? Thanks!
You can use tap if that’s what you normally use. 🙂
Does it have to stay in refrigerator for few weeks before it is useable? Or is that just how long it will last?
That’s how long it will last. 🙂
My 5 month old granddaughter will be using this as well as my daughter and son-in-law. I have raw honey, but am concerned using it with a baby. Is there an alternative?
100% maple syrup can be used is what is said above
I just made this today. Thank you for the recipe! I ran into an issue trying to make the gummies the syrup and gelatin was setting up faster than I could fill the molds. ☹️ I my dropper would only fill 2-3 with each fill so didn’t think I was going too slow. I used the regular gelatin from my local grocery store. The packets we’re slightly less than a Tbsp but still just used 4. Any guess what I might have done wrong? Any suggestions? We tried the syrup and it seemed fine.
Are cloves a necessary ingredient? I’m not a fan of the taste or smell. Are they overpowering at all?
Hi Christine, You can omit them. 🙂
I am making this now and just received my strainer. The one that the link takes you to doesn’t fit the 6 qt instant pot. Just wanted to give a heads up. The handles on it prevent it from going into the pot.
Excited to see how this turns out!!
Hi Erin,
You’re supposed to bend them up or wiggle them off with pliers. 🙂 I had my husband do it. It’s super easy.
Ok good!! Yay! I’m happy that it will work. Just made my night <3
For the gummies we followed your directions but the gelatin formed so quickly in the Bowl- had to spoon it into the molds. Did we add to much gelatin? Used 1 cup syrup to 4 tbsp of gelatin.. thanks!
I have ginger juice (organic). Any idea how much I could use of that?! Also, I was wondering if I could add vitamin c powder? Any thoughts?
If you use the IP strainer, do you just saute it with the berries still in the strainer?
I just tried making the gummy bears last night but it was still liquidy this morning. I’m not sure what happened?!
Did you use gelatin and store them in the refrigerator?
Yes, I used gelatin and stored it in the refrigerator. I’ve been reading online that you have to “bloom” the gelatin? Is that why it didn’t process?
Do you know how long the gummy are shelf stable? Thank you!! I so appreciate your recipe, thank you for sharing!
They need to be kept in the refrigerator. They last a couple weeks. 🙂
How do you store your unused elderberries? And how long do they last. I was planning on putting them in the freezer, but want to be sure that won’t hurt them.
Are there any other brands of elderberries that you recommend?
Where is gummie recipe? It won’t pull up in recipe. Ugh
So sorry! It is here now.
Ally-Instant Loss Team
I’m very excited to try this but I can’t seem to find the link for the gummy portion that you refer to in this post. Once I have the syrup made how do I make it i to gummies?
How long does the syrup keep for ? And in the fridge ?
And the gummies ? Are they kept in fridge and how long do they keep for ?
I am pretty lax on the gummies and syrup. If it doesn’t have mold on it then they should still be good.
Ally-Instant Loss Team
Where do you purchase your elderberries?
Hi Carly!
You can purchase the elderberries at Sprouts or Whole Foods. Brittany typically buys them on Amazon.
Ally
Instant Loss Team
If I make a large batch (2-4 x recipe) do I need to times my cook time by the appropriate amount also? double batch = cook twice as long, and so on?? I’d like to make large batches and give some away. Thanks!
I’m interested in this answer too. Also do you sauté twice as long? And do you have to sauté at all?
So, if I make the gummies and the syrup… do we need to take both the gummies and syrup each day or just one or the other??
You can do either or 🙂
Ally
Instant Loss Team
What about adding lemon oil? My kids really dislike the taste but elderberry syrup is a must in our house!
Hi Tammy! I haven’t tried that but I would imagine it would taste good! Ally, Instant Loss Team
My daughter is allergic to all things nut, including coconut (ALL tree nuts and peanuts) as well as sunflower (seeds and oil). What kind of oil would you recommend as a substitute? Thanks!
What is the approximate quantity produced from this recipe?
I don’t see the link for the larger molds. Where can I find it?
For the fresh ginger, do you peel it?
Yes.
Hello, if I were to multiply this recipe quantity by 5 would that increase the time it should be in the Insta Pot?
Thanks for your awesome post!
No it would not increase the time.
I just made this. I doubled or, everything but the time, is that correct. ?
Yes
LOVE LOVE LOVE this recipe and making my own syrup! Just wondering how much (approximately) you usually get when you make this? I have made it before, but this time I seem to have a lot less. Thanks!
Please help. You mention using strainer while pressure cooking and keeping the elderberries in the strainer while sautéing. Is this correct?
Hi Maryann!
No, you strain them out and then you sauté to thicken them up. 🙂 Hope that helps!
Yes… that’s terrific and I made this and it’s fantastic! Thank you for your quick response
I made some and used avocado oil spray. They seemed kind of wet and oily when I was done. Maybe I sprayed too much? I want to try it without oil next time. Not sure if that’s a great idea or not. Love to hear what Brittany has to say about it though.
It sounds like you may have used too much oil and my dummies have stuck really bad before when I didn’t use the oil even in the silicone. It’s totally up to you if you want to give it a try though.
Can this recipe be doubled without any alteration to time and finishing method? I would love to supply friends with homemade batches(:
Yes 🙂
Do the gummies need refrigeration?
Where do you get your dried elderberries?
Hi Virginia, I order my elderberries from a company called Frontier Co. off of Amazon. Here is the link to the 1 pound bag that I buy. https://amzn.to/2QIpIui
I made elderberry syrup, set 10 minutes on my instant pot and then totally forgot about it. It sat in the pot for 1hr 10 min 😬. I followed through the instructions and sautéed with for 10 min afterwards. My question is, did I cook our all the nutrients? Ha
No, it should be fine.
How much syrup should this yield?
Hi I accidently bought the beef grass fed gelatin instead of the unflavored. can i still use it for the gummies. I’ve read it shouldn’t really have a flavor but don’t want to waste my elderberries. Thank u
Hello Cynthia,
All gelatin is beef but it shouldn’t be flavored. Beef gelation comes unflavored so unless it has flavoring added to it for seem reason it should be fine.
Great Recipe. Thank you Brittany for sharing such wonderful article with us. My only concern is Taste. Is there any way to add citrus taste to these gummies?