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    Home » Recipes » Round-ups

    All About Juniper Berries + 11 Delicious Juniper Berry Recipes

    Published: May 20, 2021 · Modified: Sep 18, 2022 by Kristen Wood - This post may contain affiliate links.

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    Learn all about juniper berries! Foraging juniper berries, juniper berry benefits, cooking with juniper berries, where to buy + 11 juniper berry recipes!

    juniper berry recipes square graphic

    Living in Northern Arizona, where junipers are plentiful, I've built a strong relationship with these beautiful trees and figured it high-time I put a post together to share what I've learned and encourage others to build a relationship, too. Once you dive into the world of junipers and juniper berries, I believe you'll find a bit of magic in return. Enjoy!

    Jump to:
    • What are Juniper Berries?
    • How-to Forage
    • Where to Buy
    • Flavor + Using Juniper Berries
    • Properties and Benefits
    • 11 Juniper Berries Recipes
    • You Might Also Enjoy
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 11 Juniper Berry Recipes: Four Thieves Vinegar & More!
    a close up macro shot of juniper berries

    What are Juniper Berries?

    Juniper Berries are not actual berries, but rather, seed cones produced by a variety of juniper trees. Juniper trees are coniferous evergreens in the Cypress family. Most juniper species produce safe and edible juniper berries, such as Juniperus communis (Common Juniper), Juniperus deppeana Alligator Juniper, and Juniperus californica (California Juniper). Some species such as Juniperus sabina (Savin Juniper) produce highly toxic juniper berries and should not be consumed. Always do your research before consuming! The berries can be used both fresh and dried.

    foraging juniper berries graphic image

    How-to Forage

    Juniper berries ripen for 2-3 years. They are ready to pick when the tree has a large amount of ripe, mature berries that are blue in hue. If they are still green or bitter tasting, they are not quite ready. You will more commonly find trees ready for picking in the fall and winter. You can simply pluck the berries with your fingers to harvest or shake the tree (ripe berries fall from the tree more easily and are another great way to test that they are ready). Foraging juniper berries is a joy!

    Where to Buy

    Mountain Rose Herbs is a great source for dried juniper berries. You can find fresh juniper berries on Etsy.

    Top pick!
    The Spice Way Juniper Berries The Spice Way Juniper Berries

    Great quality dried juniper berries perfect for these recipes!

    Buy Now
    We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

    Flavor + Using Juniper Berries

    Traditionally, juniper berries are most well-known as the flavoring agent in gin. It is also a common pickling spice. Cooking with juniper berries can be immense fun! They have a somewhat sweet, evergreen-like flavor that is complex and kind of hard to pin down completely. Put simply—they are wonderfully unique! They can be used in sauces, to flavor veggies, or even desserts.

    a wooden spoon filled with juniper berries

    Properties and Benefits

    Juniper berries have a broad range of culinary, spiritual, and medicinal uses and benefits. Some of these include:

    • Supporting the health of the urinary tract system and acting as a powerful diuretic.
    • Aromatherapeutic uses in the form of incense, essential oil, and smudge sticks. Many cultures consider juniper to be cleansing and purifying.
    • Being a good source of vitamin C, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory benefits.
    • Having strong anti-fungal and antibacterial properties.
    • Being a great source of natural yeast, perfect for fermentation recipes.

    11 Juniper Berries Recipes

    Red Cabbage Soup - Where is My Spoon
    Beautiful, creamy red cabbage soup, packed with nutritious ingredients, perfect for a weeknight dinner or for serving to guests.

    Grab The Recipe
    Four Thieves Vinegar
    How to Make Four Thieves Vinegar – a tonic for home and health! Four Thieves Vinegar is an old-time concoction of vinegar, herbs and spices with a wealth of benefits and uses.


    Grab The Recipe
    four thieves vinegar recipe
    How to Make Juniper Berry Tea - Schisandra and Bergamot
    Dried juniper berries can be made into a delicious and healthy herbal tea. Learn how to make juniper berry tea here!
    Grab The Recipe
    How to Make Juniper Berry Tea - Schisandra and Bergamot
    Citrus Punch with Honey and Herbs - Nourished Kitchen
    Sweetened with honey and infused with herbs, this citrus punch is full of flavor and has a deliciously vibrant note. It takes almost no time to make, and it’s packed with flavor.
    Grab The Recipe
    German Red Cabbage Recipe - Where is My Spoon
    A traditional recipe for the German red cabbage, just the way my German mother-in-law makes it. That is: when she doesn’t take the shortcut and uses red cabbage from a jar…

    Grab The Recipe
    3-Step Homemade Juniper Berry Infused Gin - Hilda's Kitchen Blog
    Learn how to make homemade gin at home! Infused Gin, to be exact, using vodka, juniper berries, and other herbs, seeds, and botanicals!
    Grab The Recipe
    Juniper Berry Marinade, Rub, Syrup, Kapusta, Compote - Studio Botanica
    Juniper Berry Recipes are a delicious + nutritious! Check out these recipes + add the goodness of Juniper berries to your day!
    Grab The Recipe
    Juniper Berry Marinade, Rub, Syrup, Kapusta, Compote - Studio Botanica
    How to Make a Wild Yeast Starter - Grow Forage Cook Ferment
    Learn how to make a wild yeast starter for home brewing and natural sodas! From the book The New Wildcrafted Cuisine by Pascal Baudar.
    Grab The Recipe
    Gooseberry Jam with Juniper and Citrus - Family Friends Food
    Flavoured with gin-inspired botanicals, this delicious gooseberry jam is simple to make and preserves summer fruit to enjoy all year.

    Grab The Recipe
    Juniper Champagne Cocktail Recipe - This Mama Cooks
    Juniper Champagne Cocktail is a unique champagne cocktail recipe featuring crushed juniper berries, a pine sprig, and simple syrup.
    Grab The Recipe
    Red Cabbage Slaw with Juniper Dressing - Family Friends Food
    A crunchy red cabbage slaw with deliciously zingy spices. This gorgeous, vibrant, raw vegan salad will brighten any plate.
    Grab The Recipe

    You Might Also Enjoy

    Fizzy Juniper Rose Bath Salts

    Dandelion Recipes + Foraging Tips

    Lavender Recipes

    A Fire Cider Recipe

    If you enjoyed learning about juniper berries, what to do with juniper berries, and these recipes with juniper berries, please share them on social media to show support to the wonderful bloggers featured here. Thank you!

    📖 Recipe

    11 Juniper Berry Recipes: Four Thieves Vinegar & More!

    Learn all about juniper berries! Foraging juniper berries, juniper berry benefits, cooking with juniper berries, where to buy + 11 juniper berry recipes!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate SaveSaved!
    Course: Drinks, Entrées, Side Dish
    Cuisine: Herbal
    Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Additional Time: 14 days
    Total Time: 14 days 5 minutes
    Servings: 32
    Author: Kristen Wood

    Ingredients

    • 4 garlic cloves crushed
    • 1 tablespoon dried thyme
    • 3 bay leaves
    • 2 teaspoons dried rosemary
    • 1 teaspoon black or rainbow peppercorns
    • 1 teaspoon dried juniper berries
    • 1 teaspoon lavender
    • 1/2 teaspoon dried sage rubbed or cut
    • 2 cups apple cider vinegar
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    Instructions

    • In a large jar add garlic, thyme, bay, rosemary, peppercorns, juniper berries, lavender, and sage.
    • Pour apple cider vinegar into the jar.
    • Place a piece of cheesecloth or a paper muffin cup over the jar, then screw the lid on tightly (vinegar reacts with the metal in jar lids).
    • Give it all a good shake, then place in a dark, cool place to sit for 2 weeks.
    • When ready to use, you can strain the vinegar and keep stored in a clean jar, or leave the plant material suspended in the vinegar throughout use. Please refer to the post above for all tips, substitutions and uses!
    • Enjoy.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1tablespoon | Calories: 159kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 29mg | Potassium: 456mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 152IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 161mg | Iron: 7mg
    Have you tried this recipe?Please Rate + Comment Below!
    Mention on Instagram!@moon.and.spoon.and.yum

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    kristen wood

    About Kristen Wood

    Hi, I'm Kristen! A mama, food writer, photographer, recipe developer, and cookbook author. I enjoy sharing both wildly creative and ridiculously practical gluten-free vegetarian recipes that are approachable for all. Welcome!

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