16 Recipes That Make the Most of Juniper Berries (2024)

We love winter coziness, and no one does it better than the people of Denmark, whose concept of coziness, AKA hygge (pronounced hoo-gah), is sweeping your Pinterest and Instagram feeds. They know a lot about good living up north, and in honor of hygge, we’ve decided to highlight another Nordic specialty: juniper. The citrusy, piney berry that’s used to flavor gin is the real key to feeling warmed from the inside out, and these 16 recipes showcase it in a way you’ll find irresistible.

Juniper Lime Cake

16 Recipes That Make the Most of Juniper Berries (1) Gin is flavored with juniper, and just like the refreshing gin and tonic, this cake gets a boost of flavor from tangy lime. (via Butter, Sugar, Flowers)

Rhubarb and Juniper Berry Jam

16 Recipes That Make the Most of Juniper Berries (2) If you want to start incorporating more juniper into your meals, this jam is the place to start. Spread this combination of rhubarb, juniper berries and sugar on any bread or baked good for a snack that will transport you to a brisk Scandinavian forest. (via Kitchen Heals Soul)

Juniper Sea Salt Dark Chocolate Panna Cotta

16 Recipes That Make the Most of Juniper Berries (3) If you like rich desserts, this one’s for you. Bittersweet dark chocolate and woodsy juniper are balanced by a sprinkle of sea salt and a hint of sweetness, and you’ll find yourself dreaming about the creamy texture. (via Local Milk)

Pear, Plum and Juniper Berry Pie

16 Recipes That Make the Most of Juniper Berries (4) You don’t often see a fruit pie suited to winter, but this honey-glazed pastry is the exception to the rule. Plums, apples, pears and juniper berries make for a dessert that’s equal parts sweet, tart, and piney, for a complex treat you’ll devour. (via My Nordic Kitchen)

Juniper and Smoke Marshmallows

16 Recipes That Make the Most of Juniper Berries (5) Take a minute to erase those powdery, often stale supermarket marshmallows from your mind. After one bite of these smokey, piney, gloriously soft and sticky homemade marshmallows, there’s no going back. (via Local Milk)

Vanilla, Fig and Juniper Cake

16 Recipes That Make the Most of Juniper Berries (6) We always like a cake that can double as dessert and breakfast, and this one does the trick. Full of figs and flavored with a vanilla juniper syrup, this cake is a treat whether served with a cup of coffee or a digestif. (via An Edible Mosaic)

Hazelnut Sweet Potato Pancakes With Juniper Syrup

16 Recipes That Make the Most of Juniper Berries (7) Made with mashed sweet potato and hazelnut milk, these vegan pancakes are definitely delicious. Topped with ample amounts of warm juniper syrup, however, they’re placed in a league of their own. (via Woodland Keep)

Port, Juniper and Orange Pork Chops

16 Recipes That Make the Most of Juniper Berries (8) Pairing fruit flavors with meat can sometimes feel challenging. The key is balance, and this sauce, with sweet oranges tempered by juniper berries and port, perfectly accompanies these juicy pork chops. (via A Stack of Dishes)

Juniper Orange Slow Cooker Chicken

16 Recipes That Make the Most of Juniper Berries (9) Cooking with new ingredients can feel daunting, but this recipe has a helpful shortcut. It uses a juniper-infused orange jam to flavor a batch of slow cooker chicken, which can then be used in tacos, sliders and more. (via Cooking and Beer)

Gin and Bitter Lemon Sorbet

16 Recipes That Make the Most of Juniper Berries (10) Sometimes, you want to end your night with something boozy and a little sweet, and that’s where this recipe comes in handy. Made with juniper berries and bitter lemon peel, along with lemon juice and gin, this sorbet is an adults-only dessert that makes for an elegant end to any meal. (via Domestic Gothess)

Cheesy Ham, Juniper and Tomato Sauce

16 Recipes That Make the Most of Juniper Berries (11) The piney, citrusy flavors of juniper are a great way to lighten up heavier dishes. In this recipe, juniper adds a much-welcome kick of flavor to a creamy skillet of ham, cheese and tomatoes. (via Loaves and Dishes)

16 Recipes That Make the Most of Juniper Berries (12)

12. Juniper and Honey Pots De Creme: In simple desserts, honey is sometimes better than sugar. Here, it adds a depth of flavor that can stand up to resinous juniper berry, for a creamy, rich dessert that will leave your taste buds tingling. (via Pass the Cocoa)

Juniper Braised Red Cabbage

16 Recipes That Make the Most of Juniper Berries (13) If you want to try a new spice, but aren’t ready to commit, sample it in a side dish. This red cabbage, braised in a complex, flavorful liquid, is the perfect introduction to juniper. (via The Kitchen Maus)

Sage and Juniper Brined Pork Chops

16 Recipes That Make the Most of Juniper Berries (14) Here, the solution to bland, dry pork chops is found in a juniper and sage brine that seasons the meat all the way through, and keeps it juicy while it cooks. (via Chew Town)

Fermented Juniper Berry Juice

16 Recipes That Make the Most of Juniper Berries (15) If you love lemonade, you’re in for a treat. This lightly fermented juniper berry juice is tart like lemonade, but with a touch of exotic flavor that will remind you of the Northern Lights. (via Balkan Lunch Box)

Vodka and Juniper Salt-Cured Salmon

16 Recipes That Make the Most of Juniper Berries (16) You never know what you’re going to get with cured salmon from the grocery store. Instead, make your own salt-cured salmon at home, infusing it with flavors of juniper, rosemary and lemon. (via Feasting at Home)

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Justina Huddleston

Justina Huddleston is a food writer living in Los Angeles. When she's not busy writing, she spends her time in the kitchen creating both virtuous and decidedly junky vegan food. Buffalo chickpea pizza, anyone? She's also been known to eat a plain block of tofu or beans straight out of the can for lunch, but somehow those culinary adventures don't make it to her Instagram. You can follow Justina on Twitter or see what's cooking in her kitchen on her blog, A Life of Little Pleasures.

16 Recipes That Make the Most of Juniper Berries (2024)

FAQs

What can you make out of juniper berries? ›

Juniper is commonly used with lamb (or mutton) and is particularly good with venison, wild boar, and even domestic pork. You could even add them to a pot of chili, to give a rustic flavor that complements ground smoked chile peppers. Juniper is also a good flavoring to use with roast duck.

What foods are juniper berries used in? ›

Juniper berries are most famous for their use in gin. It can be used as a spice—a little goes a very long way. It's a great adjunct to meat dishes such as beef, pork, or wild game such as venison. Scandinavians, Northern Italians, and Germans use juniper berries in many dishes.

What is made from juniper berries? ›

Gin is a beloved drink among many, and its unique flavour comes from juniper berries. Juniper berries are an essential part of London dry gins and other gin types, adding a distinctive taste and aroma to the spirit.

What do Native Americans do with juniper berries? ›

Juniper Berries can be dried and used for seasoning , American Natives burned the ash and used it add tannic acid to their diet to promote digestion, immunity & gut health. This ash and juniper branches are used for ceremonial purposes.

What happens if you eat too many juniper berries? ›

But it is LIKELY UNSAFE to take more than 10 grams of juniper berries or more than 100 mg of juniper oil, or to take juniper for more than 4 weeks. It can cause kidney problems, seizures, and other serious side effects.

Who should not take juniper berries? ›

Warnings About Juniper Berries

‌In animal studies, researchers have found that taking juniper for too long or taking high doses has consequences. It can irritate your digestive system or your kidneys. Some researchers warn against taking juniper supplements if you have diabetes. It might make your symptoms worse.

Which juniper berries are not edible? ›

NOTE: The berries of Juniperus sabina and Juniperus oxycedrus are not safe for human consumption and should be avoided.

Is it safe to eat raw juniper berries? ›

These strong berries are often dried and used sparingly for cooking and home remedies. The intense taste of the juniper berry means eating it raw is not advised, but it can be used for a variety of things in the kitchen. Ripe berries can be used in a marinade or applied to meat before cooking.

What does juniper berries do to your body? ›

Juniper is used for digestion problems including upset stomach, intestinal gas (flatulence), heartburn, bloating, and loss of appetite, as well as gastrointestinal (GI) infections and intestinal worms. It is also used for urinary tract infections (UTIs) and kidney and bladder stones.

What pairs well with juniper? ›

Juniper Companion Plants
  • Ornamental grasses for contrasting textures and movement.
  • Perennials like coneflowers (Echinacea) and sedums for seasonal color.
  • Drought-tolerant ground covers such as creeping thyme or low-growing succulents.
  • Fellow evergreens like dwarf spruces or yews for a cohesive look.
Oct 19, 2023

What eats juniper berries? ›

juniper berries provide an important source of energy, containing 46% carbohydrate and 16% fat. Birds eat and disperse the seeds. Rabbits, coyotes, and many small mammals also eat the juniper berries, spread- ing the seed across the landscape.

What are the best uses for juniper berries? ›

Juniper berries can help to alleviate gas, bloating, and other stomach upsets. For this reason, as well as for their flavor, juniper is often used as an ingredient in herbal bitters and sodas. Juniper berries also contain what is known in Traditional Chinese Medicine as a “bitter principle”.

Does juniper berry repel bugs? ›

Insect Repellent

Just like citronella oil, the scent of juniper may naturally repel bugs like mosquitoes according to scientific research.

How many juniper berries per day? ›

Most juniper berry supplement labels recommend taking 1–6 grams per day, divided into multiple doses. These supplements are not appropriate for children and should be avoided by women who are pregnant, as juniper berries are considered uterine stimulants and may cause miscarriage in high doses (23).

Can you do anything with juniper berries? ›

They can be used whole or ground as a cooking ingredient. Also, juniper oil is distilled from the leaves and wood of the tree. It's an ingredient in cosmetics. Juniper is used in supplements, too.

Are raw juniper berries edible? ›

The common juniper, Juniperus communis, is the variety most often used to make gin, medicines, and food dishes, as it is considered safe for human consumption. Other edible juniper berries include: Juniperus drupacea. Juniperus phoenicea.

Is eating juniper berries good for you? ›

Studies indicate juniper has antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer, as well as blood sugar, blood fat, and blood pressure lowering properties.

References

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