Roselle Recipes & Other Easy Ways to Use Roselle

Since many of us Floridians are harvesting an abundance of roselle right now, I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorite roselle recipes.  Let’s take a look at some fun ways to use the red calyx from your roselle plants.

Roselle Recipes & Other Fun Ways to Use Roselle

Roselle, or hibiscus sabdariffa, has a tart cranberry flavor with a little bit of a lemon undertone.  I like to use roselle in any recipe that calls for cranberries. There are lots of fun ways to use roselle.

​Roselle Jam

Making roselle jam is easy.  You won’t need any pectin, as the seed pods contain natural pectin.  Remove the seed pods from the calyxes you will be using. Pierce them and just slightly cover them with water in a pot.  Boil them for 20-30 minutes. 

Scoop out the seed pods with a slotted spoon and add your washed calyxes to the water. Boil those for 20 minutes until it becomes a thickened pulp. Measure out the volume of your pulp and add that same volume of sugar.  Add a dash of lemon juice and cook for another 10-20 minutes until it is jam consistency.  Pour it into a mason jar and keep it in the refrigerator. 

Dried Roselle for a Simple Hibiscus Tea

Roselle can be dried in the sun on drying racks or in a dehydrator. Pour just-boiled water over some dried roselle petals for a simple Florida cranberry tea. You can drink it hot or iced.

Make Roselle Citrus Tea

For a fancier take, blend up dried roselle, stevia leaves, lemon grass or lemon balm, and lemon peel.  Add two tablespoons to your hot water and let it steep. If you want a little extra sweetness you can add some honey to the mix. For a fun twist, garnish this roselle tea with fresh mint leaves or fresh oranges.

Use Roselle to Make a Jamaican Sorrel Drink

Truth be told, there are so many yummy ways to make refreshing roselle drinks.  You can enjoy a roselle drink hot, iced, spiced with a cinnamon stick, or even spiked. 

Roselle “Mock” Cranberry Sauce

Why not use roselle for a mock cranberry sauce this Thanksgiving?  It’s so easy, you may never make traditional cranberry sauce again.  To a medium saucepan add:

• 4 cups fresh roselle calyxes
• 1½ cups of water
• ½ cup freshly squeezed orange juice
• 2 cups cane sugar
• Zest from 1 orange
• A pinch of salt

Combine all ingredients except for orange zest in a pot and bring to a boil. Simmer on low to medium heat for 8-10 minutes, stirring constantly so it doesn’t scorch. Add the orange zest and refrigerate.

Fresh Roselle in a Salad

Add some zest to your salads with roselle.  Use the fresh petals in your favorite salad to kick the flavor up a notch.

Ferment Roselle in Honey

This makes the most beautiful, cranberry-flavored honey.  Dehydrate roselle and add it to a jar of honey. Use a weight to keep the roselle submerged in the honey.  Once your honey has turned a nice garnet color, remove the roselle with a slotted spoon. 

Roasted Roselle, Sweet Potatoes, and Brussels Sprouts

One of my staple roselle recipes is roasted veggies and roselle.  Add chopped roselle to sweet potatoes and brussels sprouts, toss in olive oil, add a pinch of salt, and roast in the oven. You can even add some pecans and brown sugar to the mix to make it extra special. Yum!

Some Other Ways to Use Roselle That I’ll be Trying Soon

• Make Roselle Syrup- This is one of the most versatile roselle recipes I have found. I think I will give it a try. 
• Infuse Roselle into Witch Hazel for a face astringent. The many health benefits of roselle, such as being high in vitamin c and antioxidants, makes it great for your skin.  Add some dried roselle to a jar of witch hazel and submerge it with a weight.  Let it sit for 4-6 weeks. Strain out the roselle and it’s ready to use on your skin. 
• I may even try some candied roselle, using brown sugar, if I still need a fun way to use up some roselle. 

How to Deseed Roselle Hibiscus

Deseeding roselle the correct way is key if you want your calyxes to remain whole.  Take a sharp knife and slice off the base of the red calyx, just above the stem.  You can then push the seed pod through, popping it out. 

How to Store Roselle Calyces Until You’re Ready to Use Them

Roselle will keep in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.  I prefer to keep roselle in an airtight container, like a mason jar.  For longer-term storage dehydrating them works well. 

Get Creative With These Roselle Recipes 

Now that you have added these delicious recipes to your recipe box, get busy using up all that roselle. Cooking with roselle can add to your everyday cooking fun. You can even make roselle wine or use it for tie-dye! Which one will you try first?

You may also enjoy reading: How to Make Hot Pickled Peppers: A Quick & Easy Recipe

Happy Homesteading,

Jenny @ The Grahamstead Family Farm

Jenny and her family have been homesteading for more than two decades. They currently live on a 10-acre farm in Northeast Florida, which they built from the ground up, nine years ago.

On their farm, they grow 100% of their meat and most of their vegetables. With a small herd of Aberdeen Angus cattle, pastured poultry, sheep, and seasonal pigs, they not only meet their family’s meat needs but also sell their surplus to the local community. They are dedicated to sustainable practices like making compost, seed saving, and processing much of their garden and animal harvests at home. You can find Jenny wandering through her garden, making herbal tinctures, preserving food, making bone broth, and one of Jenny’s favorite hobbies, tanning all types of hides.