Elderberry syrup in the Instant Pot is the way to go if you love making your own elderberry syrup. It saves money, time, and helps keep your immune system safe from viruses!
Crunchy momma issues.
I’ve been making elderberry syrup for years. Literally. (Ha. I just felt like my 4yo there. Literally. Aaanyway…) Over the past years that I’ve been making it for my family, I’ve only had one problem. Forgetting it on the stove.
Trust me friends, there’s nothing worse than spending the time to make elderberry syrup and then forgetting it on the stove. And coming back an hour later to find everything burned to the bottom of your pot.Â
I’d like to blame this on the six kids running around the house, but… it’s probably just me.
Instant Pot to the rescue!
Then the other day I was watching some of Purely Parson’s stories on Instagram and saw that she made her elderberry syrup in the Instant Pot. Genius. Once again, the Instant Pot saves the day. I knew I had to try it.
So the next time I needed to make elderberry syrup, I dumped my ingredients (well, most of them) in the Instant Pot, and gave it a go. I’m never going back to the stove for my syrup again. No need to keep an eye on it, friends! Set it and forget it!
The players.
Along with the normal elderberry syrup ingredients – elderberries, water, ginger, cloves, and honey – I like to add some herbs. Echinacea and nettles are my current favorites! They’re powerful immune-boosters and I love them in this elderberry syrup in the Instant Pot.
Echinacea is amazing for it’s work at fighting infections. It helps our immune system effectively attack viruses and bacteria.
Nettles may sting you when they’re fresh, but don’t be afraid of the dried herb! They’ve been used for centuries to treat allergy symptoms and have compounds that reduce inflammation and the amount of histamine that the body produces as an allergen response.
Along with the herbs I always add ginger which helps to lower the risk of infections and has anti-inflammatory benefits that rival those of NSAIDs!
Why elderberries?
If you’re wondering what all the fuss about elderberry syrup is, read on. –> These little berries have some awesome benefits! Due to their bioflavonoids, elderberries are strong enough that they can destroy viruses’ ability to infect a cell! Pretty dang awesome, if you ask me. Elderberries also contain more vitamin C than oranges, and are an anti-viral, antibacterial, immune-boosting powerhouse.Â
Just a note for all y’all pregnant mommas: I’ve gotten asked multiple times if it’s safe for pregnant women to take elderberry syrup, since some bottles say not to. It’s true that some doctors suggest pregnant or nursing women should stay away from elderberries. But I’ve taken elderberry syrup through a few pregnancies and never experienced any negative effects.
Other delicious ways to use elderberries.
Besides using them in this rather delicious natural remedy, I do love elderberries in other things, as well. They add a delicious crunch to my Homemade Cider & Elderberry Cranberry Sauce, and a light sweetness to my Probiotic Elderberry Water Kefir.
One more note: please remember that most uncooked elderberries are poisonous. There are a few different genera of elderberry, and the variety of elderberry that is usually used for elderberry syrup is the only one considered to be non-toxic even when raw. Just to be safe though, you might not want to eat handfuls of them straight from the bag…
All about the honey.
Honey also has large amounts of friendly bacteria and is anti-fungal, and probiotic. It’s full of vitamins and minerals like niacin, thiamine, pantothenic acid, riboflavin, vitamin C & B6, calcium, and iron, to name just a few. Aaaand it contains phenolic acids and flavoniods (antioxidants), which help eliminate free radicals. FYI, the darker the honey, the higher the antioxidant levels. And when you’re buying honey, it’s a good idea to try and find local honey.
Need more immune support? Try these…
- Honey Ginger Allergy Relief Tea
- Immune Boosting Sore Throat Tea
- Ginger Yellow Dock Digestive Bitters
- Natural Remedies for Healing Cold Sores
- Easy Immune Support Tincture
Note on the herbs: I usually purchase my herbs from Frontier Herbs or Starwest Botanicals, both of which I buy through amazon.com. I also like Mountain Rose Herbs and the Bulk Herb Store, as well.
In the recipe card I’ve linked to some of the products from my affiliate partners that I like to use. Purchasing through these links won’t cost you anything extra. Thanks!
Elderberry Syrup in the Instant Pot
Free from gluten, grain, eggs, dairy, and refined sugar.
Ingredients
- 1 quart water
- 1 cup dried elderberries
- 2 tablespoons cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon cloves
- 1/4 cup dried nettles
- 1/4 cup dried echinacea
- 1/2 cup honey
Instructions
Combine water, elderberries, and spices in Instant Pot liner. (I use the 6 quart 7-in-1.) Put on the lid, seal the valve, and set the ‘manual’ button to 20 minutes.
When it beeps, quick release the pressure.
Remove the lid and add in herbs. Place the lid back on and let it steep for 5-10 minutes.
Strain out the herbs and berries and stir in honey.
Store in a dark, cool place.
Notes
Makes 1 quart.
Serving size: 1-2 teaspoons a day, as needed.
Don’t forget to pin this elderberry syrup in the Instant Pot!
I like that your recipe includes nettles. Yes, great solution (for busy moms), using the Instant Pot! Pinning to make.
Thanks, Megan! 🙂
Oh my goodness… you are speaking to me! I can not tell you the number of times I have forgotten a slow simmering recipe on the stove top. Thank you for this IP elderberry syrup recipe! Just in time for cold and flu season!
Haha! I’m glad I’m not alone, Meredith! I hope that this recipe helps you, too!
I’m giving this a try right now with my Pampered Chef Quick Cooker! I accidentally put the herbs in along with the elderberries and spices…will it still turn out ok?
They should still be ok, Katie. 🙂
Do you know how the recipe should be modified if using fresh elderberries? I bought some blueberry bushes a few years ago from an online company, and they had just run out for the season so they sent me a couple Elderberry bushes instead. I decided it plant it anyways without knowing what it was and now it’s producing handfuls of fresh berries! I’d love to use them fresh if possible.
To the best of my knowledge (from my research), elderberries are only poisonous if they’re ingested raw, so you should be good as long as you’re cooking them.
I definitely needed this 2 weeks ago when I was coming down with a cold! The ingredients are fantastic. How long does it keep for?
It keeps in the fridge for a few months. You could make a batch and freeze some of it, if you’re worried about it going bad.
Perfect for the nasty winter junk going around! Thanks for the easy way to make it at home!
You’re so welcome, Erin!
I love this! Elderberries are so good for the immune system and the addition of nettles is something I haven’t seen but it makes sense! I drink nettle tea and love it, must try this recipe.
I hope you enjoy it, Carina!
Had no idea that elderberry had so many benefits! And the addition of nettles makes it a yummy health syrup for all ages!
Yes! It’s such a helpful remedy! 🙂
Such a lovely and delicious syrup that goes with so many things! Easy to make too!
Thanks, ChihYu!
This information is very handy to me right now as I try to reduce histimine in my system. I love how you use all these natural remedies that so many of us don’t know or have forgotten about.
Thanks, Don! I’m so glad to hear you find this helpful!
I haven’t hopped on the elderberry train but i really to!
Yes, you should!
I love that you can make this in the IP and save some time. It is that time of year when the kids keep getting colds from school. Thanks for letting me know that uncooked elderberries are poisonous.
You’re so welcome, Stacey! 🙂
Well, this sounds like some good stuff and cool that you’ve made it in the Instant Pot. Definitely need to try this week as our immunity could stand to be boosted!
I hope you find it helpful, Jennifer!
Do you need to modify the recipe for an 8qt instapot? I am brand new to this type of cooking. Thank you! And thanks for the great recipe and tips!
Nope! You don’t need to modify the recipe for an 8qt. Instant Pot. 🙂
My grand rougher is not to have honey for another 6 months. Could I use maple syrup??
I would probably just leave out the honey, if she can’t have it. The honey is in there mainly for the nutritional value. Maple syrup doesn’t contain the same nutritional properties and would just be a sweetener. If your granddaughter is fighting something off or trying to build up her immune system, she should stay away from sweeteners. 🙂