Last Updated on May 17, 2023 by Ellen Christian
Are magnolia flowers edible? Have you tried pickled magnolia flowers? Learn how to make pickled magnolia petals and try them today.
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Pickled Magnolia Flowers Recipe
I love adding edible wild foods to my menu plan. It’s a wonderful way to keep your grocery budget in check. And, most edible wild foods are free since you can find them growing locally.
Be sure to ask for permission if you would like to go onto a local front yard that isn’t yours. But, if you have magnolia trees on your property, you can pickle magnolia blossoms for free.
The large flower buds are gorgeous and they make your yard absolutely bursting with color.
What are the benefits of pickled magnolia flower?
Pickled magnolia flowers are a great way to enjoy the flavor of magnolia blossoms without having to worry about their delicate petals wilting. They also have several health benefits, including being a rich source of antioxidants and vitamins.
What do you eat pickled magnolia with?
Pickled magnolia flowers make a wonderful addition to salads, sandwiches, tacos, and more. They are a great way to add a unique flavor twist to any dish. Plus, they are just plain pretty – making them perfect for plating up an impressive appetizer or side dish.
What does pickled magnolia taste like?
Pickled magnolia petals have a mild flavor with a hint of sweetness. They can be a great addition to salads, sandwiches, omelets, and more.
Which magnolia flowers are edible?
Most magnolia trees have edible flowers, but some species are not safe to eat. For example, Japanese or star magnolia (Magnolia stellata) is not edible. Be sure to consult with an expert before harvesting any wild flowers for consumption.
These are the most common edible magnolia flowers.
- Magnolia x Soulangeana (Saucer Magnolia)
- Magnolia Grandiflora (Southern Magnolia)
The pink tinted saucer magnolia is the one that we have in our yard.
How to pick magnolia petals
When harvesting magnolia flower petals, be sure to pick the largest buds since they tend to have the most flavor. It’s best to do this in the morning when the flowers are freshly opened and before they wilt away.
If you want to eat them fresh, pick the younger petals as they will be more tender. To harvest, simply pinch off or cut up the individual petals from their stems.
Never pick all the petals from the tree. And, do not pick any bruised petals or those that have started to turn brown.
Ingredients for pickled magnolia flowers
Petals of 8-10 magnolia blossoms.
1 cup natural apple cider vinegar (you can use rice vinegar).
1/2 cup water
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. sugar
4 clove buds
1/2 tsp. coriander
5 black pepper peppercorns
Other vinegars you can use for pickled magnolias
- rice vinegar
- white wine vinegar
- any light vinegar
How do you pickle magnolia flowers?
It’s very easy to make pickled magnolia blossoms. You use much the same process to make pickled ginger.
1. Remove the pistil and stamens from the magnolia flower. Rinse the petals with cool water and dry them on a towel.
2. Prepare the jars by the volume of a cup. Pour 3-4 tbsp. of room temperature water into each jar and heat in the microwave for 4 minutes at full power. Drain off the remaining water. Wash the lids and cover them with boiling water.
3. Fold in the magnolia petals carefully.
4. Fill the jars with the petals. Place the water, apple cider or rice vinegar, and spices in a saucepan. Heat vinegar marinade until boiling.
5. Pour the hot marinade into one jar. Cool the remaining marinade. Fill the other jar with the marinade. After 2 hours put the jars in the refrigerator.
The result is a beautiful pink vinegar that is not only delicious but makes an impressive looking gift.
How else can I eat magnolia petals?
You can eat a fresh magnolia petal raw as is. Or, you can add them to a garden salad or sandwich.
Some people enjoy them deep fried in tempura batter. It’s very popular in East Asia. Pickled magnolia blossom sushi is also very popular.
If you enjoy making sushi, try a fresh magnolia petal wrapped around your sushi.
Related Reading
Pickled Magnolia Flowers Recipe
Are magnolia flowers edible? Have you tried pickled magnolia flowers? Learn how to make pickled magnolia petals and try them today.
Ingredients
- Petals of 8-10 magnolia blossoms.
- 1 cup natural apple cider vinegar (you can use rice wine vinegar).
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1 1/2 tsp. sugar
- 4 clove buds
- 1/2 tsp. coriander
- 5 black pepper peppercorns
Instructions
1. Remove the pistil and stamens from the magnolia flower. Rinse the petals with cool water and dry on a towel.
2. Prepare the jars by the volume of a cup. Pour 3-4 tbsp. of room temperature water into each jar and heat in the microwave for 4 minutes at full power. Drain off the remaining water. Wash the lids and cover with boiling water.
3. Fold in the magnolia petals carefully.
4. Fill the jars with the petals. Place the water, vinegar and spices in a saucepan and boil the marinade.
5. Pour the hot marinade into one jar. Cool the remaining marinade. Fill the other jar with the marinade. After 2 hours put the jars in the refrigerator.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 9Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 99mgCarbohydrates: 1gFiber: 0gSugar: 1gProtein: 0g
Ellen is a busy mom of a 24-year-old son and 29-year-old daughter. She owns six blogs and is addicted to social media. She believes that it doesn’t have to be difficult to lead a healthy life. She shares simple healthy living tips to show busy women how to lead fulfilling lives. If you’d like to work together, email info@confessionsofanover-workedmom.com to chat.
