Gooseberry, Apple & Mint Jelly has a beautiful, delicate and refreshing flavour with a back note of cider from the cider vinegar. The perfect accompaniment to lamb.
I’m thrilled to be sharing this awesome Gooseberry, Apple & Mint Jelly with you!
After discovering that jelly making is pretty easy and doesn’t require a special jelly bag or an upturned stool when I made my Blackberry & Apple Jelly I decided to make another jelly.
On finding 3 punnets of reduced gooseberries and having some Bramley apples in the fridge I decided a Gooseberry, Apple & Mint Jelly would be a fab combination.
I already have a Gooseberry & Apple Jam on the blog so I knew these flavours married well.
What is the key to a good flavour?
The key to a really good flavour is to use a good quality cider vinegar, I used a Taste Award-winning organic one. Your gooseberries should be verging on underripe, to just ripe. You don’t want soft ones and there’s no need to top and tail them.
I did top and tail mine as I was toying with baking a cake, to begin with! The sharp-tasting Bramley apples get chopped whole unlike jam-making so prepping the fruit is far quicker.
Using fresh and not dried mint makes all the difference too.
What makes this Gooseberry, Apple & Mint Jelly special?
The beauty of this jelly is its jewel-like clarity and the suspended chopped mint (if you were entering a show these things score you extra points).
These are achieved by not squeezing the fruit while it’s dripping (do not be tempted) and using freshly chopped wet mint leaves (so that they are damp when added).
This stops the chopped mint from floating to the top of your jelly.
Plus waiting for the jelly to cool a little also helps the mint to disperse evenly.
What does Gooseberry, Apple & Mint Jelly go with?
Well, the number one use is with lamb, whether barbecued (used as a glaze), pan-fried or roasted. The apple in this jelly also makes it suitable for roast pork!
I also tried it with some Cheddar cheese on a cracker this afternoon and liked the added fresh kick.
I am a total fan of this jelly so I think I’ll add it to anything and everything!
More Jelly Recipes
I hope you try my Gooseberry, Apple & Mint Jelly as I can eat it straight out of the jar it’s so good. If you’d like some more jelly ideas then do check out the following recipes:
Pin for later!
Leave a comment and rating below when you’ve made this recipe; I love getting your feedback! You can also share your pictures by tagging @FabFood4All over on Instagram.
Gooseberry, Apple & Mint Jelly
Ingredients
- 800 g gooseberries
- 500 g Bramley apples
- 25 g bunch of fresh mint
- 450 g granulated sugar per 575 mls juice
- 425 ml cider vinegar I used organic
Addition
- 10 g mint leaves
Instructions
- Chop the whole Bramley apples into dice (don’t peel or core) and tip into a preserving pan or large heavy bottomed pan along with the whole gooseberries (don’t top & tail).
- Add enough water to just cover the fruit and then add the bunch of mint.
- Bring to the boil and then reduce to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes (or until fruit is soft).
- Add the cider vinegar and simmer for another 5 minutes.
- Take off the heat and pour into a jelly bag or similar (see notes for my hack) and leave to drip overnight over a large container. (Do not squeeze the fruit or jelly will be cloudy not clear).
- Place 2 – 3 saucers in the freezer for testing set.
- Measure the juice, add to preserving pan and stir in 450g or granulated sugar for each 575 ml of juice.
- Heat gently to dissolve the sugar, stirring constantly.
- Remove any scum with a slotted metal spoon.
- Once the sugar has dissolved slowly bring the pan to the boil and once at a rolling boil, time for 15 minutes, keep stirring, then take off the heat.
- Test a few drops of jelly on a chilled saucer and pop in the fridge for a minute.
- Push you finger through the jelly and if it crinkles and forms a gel like clot which you can tip over then it’s ready. If not boil up for another 2 minutes at a time and repeat test until ready. (Mine took 17 minutes).
- If there is any scum left then remove (there shouldn’t be now).
- Allow the jelly to cool for a few minutes while you rinse and finely chop the mint (see notes).
- Then stir the mint through the jelly to evenly disperse.
- Pot up into10 small (190 ml) hot sterilised jars (see notes) using a ladle and jam funnel if you have one and place lids on immediately.
- You may find the jelly tries to set before you get it in the jars, if this happens then just set the pan over a low heat.
- Store in a cool, dark place (eg garage) and once opened keep in the fridge.
- Unopened jars will be good for at least a year.
Liz henderson
How long does this keep for thanks lizhenderson
Camilla
Hi Liz, in the last line of the recipe I say that unopened jars will be good for at least a year. It didn’t last long here or I gifted it so didn’t manage to test it beyond that. It will be safe to eat for many years it’s just that colour/quality goes down over time.
Ben Holdsworth
I’m a bit confused as the cider vinegar doesn’t appear in the video!!
Camilla
Well spotted Ben, the recipe is in full in the recipe card at the bottom of the post, I obviously missed that step when making the video.
Ben Holdsworth
OK thanks, Camilla, that’s put my mind at rest!
I’ll give this recipe a go this week as we all loved a crab-apple and mint jelly I made last year and I just love gooseberries. I think that’s called a ‘win, win situation’
Camilla
Great Ben, I’m sure you’ll love it, everyone I gave a jar to raved about it:-)
Patricia Knight
Could you convert this to pounds. sorry to ask but I think this is a recipe that I need.. Thank you.
Camilla
Hi Patricia
1 lb 12 oz gooseberries
1 lb 1 oz Bramley apples
1 oz bunch of mint
15 oz granulated sugar
15 fl oz cider vinegar
1/3 oz mint leaves
Happy jelly making:-)
Alison
This looks delicious! Loving your jelly bag hack. I tried to make crab apple jelly last year with a tea towel but it failed miserably! I might have to try that instead.
Camilla
Thank you Alison, I do love a good hack:-)
Choclette
Absolutely love these photos Camilla. There’s a handful of us that are really into preserves and I keep thinking we ought to have a group, but never quite sure what exactly for
Camilla
Thank you so much Choclette. I thought about creating a group but just don’t have time to run one as takes a lot of work!
Candace
I can imagine this jelly going really well with a nice mature cheese and fresh bread or with a ploughmans
Camilla
Thank you, you’re not wrong:-)
jackie thompson
An I use eating apples as I can’t get Bramleys anywhere? and reduce the sugar? By how much thanks Jackie
Camilla
Hi Jackie, you could just use gooseberries on their own or I imagine Granny Smith apples would be a good substitute for Bramleys as they’re quite tart. I wouldn’t advise using any less sugar as it may affect the set as well as the keeping quality of the jelly. I can’t advise you as it isn’t something I have tried I’m afraid.
jackie thompson
Many thanks x
kellie@foodtoglow
Great recipe and lovely video, Camilla! I just used up my gooseberries but I am pinning in case I come across some in the market. Love the flavours so much!
Camilla
Thank you Kellie, I do hope you find some gooseberries, I’m sure you’d love this jelly:-)
Jacqueline Meldrum
Beautiful photos Camilla. It looks glorious. My mum is a big fan of goosegogs and would love this.
Shared 🙂
Camilla
Thank you Jacs, I think even if you don’t like gooseberries usually anyone would love this jelly:-)
Claire Jessiman
What an absolutely stunning colour. I love the clarity you get with a jelly and these flavours sound wonderful. I’m going to have to see if I can hunt down some gooseberries.
Camilla
Thank you Claire, it’s going down very well with everyone I’ve given it to:-)
Janice
You’ve definitely got the hang of the jelly making now. That looks just perfect and I can imagine how delicious it tastes.
Camilla
Thank you Janice, can’t believe I shied away from making jelly for so long!
Natalie
Wow you’ve made it looks soooo good, so delicate. I love how it’s clear and color is amazing. Need to share this. ANd add to my to try list.
Camilla
Thank you so much Natalie, I was very pleased with the look and taste:-)
Heather
What a great flavor combination.. I love gooseberries and the mint is such a great surprise! Very creative and I love that you show how easy it is to make homemade jelly…
Camilla
Thank you Heather, it really is simple and delicious:-)
swathi
This is unique recipes with tangy gooseberry and sweet apple and scenty mint. I will try to make this jelly. Or you can send me one. I am happy to receive that.
Camilla
Thank you Swathi, I have been gifting my jelly and it’s been going down very well:-)
Claire
I love the set on this….so crystal clear.
Is it wrong that I am dreaming about being the first one to rupture the surface and take a scoop!!!!
LOVELY!
Camilla
Thank you Clare, no not wrong at all:-)
Melssa
Oh this sounds yummy, I love the idea of putting it with some cheddar on a nice cracker! I make a yummy goat cheese phylo cup too that I bet this would be amazing with! I will have to try it and let you know.
Camilla
Thank you, yes so many cheese things it could go with:-)
Tammy
Gosh your jellies are always so beautiful, Camilla! I love the sound of this one with the gooseberries 😀 One of these days I’m going to make my own…adding this one of the list of recipes to try 🙂
Camilla
Thanks Tammy, it is well worth making:-)
Noel Lizotte
Such a pretty jelly!! Totally going to see if I can add this to some gift baskets! It’s a unique flavor combination and so will be appreciated by my family!
Camilla
Thanks Noel, I have gifted quite a few jars and they have gone down really well:-)
Marisa Franca
This sounds like a fabulous combination. I haven’t used gooseberries in anything before although I used to make lots of jams and jellies. Your jelly’s color looks like the richest ruby. You really give some great tips – I like the one on how to get the mint to suspend. I will have to try my hand at this one.
Camilla
Thanks Marisa, I love the colour too and glad you like my tips:-)
Cathleen @ A Taste of Madness
Wow! What a delicious sounding combo! I don’t even know where I can find gooseberries in Canada!
Camilla
Thank you Cathleen:-)
Kylee from Kylee Cooks
oh my goodness, you are totally speaking my language. The minute I saw this, I thought – oooh, good glaze for pork chops. No wait, with cheese and crackers. Ahhhh whatever… out of the jar with a spoon!! I love this!!
Camilla
Thank you Kylee, it is out of this world good:-)
Celeste
What a combination of flavors, looks so delicious, perfect for those savory and sweet recipes. This would make perfect gifts for the holidays..
Camilla
Thanks Celeste, yes I’ve already been gifting my jars:-)
Veena Azmanov
I love making homemade jams and jellies. Nothing beats making these at home. I have never made mint or gooseberry jelly yet but definitely saving this to try. Looks so pretty.
Camilla
Thank you Veena, I’m sure you’ll love it:-)
Claudia Lamascolo
what a unique flavor. I bet this will go fabulous with leg of lamb. I know I am a huge fan of mint with lamb but the berry and apple will compliment it even more. Maybe even a pork roast. You are very creative!
Camilla
Thanks Claudia, ooh I hadn’t thought to have with pork, good idea:-)
Valerie
I love the flavor of apple, including in jelly, jam and butter. I’ve never had this flavor combination, it sounds intriguing.
Camilla
Thanks Valerie, it works so well!
Kavita Favelle
We love making jellies in our house too, including mint, so delicious. Love the addition of gooseberry into the mix!
Camilla
Thanks! I’m a total convert now Kavey:-)