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Homemade Strawberry Jam Recipe (Easy Strawberry Freezer Jam)

If you love the taste of fresh picked strawberries, you are going to love this Homemade Strawberry Jam recipe. However, what you are going to enjoy most about this recipe is that it is super easy to prepare, because there is no cooking of the berries required. That is because it can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer.

In fact, this recipe is so easy that even the novice cook can make it without any difficulty. With just 3 ingredients, you will be able to enjoy fresh, homemade jam for an entire year!

However, before I get to the actual recipe let me explain the difference between jam and jelly because the question always comes up. In very general terms, jam is made with fresh fruit, and jelly is made from the juice of the fruit.

homemade strawberry jam recipe on toast
Homemade strawberry jam that is super easy to make and requires no canning equipment!

Although they both have the same fruit flavor, the texture is quite different. Jam is traditionally thicker and it has small bits of the fruit scattered throughout the gel mixture.

On the contrary, jelly is smooth and contains no actual pieces of fruit. It spreads easily and is often used to make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for those who like a smoother texture.

However, this time of the year, with the fresh strawberry season in full swing, strawberry jam is the preferred choice of many. In fact, it is the most popular method of preserving strawberries.

Traditional Method To Make Strawberry Jam

Although, the traditional way to make jam is to actually boil the fruit with pectin. Then the jam is put into jars and boiled so that it can have a shelf stable life for up to a year.

However, that takes a lot of effort, time and equipment. So instead, this recipe focuses on an easy way to make jam that requires no cooking of the strawberries and no special canning equipment!

Homemade Strawberry Jam Recipe

*Specific measurements and complete recipe instructions are located in a printable recipe card at the bottom of this article. However, be sure to continue to read the tips and tricks to making this recipe below.

INGREDIENTS

INSTRUCTIONS

The first step in making homemade strawberry jam is the prepare the strawberries. This recipe calls for 2 cups of crushed berries.

Depending on the size of the berries, 1 quart of whole berries will equal approximately 2 cups of crushed berries. However, I would suggest having a few extra strawberries on hand just in case you have to remove any bad spots or large stems.

strawberries in food processor
If you are going to crush your strawberries in a food processor, be sure to slowly pulse the berries so that they don’t puree.

Start by hulling the strawberries. It is best to use an actual strawberry huller rather than a knife so that you don’t waste the top section around the core.

Then use a knife to cut each strawberry into 6-8 sections. Place the cut berries into a wide bowl so that it will be easier to crush them.

Crush The Strawberries

Use a potato masher or rigid pastry blender and begin crushing the berries into small pieces. You can also use a food processor, however, you need to be careful if you are using this method.

If you prefer to use a food processor, be sure to pulse lightly and not puree the strawberries. You want the homemade strawberry jam texture to still have a nice amount of chunkiness, with small bits of fruit visible.

Therefore, push pulse a few times until the berries are cut into small chunks. Whatever method you use to crush the berries, be sure to measure the exact amount needed and place them into a medium size bowl.

Then add the exact amount of sugar to the crushed berries and stir to combine. Let this mixture sit for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

This idle time will allow the sugar to penetrate the strawberries and release more juice. When the 10 minutes are about up, prepare the pectin mixture.

Do this by adding the pectin and water to a small saucepan. Stir and place the burner on high heat.

strawberry jam
Be sure to continue to stir the strawberry and pectin mixture together until the sugar dissolves.

Boil The Pectin For Exactly 1 Minute

Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly. When a rapid boil is formed, allow the mixture to boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly.

Remove the saucepan from the heat. Then pour the pectin mixture over the strawberries and sugar mixture. Stir for 3 minutes, or until sugar has completely dissolved.

It is okay if a few sugar crystals are visible. You just want the majority of them to be dissolved.

Now it is time to fill your containers with the homemade strawberry jam. If you are going to store the jam in the freezer, be sure to use freezer safe containers.

Although some people steer away from using glass mason jars in fear that they will crack, I have never had an issue with that. However, if you prefer, you can use plastic freezer safe containers instead.

No matter what container that you use, ladle the jam leaving 1/2 inch of space at the top. Then clean any jam that may have spilled onto the rims with a damp washcloth or paper towel.

Next, cover the containers with air tight lids. Leave the jam to sit at room temperature for at least 8 hours and up to 24 hours to fully set.

storing jam
If you are going to eat the jam right away, it is okay to store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.

Now it is time to decide how to store the homemade strawberry jam. If you are going to use it right away, store the jam in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.

Otherwise, store the jam in the freezer for up to one year. Then when you are ready to use it, place it in the refrigerator and allow it to thaw before using.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I lower the amount of sugar in this recipe?

Unfortunately, in order for this freezer jam to set properly, you must use the exact amount of sugar listed. However, if you are looking for a Sugar-Free Strawberry Jam recipe, be sure to check out this recipe: Sugar Free Strawberry Jam.

2. What size freezer containers should I use?

Depending on the amount of jam that you use plan your freezer containers accordingly. Because the jam will remain good in the refrigerator for no more than 3 weeks, you will want to be sure that you can use that amount within that time frame.

I prefer to store my homemade strawberry jam in half-pint containers. That way I know that I will use it before he expiration date. However, if you eat a lot of jam, you might want to consider pint containers instead.

3. Can I use frozen strawberries?

A quick shortcut to making this freezer jam recipe is to use frozen berries instead of fresh strawberries. The consistency may be a little thinner, but the jam will still be delicious.

sandwich with jam
There are many things that you can do with jam, including making stuffed French toast.

4. What are some different ways to serve the jam?

Although you may think of only using the jam to spread on bread or toast, there are several other ways to utilize the homemade jam.

Add it to yogurt, top your bowl of ice cream with it, or add it on top of these Easy Homemade Danishes. You can also add it on top of pancakes, stuff it inside French toast or place it on top of Baked Brie for a delicious appetizer.

The possibilities are endless when it comes to using Homemade Strawberry Jam!

Enjoy! Mary

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Yield: 5 cups

Freezer Strawberry Jam

homemade strawberry jam recipe on toast

Homemade strawberry jam that requires just 4 simple ingredients. This is an easy freezer jam recipe that requires no canning or special equipment.

Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 c. crushed strawberries
  • 4 c. sugar
  • 1 box (1 3/4-ounce) SURE-JELL Premium Fruit Pectin
  • 3/4 c. water

Instructions

  1. Use a potato masher or pastry blender to crush 1 quart of strawberries. Or use a food processor and lightly pulse until you have small bits of fruit with some chunks visible. Do not puree the strawberries. Measure out 2 cups of the crushed strawberries and pour them in a bowl.
  2. Add the granulated sugar to the crushed berries and stir to combine. Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  3. Place the pectin and water in small saucepan placed on high heat. Bring the mixture to to a boil, stirring constantly. Once the mixture is at a rapid boil, boil for exactly 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove the pan from heat.
  4. Pour pectin over the strawberry mixture and stir for 3-4 minutes, or until the sugar has completely dissolved. Use a ladle to fill your mason jars or freezer containers. Be sure to leave 1/2 inch of headspace at the top to allow for expansion once the jam freezes. Cover and let sit at room temperature for at least 8 hours.
  5. Store in refrigerator for up to 3 weeks or freeze for up to one year.

Notes

Recipe provided by Make Your Meals

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

20

Serving Size:

1 tablespoon

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 174Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 6mgCarbohydrates: 45gFiber: 1gSugar: 42gProtein: 0g
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