Best Homemade Strawberry Jam
Best Homemade Strawberry Jam is the easiest recipe I have found for strawberry jam—so soft, spreadable and delicious on a piece of toast.
Friends, these simple ingredients equal a mouthwatering fruit jam. If you grew up with “freezer jam” like I did, it brings back great memories. Of course, when my kids were young, we made and devoured a lot of this jam. It was our family’s favorite. Spread it on a peanut butter and jelly sandwich? The best.
Best Homemade Strawberry Jam
If you don’t grow your own strawberries, look for fresh berries at a local farm stand or farmers market. In Oregon, July and August are the last months to get fresh grown strawberries for jam! You can also put a dab of jam on these Strawberry Kiwi Crostini Bites with goat cheese!
Serve jam on toast or on appetizers
This homemade jam recipe uses just strawberries, sugar, lemon juice, and pectin in fewer than twenty minutes, for the most delicious jam.
With juicy red strawberries with a hint of fresh lemon juice, the flavors are just right. Perfect for spreading onto some homemade biscuits, warm bread, waffles, and we love it on stuffed French toast. It’s also soooo good on this Strawberry Brie Crostini appetizer.
We usually double and triple this strawberry jam recipe, because once you’re making one batch, you might as well make enough to enjoy (and give away?). Seriously, this jam makes the perfect hostess gift when you get invited over for a meal. It’s the perfect “hospitality” gift.
Best Homemade Strawberry Jam ingredients
Let’s gather these simple ingredients:
- Fresh strawberries (washed and stems removed)
- Granulated sugar
- Lemon juice
- Powdered fruit pectin (regular, not instant)
Is strawberry jam better with or without pectin?
Pectin is a must, and is a natural gelling agent found in the skins/peels and seeds of fruit. Without pectin, strawberry jam will need to be cooked much longer to start gelling. You also take the chance that it might not “set.” You don’t want to overcook the fruit, or lose that beautiful, bright berry color.
Does strawberry jam need lemon juice?
You need to use lemon juice, because it balances out the pH of the jam mixture. It also works alongside the pectin, to make the perfect “set” jam. Don’t leave out the pectin!
How long does homemade strawberry jam last?
You can process the jam in jars, or you can store in the fridge (up to six months), or freezer (for one year).
How do you make homemade jam with strawberries?
- Place strawberries in a blender with the lemon juice. Pulse the strawberries about five to ten times. Note: You want to have strawberry chunks, not a smooth puree.
- Pour the blended strawberries into a large bowl; stir in sugar. Stir for two to three minutes and then let sit for fifteen minutes.
- Combine the fruit pectin and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and boil for one minute. Pour the boiling water into the strawberries, stir and let rest for three minutes.
- Pour the strawberry jam into jars (leaving about half inch from the top) and place lids on. Let the jars sit on the counter for twenty-four hours so they can set. Then place in the freezer for up to one year.
- Optional to use plastic containters (like Tupperware).
Hospitality
Speaking of the perfect hospitality gift, I have a friend who is so gracious with her hospitality. She’s an excellent example to me, because she’s very last-minute with inviting guests over. In fact, I love to watch her, how she includes others, even when it’s not in her home. I think we often tie hospitality with our homes, two links in a chain, when it’s really something that we can carry with us wherever we go, and doesn’t even have to involve food.
My friend, in particular, is great about inviting others to join for coffee, lunch, or even to just go for a walk. She’s great about connecting people, and I have learned a lot from her.
I love to share little hospitality stories, along with heirloom recipes. These two go hand in hand today.
Enjoy the strawberry jam!
More jam recipes:
Serve jam with this Strawberry Lemon Ricotta French Toast
Swirl it in this No Bake Meyer Lemon Strawberry Bars
Get the Recipe:
Best Homemade Strawberry Jam
Ingredients
- 2 pints fresh strawberries, washed and stems removed
- 4 cups granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon lemon juice
- 1.75 ounces powdered fruit pectin, regular, not instant
- ¾ cup water
Instructions
- Place strawberries in a blender with the lemon juice. Pulse the strawberries 5-10 times. Note: You want to have strawberry chunks, not a smooth puree.
- Pour the blended strawberries into a large bowl; stir in sugar. Stir for 2-3 minutes and then let sit for 15 minutes.
- Combine the fruit pectin and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and boil for one minute. Pour the boiling water into the strawberries, stir and let rest for 3 minutes.
- Pour the strawberry jam into jars (leaving about 1/2 inch from the top) and place lids on. Let the jars sit on the counter for 24 hours so they can set. Then place in the freezer for up to 1 year. Optional to use plastic containters (like Tupperware).
Notes
Hello and welcome to my home and table!
I’m Sandy—lover of food, family, cooking, THE BIG BOARD, travel, and bringing people together. Through great recipes and connection around the table, we become better, stronger, and more courageous people. Feasting on Life is real, and every time we do it, we grow a little more. Read more...
