Homemade strawberry jam is simply yummy. It has no added preservatives or additives. It is a great way to use soft berries which go waste otherwise. Unlike market based jams, you can control the amount of sugar when you make your own jam. Add as per your choice as berries themselves are quite sweet when in season. The below recipe is an easy strawberry jam without pectin.
Juicy, summery and delicious strawberry is also known as, ‘queen of fruits’. Everyone loves them for their sweet yet tart taste. One of the most beautiful things about strawberries is that it is so versatile. You can have it fresh, cook it or have it frozen. It can be used to give a twist to any of the recipes. It is full of natural sweetness. Homemade jam or preserve is a great way of having strawberries when they are in plenty and can be eaten with any bread or flatbread. I love having them with scones too.
Benefits of strawberries
- Great for teeth.
- Improves vitamin C and immunity.
- Power packed with anti-oxidants.
- Protects the heart.
- Sodium-free, fat-free and low calories.
- They are a great source of anti-oxidants.
- Perfect for a low calorie snack.
How to select the best strawberries?
Berries have a very short shelf life, even in the refrigerator. The best place to buy strawberries is a strawberry farm, where you can get/pluck them fresh. You may also get from the local farmers' market. One must look for berries that are dark red in color, avoiding the orange undertones. Sometimes you can also choose a good basket of berries by giving it a sniff. Sweet, ripe strawberries are going to have a great berry scent to them and you can store them in refrigerator for 2-3 days.
It is a perfect way to use berries when they are peak strawberry season. It means they are way cheaper and go waste sooner. Buying them in bulk helps you fight food waste little bit at your own level. Use the preserve to make other stuff. Other great strawberry recipes are strawberry ice cream, strawberry smoothie, fro-yo, cake strawberry modak and crush.
Ingredients
- Fresh berries
- sugar
- Apple cider vinegar
refer to recipe card for details.
Equipment
- Steel frying pan / large saucepan
- large mixing bowl
- canning jars
How to make homemade strawberry jam?
- Wash the strawberries take the green top off. Cut the strawberries in slices.
- Add the sugar to the strawberries.
- Optionally add the apple cider to the strawberry and sugar mix.
- Leave it aside for 4 hours/overnight at room temperature.
- Take a clean pan and start heating the jam mix at low flame
- Stir it slowly with back of a spoon until the water has dried up .
- Let the jam cool and transfer to an air tight container.
- You can store this in clean jars in the refrigerator for 2 weeks.
- Use a clean spoon every time you want to have your delicious strawberry jam.
Top tip: Wash your jar with hot soapy water. Pat dry your sterilized jars with a paper towel /clean towel before you store your jam in it. This will help you avoid mould. Make sure it is devoid of any moisture.
Related links
Variations
You may use stevia instead of coconut sugar if you like. You may add some lemon zest to the recipe too.
Substitutions
Easy jam variations can be made using any other berry too. Apart from blueberry, raspberry, strawberry preserves you can also make orange marmalade as a homemade jam recipe.
Storage
Always store it in an air tight glass jar in a refrigerator. This is a low-sugar strawberry jam and no pectin hence needs to be refrigerated. It lasts 2 weeks in a refrigerator.
easy homemade strawberry jam recipe
Equipment
- heavy-bottomed saucepan / large pot
- Mixing bowl
- glass jar
Ingredients
- 3 cups Fresh strawberries 500gms, sliced
- ½ cup raw sugar or any other sugar
- 2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar optional
Instructions
- Wash the strawberries take the green top off.Cut the strawberries in slices.
- Add the sugar to the mix,optionally add the apple cider vinegar,cover the bowl
- Leave it aside for 4 hours/overnight at room temperature.
- Take a clean pan and start heating the jam mix at low flame .
- Stir it slowly until the water has dried up .
- Let it cool off and transfer to an air tight container.
- You can store this in the refrigerator for 2 weeks.
- Use a clean spoon every time you want to use it.
Notes
FAQ
Store it in refrigerator for 2 weeks.
Cooking jam recipes without pectin takes a longer cooking time, but strawberry mixture does thicken like a pectin strawberry jam recipe.
Bring to a full rolling boil. Now, cover the canner and boil for 15 minutes if you are using 16-ounce jars. Lesser jam quantity will take around 10 minutes. Let cool for10 minutes before removing the jars from the pot.
You can use canning process to store salsa, jam, preserves, jellies, pickles, relish, vinegar, pie fillings, chutneys, sauces and tomatoes.
You need to use 2 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice instead of 1 teaspoon of vinegar. This is because it is less acidic than vinegar.
Yes you can use frozen strawberries to make a jam. Just thaw them and cook them immediately with lemon juice. Optionally use a potato masher to mash your berries and continue with remaining steps as above.
Food safety
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation
Conclusion: fresh strawberry jam smeared on buttered English muffins makes an easy yet delicious treat. Simple pleasures make your morning blissful.
Please share your inputs..