This simple 3-ingredient Strawberry Jam Without Pectin is so simple to make for a deliciously fresh strawberry jammy spread to top an English muffin or spread on your morning toast. Make this jam in small batches to savor the freshness.
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Did you know a strawberry has about 200 seeds? Just thought you might like to know that in case it comes up at a trivia game!
Making jam is so easy to do and when strawberries are in season why not make a batch or two of jam to keep in the fridge, if you prefer make this a freezer jam to enjoy deep in the winter when you are craving that wonderful strawberry flavor.
Don't let strawberry season pass by without making this recipe, once you try this you will agree this is the best strawberry jam.
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If you ever go strawberry picking or buy flats of berries here is my favorite tip on How To Store Fresh Picked Strawberries. You just need a container and paper towels.
🍓More strawberry desserts
We love our strawberries all through the summer and we have a fondness for strawberry recipes like this Strawberry Cake with Fresh Strawberries, or this Easy No-Bake Strawberry Shortcake. And for something a little different make this Strawberry Chardonnay Gelee that is velvety smooth and deliciously fruity, or, these Dessert Grilled Cheese with Strawberries.
❤️Why you will love this jam
- Simple ingredients - just thee!
- So easy to make, no water bath canning required, just cook and refrigerate or freeze.
- 20 minutes to cook
- Fresh strawberry flavor - you just can't get this flavor in a store-bought jam.
- The jam is just as good as a sauce over pancakes, waffles, or cheesecake.
🧾Ingredients
- Fresh strawberries - the riper the strawberries the sweeter your jam will be.
- Fresh lemon juice - the juice will add the necessary acid to help the jam set up and thicken. Make sure to check out this post on The Juice of One Lemon- How Much Juice In One Lemon.
- Granulated sugar - you can add more sugar to the recipe, but the more you add the thinner the jam will be.
Did you notice that there is no pectin in the ingredient list? We are making a no-pectin strawberry jam and replacing the pectin with lemon juice. The acid in the juice helps thicken the jam along with cooking the mashed strawberries down so the juices evaporate.
The strawberries will finish setting up once in the refrigerator for a nice thick jam.
🥄Let's make jam
Step 1. Rinse the strawberries under hot water, then under cold water.
Step 2. Hull and slice the strawberries and place them in a medium-sized saucepan. I have found the smaller I slice the berries the easier they are to mash later.
Step 3. Juice the lemon and add the juice and the sugar to the saucepan and stir.
Step 4. Over medium heat bring the strawberry mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally.
Jam tip #1 It is best to use a wooden spoon when cooking the jam since the mixture gets very hot, and if you use a metal spoon the spoon can be too hot to handle.
Step 5. Turn the heat to medium-low, then using a potato masher, mash the strawberries and continue cooking and stirring the strawberry mixture for about 20 minutes, the mixture should be at a steady low boil.
Jam tip #2 - Depending on how chunky you want the strawberries you need to continue mashing them while cooking. You can also use an immersion blender to break down the berries, or use a pair of kitchen scissors and cut the larger strawberry pieces.
Step 6. After 20 minutes the juices are reduced and the jam has thickened. If you find the jam is still very liquidy, continue cooking and stirring. You may just need an extra 5 minutes. If you like use a candy thermometer and bring the mixture to 220 degrees F.
Step 7. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let cool for about 15 minutes and then spoon into your clean jars, continue letting the jam cool, then cover with the lid and refrigerate. You can freeze strawberry jam for up to a year.
Jam tip #3 Homemade refrigerator jam will only last about 2 weeks since there are no preservatives. Make sure not to leave this jam sitting out for too long.
Cooked and thickened and ready to top my Homemade Biscuits, and later maybe a bowl of ice cream.
Variations
Just in case you like to mix things up a bit try some simple variations
- Since you will be using a lemon, just zest it and add it to the jam while cooking for some extra bright flavor.
- Replace some of the strawberries with another fruit like raspberries, blueberries, or peaches.
- Add some basil while cooking the jam for a savory flavor. This is really good with cheese and crackers.
- Add in a splash of brandy while cooking.
Jam FAQ's
I prefer to use fresh strawberries for the best results. You can use frozen strawberries that have been thawed. You will have to increase the cooking time by five to the minutes because of the extra water from the frozen berries.
This means cutting the green leafy top off of a strawberry.
Jams are made from crushed fruit and preserves are made with the whole fruit.
Yes, just let it cool and then place the jam in a freezer container. You can freeze this jam for up to three months and just let it defrost in the refrigerator.
Equipment needed
Besides the saucepan and the wooden spoon, I get asked about the canning jar I use. Of course, any jar with a tight-fitting lid will work for storing the jam but I do love the Weck jars for their looks.
I will forever love the Ball jars, after all, I grew up close to the Muncie, Indiana factory and have a wonderful collection of vintage jars. They sit on my counter holding oats, rice, tea bags, and all sorts of goodies.
Weck Canning Jars with the rubber ring and metal clips.
More great recipes
Recipe
Strawberry Jam Without Pectin-Just 3 Ingredients!
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Ingredients
- 1 quart Strawberries 1 quart = 24 ounces or 4 cups of sliced berries
- ¾ cup Granulated sugar you can add up to 1 cup for a sweeter jam
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
Instructions
- Rinse the strawberries under hot water then cold water, then hull, and slice the strawberries into a medium-sized saucepan.
- Juice one lemon, then add the juice and the sugar to the saucepans with the berries. Stir well.
- Over medium heat bring the strawberry mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally.
- Lower the heat to medium-low and continue cooking at a steady boil for about 20 minutes, or until a candy thermometer reaches 220 degrees F. Mash the strawberries with a potato masher frequently until you get the desired size of strawberries. You can also use an immersion blender to reduce the size of the strawberries. Be careful as the mixture will be very hot. Another trick I use is after I mash the berries, any large pieces I just cut with kitchen scissors.
- This cooking process will reduce the liquid and thicken up the jam.
- When the jam is cooked, remove it from the heat and let cool for about 15 minutes, then fill clean glass jars with the jam, then continue to cool. I had 2 cups of jam which fit perfectly in a 16-ounce jar.
- Store the jam in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
- For freezer jam, let the jam completely cool then pour it into a freezer container.
Notes
- This jam can also be stored in freezer containers and frozen for one year.
- When filling the container, leave about a ½ inch of room at the top of the container in case the jam expands during freezing.
- To serve, let the jam thaw in the refrigerator, stir well, and serve. Once thawed the jam will keep for about 2 weeks.
Nutrition
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About Jere'
From learning to cook on a farm in Indiana to culinary school in California, my passion for food is never-ending. Turning on my oven to bake something for friends and family is my happy place, and I am glad to be here at One Hot Oven sharing both sweet and savory family-friendly recipes for your cooking and baking inspiration.
Genevieve
I have loads of fruit in my fridge waiting to be made into all sorts of jams. This one looks like a goodie!
Swathi
Strawberry jam looks delicious it is my favorite. Homemade is always best.
Debra
I love the simplicity of this recipe. Just three ingredients, so easy to make, and it tasted incredible.
Janie
This strawberry jam was super easy to make! Just 3 ingredients was all it takes. Tasted so sweet and perfect for my morning toasts!
Kristina
I am always looking for the easiest and healthiest way to make my favorite store bought foods at home, and this strawberry jam fit the bill. It came out wonderful!
Keri
This jam was so easy to make, and it was really tasty!