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Strawberry Jam
Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Canning Time
20 mins
Total Time
1 hr 5 mins
 
Making homemade strawberry jam is a gift that gives in two ways - it's rewarding to you, the cook, and it's super rewarding for the friend you give it to. It may sound overwhelming, but it's a fun project that is not overly difficult. Give it a try!
Course: Desserts/Sweets, Sauces, Breakfast
Cuisine: British
Keyword: Preserves, Tea, Breakfast/Brunch, Comfort Food, classic recipes, Biscuits, Strawberries, canning, Homemade Jam, Jelly, Water Bath
Servings: 24 Makes 6 - 8 ounce jars
Calories: 129 kcal
Author: The Blue Jean Chef, Meredith Laurence
Ingredients
  • 6 8-ounce jam jars
  • 5 cups strawberries 3 pounds, hulled and coarsely chopped
  • ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
  • 3 tablespoons pectin
  • cups sugar
Instructions
  1. Start by preparing your jam jars. You can do this in your dishwasher using the sterilize cycle or you can simmer the jars and lids in water on the stovetop for 15 minutes.
  2. Place 2 or 3 small plates in the freezer. You will use these later to test the gel point of the jam.
  3. Heat a large (6-quart) stockpot over low heat. Add the strawberries and lemon juice. Stir in the pectin until dissolved. Bring the mixture to a boil – a boil that is vigorous enough that it continues to boil even when stirred.
  4. Add the sugar all at once. The mixture may bubble up, but it will settle and the sugar will dissolve. Swirl the pot to dissolve the sugar but do not stir with a spoon. Turn up the heat and bring everything back to a strong boil. Once it is at a strong boil, continue to boil vigorously for 1 minute.
  5. Turn off the heat and skim away any foam that rises to the surface.
  6. Test to see if the jam has set by dropping a teaspoon of jam on one of the plates that have been in the freezer. If the jam has reached its gel point and you have added enough pectin, the jam will set up quickly on the plate. If it is a good consistency, proceed to the next step. If the jam is too runny, simply continue to boil it, checking every 5 minutes with a new plate.
  7. Using a wide funnel, fill the sterilized jars with hot jam, leaving ¼-inch of room at the top. Wipe any jam from the top and sides of the jars with a clean towel. Screw on the lids, but do not over-tighten.
  8. Preserve the jam for long storage by using the water bath canning method (see remaining instructions), or simply refrigerate the jars and eat within a few weeks.
  9. If you want to use the water bath caning method, bring a large 8- to 10-quart stockpot full of water to a rolling boil. Place a rack in the bottom of the stockpot.
  10. Submerge the filled jam jars in the simmering water and bring the water back to a boil for 15 minutes. Turn off the heat and let the jars stand in the water for 5 minutes.
  11. Remove the jars from the stockpot using tongs or a jar lifter. Check to see if the lids are tightly sealed. As the jam cools, the lids should pop inward – you might hear this as they cool. Store jams with inverted lids at room temperature until you open them. If the lids of any jars did not invert and are popped upward, store in the refrigerator and consume within a few weeks.

Recipe Video

Nutrition Facts
Strawberry Jam
Amount Per Serving (2 ounces)
Calories 129 Calories from Fat 9
% Daily Value*
Fat 1g2%
Saturated Fat 1g5%
Sodium 4mg0%
Potassium 49mg1%
Carbohydrates 33g11%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 31g34%
Protein 1g2%
Vitamin A 5IU0%
Vitamin C 18.6mg23%
Calcium 5mg1%
Iron 0.2mg1%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.