Strawberry Jam Recipe

Strawberry Jam is a healthy homemade recipe that’s popular, sweet, and savory food that pairs well with lots of dishes. It can be used for desserts, bread, smoothies, snacks, and drinks!

Transform ordinary strawberries into jam for a delightful treat!

How to Make Strawberry Jam

Looking for a new homemade condiment? Check out this recipe to make your first homemade strawberry jam! 

Ingredients

Strawberries

Juicy strawberries taste sweet and fruity with a bit of acidity. Usually, the best-tasting strawberries are ripe because they add a certain tanginess to the jam. 

They are also rich in fiber, making them a great ingredient for weight-loss meals. Strawberries can also aid in better digestion and metabolism.

If you love strawberries, you will also enjoy them in Strawberry Ice Cream Bars, Strawberry Banana Milkshake, and Banana Strawberry Popsicles!

Sugar

Sugar is added to this recipe to add flavor and texture to make the jam spreadable and caramelized. Moreover, sugar can help to tone down the acidity of the strawberries. 

Lemon juice

Meanwhile, lemon juice is needed to give the jam its structure to allow it to set. Furthermore, it can prolong the shelf life of the strawberry jam. Lemon juice can also prevent bacteria buildup and contamination of the strawberry jam. 

Can you believe it only takes three ingredients to make this top-quality strawberry jam? The condiment will surely ooze with freshness, flavor, and nutrition!

Directions

1. Mix the strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice in a pan, wok, or bowl.
2. Stir until the sugar melts into the other ingredients.
3. Once you’re ready to make the jam, turn on the stove’s heat to bring the mixture to a boil.
4. Occasionally stir the jam with a spatula to prevent burning and to distribute the flavors. 
5. Use a spatula to break down the chunks in the mixture for a smooth texture.
6. To check if the jam is ready, drop a tablespoon of jam onto a plate. Let it cool, then run a finger through it. If the jam parts with wrinkle ripples, it is ready to use and store!

Once you’re satisfied with the taste and consistency, you can transfer the jam to an airtight jar and refrigerate it for storage. Now, whenever you crave strawberry jam, you can easily make it at home!

Tips

How to Buy Strawberries

• One of the first things you must consider is whether strawberries are in season or not.
• You can also smell the strawberries around the stem to check for unpleasant or rancid odors. 
• Furthermore, ensure that the strawberries are firm and bright red.
• Check for molds, bruises, or soft spots on the strawberries.
• The stems should be green in color because it indicates freshness. 
• Regarding size, choose medium strawberries because they usually provide richer flavor and juices.
• To make the best strawberry jam, avail yourself of the freshest, juiciest, and tastiest strawberries!

How to Store Strawberries

• Don’t wash the strawberries if you plan on using them later.
• Washing strawberries can infuse the strawberries with water, making the berry mushy and eventually rancid. 
• Should you opt to refrigerate the strawberries by wrapping them in paper towels to prevent them from absorbing water and moisture. They can last up to two days in the fridge. 
• Alternatively, you can freeze the strawberries to last longer. Wash the strawberries with cold water and pat them dry. Then, slice off the stems. Arrange the strawberries on a tray and let them freeze solid. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag for up to six months. 

Extracting Lemon Juice

• You can submerge the lemon in warm water for up to 40 minutes because the warm temperature can help you extract more juice from the lemons. 
• You can also roll the lemon on a hard surface to loosen up the contents, break the juice sacs, and release more juice.
• The lemon can also be microwaved for about 20 seconds to heat it. 
• Then, slice the lemon lengthwise before squeezing its juice over a bowl. Place a strainer on top of the bowl to filter the contents, and make sure to squeeze as hard as you can at least 4 times to get all of the juices out. 
• Aside from using your hands, you can also use a juicer to extract the lemon juice.

Store Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice

• Avoid letting lemon juice sit at room temperature for longer than 2 hours because it can accumulate bacteria over time.
• To refrigerate, pour the lemon juice into an airtight glass jar or bottle; it can last up to three days. 
• To freeze lemon juice, pour it into ice cube trays and wait until it is frozen.
• Pop them out of the tray and transfer them into a resealable freezer bag for up to 4 months. 

Strawberry Jam Variations

Strawberry jam is generally safe for vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free diets. If you are cautious about sugar intake, you can substitute sugar with stevia, honey, or molasses. 

Recommended Tools

• Knife: Use a knife to slice the strawberries and the lemon. 
• Juicer: You can extract the lemon juice using a juicer.
• Spatula: Occasionally mix the strawberry jam with a clean spatula.
• Plate: Conduct a doneness test on a plate. 
• Glass jars: Store the strawberry jam in sterilized glass jars with lids. 
• Wok or pan: Cook the strawberry jam in a wok or pan. 

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How to Use Strawberry Jam

There are plenty of ways to use strawberry jam! You can use it as a bread spread, pastry filling, dip, sauce, salad dressing, and more!

It can also be added to popsicles, cakes, donuts, smoothies, juices, pancakes, milkshakes, purees, and other dishes. Moreover, this jam can be incorporated into cakes, cupcakes, pies, and cookies for a hint of fruity goodness!

While it is natural and homemade, strawberry jam can still cause adverse reactions, especially if consumed in excess. Consuming too much strawberry jam can cause bloating, diarrhea, flatulence, and lethargy. 

Storage Tips

• At room temperature: You can store the strawberry jam in a glass jar, lasting up to 4 weeks at room temperature. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you set strawberry jam?

Let the strawberry jam set in the fridge for a few hours or overnight. Jam is best stored in cool temperatures to achieve a firm texture.

What is the best strawberry for jam?

There are plenty of strawberry variants you can try, but Strawberry Plants recommends Sparkle strawberries because of their flavor and potential for jam-making!

Is Strawberry Jam healthy? 

Yes, strawberry jam is certainly healthy because it contains essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can help with heart health, weight loss, and blood sugar levels.

Strawberries also contain simple sugars to supply your body with energy every day. 

Can you still make Strawberry Jam even without access to a stove? 

Of course! If you don’t have access to a pan or stove, you can still make strawberry jam with strawberries, sugar, lemon juice, and instant pectin. 

Use a masher to turn the strawberries into a paste. Then, add the sugar and lemon juice and let the mixture stand for 30 minutes. Next, stir in the instant pectin for 3 minutes. 

Once you’re content with the flavor and consistency, transfer it to a mason jar container to enjoy and preserve!