Low Sugar Strawberry Jam | Small Batch
Low Sugar Strawberry Jam
Homemade strawberry jam is a super popular flavor and so easy to make. When you make jam on your own, you can control the sugar and still enjoy your favorite flavors on toast. Low sugar strawberry jam is packed full of delicious strawberries, you won’t miss the sugar.
When you make low sugar jam, you should use low sugar pectic as well. The jam doesn’t set as thick as full sugar jam and that is normal.
It is important to do water bath canning after placing the jam in the jars so that the jam will set and seal the jars. We also make regular strawberry jam and several other jam and jelly recipes.
What Ingredients Are Used?
- fresh or frozen strawberries (thawed)
- granulated sugar
- low sugar pectin
- butter (optional)
Can I Make Strawberry Freezer Jam From Frozen Strawberries?
Definitely. I would not recommend using glass jars. You will want to place the frozen fruit jam in a freezer safe container. Note freezer jam has a different recipe and is only lasts a year in the freezer.
How Long Does Strawberry Jam Last?
If you store your jam in a cool dry place, it can last up to 2 years before opening.
What Size Berry Are Best for Strawberry Jam?
Whenever purchasing berries from the store, we get the smaller berries. I have always heard they are sweeter than those large berries (which are perfect for chocolate covered strawberries). Depending on your strawberry season, you can also catch a good sale price and look for small berries with lots of flavor.
Do You Need To Use Low Sugar Pectin to Set Jam?
You can use lemon juice to set your jam instead of pectin. It will take longer to process. For low sugar strawberry jam, you need to use low sugar pectin. If you use regular pectin, it more than likely will not set up and you’ll have syrup. So use the low sugar pectin for your jam!
Can You Can Frozen Berries?
You can use frozen strawberries, but the berries will need to be thawed before you start processing so that the temperature is correct in the jam/jelly maker.
Can I Make Jam From Frozen Strawberries?
Absolutely. We sometimes freeze strawberries to use later. You will need to thaw the berries before using them or it will not set up based on the time we’ve provided.
Can I Just Mash the Strawberries?
Sure, but using a potato masher will leave chunks of berries. You will be making a strawberry preserve, versus strawberry jam. To make it smooth, use a blender or blending stick.
Why Is Butter Used in Making Jam?
The butter works to help keep the foaming down when making jam. When jam boils, it forms a foam (sometimes called skum). This needs to be removed before jaring the jam. The foam (lots of air bubbles), can be skimmed off and stored in the fridge if desired. It should not be canned in your jam.
Small Batch Strawberry Jam | Low Sugar
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 1/4 cups pureed fresh strawberries
- 2 cups sugar
- 3 Tablespoons low sugar pectin
- 1/2 teaspoon butter
Instructions
- Add the pectin to your canner
- Add the fruit & butter into the canner.
- Turn on the canner for Jam for 23 minutes.
- When the canner beeps, add the sugar and cover.
- While the fruit processes, gather your jars and utensils to prepare to put the jam into the jars.
- When the canner beeps, it's done and ready for the jam to go into jars.
- Remove the stirring blade with a pot holder/oven mitt.
- Place the funnel on the jar and fill, leaving 1/2" headspace.
- Wipe the jar rim with a clean wet towel.
- Place the seal on the jar and hand tighten the band.
- Water bath can the jars for 10 minutes.
- Date and label the jars.
Video
Notes
