Classic Simple Strawberry Jam

We make a lot of homemade jam in our house, but strawberry is one of the family favorites in our house. We make this simple strawberry jam recipe at least twice a year. If you have fresh strawberries, you are going to want to make your own jam too.

Whether your grew your own strawberries or bought them at the store (on sale is even better), this jam recipe is something you’ll want to keep for later.

What Ingredients Are Needed?

fresh strawberries (can use frozen strawberries, but thawed)
granulated sugar
pectin
butter (optional)

How Long Does Strawberry Jam Last?

If you have an open jar, it can keep in the fridge 6-8 months. If you haven’t opened it and it is in the pantry, it can keep there for a year. This is also why making a batch at a time that makes 4 pints, may be easier to help judge your use. And dating your jars, so you can see how long it lasts.

How To You Get A Fresh Strawberry Flavor?

When picking strawberries, I have always heard smaller berries are sweeter and have more strawberry flavor. If you are picking strawberries, they will be smaller. If it’s not strawberry season and you are buying strawberries, select packages with smaller berries that are ripe.

Do You Need Lemon Juice To Make Jam?

This recipe does not require fresh lemon juice or lemon zest. We are using pectin to thicken the jam.

Is This a Chunky or Smooth Strawberry Jam?

This is a smoother jam recipe. We have blended it in the blender to make it a puree. This gives it almost a jelly consistency. I have no time to try to remove little strawberry seeds. This also makes it easy to spread on toast. And if you wanted to later, you could heat up the jam, add a little water and make a syrup if you desired for pancakes and desserts.

Why Is Butter Used?

Butter is used to keep the amount of foam to a minimum. When using butter you do not need to skim the ‘skum’ off the top. The foam should not be placed into the jars when canning jam.

Do You Need to Water Bath Can The Jam?

Short answer: Yes. You will need boiling water bath canner ready to process the jars after canning them. Having everything hot, will speed up the process and not lose heat on the canned jars of jam.

How Long Do You Boil the Strawberry Jam?

You need to let the jam come to a full rolling boil. This is a boil that you cannot stir away and it keeps boiling. Once it happens, you add your sugar. When it comes to a rolling boil, set a timer for 1 minute and let the strawberry jam boil, and stir to keep from burning.

This is important to make your strawberry jam set.

How Long Do You Water Bath Jam?

Strawberry jam should be water bathed for 10 minutes. You should just for your elevation. This is the time we use in Michigan.

making homemade strawberry jam water bath

Print Recipe

5 from 1 vote

Making Delicious Strawberry Jam

This homemade strawberry jam is super easy to make with just a few simple ingredients and loads of fresh flavor. Perfect for beginners to can with fresh for store bought strawberries.

Course: Canning

Cuisine: American

Servings: half pints

Author: Regina Sober

Equipment

Ingredients

5 cups pureed strawberries
7 cups sugar
1 teaspoon butter
5 Tablespoons pectin (or 1.75oz package of pectin)

Instructions

Wash strawberries and cut the tops off.
Place the strawberries into a blender and turn them into a puree.
You will want to make sure you have 5 cups of puree (this is about 2 pounds of strawberries).
Place the strawberries into your Dutch pot (or a large pot that will allow the jam to rise when it boils).
Add the pectin and butter, stirring together on medium heat.
Fill your water bath canner full of water and begin heating the water.
Stir the puree and once the mix hits a full rolling boil (a boil that when you stir, it won't stop), add the sugar.
Stir the jam to keep it from burning and sticking to the sides.
Get your clean jars prepared to fill. Place your baking sheet under it to keep your counter clean.
When the jam begins to boil and you can't stir it down, set a timer for 1 minute.
Allow the jam to boil, and stir.
After a minute, turn off the heat and skim off any foam that may be on top of the jam.
Using your canning funnel, fill the jars, leaving 1/4" headspace from the top.
Wipe the jar rim with a clean wet towel. (you can also use vinegar on the rim).
Place the seal and band on the jar and hand tighten.
The water in the water bath canner should be hot now. Place the jars into the hot water bath and allow to process for 10 minutes.
Place a towel down and place the processed jars on the towel and cover them.
Allow the jars to cool slowly.
Confirm the jars have sealed, date and label.
Remove the bands and store.

Video

Notes

Covering the jars with a towel helps the jam cool slowly. It also keeps any changes in temperature from causing a thermal shock to the jars (to prevent breaking).