Strawberry Lemonade Jam (Small Batch Canning Recipe)
This strawberry lemonade jam combines sweet strawberries with tart lemon for a refreshing twist on classic jam. Made in small batches, this recipe yields 4–5 half-pints and uses less sugar for a fruit-forward flavor. Perfect for gifting, preserving summer berries, or enjoying year-round.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups sugar
- 3 ¼ cups crushed strawberries
- 3 Tablespoons lemon juice
- lemon zest from medium size lemon
- ½ teaspoon butter
- 3 Tablespoons pectin
Instructions
- Place the pectin evenly around the inside of the automatic jam/jelly maker, make sure the stirrer is in the maker.
- Add the crushed strawberries and butter.
- Press the Jam and the Enter buttons on the maker, confirming the time is set to 21 minutes.
- After 4 minutes the maker will beep, indicating it's time to add the sugar. Pour the sugar into the mix and place the cover on top.
- The maker will do all the work and stir and incorporate the mix.
- Ensure the seals and jars are ready to go and that you have the funnel, ladle and bands prepared.
- You will also want to have a wet sterile paper towel to clean the rim of the jars after filling.
- Once complete, the maker will beep again when it is done and time to put the jam into jars.
- Remove the stirrer with a pot holder and set aside.
- Begin filling each jar with the ladle and jar funnel. Leave 1 inch headspace (that is top from the jar) when filling.
- Clean off each jar rim to ensure there is no jam on the time, or the jar won't seal properly.
- Place a sterile seal/lid on top of each jar and hand tighten the band over the jar to secure the lid.
- Place the jars of jam into hot water bath and process for 10 minutes.
- Remove from the water bath and allow to cool and seal.
- Date and label the jars, so you know what it is.
Video
Notes
Tips for canning jam
- Want to use less sugar, use 3 1/4 cups berries and 2 cups sugar instead
- Do not over fill the maker, make 1 batch and watch how far it boils up, before doubling the batch
- Make sure you measure the berries are crushed and not whole, or you will not have the correct ratios to make jam
- While the strawberry jam is processing, get everything around you need for the next steps
- It takes about 30 minutes (or so) to make a batch of jam
- Wash your berries before you start
- Adding butter helps reduce the foaming, you may need to skim foam if there is still foam
- You absolutely need a pot holder to remove the stirrer, that area is hot, so use caution!
- The maker is going to be hot as well, it was just holding the 'pot' of hot jam, so unplug and allow it to cool
- You can use fresh or frozen berries, just make sure the frozen berries have thawed
- If you don't want low sugar, use 2 2/3 cups strawberries and 3 1/3 cup sugar