Description
This simple and delicious strawberry jam recipe uses just three ingredients and no pectin. It features fresh strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice cooked down to a thick, flavorful jam perfect for spreading on toast or adding to desserts. The method relies on stovetop simmering and mashing to reach the perfect consistency, making it easy to make with pantry staples and fresh fruit.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 1 quart Strawberries (approximately 24 ounces or 4 cups of sliced berries)
- ¾ cup Granulated sugar (can be increased up to 1 cup for a sweeter jam)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (juice of one lemon)
Instructions
- Prepare the Strawberries: Rinse the strawberries under hot water followed by cold water to clean them thoroughly. Remove the hulls, then slice the strawberries and place them into a medium-sized saucepan.
- Add Lemon Juice and Sugar: Juice one lemon and add the juice along with the granulated sugar into the saucepan containing the sliced strawberries. Stir the mixture well to combine all ingredients.
- Bring to a Boil: Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the strawberry mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Simmer and Mash: Reduce the heat to medium-low and maintain a steady boil for about 20 minutes, or until the mixture reaches 220 degrees F on a candy thermometer. Frequently mash the strawberries using a potato masher to achieve the preferred jam texture. Alternatively, an immersion blender can be used cautiously due to the hot mixture. To manage any large chunks, kitchen scissors can also be used to cut them down.
- Thicken the Jam: Continue cooking to reduce the liquid and thicken the jam to your desired consistency.
- Cool and Jar: Remove the saucepan from heat and let the jam cool for about 15 minutes. Transfer the jam to clean glass jars (approximately two cups fit into a 16-ounce jar) and allow it to cool completely further.
- Store: Store the jam in the refrigerator for up to two weeks to maintain freshness.
- Freezer Option: For longer storage, allow the jam to cool completely and pour it into a freezer-safe container before freezing.
Notes
- The sugar quantity can be adjusted between ¾ cup and 1 cup, depending on your sweetness preference.
- Using a candy thermometer ensures the jam reaches the perfect setting temperature of 220°F.
- Be cautious when using an immersion blender on hot mixtures to avoid splattering.
- Freshly made strawberry jam is best consumed within two weeks if refrigerated.
- The jam can also be frozen for extended storage; just ensure it cools fully before freezing.
- Using kitchen scissors to cut larger strawberry pieces during cooking helps achieve an even texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Jam
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: strawberry jam, no pectin jam, homemade jam, easy strawberry jam, stovetop jam, fruit jam, 3 ingredient jam
