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Easy Strawberry Jam Recipe with no pectin

Who’s ready to make an easy Strawberry Jam with all those sweet, delicious strawberries in season right now? You’re in luck; this easy Strawberry Jam Recipe is made with only strawberries, sugar, and a bit of lemon. No pectin is needed, and it couldn’t be easier to make!

Easy Strawberry Jam Recipe with no Pectin.

The Best Homemade Strawberry Jam Recipe

Have you ever wondered how to make Strawberry Jam? It’s surprisingly easy!

I have an amazing small-batch strawberry jam recipe to share with you today. I make this jam every year after we visit our local strawberry farm. This recipe is such a great way to use up all those strawberries.

The beauty of this jam recipe is that it uses fresh strawberries, lemon juice, and sugar instead of pectin to make the strawberry jam set.

Why you’ll love This Easy Strawberry Jam Recipe

  • Simple IngredientsAll you need is strawberries, sugar, lemon juice! The sugar and lemon juice work together with the natural pectin already found in strawberries and lemon to make the strawberry jam set. (Lemon juice also helps prevent the growth of bacteria.)
  • Fast – Takes only about 20 minutes!
  • Tastes amazing – The flavor of homemade jam just doesn’t compare to store-bought!

Didn’t the strawberry jam turn out gorgeous!? I’m not kidding when I say this jam recipe is easy. And only takes about 20 minutes to cook!

How to make Strawberry Jam

Ingredients in Strawberry Jam

You only need 3 ingredients! (Scroll to the bottom of the post for the full printable recipe card.)

  • Strawberries | This recipe works with Fresh or frozen berries, with hulls removed. If you use frozen berries, thaw them first. You will need to allow extra cooking time since you will be cooking them from frozen, and they will be extra juicy.
  • Sugar | Granulated sugar works best. 
  • Lemon juice | Fresh is best, but bottled works too.
ingredients in strawberry jam

How to Make Strawberry Jam

1 In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, mix strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice. Stir over med-low heat until the sugar is dissolved.

how to make strawberry jam

2 Increase heat to medium-high heat and bring mixture to a full rolling boil. If foam begins to rise to the top, just whisk it back in

3 Reduce heat to medium, stirring frequently, mashing the strawberries as you stir. Continue to simmer until the jam is thickened and bubbles completely cover the surface of the jam. (About 10 to 15 minutes. Time can vary based on your pot, the ripeness of strawberries, heat, your stove, etc..; see the tips below in the FAQ section to help judge when your jam is done).

how to make strawberry jam with no pectin

4 Transfer the jam to a jar and let cool to room temperature. Then, seal the jars and store them in the refrigerator.

strawberry jam recipe

Recipe Tips

  • Use ripe strawberries. Strawberry season is the perfect time of year for this recipe, and fresh-picked strawberries are perfect for this recipe. Choose strawberries that are firm, sweet, and free of bruises.
  • A strawberry huller is a great tool for quickly removing hulls from your strawberries.
  • If you want a less chunky jam, you can process the fruit in a food processor before cooking or use an immersion blender while the fruit cooks.
  • If cooking at a higher altitude, you will need to reduce the target temperature (220°F) by two degrees for every 1000 feet of elevation.

Variations

  • Add blueberries for a mixed berry jam.
  • Add some of the lemon zest for an extra pop of brightness.
  • While simmering, add 2 tablespoons of minced herbs, such as basil, cilantro, or mint, to the jam mixture.

Storage Suggestions

For best results, use the opened jar of jam within 10 to 14 days. If your jar stays sealed and unopened, it should keep in the fridge for between 1 to 3 months. In the freezer, it should last about a year.

FAQ’s

Over the years, I’ve received a few questions and comments about this recipe. I’ve tried to answer them all in one place for you today; feel free to leave a comment if you have a question I have not answered. Also, check the comment section – tons of good info there! 

How To Know When Jam Is Done 

The simplest way is to use a thermometer to check the temperature. You will want the jam to reach 220°F. 220°F is the heat point at which the sugar bonds with the pectin and forms a gel. Remember, the jam can take 24-48 hours to fully set up. So, if your jam is still on the thinner side, don’t worry. Know that it can set up more as it sits in the fridge. (more info below on what to do if your jam never sets up.)

Another method to test if the jam is ready is the “plate in the freezer” method. (Remove jam from heat while conducting the test.) Place a small plate in the freezer when you begin cooking your strawberry jam. When you’re ready to test to see if the jam will set, remove the plate from the freezer and place a quarter-sized amount of the jam in the center of the plate. Place the plate back in the freezer for one minute. After a minute, run your finger through the jam on the plate. If it wrinkles and is gel-like, the jam is ready. If the jam “fills in” the line you made with your finger, you should cook the jam for another few minutes.

Can I Double this Strawberry Jam Recipe?

Yes, you can double this small batch Strawberry Jam recipe. Keep in mind you will need to cook the jam for longer if you increase the ingredients. (see tips above on how to know if your jam is done.

Can I make this recipe Sugar Free?

If using artificial sugar or less sugar than the recipe calls for, you can help your jam gel by adding 2.5 tablespoons of chia seeds at the end of the cooking time.

Can I Freeze Strawberry Jam?

Yes, you can! The even better news is that you can freeze it right in the jar. Just ensure that you leave some space at the top, as the jam will expand a bit when freezing. This way, you can make several jars in batches and pull one from the freezer to unthaw when running low.

How to Can Strawberry Jam For Pantry Storage

This recipe is perfect for a water bath canner. I have the Ball Home Canning kit. It contains everything you need for water bath canning. How to can your strawberry jam:

  1. Wash jars and lids (I use the sterilize function on my dishwasher. Use whatever size jar you like. (I prefer the 8 oz jars for this recipe.)
  2. Pour the strawberry jam into the jar, leaving 1/4 inch headspace. Use a skinny spatula to help remove air pockets.
  3. Wipe down jar rims and add the lids. Seal to fingertip tightness. (Screw the lid on till you feel resistance. If it’s too loose, the jar won’t seal, if it is too tight, the air won’t release properly.)
  4. Process for 5 minutes in the boiling water bath. Turn off the heat and let the jars sit in the water for another 5 minutes.
  5. Remove jars and let cool for 12 to 24 hours. Check the seal by removing the band and pressing the center of each lid. If you are able to indent the lid, your jam did not seal properly. Store in a cool, dry location for 1 year for best quality, but the jam may be good for up to 2 years. Be sure to test your jar for spoilage before using it. 

Keep in mind that higher altitudes affect boiling, and you will need to process the jam differently. (Interesting article about boiling points being lower at high altitudes.)

Can I Use Frozen Strawberries To Make Jam?

Yes, may need to increase the cooking time a bit as frozen strawberries tend to be more watery (and they are frozen rather than room temp.) You can also use a thermometer to help determine when your jam is done. (When the jam reaches between 217 and 220 F, it should be ready.)

Can I Use This Jam Recipe With Other Fruits?

The cooking process of this jam will work fine with other fruits, but you will need to consider the sweetness level of whatever fruit you are using. If the fruit is not very sweet, you may need to increase the amount of sweetener you add during the cooking process. Check out my Blueberry Jam Recipe and Peach Jam Recipe for other examples of fruit jam.

Why Didn’t My Strawberry Jam Set Up? (And How To Fix It)

There can be various reasons why your jam didn’t set up properly.

  1. Your Strawberry Jam most likely needed to cook longer, or there is a small chance that the strawberries didn’t have enough natural sugar for the jam to set. It’s a combination of cooking time, sugar, and lemon that makes this recipe gel. (Lemon acts as a natural pectin in this recipe.)
  2. If you followed the directions and it didn’t set up properly, let the strawberry jam sit overnight in the fridge. If that step still doesn’t get it to stiffen up and set, you can try re-cooking it for a bit longer and either 1. adding in a bit of pectin or 2. adding a bit more sugar and lemon (not much, just give it a taste test.) For best results, though, I recommend using a thermometer and making sure your strawberry mixture reaches between 217 and 220 degrees F.
How to make Strawberry Jam

Simple Ideas to Use Strawberry Jam

In no time at all, you can have a sweet and simple strawberry jam that you’ll want to put on everything. My mind can probably go on forever when thinking of ways to use homemade strawberry jam, some of my favorites are:

  • crusty bread with cream cheese
  • In peanut butter and jelly sandwiches
  • on homemade biscuits with lots of butter
  • on top of pancakes or waffles with whipped cream
  • over plain or vanilla yogurt
  • drizzled over vanilla ice cream or cheesecake
  • a filler for homemade muffins or cupcakes
  • DIY Christmas or hostess gift
Easy Strawberry Jam recipe with no pectin

More Fresh Strawberry Recipes For All Those Strawberries:

Tried this Strawberry Jam Recipe?

Please leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and/or a review in the comments section below. If you share an image on Instagram or Facebook, be sure to tag me and use #scatteredmomrecipes!

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easy strawberry jam recipe with no pectin

Strawberry Jam – No Pectin

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 159 reviews
  • Author: Jamie sanders
  • Prep Time: 10
  • Cook Time: 15
  • Total Time: 20
  • Yield: about 1 3/4 cups 1x
  • Category: jams and jellies
  • Method: stovetop

Description

A delicious and easy Strawberry Jam Recipe with no pectin. The simple recipe is made with only strawberries, lemon, and sugar! It is the perfect way to use up all of your fresh strawberries.


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 16 oz strawberries, hulled and coarsely chopped
  • 3/4 cup of sugar
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice

Instructions

  1. In a heavy bottom saucepan, mix strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice.
  2. Stir over med-low heat until the sugar is dissolved.
  3. Increase heat to med-high and bring mixture to a rolling boil.
  4. Stir frequently, mashing the strawberries as you stir, and continue to boil until the jam is thickened and bubbles completely cover the surface of the jam. (This process takes about 10 to 15 minutes. Time can vary based on your pot, the ripeness of the strawberries, heat, your stove, etc.; see the tips in the FAQ section to help judge when your jam is done.)
  5. Transfer the jam to a jar and let it cool to room temperature.
  6. Seal jars and store in refrigerator for about 10 days (or freeze)

Notes

  • Makes about 1 3/4 cups
  • Additional tips:  If you have a candy thermometer, it’s ready when the jam reaches between 217 and 220 F.
  • If you want a less chunky jam, you can process fruit in a food processor before cooking or use an immersion blender while the fruit cooks.
  • If cooking at a higher altitude, you will need to reduce the target temperature (220°F) by two degrees for every 1000 feet of elevation.
  • More questions? Check out the FAQ section abouve.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 tbs
  • Calories: 27
  • Sugar: 66
  • Sodium: 0
  • Fat: 0
  • Carbohydrates: 7
  • Fiber: 0
  • Protein: 0

Enjoy!  What are some of your favorite ways to use homemade jam?

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332 Comments

  1. can you just store it in a cool place






    1. Jamie Sanders says:

      Personally, I would store it in the fridge. I would be too afraid of any bacteria that might grow if not in the fridge.

  2. Made this jam the other day doubled the recipe using strawberries and blackberries and it turned out great,very quick and easy to make.






  3. I’ve been making jam like this for years. So easy and delicious!






  4. Jewell Spencer says:

    I was thinking It was not necessary to refrigerate it but to seal and shell does it have to be refrigerated in order to use this recipe ??

    1. Jamie Sanders says:

      I am not 100% sure what you are asking, but once you have made this recipe, you will want to store it in the refrigerator.

      1. Can I substitute some of the sugar for honey?






      2. Is this true even if I’ve canned them and sealed the jars in a water bath canner?

      3. Jamie Sanders says:

        I am not sure what the original asker was asking, but if you have processed the jam for canning properly (via pressure or water bath), the jars can be stored in a cool, dry place for a year. Be sure to check for spoilage before using.
        Info from the CDC:
        How to tell if your home-canned goods are spoiled:
        “The container is leaking, bulging, or swollen;
        the container looks damaged, cracked, or abnormal;
        the container spurts liquid or foam when opened; or,
        the food is discolored, moldy, or smells bad.”

  5. Super easy and didn’t take long at all!






  6. Best recipe I have tried for homemade jam! I will be making this recipe from here on out.






  7. It says no pectin but it says pectin in 2 different spots on the questions

    1. Jamie Sanders says:

      This recipe has no pectin in it.

  8. Can this jam be put in small plastic containers instead of glass jars?

    1. Jamie Sanders says:

      Sure, plastic works for storing in the fridge or freezer.

  9. I grew up making jam with my Grandma. This small batch recipe gave similar results in a fraction of the time! This is a keeper!






  10. Perfect and delicious!!! Added a bit of lemon zest too. We will surely be making this again!






  11. Can I use lemon juice from a jar?

  12. Anita chambers says:

    I was skeptical but I tried it and was IMPRESSED! Love that it is natural, without the pectin. Not too much sugar either. Tastes fresh. Will make again. Thank You






  13. My first time making jam. Was so simple and the results are fantastic!! Tastes so good!!! 😋






  14. Melissa Booker says:

    I am so glad I went with this recipe for my first every attempt at jam… my kids and I picked some strawberries from a nearby patch and I wanted to put them to good use. My picky husband and kids loooooovveddd it and were so impressed. Great simple recipe!!

  15. Georgina Louvain Harrison says:

    My first time jam making what a fab recipe, I will never buy Jam again. Even converted hubby to blueberries. I did use 184g jam sugar instead of granulated, and it was amazing. I would recommend anyone to try it, it was so therapeutic too. The possibilities are endless






  16. This was my first attempt at making jam. This recipe was quick & easy. My jam came out delicious!! Thanks for sharing it!!






  17. Fantastic, simple recipe. This is the best-tasting jam I have had in a while! Thank you!






  18. This was great and easy!! I used what i had in house .16 oz frozen strawberries and 2 hand fulls of fresh blueberries!! Served with scones and english clotted cream for my friends from England..






  19. Rebecca Kellogg says:

    I made this recipe first time making jam it came out fantastic friends and family loved it on a side note I made blueberry basically using same instructions only had little blueberries one cup of blueberries 1/3 cup sugar and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice a pinch of cinnamon it was awesome same results as a strawberry jam thank you again sincerely Rebecca Kellogg






  20. Can we use thawed frozen strawberries to make this??

    1. Jamie Sanders says:

      yes, you may need to increase the cooking time since the thawed strawberries are potentially more watery. (either use a thermometer or the freezer plate method to determine if your jam is ready.)

      1. How long would this remain good if put in the freezer?

      2. Jamie Sanders says:

        About 6 months at least.