Description
Make bright, fresh strawberry freezer jam quickly with this simple, no-cook method. This recipe requires few ingredients and is perfect for beginners wanting a canning alternative.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and crushed
- 5 cups granulated sugar
- 1 package (1.75 oz) powdered fruit pectin (optional, for a firmer set)
- 1/4 cup lemon juice (if using pectin)
Instructions
- Prepare your containers: Wash and dry four half-pint jars or freezer-safe containers. Set aside.
- Crush the strawberries: Place the hulled and crushed strawberries into a large bowl.
- Mix sugar: Stir the granulated sugar into the crushed strawberries until fully combined. Let this mixture sit for 10 minutes.
- (Optional Pectin Step): If using pectin, whisk the powdered pectin and lemon juice into the strawberry-sugar mixture until no lumps remain.
- Rest the mixture: Let the jam mixture stand for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves and the mixture thickens slightly.
- Fill containers: Ladle the jam mixture into your prepared freezer containers, leaving about 1/2 inch of headspace at the top.
- Seal and freeze: Wipe the rims clean, seal the containers tightly, and place them in the freezer. The jam sets within 24 hours.
- Thaw before serving: Thaw jam in the refrigerator for several hours before using. It keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks after thawing.
Notes
- For a lower sugar version, you can use a low-sugar pectin, but you must follow the specific instructions on that pectin package.
- If you skip the pectin entirely, the jam will be softer, more like a thick sauce, but the fresh flavor is intense.
- Crushing the berries by hand gives you a better texture than using a food processor.
- This recipe is easy to make with children.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 0 min
- Category: Dessert Topping
- Method: No-Cook Preservation
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 45
- Sodium: 2
- Fat: 0.2
- Saturated Fat: 0
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.1
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 46
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 0.5
- Cholesterol: 0