Strawberry Freezer Jam
Classic Strawberry Freezer Jam is bright red and bursting with fresh strawberry flavor. It is irresistible on toast or a warm dinner roll!
Freezer Jam is a perfect recipe for beginners because the fruit doesn’t need to be cooked and you can prepare a whole batch in 30 minutes or less.
No canning equipment is required! You can use traditional mason jars or freezer-safe plastic storage containers.
We prefer using these Ball Wide Mouth Pint Jars with Leak-Proof plastic lids for freezer jam.
Weck Tulip Jelly Jars (shown above) are a great choice as well.
What is the difference between jam and jelly?
Jellies are made from the fruit juice squeezed from the fruit. Jams are made from crushed or cut-up fruit.
Jams are thick but not firm like jellies.
Only 4 Ingredients
- Strawberries
- Sugar
- Pectin
- Lemon Juice
I prefer to use liquid pectin so my recipe reflects that. There are many different brands of pectin, so it is important to follow the instructions on your preferred pectin.
Do not swap powdered pectin for liquid. The instructions and amounts vary among different brands. Read well before beginning!
These tips and tricks can be used to make any freezer jam, but the specific recipe below uses Certo Liquid Fruit Pectin.
Tips for Strawberry Freezer Jam Success
If using a food processor or blender to dice the strawberries be sure to use the Pulse setting. Do not puree! You want a fairly chunky consistency, not liquid.
Be sure to measure the ingredients exactly and do not use less sugar. Remember that this is jam and you will be using it in small quantities!
Do not skip stirring for a full 3 minutes after adding the pectin. You do not want a grainy jam!
Lemon juice contains an additional natural pectin, so do not omit it! I have used fresh squeezed lemon juice as well as bottled lemon juice and have not found a difference. Some people swear that the taste is less fresh with bottled lemon juice but I have not experienced that.
You will have the most success with freezer jam when you do not double the recipe. It is best to make one batch and start over for a second batch if you need more.
Can I use Frozen Berries?
Yes, you can use frozen berries. First, be sure that the berries are not already sweetened with sugar.
Thaw the berries before using. Do not discard any excess liquid.
Make Sure your Jam Sets Properly
Use ripe berries. Firm berries will be more flavorful and can equal a firm jam.
After you ladle your jam into their jars, allow to set on your counter top for 24 hours. Try not to move the jars around.
Leave out a sample of jam in a small bowl or plastic container. This is your test dummy. After 24 hours you can poke it and see if the jam set up properly.
Follow the instructions on your pectin box if it did not thicken up. Freezer jam is not as thick as store-bought jam or jelly. It is easily spreadable.
Most jams that have not thickened properly can be saved by adding more pectin, sugar, and lemon juice. Follow the instructions on your pectin box. Or use our helpful tutorial on How to Fix Freezer Jam.
Strawberry Freezer Jam
Ingredients
- 2 cups strawberries, diced or mashed (see notes)
- 4 cups granulated sugar
- 6 fluid oz. Certo Liquid Pectin, 1 pouch
- 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
Instructions
- Stem and dice or mash strawberries thoroughly. Do not fully puree in a blender or food processor.
- Using a liquid ingredient measuring cup, measure exactly 2 cups of diced/mashed fruit into large bowl. Using a dry ingredient measuring cup, measure exactly 4 cups of sugar. Stir in sugar. Let stand 10 min., stirring occasionally.
- Mix pectin and lemon juice in a small bowl. Add to strawberry mixture; stir at least 3 minutes or until sugar is dissolved and no longer grainy.
- Fill all containers to within 1/2 inch of tops (leave room for expansion during freezing). Wipe off top edges of containers; immediately cover with lids. Let stand at room temperature 24 hours.
- Refrigerate up to 3 weeks or freeze up to 1 year.
Notes
Nutrition
How Do I Store Freezer Jam?
After allowing the jam to thicken up for 24 hours you can place a jar in your refrigerator for use up to three weeks.
Store the rest of the jars in the freezer for up to one year.
Looking for More
Give Mom a jar of freezer jam along with a jar of Eleven Madison Park Granola for Mother’s Day or any special occasion.
This Strawberry Freezer Jam would be perfect to scoop into Ice Cream Kolacky Cookies or swirl into this No Churn Cheesecake Ice Cream.
Feeling adventurous? Surprise your family with Strawberry Candied Bacon!
