There’s a simple pleasure in making your own strawberry jam—transforming fresh, juicy strawberries into a sweet spread that enhances everything it touches. Whether it’s lathering it on a warm slice of buttered toast or dolloping it onto a scoop of vanilla ice cream, homemade jam has the power to turn ordinary moments into memorable ones. This Quick and Easy Strawberry Jam recipe captures the essence of strawberries at their peak and preserves it in a jar of shimmering, ruby-red delight.

This jam recipe is ideal for those sunny mornings when the berries are just right and you feel inspired to create something that tastes like summer. It’s a straightforward process, requiring just three ingredients and a bit of stirring. In under half an hour, you can have a batch of fresh strawberry jam ready to enjoy or share.

Ingredients

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

Equipment

• Heavy bottom saucepan
• Wooden spoon or potato masher
• Jar or jars for storing the jam

Instructions

1. Combine Ingredients: In your saucepan, mix together the chopped strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice. The lemon not only adds a nice zesty note but also helps in setting the jam by interacting with the natural pectin in the strawberries.
2. Dissolve the Sugar: Place the saucepan over medium-low heat and stir the mixture gently. This initial gentle heating helps the sugar dissolve without any granules burning, which is crucial for a smooth jam.
3. Cook the Jam: Once the sugar has dissolved, increase the heat to medium-high to bring the mixture to a rolling boil. Keep the mixture at a vigorous boil, stirring frequently and mashing the strawberries with your spoon or masher as you go. This will release more pectin and help thicken the jam.
4. Watch for Jam Consistency: After about 10 minutes of boiling, you should see the mixture thicken and bubbles completely covering the surface. If you want to be sure it’s ready, you can perform a quick “wrinkle test” by placing a small amount of jam on a cold plate. If it wrinkles when you push it with your finger, it’s done.
5. Cool and Store: Transfer the hot jam to a jar and let it cool to room temperature. Once cool, seal the jar and store it in the refrigerator. The jam will keep well for about 10 days; if you’d like to store it longer, it can be frozen.

Serving Suggestions

• Breakfast Treat: Spread it over toast, croissants, or pancakes.
• Dessert Enhancer: Swirl it into yogurt or layer it in a trifle.
• Savory Pairing: Serve it with cheese and crackers for a delightful contrast.

Tips

• Sterilize Jars: For longer storage, sterilize your jars before adding the jam to prevent contamination and preserve the freshness.
• Adjust Sugar: If your strawberries are very sweet, you might want to reduce the sugar slightly, or if they are tart, add a bit more.
• Pectin Addition: For an even thicker jam, you can add a teaspoon of pectin with the sugar.

FAQs

1. Can I use frozen strawberries? Yes, frozen strawberries work well; just allow them to thaw so you can accurately measure and adjust sugar as needed.
2. How do I know if my jam is set? Use the wrinkle test described above. Another method is checking if the jam clings to a lifted spoon rather than dripping off quickly.
3. Can I can this jam for pantry storage? Yes, you can process the filled and sealed jars in a water bath for 10 minutes to store them at room temperature.
4. Why did my jam not set? Undercooking, low pectin content, or insufficient acid could be the reasons. You can reboil it with a little more lemon juice or pectin if needed.

This Quick and Easy Strawberry Jam is more than just a recipe—it’s a delightful way to capture the freshness of strawberries and enjoy it long after their season has passed. It’s perfect for those looking to savor the simplicity and joy of homemade preserves without any fuss.