3-Ingredient Strawberry Jam

Small batch easy strawberry jam recipe

The Spruce / Diana Rattray

Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 15 mins
Total: 25 mins
Servings: 32 servings
Yield: 1 pint

It's hard to believe this homemade strawberry jam contains only three ingredients: fresh strawberries, granulated sugar, and lemon juice. There's no need to add pectin to this jam; just cook it to the correct temperature, and test it for consistency.  

It's a small batch, perfect for spreading on biscuits, toast, or English muffins. Or warm it and drizzle it over pancakes, waffles, or ice cream!

Wash jars or containers in hot, soapy water, and rinse them before filling. Since you'll be refrigerating and using the jam right away, there's no need to process it in a boiling water bath canner. The National Center for Home Food Preservation recommends using refrigerator or freezer jams within about three weeks. To keep it as long as possible, don't let it stand at room temperature—use it and return it to the refrigerator right away. Check for signs of spoilage after a few weeks.

Ingredients

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2.  Wash and hull the strawberries. Discard the caps and stems. 

  3. Slice or chop the strawberries, and put them in a medium stainless steel or enamel-lined saucepan.

  4. Add the sugar and place the pan over medium-low heat. Bring the mixture to a boil, and then add the lemon juice. Keep the mixture at a steady boil for about 10 to 15 minutes, or until the jam reaches 220 F on a candy thermometer (or 8 F above the boiling point of water at your particular altitude). There are other ways to test for jelling. See below. 

  5. Stir the jam frequently, and drag the spoon over the bottom of the pan to make sure it isn't scorching. 

  6. Ladle or funnel into a one-pint jar or container. Cover and refrigerate. Take the jam out to use, and refrigerate as soon as possible after each use for the longest storage time (about 3 weeks).

  7. Enjoy!

Tips

  • The riper the strawberries, the sweeter your jam is going to be. 
  • There are about 12-ounces in a pint of strawberries. A 1-pound container of strawberries, once hulled, will weigh about 12 to 14-ounces.
  • Lemon juice is an important ingredient in this jam, so don't omit it. Strawberries are a lower-acid fruit, and the higher acidity in the lemon juice helps to set the jam.
  • This jam will keep for about 3 weeks in the fridge and 2 to 3 months in the freezer.

How to Test Jam or Jelly for Doneness

Temperature: Attach a candy thermometer to the pan and cook the jam to 220 F, or 8 F above the boiling point. For every 1000 feet of altitude above sea level, subtract 2 F. 

Freezer Test: Put a few small plates in the freezer. Near the end of the cooking time, begin to test. Drop a small dollop of jam on an ice-cold plate. Put it back in the freezer for about 2 minutes. If the jam forms a "skin" and wrinkles slightly when gently prodded with your finger, the jam is done. If it is still runny and your finger easily makes a trail through it, continue cooking and test again after few more minutes.

Cold Spoon Test: Put a few metal spoons in the refrigerator. Dip a cold spoon into the boiling mixture and lift it over the pan. Let it run off the spoon. When a few drops come together and "sheet" off the spoon, the jam is done.

 

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
40 Calories
0g Fat
10g Carbs
0g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 32
Amount per serving
Calories 40
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 0mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 10g 4%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 10g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 7mg 35%
Calcium 2mg 0%
Iron 0mg 0%
Potassium 18mg 0%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)