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Making Strawberry Jam - Jars on Counter with funnel

Homemade Jam is one of those things that just can’t be replicated in a commercial store bought form. Don’t get me wrong, we buy plenty of store bought jams and jellies for pb&j’s, but if I had a choice it would always be homemade strawberry jam.

This year, we went out bright and early and picked more berries than I thought a couple of young kids would have the patience for. The hope is to have enough freezer jam to make it through the year… but it’s already going fast.

Strawberries are one of my favorite fruits to preserve because they work perfectly in simple freezer jams like this one, or in a slightly more tart combination with my favorite spring crop, Strawberry Rhubarb Freezer Jam.

If you’re looking to capture the essence of summer in a jar, homemade strawberry freezer jam is the way to go. This quick and easy recipe ensures you’ll (hopefully) have a stash of delightful jam to enjoy throughout the year.

Why Strawberry Freezer Jam Is So Popular

Strawberry freezer jam is one of the easiest ways to preserve fresh strawberries without complicated canning equipment. Because the berries aren’t cooked for long periods of time, the jam keeps its bright strawberry flavor and vibrant color.

Many people prefer freezer jam over traditional cooked jam because it tastes closer to fresh strawberries. It’s also a fantastic beginner recipe if you’ve never made homemade jam before.

How to Make Strawberry Freezer Jam

Ingredients

2 cups crushed strawberries (about 4 cups or 1.5lbs of fresh strawberries)
4 cups granulated sugar
1 package (1.75 oz) fruit pectin (powdered)
3/4 cup water

Fresh strawberries are the star of this recipe. If you end up with extra berries after making jam, they’re also delicious in recipes like my Strawberry Salad or baked into Strawberry Shortcake Cookies.

Equipment Needed

Large mixing bowl
Potato masher or blender
Wooden spoon or silicone spatula
Clean jars or containers with lids
Labels and markers (for dating your jam)

Save This Strawberry Freezer Jam Recipe

If you love easy homemade recipes and want to remember this one later, be sure to save this Strawberry Freezer Jam recipe on Pinterest so you can find it quickly during strawberry season.

Instructions

1. Prepare Your Containers:

Wash your jars or containers and lids thoroughly with hot, soapy water. Rinse well and let them air dry. Alternatively, you can run them through the dishwasher on a hot cycle.

In the past, I’ve used plastic freezer containers, but this year is the first time we’ve attempted glass. (Am I the only one traumatized by freezing a bottle of wine in college and having it explode and picking glass shards out of everything in the freezer for months? Maybe).

2. Prepare the Strawberries:

Wash the strawberries under cold water and remove the stems.

Using a spoon to remove the stems is, in my opinion, the fastest and easiest way. It’s the best hack that has saved me time and actually quite a bit of strawberry as I used to just hack off part of the top with a knife.

Crush the berries with a potato masher or blend them in a blender until you have 2 cups of crushed strawberries. Some small chunks are okay and add texture to the jam.

3. Combine Ingredients:

In a large mixing bowl, combine the crushed strawberries with the sugar.

Stir well until the sugar is mostly dissolved. This might take a few minutes.

Let it sit for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

4. Mix the Pectin:

In a separate bowl, combine the powdered pectin with 3/4 cup of warm water. Stir until the pectin is completely dissolved.

Bring the pectin mixture to a boil over medium heat. Boil one minute.

I usually start heating my pectin mixture when there are 5 minutes left on my strawberries and sugar rest timer. This usually lines up both the strawberries and the pectin being ready at the same time.

5. Add Pectin Mixture:

Pour the pectin mixture into the strawberry-sugar mixture.

Stir vigorously for 3 minutes to ensure the sugar is completely dissolved and well combined with the strawberries.

6. Fill Your Jars:

Carefully ladle or pour the strawberry jam into your prepared jars, leaving about 1/2 inch of space at the top to allow for expansion during freezing.

Wipe the rims of the jars clean with a damp cloth to ensure a good seal.

7. Seal and Label:

Place the lids (we love these lids!) on the jars and let them sit at room temperature for about 24 hours to set.

Afterward, label the jars with the date and store them in the freezer.

8. Enjoy Your Jam:

Once frozen, your strawberry freezer jam is ready to enjoy! It will keep in the freezer for up to a year. When you’re ready to use a jar, simply thaw it in the refrigerator.

How Long Does Strawberry Freezer Jam Last?

Strawberry freezer jam will keep in the freezer for up to one year when stored in properly sealed containers.

Once thawed, keep the jam in the refrigerator and use it within 3–4 weeks for the best flavor and texture.

Can You Store Freezer Jam in Glass Jars?

Yes, glass jars can be used for freezer jam as long as you leave enough headspace for expansion during freezing.

Always leave about ½ inch of space at the top of the jar so the jam has room to expand without cracking the jar.

Tips for Making the Best Strawberry Freezer Jam

Use ripe, flavorful strawberries for the best-tasting jam.
If you’re working through a big batch of strawberries, another great way to use them is by making Strawberry Mint Simple Syrup, which is perfect for iced tea, lemonade, or summer coffee drinks.
Stir the jam mixture thoroughly to dissolve the sugar and pectin completely.
Make sure your jars are clean and dry to prevent any contamination.
Leave enough headspace in the jars to accommodate expansion during freezing.

More Strawberry Recipes to Try

If you love cooking and baking with fresh strawberries, you might also enjoy these recipes:

• Strawberry Rhubarb Freezer Jam
• Strawberry Mint Simple Syrup
• Strawberry Salad
• Strawberry Shortcake Cookies

Bringing Summer to Your Table

Homemade strawberry freezer jam is not only a delicious treat but also a wonderful way to preserve the flavors of summer strawberries.

Spread it on toast, swirl it into yogurt, or even use it as a topping for ice cream. With this simple recipe, you can savor the taste of summer all year long. If you love making homemade jams, you might also enjoy browsing my post on Favorite Freezer Jams, where I share several of our favorite easy freezer jam recipes. Happy jam-making!

Piece of bread with homemade strawberry jam

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