Description
Classic strawberry jam delivers bright, sweet-tart berry flavor with a glossy, tender set that spreads smoothly without turning gummy.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds fresh strawberries (rinsed, hulled, and halved or quartered)
- 2 cups granulated white sugar
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (from 1 medium lemon)
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon unsalted butter (optional, reduces surface foaming during rapid boiling)
Instructions
- Place two small ceramic saucers in the freezer to chill for testing the jam’s set point later.
- In a wide, heavy-bottomed stainless steel Dutch oven or pot, combine the prepared strawberries, granulated sugar, lemon juice, and salt.
- Stir thoroughly and let the mixture sit at room temperature for 15 to 20 minutes to macerate.
- Place the pot over medium-low heat, stirring continuously until all remaining sugar grains dissolve fully and the liquid turns clear.
- Increase heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a rapid, rolling boil. Stir in the butter if using.
- Use a potato masher to crush the softening berries to your desired consistency.
- Maintain a vigorous boil for 15 to 25 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent scorching.
- Remove the pot from the heat source to test the gel by spooning a small dollop of hot jam onto a frozen saucer.
- Skim off any lingering surface foam with a metal spoon, then allow the jam to rest off the heat for 5 minutes.
- Ladle hot jam into clean, warm glass jars, leaving 1/4-inch of headspace at the top, wipe rims clean, and seal with clean lids.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Condiment
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 100
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 1mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Frozen unsweetened strawberries can replace fresh berries; thaw them completely and strain off excess liquid before macerating.