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Homemade Strawberry Jam Recipe

4.4 from 65 reviews

This classic homemade strawberry jam recipe uses fresh strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice to create a sweet, tangy preserve perfect for spreading on toast, dolloping on yogurt, or adding to your favorite desserts. Cooked slowly on the stovetop to the perfect gel stage, it captures the vibrant flavor of summer strawberries in a jar.

Ingredients

Scale

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds fresh strawberries (washed, hulled, and halved or quartered)
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • Juice of 1 lemon

Instructions

  1. Combine Ingredients: Place the cut strawberries, granulated sugar, and lemon juice into a large, heavy-bottomed pot. Stir well to evenly coat the fruit with sugar and lemon juice.
  2. Boil: Set the pot over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a rolling boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low to maintain a gentle simmer.
  3. Simmer: Stir frequently to prevent scorching and continue cooking for about 45 minutes, until the jam thickens significantly and reaches 220°F on a candy thermometer or passes the gel stage test on a chilled plate.
  4. Ladle: Remove the pot from heat and skim off any foam from the surface if necessary. Carefully ladle the hot jam into sterilized jars, leaving a small amount of headspace at the top.
  5. Cool: Let the jam cool to room temperature before sealing the jars. Once cooled, refrigerate for short-term use or process further by canning methods for longer shelf life.

Notes

  • Using ripe, fresh strawberries will result in the best flavor and natural sweetness.
  • Be sure to stir frequently during simmering to avoid burning the jam on the pot’s bottom.
  • Testing jam thickness with a candy thermometer or chilled plate ensures perfect set every time.
  • For longer storage, properly sterilize jars and process them in a boiling water bath.
  • If foam forms on the boiling jam, skim it off for a clearer final product.

Keywords: strawberry jam, homemade jam, fruit preserves, stovetop jam, strawberry preserves, jam recipe