Discover the joy of making Strawberry Freezer Jam with this incredibly simple, no-cook recipe. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s so straightforward, it’s almost impossible to mess up! After making it for 10 years, I can promise you that it’s a winner!
Easy Strawberry Jam Recipe
My Strawberry Freezer Jam is as simple as it gets – just three ingredients and 30 minutes, and you’re done. No complicated steps, just pure, sweet strawberry goodness. This isn’t your average store-bought jam; it’s fresher, tastier, and so simple to make.
Stock your freezer with jars of this homemade delight and enjoy the taste of summer all year round. Trust me, once you try this, you’ll wonder why you ever bought jam from the store!
What you’ll need for Freezer Strawberry Jam
- Strawberries
- Sugar
- Ball No Cook Freezer Pectin
- Containers — glass jars or plastic containers
- Food Processor (optional — makes things easier)
What type of pectin should I use?
There are several different brands of pectin out there and they are all different. For this recipe, you want to make sure to use Freezer Pectin! I always use the Ball Real Fruit Freezer Pectin. Most other types of pectin have you add it to water and boil it on the stove top. Then it requires a small sitting period, before adding it to your fruit. Those recipes will also be different amounts of fruit and sugar. So again — Freezer Pectin is the was you want to go!!
Strawberry Freezer Jam Recipe substitutions and variations
Can I use frozen strawberries?
Yes, you can! Allow the frozen strawberries to thaw completely and use them just as you would fresh fruit — substituting equal amounts frozen strawberries to fresh strawberries.
Can I use less sugar?
I do not suggest using and altering this recipe if you’re looking for a jam recipe that uses less or no sugar.
How to Make Strawberry Freezer Jam
- Clean and sterilize your containers.
- Mix pectin with sugar in a bowl.
- Thoroughly wash the strawberries. I like to wash them by soaking them in 4 parts water and 1 part vinegar for a few minutes.
- Afterward, pat dry.
If using a food processor:
- Slice the tops off of the strawberries and then quarter them.
- Place the quartered strawberries in your food processor and pulse them a few times.
- Then take a spatula and push them strawberries down off the slides.
- Then pulse until desired consistency. I personally like ours to have a little texture. But, others prefer to have it completely smooth.
If mashing by hand:
- Hull the strawberries and dice into small pieces.
- Then use a potato masher to mash the strawberries, one layer at a time, to your desired consistency.
6. Add the jam mixture to your cleaned and sterile jars. Leave at least ½ headspace, because the jam mixture will expand a little when it freezes.
7. Allow the jars to sit for 30 minutes before using or freezing!
How to store Easy Strawberry Jam
What containers should I use for freezer strawberry jam?
You can use glass jars or plastic containers! I suggest using 8 oz containers, but if you’re a large family you could use a bigger container if you want. I will link my two favorites below!
- Ball Plastic Pint (8oz) Containers (3 Count per Pack (2-Pack)) — so 6 containers total!
- 8 oz Glass Jars 24 pack — I like the shape of these jars!
How long can freezer jam last in the freezer?
This no-cook freezer jam can be frozen for up to 1 year! Once defrosted, it is good for 3 weeks in the refrigerator. I suggest only keeping one container in the fridge at a time and freezing the rest!
What’s the best way to thaw the freezer jam?
Remove the container from the freezer and put it in the fridge overnight to thaw. I sometimes leave it on the counter for a few hours to get the thawing process started and then I place it in the fridge to finish thawing.
Freezer Jam Strawberry FAQs
While freezer jam offers a delightful taste of fresh fruit, it does come with some limitations. One notable drawback is its limited shelf life; it can only last about a year in the freezer and should be consumed within a few weeks once thawed and opened. This shorter lifespan is coupled with the need for ample freezer space, which can be a challenge for those with limited room. In terms of texture, freezer jam is typically more fluid and less firm than its cooked counterparts, which might not appeal to everyone. Additionally, it’s worth noting that while freezer jam retains a more ‘fresh fruit’ flavor, some of its nutrients can degrade over time in the freezer, slightly diminishing its nutritional value compared to freshly made jam.
You don’t need to boil the lids for freezer jam since it’s stored in the freezer, not at room temperature. Just use clean, sterilized jars and lids. Washing them in hot, soapy water or running them through a hot cycle in the dishwasher is enough. After filling the jars with jam, they go straight into the freezer.
Wait First: Give the jam at least 24-48 hours to set. Sometimes it takes a bit longer, especially if your kitchen is warm.
Reprocess with More Pectin: If the jam still hasn’t set, you can reprocess it. Measure your jam and pour it into a bowl. For each cup of jam, mix in 1 tablespoon of fresh freezer jam pectin. Stir for 3 minutes. One thing to note: Check Pectin Expiry Date: Before attempting to fix the jam, check the pectin’s expiry date. Expired pectin can lose its gelling ability.
Add Sugar if Necessary: If the jam was originally made with too little sugar, you might need to add more. Sugar helps with the setting process.
Re-Jar and Freeze: After mixing, transfer the jam back into clean jars, leaving appropriate headspace for expansion in the freezer, and then freeze. Remember, the texture of no-cook freezer jam will be slightly looser than cooked jam, so a somewhat softer set is normal.
More Recipes like this Easy Strawberry Jam
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*This post was originally published in June 2014 and has been updated with new pictures, video, and instructions.
Easy Freezer Jam (Strawberry)
Equipment
- Bowl
- Knife
- Measuring Cup
- Potato Masher
- Food Processor (optional)
- Jars and/or Containers
Ingredients
- 3 ⅓ Cups Strawberries mashed
- 1 ⅓ Cup Sugar
- 4 Tbsp Ball Real Fruit Freezer Pectin
Instructions
- Wash and steralize the containers.
- Start by mixing the pectin and sugar in a bowl.
- Thoroughly wash the strawberries. I like to wash them by soaking them in 4 parts water and 1 part vinegar for a few minutes. Afterward, pat dry.
- If using a food processor:Slice the tops off of the strawberries and then quarter them. Place the quartered strawberries in your food processor and pulse them a few times. Then take a spatula and push them strawberries down off the slides. Then pulse until desired consistency. I personally like ours to have a little texture.
- If mashing by hand:Hull the strawberries and dice into small pieces. Then use a potato masher to mash the strawberries, one layer at a time, to your desired consistency.
- Add the jam mixture to your cleaned and sterile jars. Leave at least ½" headspace, because the jam mixture will expand a little when it freezes.
- Allow the jars to sit for 30 minutes before using or freezing!
Video
Notes
What Containers Should I Use?
You can use glass jars or plastic containers! I suggest using 8 oz containers, but if you’re a large family you could use a bigger container if you want. I will link my two favorites below!- Ball Plastic Pint (8oz) Containers (3 Count per Pack (2-Pack)) — so 6 containers total!
- 8 oz Glass Jars 24 pack — I like the shape of these jars!
Wanda
Why is my jam too thin? What can I do to make it thicker?
Kim
Yummm! I can’t wait to try this recipe!
Sarah
So delicious! My kids love it!
JB
I love this recipe! Thank you so much!
Pam Dana
Yay! Thanks friend!
Jessica
Mmm! Love this time of year and the jam making canning craze that begins! Thanks for sharing!