Small batch strawberry jam: just TWO ingredients!
Have you ever taken your toddler strawberry picking? I'm considering taking Camille, who is 2, but I have some questions. Do they teach the kids about bees and how not to piss them off and elicit a sting? And do they go over exactly why you shouldn't eat unwashed berries covered in dirt in the field?
Help this first time Mama out, and she'll reward you with a small batch strawberry jam recipe. :)
I'm one of those crazy Mams that doesn't buy sweetened yogurt for my kid (grass-fed full-fat plain, please!), and so I made some jam to stir into her yogurt for a flavor boost.
I can't get over how much FRESHER this strawberry jam tastes than store-bought. It has a bright, acidic FRESH strawberry flavor that tastes like real berries...with a little extra sweetness. And I have to say...the red in these photos hasn't been enhanced. It's just bright red because it's so fresh!
This small batch strawberry jam is great on ice cream, stirred into yogurt, and even right off the spoon. I also have plans to use it for a dessert for two, so stay tuned for that!
I used 2 pounds of strawberries to make just 1 pint of jam. Scale it up as you need to, but if my recipe for a small batch of apple butter is any indication, you guys love making small batches of jam.
All you need is a surplus of fresh strawberries and a little sugar. And some time. You definitely need time.
I'm not going to give you hard and fast rules for making this jam. I want you to cook it, while stirring every 2-3 minutes until it starts to feel like it's sticking to the pan. It will thicken and threaten to stick to the bottom. Take it 1 minute further while constantly stirring. It will set into jam as it cools, I promise. No pectin needed. Though, if you have some leftover from my strawberry pate de fruit, I'm sorry about that. That reminds me, I need to make those again.
Off to the kitchen!
Oh, and these are the exact jam jars I used in the photos. They're half pint mason jars that hold 8 ounces.
Easy Small Batch Strawberry Jam
Small batch strawberry jam made with just two ingredients.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds fresh strawberries (washed, hulled and chopped)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add the berries and sugar.
- Mash the berries with a potato masher to get some of the juice going, and then bring to a simmer.
- Cook the jam until it thickens and starts to cling to the bottom of the pan. Stir it ever 2-3 minutes, and keep an eye on it, about 10 minutes.
- Once it threatens to stick to the bottom of the pan, stir it constantly for 1 minute to thicken further.
- Pour into a pint jar (or two half-pint jars). Let cool to room temperature. Store in the fridge. Use within 2 months.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 85Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 1mgCarbohydrates: 21gFiber: 2gSugar: 18gProtein: 1g
Paul D. Fahs says
Christina, I've been doing small batch canning for a couple of years. Definitely will be trying this. I've bought all you cookbooks. Love the Tuna Casserole and French Onion Soup. Also loved the little Lemon Cakes. I'm working through. The Recipes in "Comfort and Joy". Keep the recipes coming.
Christina Lane says
You're so sweet, Paul! Thank you so much! <3
Midori says
Y'all, I let my kids eat the strawberries straight from the ground. Granted, I've asked how the strawberries are grown, so no worries about chemicals, but after that, I don't care. I bring a bottle of water with me and slightly wash off any dirt. And on the way out, I tell the farmer to charge us for a full bucket even though ours is only half full. I tell him the rest is in their bellies. :)
Amanda says
This looks so good! Our local strawberry farm sells jam during the season and it's amazing. I wouldn't mind trying this out though! It seems so easy.
Brooke L says
Have you tried this with blueberries yet? I'd love to see a small batch blueberry jam recipe, please and thanks! :)
Lorianne Martell says
BLUEBERRY JAM
Use 4lb of fresh buleberries
2 1/2 cups sugar
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
I pack of pectin or certo
Mash all together and boil, once boiled add pectin boil that for 1 min and than fill jars if canning. Fills about 6 or 7 1 pint jars.
Karin says
Decided to try this because it required no pectin. I found it to be too runny for jam, but will definitely use it this weekend for Strawberry shortcake. It is deliciously drippy!
Jackie says
Hello,
Can you use frozen strawberries? I had bought a lot of fresh strawberries last month and decided to freeze some as I had way too many for my husband and myself. They are bright,red, plump strawberries that froze beautifully.
Christina Lane says
Yes, of course, Jackie! Enjoy :)
Abiko says
Hello Christina,
May I scale down your recipe to half of it?
If it's fail, then what can I do with the strawberries sugar? Hahaha.....
Christina Lane says
You just want a 1/2 pint of jam?
Abiko says
Yes, because not always use it and only 1 person to consume it. 1 pint quite a lot..... If can't finish, it will be waste.....
Christina Lane says
Hmmm..okay, I would try to halve the recipe and keep it in the fridge. Good luck!
Darcy Childress says
Any idea how many cups of strawberries 2 lbs would be? Thank you!
Christina Lane says
Try a quick google search :)
Shelley says
On the sugare free version, do you have to put it back it the freezer every time you scoop some out? because I don't want to mess it up if it have to stay in the freezer after scooping some out
Jeanette Schutz says
Hi Christina! Is there a way I can make this come out like a jelly consistency without canning it? My husband likes jelly, but I just don't want to go thru all the steps to can it. If I add a packet of pectin, would that do it? Then wait for it to cool and then freeze? Although I don't think it would last long enough to freeze it, he'll probably devour it in a week or two.
Thanks,
Jeanette