This no-fail Strawberry Freezer Jam recipe is a great way to savor the fresh flavors of summer all year long. There is zero canning required, and just 4 simple ingredients.
When making traditional jam, the fruit is cooked with the sugar until it reaches a very high temperature. Because freezer jam is never cooked, it preserves the fresh flavor of the berries giving it a unique taste.
Recipe Notes
Growing up on a farm with a huge 1 acre garden, we grew strawberries all summer long. My mom grew a few varieties and my favortie variety was the ever bearing strawberry. It was a little later to bear fruit but it produced fruit all summer long. I spent hours and hours of my childhood picking and processing strawberries. I didn’t enjoy it at the time as much as I do now but I have always enjoyed eating and cooking with them!
The very best way to enjoy strawberries is strawberry freezer jam. We had warm homemade wheat bread a couple times a week and we even made our own butter. It’s hard to imagine that now, freshly ground wheat, home churned butter and freshly made strawberry freezer jam! What a delight!
Some of my other favorite strawberry recipes to make from the time I was a child are… Strawberry Sauce, Strawberry Shortcake, and Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp. Another summertime favorite!
Best Strawberry Freezer Jam Recipe
There are so many reasons to love this recipe for Strawberry Freezer Jam, besides the fact that it is incredibly delicious. First of all, no canning is required! And unlike traditional jam, this strawberry jam isn’t actually cooked so it preserves the fresh strawberry flavor.
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When stored properly, you can keep freezer jam for up to 1 full year. I like to spread it on toast and muffins, serve with waffles and pancakes, or drizzle it over ice cream. You can also use the same method to make raspberry freezer jam, mixed berry freezer jam, blueberry freezer jam, you name it.
Ingredients You Will Need
- Ripe Strawberries – this recipe is all about the strawberries so you want to make sure you use ripe fresh strawberries. Before using, just wash, remove the stems, and crush gently. You can pulse them in a food processor or even use a potato masher. Don’t go too crazy, though, or you will lose the nice strawberry chunks.
- Sugar – you will need white granulated sugar for this recipe.
- Fruit Pectin – you should be able to find this is the spice section at your grocery store. If you see jam jars, you are in the right spot.
- Water – this helps to thin the jam out just a touch.
How to Make Strawberry Freezer Jam
- Prep strawberries. Prepare your strawberries by washing, removing the stems, and crushing. You can either pulse gently in a food processor or use a potato masher – just be sure not to overdo it or you won’t have any strawberry chunks.
- Mix the strawberries and sugar. In a large bowl, add the crushed strawberries and sugar and let sit for about 10 minutes.
- Make the pectin mixture. Meanwhile, combine the pectin and water in a small saucepan. Stir well and bring to a boil. Boil for 1 full minute.
- Add the pectin mixture to the strawberries. Stir the boiling mixture into the crushed strawberries and let the mixture sit at room temperature for 3 full minutes.
- Add to jars or freezer safe containers. Fill your jars or other freezer safe containers with the freezer jam, leaving about ½” for it to expand while it freezes.
- Leave at room temperature for 24 hours. Let your covered jars sit at room temperature for 24 hours before storing.
- Store. Store either in the freezer for 1 full year or in the fridge for up to 1 month.
How to Make Strawberry Freezer Jam Without Pectin
If you want to go the no pectin route, you will just need to do a little cooking as well as add some lemon juice. Here’s how:
- Prep strawberries. Prepare your strawberries following the instructions above.
- Bring to a boil. Combine the crushed strawberries, sugar, and water in a large saucepan and bring to a boil. Continue to boil stirring constantly until the mixture reaches 220 degrees F on a digital thermometer.
- Add the lemon juice. Remove from the heat and stir in 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice.
- Add to jars or freezer safe containers. Carefully ladle the hot jam into jars (Note: If using a plastic freezer safe container, allow the mixture to cool down slightly first).
- Let cool. Let the jars cool completely at room temperature.
- Store. Store either in the freezer for 1 full year or in the fridge for up to 1 month.
Recipe Variations and Tips
- Do not try and reduce the amount of sugar! Yes, it is a lot of sugar. But if you want it to set properly, you need to add it all. If you want to make a lower sugar jam, I recommend cooking it on the stovetop instead.
- You can use this recipe to make freezer jam with all types of berries, so get creative! Mixed berries, raspberries, blueberries—preserve them all using this easy freezer method.
- Try adding fresh garden herbs like mint and basil. If you have a more extensive herb garden, lemon verbena or lemon balm would also be delicious.
- Feel free to experiment with different spices like cinnamon, ginger, or nutmeg.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can! The difference is that without pectin you will need to cook your strawberries, sugar, and water whereas freezer jam with pectin isn’t actually cooked. You will also need to add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. See the instructions above for how to make this Strawberry Freezer Jam without pectin.
Your freezer jam should last for up to 1 full year in the freezer. That means you can enjoy strawberries all year long.
You can! Any kind of frozen berries will work to make freezer jam.
The most likely reasons for runny freezer jam are either not measuring properly or not allowing the sugar to dissolve completely. Make sure to measure carefully and follow the instructions and times listed and you shouldn’t have a problem
Storing Freezer Jam
- Refrigerator: you can store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 month
- Freezer: store in freezer safe containers for up to 1 full year in the freezer.
Strawberry Freezer Jam Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups strawberries, crushed
- 4 cups sugar
- 1 1.75-oz package dry pectin
- 3/4 cup water
Instructions
- Prepare your strawberries by washing, removing the stems, and crushing. You can either pulse gently in a food processor or use a potato masher—just be sure not to overdo it or you won’t have any strawberry chunks.
- In a large bowl, add the crushed strawberries and sugar and let sit for about 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, combine the pectin and water in a small saucepan. Stir well and bring to a boil. Boil for 1 full minute. Stir the boiling mixture into the crushed strawberries and let the mixture sit at room temperature for 3 full minutes.
- Fill your jars or other freezer safe containers with the freezer jam, leaving about ½” for it to expand while it freezes. Let your covered jars sit at room temperature for 24 hours before storing.
- Store either in the freezer for 1 full year or in the fridge for up to 1 month. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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More of the Best Strawberry Recipes
- Strawberry Rhubarb Pie
- Strawberry and Cream Pie
- Virgin Strawberry Pina Colada
- Strawberry Nutella Dessert Pizza
- Strawberry Pretzel Salad
- More Dessert Recipes
- More Summer Recipes
This easy recipe for freezer Strawberry Jam uses just 4 ingredients and requires no canning. Enjoy it on toast, waffles, pancakes, ice cream, and more!
Categories:
Dairy-Free, Easter, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Sauces & Condiments, Spring Recipes, Summer Recipes, Vegan, Vegetarian,
I have a question, should my sugar be settling on the bottom of my jars?