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The freshest tasting jam you’ve ever had, this Strawberry Freezer Jam Recipe is so simple to make. Just three ingredients and 20 minutes, and you’ll have homemade strawberry jam made by your very own hands.
I’ve never been one to shy away from a canning project. I like to tackle big batches of things like canning peaches, canning applesauce, or canning tomato soup to put up like a crazed squirrel for winter.
But of all the preserving recipes I make, strawberry jam is hands down the family favorite. And you can too can make this amazingly easy frozen strawberry jam. And I’m going to show you how.
What is the Difference Between Jam and Freezer Jam?
In a nutshell, freezer jam involves zero cooking or actual canning skills. No canning supplies are needed. Based on the name, you’ll note it needs to be stored in the fridge or freezer; it is not shelf-stable and therefore it is perishable!
But more than being simple to make, freezer jam is incredibly fresh tasting and the colors are brighter and more vibrant because the mixture is not cooked. Strawberry freezer jam is pure sunshine in a jar.
It also only takes about 15 minutes as opposed to hours. This is the lazy person’s jam. This jam is so easy that a kid could make it.
You don’t have to freeze the jam in order to use it. It’s actually ready to eat within about an 30-60 minutes of making it.
And if making freezer jam is your jam (<—-not even a little bit sorry), check out these Blueberry Freezer Jam, Peach Freezer Jam, No Cook Raspberry Freezer Jam, and Blackberry Freezer Jam recipes.
What Ingredients Are In Strawberry Freezer Jam?
- Strawberries!
- Freezer jam pectin
- Sugar
If you already have a batch of Strawberry Puree in the fridge or freeze, that can be the base of your jam.
Can I Use Less Sugar in Freezer Jam?
Yes, but my recipe already calls for significantly less sugar than the pectin company recommends. If you plan to lower the sugar even more, please note the consistency of the final product will be impacted.
But, it will still be absolutely delicious. Call it strawberry ice cream sauce and no one will be the wiser. It isn’t a kitchen failure, it’s a marketing opportunity.
Can I Use Alternate Sweeteners in Freezer Jam?
Yes. If you want to replace the sugar with an alternative sweetener, you can. For Splenda you would want to use a 1:1 ratio, so 1 cup of sugar would be 1 cup of Splenda.
To replace with Stevia, you would use 1 tsp of powder or liquid concentrate to 1 cup of sugar. Please note, without the “bulk” of the sugar, your freezer jam is very likely to be much runnier if using Stevia.
Can You Make Freezer Jam with Frozen Strawberries?
The answer is a big “Yes”! You’ll need to drain at least half of the excess liquid that happens during the thawing process.
One of the benefits of using storebought frozen fruit is that it is picked at the peak of freshness which means it was frozen with as many nutrients as possible.
Perhaps you still have a few bags from freezing strawberries rattling around in your freezer from last year? Clear out that space and use that fruit to make this delicious freezer jam strawberry recipe.
Please don’t buy “fresh” strawberries in January at the store. They just taste like utter junk. But if you’re desperate for some delicious homemade jam, frozen berries are a wonderful alternative.
Can I Use Other Pectins to Make Freezer Jam?
Yes, but you’ll likely need to cook the pectin with sugar and some liquid prior to adding it to the fruit. You will also need to allow the jam to sit out at room temperature for 12 hours before it is considered ready.
Freezer jam pectin is designed for the recipe I am outlining below and takes all the guesswork out of the process.
The good news is the freezer jam pectin is pretty easy to track down. You can find the Mrs.Wages brand online, and Ball also sells some online or at most stores that carry canning supplies (feed stores, small independent hardware stores, Target, and Wal-Mart). I have used both brands and both work great.
What Containers to Use For Freezer Jam?
They do sell special plastic containers for freezer jam, but I also just use 8 oz glass jam jars that I already have. You could technically use any container that will survive the freezer. Use what you have on hand. You can also check out my canning supplies list for the best resources for affordable canning jars.
If you don’t go through jam very quickly, try the 4 oz jars. They are perfect for this recipe and so many other little homemade snacks.
If you’re short on space for jars in the freezer, you could also use 1-cup Souper Cubes to freeze the jam and then remove the jam “blocks” once they have frozen and store in freezer bags.
Here’s How to Make It:
I’ll walk you through the process with some photos, and you’ll find a printable recipe card below with measurements, etc.
- Remove the tops of the strawberries and slice each berry into 4-8 pieces.
- Use a potato masher, food processor, or immersion blender to mash the berries. I find the best texture is a mix of mostly puree with some chunks of strawberry mixed in. It is really your preference.
- Measure 3 1/2 cups of berry blend. Add 1 cup of sugar and 1/3 cup of freezer jam pectin. Mix with a spoon for three minutes.
- Pour into your preferred containers, put the lids on, and allow them to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. Then freeze!
Pro Tips/Recipes Notes:
- You’ll find freezer jam a bit runnier than a traditional strawberry jam. The fresh, bright flavor will win you over and you’ll likely find “normal” jam sickeningly sweet after enjoying your own homemade jam.
- Using high-quality ripe fruit will produce a quality jam. Using low-quality fruit will inevitably impact the jam’s flavor.
- If you are using frozen berries, allow them to sit out at room temperature for a few hours to thaw.
- If you’re using glass jars, make sure you leave 1/2 inch of headspace when filling the jars. Headspace is the space between the top of the food and the top of the jar. You need to give the jam a bit of room to expand in the freezer.
- This can easily be duplicated with any other berries or fruits. If using peaches, you’ll also want to add 2 tbsp of bottled lemon juice per batch. Get more details in our Peach Freezer Jam recipe.
- Strawberry freezer jam is good for three weeks in the fridge or 9-12 months in the freezer.
MORE RECIPES LIKE THIS:
Strawberry Freezer Jam Recipe
Equipment
- Ladle
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 cups strawberries, sliced with tops removed {~2 lbs}
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/3 cup freezer pectin
Instructions
- Remove the tops of the strawberries and slice each berry into quarters or eighths.3 1/2 cups strawberries, sliced with tops removed
- Use a potato masher or immersion blender to mash the berries. I find the best texture is a mix of mostly puree with some chunks of strawberry mixed in.
- Measure 3 1/2 cups of mashed strawberries. Add sugar and freezer jam pectin. Stir mixture with a spoon for three minutes.1 cup sugar, 1/3 cup freezer pectin
- Ladle into your preferred containers, put the lids on, and allow them to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. Then freeze!
Notes
- You don’t have to freeze the jam in order to use it. It’s actually ready to eat within about an hour of making it.
- It’s good for three weeks in the fridge or 9-12 months in the freezer.
- You can use frozen strawberries. You’ll need to drain at least half of the excess liquid that happens during the thawing process.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I make strawberry freezer jam every year. I make it in a big bowl and than measure it out into sandwich size zip lock baggies. They freeze flat and that makes storage so simple. When we want jam I just thaw out the baggie and put it into a jar.
I love that storage idea. The best storage solution is the one that works for you!
Tried this last week with peaches that were overripe…it was delish! Just used old cleaned jam jars, and Ball jars for storage. I could eat it by the spoonful! Bet this jam would be great mixed into homemade ice cream! Thanks for the great recipe
Good trick for at the end of the fruit season and for when you have a crap load of fruits starting to go bad, but no time or inclination to turn them into jams or what have you – cut the suckers up and freeze them (depit peaches and cut them in tho chunks – doesn’t have to be fine). Then in winter, when your jam or chutney supply has run out, whip out a bag of these frozen fruits and boil and make jam as per usual. I think it might be a tad more watery than fresh fruit and watch out for freezer burn as this will impact the taste… maybe rather just stick to chutney if this scares you, as the curry probably will mask most freezer “taste”
A trick my mom believes in wholeheartedly
Does this recipe require a sugary addition (for thickening or something like that)? I normally use Stevia at home and would love to give that a try instead.
we made this today, with fresh strawberries… I’m using all my will power to not stick a straw in it and slip into a strawberry jam induced coma…yum!!
So good right? We’ve been ruined for other jams because it’s so fresh and delicious. All other jams are too sweet after trying this one. We love it!
Troy dips cookies and crackers in to it. We named them “jam crackers”. It’s like the episode of Friends when Joey is devouring all the jam Monica made!
Where did you get your containers? This is way to easy NOT to make! Thanks!
I’m not sure where you live, but any grocery store around me that carries even limited canning items has them. I’ve also seen them at Wal-mart and Target, and I know Amazon has them. You might want to also check out smaller/local hardware stores!
Even plain glass jelly jars would work wonderfully!
I don’t have one of those mixer things. What else can I use??
You can mash it with a potato masher, put it in a food processor, or a blender!
I’d also like to know where you get the freezer jam pectin as well as the plastic freezer jam jars!
Thanks for sharing! I’d love to give this a try!
That’s it, seriously? The hell haven’t I tried this before?! Sheesh. Thanks!!!
Don’t delay any longer!! ;-D
I am so trying this! Where do you get the freezer jam pectin? Regular grocery store?
You can buy it at almost any grocery store. Most grocery stores (around here at least) have a small section usually near the foil that has a few canning items. That is where I find it.
I bought a lot in bulk a long time ago and don’t see the deal on Amazon any more, but this seems to make a bunch of jars: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004U8R0ME?ie=UTF8&tag=thisb02-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B004U8R0ME