Strawberry Freezer Jam
Apr 29th, 2008 by Marie
I recently had a friend ask me how to make jam. I started talking about pectin and storing it in the freezer, and she didn’t know what I was talking about. So I’ve decided to do a little how-to for making Freezer Jam. It’s so easy and super delicious, you will never buy store jam again!
First buy a box of pectin. Pectin is the stuff that makes the jam jiggly. You will need it for any kind of jam you make. I usually buy the Sure Jell brand, but there is also Fruit Pectin, and others too. You can find it in the baking aisle, or next to the canning supplies. The directions to make the jam, whether it’s cooked & canned or for the freezer, are included right in the pectin box. Just follow the directions. Really all you need is, your pectin, sugar, and your fruit. There are some fruit flavors that will require lemon juice. Just check the pectin directions to be sure.
Because strawberries are so easy to get and cheap when they are in season, I have only made Strawberry Jam. I have used frozen strawberries too, but it’s better if they’re fresh. If you choose to use frozen strawberries, make sure you drain as much liquid as you can before you puree them. Cut up your strawberries, then mash them to a puree. I use a mini food processor, but you could use a potato masher or blender. You will need 2 cups of strawberry puree. Then add 4, yes I said 4, cups of sugar. I didn’t say this was low calorie, just delicious.
Then pour your pectin packet into a small pot and bring it to a boil with some water, read the directions from the pectin box for how much. Once the pectin is dissolved, stir it into the fruit/sugar mixture.
It’s now ready to pour into containers. I like to use plastic containers that are freezer safe. I found these great jam containers (with the purple lids) but I need a few more for a whole batch.
Now you are ready to devour your Jam. I keep one out to eat now, and save the rest in the freezer for later. It should last up to a year if stored properly. I have also given these little containers as gifts to neighbors. Enjoy putting this yummy jam on your toast or simply eat it with a spoon straight from the jar like my Grandma!
I LOVE strawberry freezer jam. But I haven’t made it in years. Thanks for the reminder. I am definately going to have to go pick some strawberries! (And I have tried other fruits, but strawberry is THE BEST.)
Sounds delicious (and easy). My kids would love this. Thanks!
My mom and I make this every year — we use the low sugar recipe for my dad’s diet and it tastes great.
Just in case anyone was wondering if there was a low cal alternative.
we were thinking about picking strawberries soon; we’ll have to do this with some of them. thanks!
Just a heads up that everyone should first reference Marie’s “What is Portion Control?” post before making this freezer jam. ;)
When I lived in Logan I took a canning class at the greatest little cooking store. They introduced me to ultrasperse (spelling) it is better than pectin b/c you don’t have boil or anything just add it to your sugar and berries. I keep it in my closet if I ever want to make jam. Just throw everything in the blender. It’s great for stirfrys as well just to thicken anything. This way people who want to use less sugar or even make jams with splenda it would work.
I just made some of this myself…good stuff! Great idea to post a tutorial.
I always looked forward to going to my in laws up in Tennessee because she had the best strawberry jam! I finally asked her last year for the recipe. She laughed and told me it was freezer jam. She told me it was easy to make so I tried it. It was easy and you are right…we don’t have any other kind of jam. It’s so good!!
I am headed to our farmer’s market next weekend and getting strawberries! A group of friends and I are making loads so thanks for the great tutorial.
Question. Where did you get your jam jar Tupperware that you have pictured? (The ones with the purple lids?) I am moving three times in the next two years and would love to get those for jam jars instead of glass. Plus they look easier to store.
Thanks for such a great blog!!!
I just made real strawberry jam in sealed jars and everything. The best part of it is that we picked strawberries from our own yard too make the jam.
Yummy!
[...] made two batches of freezer jam (thanks, Make and Takes, for the tutorial which inspired bravery on my part!) and pureed more strawberries for sorbet, whole-fruit popsicles. We kept about 5 cups fresh for [...]
Can’t wait to make more of this. We tried our hand at freezer jam for the first time last year after we had picked gobs of berries, but we used the no-cook kind of sure-jell. It came out great, but I really wish there was a way to make it without all that sugar. Thanks for the photo tutorial though - can’t wait to make some more.
[...] they are ready for toppings. I love syrup, powdered sugar, and fruit. You could even use fresh Strawberry Jam. We usually load it all on and dive in. What do you use to top your pancakes with? Maybe peanut [...]
[...] across Marie’s Make and Take blog the other day, and just had to make myself a batch of her freezer jam. This opens up many more possibilities for putting by the fresh fruits we get this summer- [...]
My mom just made this kind of jam for the first time with
plums from her yard. It’s soo good it makes me want to
put up jars and jars of different kinds! We are behind the
times I guess — I never canned cuz I didn’t want to deal with
water baths and all — NOW I CAN!
Alright so its been a long time since I bought the thickener I called ultrasperse and its not called that anymore. I dug back into the cooking shop in Logan where I took the original canning class and they still sell it online. Its called Ultra Set and its the greatest stuff for stir frys, gravies, jams and all. You can find it at http://www.kitchenkneads.com and its under food category. It is called ultra set. You can buy a small 14 oz jar for as little as $5 or a huge 40 oz jar that will last you forever for $11. I wonder where else we can find this….
Again this is the best stuff b/c you decide how to flavor your jam whether to use alot of sugar or for those Splenda lovers out there this totally works with Splenda jam. You can also decide how thick to make your jam. The jam I made yesterday was too thin.
Okay where did you get the containers with the purple lids?
I believe those containers are made by Ball. I have them. The lids screw on and there is even a spot for labeling. They are with all the canning supplies. I found mine at Walmart. But I would think any place that carries their jars, Ball, would have them.
agreed, strawberry is the BEST! my family has never bought strawberry jam at the store. we always make it with strawberries from our garden. delicious!!
Wow, this was so easy! Also, they sell those plastic Ball jars right next to the Sure Jell. And, they now sell them in sets of 5, and the batch recipe here exactly fits into the 5. I think Ball and Sure Jell are conspiring.
Oh, and for reference, a one-pound container of strawberries, chopped in the food processor, is exactly 2 cups. I got the strawberries for a dollar! This jam is cost-effective, as well.
Thanks for the tutorial! I can’t wait to eat mah jayum.
this is awesome - showed it to a professional magazine staff today - they all liked it.
Yummy. We are going strawberry picking this weekend, so this will be the perfect thing to make with them.
Amy (Commenter No. 22) just told me about this today and was so excited about how easy it was, so I had to come check it out. Looks great! I will certainly give it a try.
I’m ready to make another batch of jam this weekend.
[...] Strawberry Freezer Jam by Make and Takes - I love homemade jam, but I’m afraid of all the equipment necessary to make it. Freezer jam is pretty easy and tasty. Look around farmer’s markets for good deals on strawberries. [...]
There is a great review of a variety of culinary thickeners available here http://www.sharonanne.com/mfs_chart.htm. It includes the skinny on how to cut down the amount of sugar required to set jams, thus reducing calories without sacrificing taste. Includes links for purchasing.