Easy Strawberry Freezer Jam Recipe (2024)

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Last week, I found strawberries for $3.88 for a 2 lb clam shell. So, I picked up two packages and planned on making strawberry freezer jam. My Mom made some from strawberries from our garden this summer, but my family had used up all we had, and I missed the sweet and fresh jam.

Easy Strawberry Freezer Jam Recipe (1)

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As it ended up, my Mom and I worked together to make several batches with the 4 lbs of strawberries. (I think it was just about three batches.) She worked on one batch and I worked on the second batch.

It was super easy to make, and you don’t even have to learn how to can to make this jam! You just pop it into many small containers that can be frozen, and throw them in the freezer! (Of course, you’ll need to leave one in the refrigerator instead, so you can enjoy it right away!)

You can also use this recipe to make wonderful homemade jam to give as Christmas gifts!

(I have some important notes below this recipe for some alternate options for preparing.)

Related Reading: Fresh and Easy Homemade Whipped Strawberry Butter Recipe

Easy Strawberry Freezer Jam Recipe

Easy Strawberry Freezer Jam Recipe (3)

Easy Strawberry Freezer Jam Recipe

Angie Kauffman

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Course Canning and Preserving

Cuisine American

Servings 4 8 oz containers

Ingredients

  • 2 cups mashed strawberries about 1 quart of whole strawberries
  • 4 cups sugar
  • 1 box powdered fruit pectin
  • 3/4 cup water

Instructions

Notes

Measure sugar exactly and do not reduce amount or jam will not set properly.

I have included an alternate method that doesn't involve any cooking/boiling below.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

While my original recipe above calls for powdered fruit pectin, in recent years, I have been using Sure-Jell Certo Liquid Fruit Pectin. You will need lemon juice, but it comes together faster and doesn’t require boiling.

If the amount of sugar in this recipe leaves you a little freaked out, there is also a no or less sugar recipe included with a No Sugar Fruit Pectin package.

Other RecipesYou’ll Enjoy:

Easy Homemade Blackberry Jam

No Bake Strawberry Cheesecake

Roasted Pear Rice Pudding

Coconut Milk Hot Fudge Sauce

Disclosure: This post contains some affiliate links. Using them doesn’t change the price you pay, but we may receive a small compensation for you purchasing through them. Thanks!

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Easy Strawberry Freezer Jam Recipe (8)

About Angie Kauffman

Angie, mom to three very fun kids, is the founder of Real Life at Home. With degrees in elementary education (B.A.) and special education (M.S.Ed.), as well as being a former homeschooler, she is passionate about supporting both parents and teachers by providing printables, crafts, and activities to help children learn and grow.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Easy Strawberry Freezer Jam Recipe (9)Rebecca says

    I’m sooo going to try this!! Perfect b/c strawberries are coming back in season again!
    .-= Rebecca´s last blog ..Maybe not just for today =-.

    Reply

  2. Easy Strawberry Freezer Jam Recipe (10)Lana says

    I think I can do this! Yaa!

    Reply

  3. Easy Strawberry Freezer Jam Recipe (11)Suzy says

    I just took some out of freezer to try. Do you recommend thaw in fridge or on counter. Also, I think mine would have worked better if the strawberries would have been rrom temp. I had mine in fridge. The sugar probably would have dissolved faster. Can’t wait to try it though

    Reply

    • Easy Strawberry Freezer Jam Recipe (12)Angie Kauffman says

      When we run out in the refrigerator, I just grab one out of the freezer and put it in the refrigerator. While I suppose that you could leave it sitting out for a little while, I wouldn’t take the time to thaw it like that unless you needed to use it sooner. Otherwise, just leaving it in the refrigerator until you need it next should be sufficient.

      I usually use my strawberries from the refrigerator before I make it. The sugar does take some work to get dissolved. I usually make my family help with stirring so that I don’t have to stir forever, since I usually make multiple batches at once. It’s definitely an arm work out!

      Reply

      • Easy Strawberry Freezer Jam Recipe (13)Suzy says

        Mine turned out alittle to runny to put on toast. any suggestions for next time. I cooked the pectin long enough. Maybe I should have drained the strawberries after they were mashed, just to runny, very good, but turrned more into a ice cream topping

        Reply

        • Easy Strawberry Freezer Jam Recipe (14)Angie Kauffman says

          Without having been there when you made it, it’s hard for me to guess exactly what might have happened. I definitely have some times when it sets better than others, and I have yet to figure out exactly why that is. I have always been able to spread it with a knife onto toast though.

          However, if you were looking for something thick and more like a jelly, then even when this sets very well, it still isn’t like that.

          Did you dry off your strawberries well after washing them before starting? Maybe you had extra water in it?

          I would also recommend next time maybe trying the Certo Liquid Fruit Pectin, as I have been doing that the last few times I’ve made jam, and I find that easier to work with.

          Reply

  4. Easy Strawberry Freezer Jam Recipe (15)Ricky Shoemake says

    When using the Liquid Pectin, how does one go about it? I have some and would love to know..I saw you said to use Lemon Juice and one would not have to boil it but how much lemon juice to use? To a whole packet of the liquid pectin? Are the measurements the same for the berries and sugar?

    Reply

    • Easy Strawberry Freezer Jam Recipe (16)Angie Kauffman says

      Hi Ricky –

      I don’t know the directions off the top of my head, but the Liquid Pectin (I’ve always used Certo) comes with directions and ratios inside the box. 🙂

      Reply

  5. Easy Strawberry Freezer Jam Recipe (17)Ricky Shoemake says

    Thanks Angie..I bought some more and saw the instructions on the pamphlet inside…

    Reply

  6. Easy Strawberry Freezer Jam Recipe (18)Elizabeth says

    If you do the liquid pectin and lemon juice. Do u still use water?

    Reply

    • Easy Strawberry Freezer Jam Recipe (19)Angie Kauffman says

      I don’t remember off the top of my head, but I think the liquid pectin still has water in it. You’ll want to use the recipe in the liquid pectin box. (That’s what I used when I started using liquid pectin.)

      Reply

  7. Easy Strawberry Freezer Jam Recipe (20)Kellie says

    Hello, i have a question. You say 2 cups of mashed strawberries (about one quart) I doesn’t understand this. There are 4 cups in a quart. Could you please tell me if you use 1 quart of mashed or only 2 cups mashed. Thank you! 🙂

    Reply

  8. Easy Strawberry Freezer Jam Recipe (21)Kellie says

    Nevermind I figured it out. I was just confused for a min. Lol!!

    Reply

  9. Easy Strawberry Freezer Jam Recipe (22)Connie says

    The recipe says 2 cups strawberries then in parentheses, about 1 quart. Well, 1 quart is 4 cups, not 2. So I am confused.

    Reply

    • Easy Strawberry Freezer Jam Recipe (23)Angie Kauffman says

      1 quart of purchased whole strawberries will get you close to two cups of mashed strawberries.

      Reply

  10. Easy Strawberry Freezer Jam Recipe (24)Leighann Hunt says

    Can you substitute any berry for the strawberries without damaging the results of the recipe?

    Reply

    • Easy Strawberry Freezer Jam Recipe (25)Angie Kauffman says

      I would recommend buying a package of Pectin or Certo. Inside the box, they have different ratios of fruit to sugar to water, etc. It varies by the fruit.

      Reply

  11. Easy Strawberry Freezer Jam Recipe (26)Corinne Wylie says

    This was the easiest and best freezer jam I have ever made!!! I will use this recipe from now on. Two flats made 20 pints with some left over for strawberry/spinach salad and strawberry shortcake!!

    Reply

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Easy Strawberry Freezer Jam Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the best thickener for freezer jam? ›

Add pectin.

Whisk a tablespoon of powdered pectin (preferably the no-sugar-needed variety) into the pot of cooking jam. Test for thickness and add another tablespoon if needed. Learn More About Pectin: What's the Deal with Pectin?

What is a substitute for pectin in freezer jam? ›

Out-of-Season Strawberry Freezer Jam (without Pectin)
  • 7 cups diced strawberries (see NOTE)
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice.
  • 5 teaspoons strawberry-flavored gelatin.
  • 1/2 cup sugar.
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt.
  • 1/2 cup fine sugar.
  • 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum.
Apr 25, 2021

How to thicken freezer jam without pectin? ›

If you aren't using pectin as a thickener, the sugar as well as the cornstarch slurry will work to thicken quite well. Feel free to add more for an even thicker jam.

Why didn t my Strawberry freezer jam set? ›

There are a few causes for runny jam or jelly. Usually the cause of jam or jelly not setting up is either not following the recipe correctly, not enough pectin be it either naturally occurring or added, or not cooking the jam out long enough.

Why didn't my freezer jam get thick? ›

Freezer jam is supposed to have a thick, pudding-like consistency but if it doesn't set it will be runny and much thinner. What is this? If your jam doesn't properly set, it's usually because the ratio of fruit to sugar was off, your pectin was old, or because your sugar didn't fully dissolve.

Can I use cornstarch instead of pectin in jam? ›

Cornflour (or cornstarch) combined with lemon juice is a great alternative to pectin. It thickens up jam really well, combined with the sugar and heat. Also, this recipe is gluten free! There's so many way to use this homemade strawberry jam, it probably won't last you more than a month.

Does lemon juice thicken jam? ›

Lemon is crucial to balancing those sweet flavors, but it also helps the pectin to firm up the jam. It can be added at the start of the cooking process or towards the end, but what must be taken into account is that adding liquids to the jam mixture will inevitably require the jam to cook for longer.

Is strawberry jam better with or without pectin? ›

No extra pectin– You may wonder if strawberry jam is better with or without pectin. Strawberries are naturally low in pectin, so some people prefer to add additional pectin to jams and jellies. However, I actually prefer homemade jam without extra pectin. They are a bit softer in texture, making it more versatile.

Can I use jello instead of pectin? ›

Gelatin - For non-vegan menu items, you can substitute gelatin for pectin, but it will yield a different consistency. Sugar - If you're making jam, you can thicken it by cooking it for extended periods with a lot of added sugar.

How do you fix runny strawberry freezer jam? ›

If you don't your jam may not set up properly. If you do encounter a situation where your jam doesn't set up and is too soft or runny, don't despair! A really easy fix is to just boil another package of pectin and add it to the jam! It will still taste great.

How to fix strawberry jam that didn't set? ›

If it still hasn't set, it's time to determine how much jam needs to be recooked. You don't want to remake more than 8 cups (4 pints) at a time. For every 4 cups of jam that needs to be remade, whisk together 1/4 cup sugar and 1 tablespoon powdered pectin.

What makes freezer jam set? ›

Pectin is the fruit-derived gel that holds jam together and creates a thick consistency. It's important to buy a brand of pectin that is compatible with no-cook freezer jam. Read the instructions carefully, as recipes can (and will) vary from brand to brand.

What helps strawberry jam to set? ›

Sugar: Four cups of white sugar sweetens the jam, thickens the jam, and acts as a preservative. Lemon juice: Lemon juice is essential for getting the pectin to gel properly, setting the jam. It also helps prevent the growth of bacteria.

Can I reboil strawberry jam to make it set? ›

You can reboil jam. Sometimes taking out more of the moisture is enough for it to set up. You can also put it in the freezer or if it is really runny re-purpose it into a sauce.

Why can't you fill freezer jam jars right to the top? ›

Don't fill your jars too full.

More liquid means more expansion and trust us, you are better SAFE than sorry! Seal the filled jars with a lid. We prefer to use two-piece lids. You can reuse lids over and over again for freezing, not just one time use like for canning.

What thickener freezes well? ›

If you plan to freeze a dish, use tapioca starch or arrowroot as a thickener. Starch thickeners don't add much flavor to a dish, although they can impart a starchy flavor they're undercooked. If you worried that your thickener will mask delicate flavors in your dish, choose arrowroot.

How to thicken jelly that won't set? ›

Measure 15 mL (1 tbsp) water and 7 mL (1/1/2 tsp) powdered pectin for each 250 mL (1 cup) of jelly or jam. Place in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring until powdered pectin is dissolved. Add to the sugar and fruit mixture and stir until blended (about 2 to 3 minutes) pour into clean, sterilized containers.

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