Hey there, momma! Ready to capture the essence of summer in a jar?
Growing up, making strawberry freezer jam with my mom and sister was a cherished tradition. We’d head to the local u-pick berry farm, and fill tons of ice cream buckets full of perfectly ripe, absolutely delicious strawberries.
I think we ate just as many as we picked!! 🤫
And then, back home, we stained our fingers washing and prepping berries for this delicious jam! But it was oh, so worth it!!
Now, I make this jam for my boys, and they love it just as much as I did. I love watching them enjoy the same simple pleasure of homemade strawberry jam that I did!
And I promise you, momma, you can do it too! Grab your kiddos and head to a berry farm—it’s a fun adventure and a great way to create lasting memories. 💖
You got this!
Homemade Strawberry Jam Ingredients
To make a delicious strawberry jam, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 4 cups strawberries, mashed
- 1 package Sure Jell
- 7 cups sugar
Mix these ingredients together, and you’ll have a sweet treat to spread on your favorite breads and pastries!
You can also create a strawberry raspberry freezer jam by simply swapping out 2 cups of strawberries for 2 cups of raspberries.
How to Make Homemade Strawberry Freezer Jam
Making homemade strawberry jam is incredibly simple and rewarding. With just a few ingredients and steps, you’ll have delicious jam ready to enjoy in absolutely no time!
1. Wash the berries.
Put the strawberries in a strainer and rinse them in the sink. You can use bruised berries, but I’d cut out parts that were eaten by bugs, or toss the berry out completely.
Let the berries air dry a bit while you wash the jars.
2. Choose small jars, such as pint jars or fruit jars, and wash them with hot, soapy water.
You can use any size jar you want for this traditional jam recipe, but pint sized jars or jam jars work the best. They do make it look pretty. 😊
Since we do not can this strawberry jam, we do not need to use mason jars. So, I like to save any pretty jam or jelly jars that I have and reuse them for this recipe.
But mason jam jars make a gorgeous freezer jam as well.
3. Wash the lids and rings.
If you do use mason jars, wash the lids and rings with soapy warm water as well. You do not need to sanitize them or boil the lids.
4. Hull the berries. (Remove the green tops.)
Using a berry huller or a knife, remove the green tops of each of the strawberries. You can also cut your berries in half, if you want to, but it is not necessary.
5. Mash the berries with a potato masher.
Mash the berries a bit with the potato masher. Of, if you’d like, you could try using the food processor.
They don’t need to be mush; they just need to be broken down a bit. We’ll boil them on the stove as well, which will break them down further.
But we are making a jam, which usually has chunks of fruit in it. So, it’s okay to have chunks.
How well you mash your berries throughout this entire process totally depends on how chunky you like your jam to be.
6. Put the crushed strawberries in a pot or kettle on the stove and add 1 package of Sure Jell.
Transfer your crushed strawberries to a large pot or kettle and add one package of Sure Jell. Stir the Sure Jell into the berries.
7. Bring to a hard boil.
Bring the pectin mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally. It will start to thicken.
8. Continue to mash the strawberries as they boil.
As the crushed strawberries boil, continue to mash them, until you have jam texture you like, stirring constantly as well, because the pectin mixture will thicken quickly.
9. Add all the sugar at once to the pot.
Add seven cups of sugar to your pot all at once, and continue to stir constantly. The jam will continue to thicken quickly, so don’t step away from it!
10. Bring back to a boil, for one more minute.
Bring your jam back to a boil, still stirring constantly, for one more minute, and then remove it from the heat.
11. Pour the strawberry jam into the prepared jars.
Using a funnel, carefully pour the hot strawberry mixture into the prepared jars. Work quickly but carefully.
12. Wipe the rims with a wet, warm cloth.
You may still get jam on the jars, so wipe down the rims of the jars with a warm, wet cloth. Wipe down the sides of the jars as well, if you spilled jam over the sides.
13. Let your jam cool for a bit.
Let your jam cool for a bit before adding the lids.
14. Add the lids and rings to the jars, screwing them on tightly.
When your jars are no longer hot to the touch, go ahead and and screw the lids on tightly. Then let your jam cool longer, before storing it in the freezer.
15. Store your fresh jam in the freezer until you are ready to eat it!
Once your jam is cool, go ahead and put it in the freezer!
You don’t have to freeze it all. You can put a jar right in the fridge for fresh eating, momma! 😉
And that’s it! You’re done.
Easy Breezy Lemon Squeezy momma!
This easy strawberry freezer jam recipe ensures that you can enjoy fresh, homemade berry jam without any hassle. Happy cooking!
Frequently Asked Questions
I’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions about making frozen jam for you, if you need any help. But if you don’t see your question here, just put it in the comments below.
I’m happy to help!
What’s the difference between freezer jam and regular jam?
Some strawberry freezer jam recipes don’t require require any cooking, which helps retain the fresh taste and vibrant color of the fruit. This recipe requires very little cooking.
Regular jam typically involves a lengthy cooking process to reduce the mixture down to the right consistency.
Strawberry freezer jam also has a softer set because it relies on pectin and sugars to thicken rather than boiling down.
And, as the name implies, freezer jam is stored in the freezer, whereas regular jam can be stored in a pantry. This makes strawberry freezer jam a quicker and simpler option for busy moms!
How long does homemade strawberry jam last in the freezer?
Strawberry freezer jam can last up to a year in the freezer, retaining its fresh taste and vibrant color. Once thawed and opened, it’s best to consume the jam within three weeks for optimal flavor and quality.
So, go ahead and make a batch – you’ll have delicious strawberry freezer jam ready to enjoy whenever you desire!
Can you freeze strawberries for jam?
Absolutely!
Freezing strawberries for jam is a great way to preserve their freshness until you’re ready to make your jam. Simply rinse the strawberries, remove the stems, and store them in an airtight container or freezer bag.
When you’re ready to use them, just thaw the strawberries and proceed with your jam-making process. It’s an excellent way to ensure you always have the key ingredient on hand for that delightful homemade jam!
How do you thicken strawberry freezer jam?
Good news! This easy strawberry freezer jam is naturally thicker than most, so you won’t need to worry about thickening it.
The combination of fresh strawberries, pectin, and sugars creates a perfect consistency without any extra steps. Just follow the recipe, and you’ll have a lovely, thick jam ready to enjoy!
Can any jam be freezer jam?
No, not every jam can be turned into freezer jam. Freezer jam has a different sugar-to-fruit ratio and doesn’t undergo the same cooking process as traditional jam.
It’s designed to be stored in the freezer and maintains a fresher, more fruit-forward taste. So, while many fruit jams can be adapted to the freezer method, it’s essential to use a recipe specifically for freezer jam to ensure the right consistency and preservation.
Does homemade jam freeze well?
Yes, homemade jam freezes wonderfully! Freezing preserves the jam’s flavor and texture, making it taste just as fresh and delightful as the day you made it.
To ensure the best results, store your homemade jam in airtight containers, leaving some space for expansion. This way, you can enjoy your delicious homemade jam for months to come.
Do I need fresh strawberries for freezer jam?
Not necessarily! While fresh strawberries are always a fantastic option for freezer jam, you can also use frozen strawberries with great results.
Just make sure to thaw them completely before starting your jam-making process. This flexibility ensures you can enjoy delicious strawberry freezer jam anytime, regardless of the season.
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At the End of the Day…
At the end of the day, what’s truly important isn’t just the delightful strawberry freezer jam we’ve created, but the wonderful memories we’ve made along the way.
Whether you’re picking fresh strawberries together, stirring the pot and watching the ingredients transform, or enjoying the sweet taste on a piece of toast, these moments are what truly matter.
Making jam is more than just a kitchen activity; it’s an opportunity to bond, laugh, and create memories with your kiddos that will last a lifetime.
So, grab those strawberries, embrace the process, and cherish every moment spent together. Happy jamming!
More Canning & Preserves Recipes to Try!
The Best Ever Strawberry Freezer Jam
Ingredients
- 4 cups strawberries
- 1 package Sure Jell
- 7 cups sugar
Instructions
- Wash the berries.
- Choose small jars, such as pint jars or fruit jars, and wash them with hot, soapy water.
- Wash the lids and rings.
- Hull the berries. (Remove the green tops.)
- Mash the berries with a potato masher.
- Put the berries in a pot or kettle on the stove and add 1 package of Sure Jell.
- Bring to a hard boil.
- Continue to mash the berries, as they boil, if you like jam with less chunks of fruit in it.
- Add all the sugar at once to the pot.
- Bring back to a boil, and mash as needed, for one more minute.
- Using a funnel, carefully pour the hot jam into the prepared jars.
- Wipe any jam off the rims of the jars with a warm cloth.
- Add the lids and rings to the jars, screwing them on tightly.
- Let your jam cool for a couple of hours.
- Store your fresh jam in the freezer until you are ready to eat it!
