Easy strawberry freezer jam recipe using fresh strawberries, sugar and sure-jell fruit pectin. If you’ve never canned, this is the best homemade jam recipe to start with!
When it’s strawberry pickin’ time it is easy strawberry freezer jam recipe time!
My dad grows strawberries in his garden, and they are the most delicious strawberries we’ll enjoy the entire year. But when they become ripe, they arrive quickly and you can’t eat them fast enough. Unlike the strawberries you’ll buy in the store, when you pick a ripe strawberry they will only last a few days. That’s when this easy strawberry jam recipe comes into the picture.
What if you don’t have a garden? Even if you don’t have a garden, it’s easy to find strawberries at a farmer’s market or even in the grocery store. I do think the best flavor comes from fully ripe strawberries which are hard to come by in the grocery store. Fully ripe strawberries are red in the inside. If you bite into a store bought strawberry you will notice that they are white inside. I’m not really sure how they get the outside so red – but maybe I don’t want to know that.
Either way, grab yourself 1 quart of strawberries! It takes 1 quart to make 6 (8 oz) jars of this easy strawberry jam recipe.
Strawberry Freezer Jam Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make strawberry freezer jam. Side Note: There are other brands of fruit pectin. However, I find that Sure Jell works great and so I stick with it and their recipe. You can find the exact same instructions I’m sharing today in the box.
- 1 (1.75 oz) Box Sure-Jell Fruit Pectin (you can find it at almost every grocery or big box store)
- 2 Cups fresh strawberries, crushed
- 4 Cups white sugar
Strawberry Jam Supplies
In addition to your ingredients, you’ll need a few supplies to make jam.
- Large bowl with pour spout. (Or you can use a funnel and a regular bowl.)
- 6 (8 oz.) jelly jars
- Blender or pastry blender
When it comes to jelly jars, you have a few options. I prefer the 8 ounce size in glass. However, the 4 ounce size makes for great gifts. You can also purchase plastic freezer jam jars, but I prefer the glass.
How to Make Strawberry Freezer Jam
I’ve made this jam quite a few times over the years so I’m going to walk you through what I do. I think I’ve gotten more efficient in what I do so I hope it helps to simplify the process for you. I know that the first time I looked into the box of pectin with the chart with every kind of jelly listed I started to confuse myself. Hopefully, this will help you move quickly through the process and be on your way to being Laura Ingalls Wilder!
Clean the ball jars. The first thing you’ll want to do is to clean your jars with soap and hot water. I don’t sterilize them in the oven when I’m making freezer jam. Since they’re not going to be stored at room temperature like canned tomatoes, I prefer to leave that step out.
Clean and prep the fresh strawberries. Fill the sink with cold water and dunk your strawberries. I give them a bit of a swish with a small amount of vinegar. Rinse and then they’re ready. Since these are coming from the garden they were a bit dirty, so I always want to make sure the dirt is left in the sink and not in my jam. Once they are clean I cut off the tops and place them in a colander.
Crush or blend strawberries. Once I have all my strawberries de-headed, you will need to create the consistency of your jam with the strawberries.
If you want bits of strawberries in your jam, use a pastry blender to crush them or use a blender carefully.
If you like your strawberry jam smooth, like my son does, then you can use a blender until the strawberries are a thick puree. Either method is fine, it’s just a personal preference how you like your strawberry freezer jam.
Combine sugar and strawberries. Mix together two cups of crushed strawberries with 4 cups of sugar in a large bowl. It’s really important to measure your sugar correctly to have the exact amount when you’re canning. I use a dry cup measurer and then use a knife to level it. Let set for 10 minutes and stir occasionally.
Side Note: It seems like four cups of sugar would be a lot (and well it is) but keep in mind – this is why homemade jam tastes soooo good!
Boil the pectin in water. The next step doesn’t get a picture because it moves fast! Once your strawberries are mixed you’re ready to prepare the pectin. Add ¾ cup water to a sauce pan and mix it with one box of Sure Jell pectin. (If you’re using a different pectin you will need to follow their directions.) Even though it’s lumpy after stirring, place the sauce pan on the stove on high. Stir until it comes to a boil. Boil for one minute stirring constantly.
Side Note: I start the pectin around the time that my sugar and strawberry mixture has five minutes left to sit. That seems to be the perfect time with my stove top.
Once the pectin has boiled for one minute, take it off the stove and immediately add it to strawberry sugar mixture. Stir for three minutes continually or until your jam starts to set up and become thick. You’ll watch before your eyes as it becomes very smooth.
Fill the 8 oz jelly jars carefully. You want to leave a ½ inch at the top to allow for expansion. I fill them to the point where the rim just starts. It’s perfect. If you have a canning funnel, use it. I also like using this bowl with a pour spout. It makes it super easy!
Let the jars sit for 24 hours at room temperature. They should start to set right away. After the 24 hours, place the jars into the freezer. They will last for up to one year in the freezer. Once you’re ready to enjoy the jam, place them in the refrigerator. They will store for three weeks in the refrigerator. (This is a GREAT simple gift idea around Christmas time. Plan ahead, much?)
And that’s truly all there is to making this easy strawberry jam! It’s so simple! And let me tell you, it’s the freshest tasting jam you’ve ever put onto your toast. It’s so delicious it could top ice cream! Let me know how it goes for you. 🙂 Enjoy!
More Fresh Strawberry Recipes
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Strawberry Freezer Jam
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 minutes
- Total Time: 18 minutes
- Yield: 6 jars 1x
- Category: Canning
- Method: Canning
- Cuisine: American
Description
Easy strawberry freezer jam using fresh strawberries, sugar and pectin.
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, crushed
- 4 cups sugar
- 1.74 oz box Sure Jell fruit pectin
Instructions
- Clean jelly jars and strawberries. Remove stems from strawberries.
- Blend or crush strawberries to create desired consistency. Measure two cups of crushed strawberries and place in large bowl.
- To the large bowl add 4 cups of sugar. (Make sure to use exact amount.) . Let stand for 10 minutes and stir occasionally.
- Stir 1.75 oz package of fruit pectin with ¾ cup water in saucepan. Bring to a boil stirring constantly. Let boil for 1 minute stirring constantly. Remove from heat.
- Immediately add the boiled pectin to the strawberry mixture. Stir for 3 minutes or until the sugar is dissolved and mixture becomes thick.
- Fill jelly jars immediately leaving ½ inch of space at the top. Cover with lids and let set at room temperature for 24 hours. Freeze for up to 1 year.
Notes
Four cups of fresh whole strawberries will make approximately 2 cups of crushed strawberries.
Keywords: strawberry freezer jam, strawberry jam
This recipe was originally shared June 2014. It has been updated with better pictures and more details to help you make the perfect strawberry freezer jam every single time.
Would it be ok to use pint Ball jars? That’s all I have. I’ve never put glass in the freezer
Pint jars would work fine except for one reason – if you can’t get through all the jam in a few weeks. Once you remove it from the freezer you’re supposed to use it within a certain amount of time, and a pint is a lot of jam. 🙂
I have made this recipe twice and neither time did it “jell”. I end up with a “sauce” , definitely not a jam.
★★★
Have you ever made raspberry freezer jam?
★★★★★
Have you ever used organic cane sugar?
I have never used it, but after a little online research it looks like you shouldn’t have any problems doing so. Some stated it might taste a little different, but you’ll still get the same results. I would suggest doing one batch of the strawberry jam to test it and then see what you think. Let me know how it goes!
What is the best glass jar to use in the freezer , will it break in freezer
I use Ball jars and like the half pint or 8 oz size. Leave about an inch of space at the top for the jam to expand in the freezer. I store them at the top of my freezer and I’ve never had one break. If you are nervous about them breaking, you can purchase plastic canning jars in the same size. I just prefer glass because it’s what I typically have on hand.
This jam is incredible ! Best I’ve ever made.
★★★★★
So glad you enjoyed it Mark! It’s our family favorite, too.
Can you use less sugar in the jam? My husband is diabetic.
Can I use other fruit too? Blueberries? Cherries? Peaches? Raspberries?
Yes! When you purchase the sure-jell the instructions will give you detailed information on how to adapt the recipe for each type of fruit.
Never made jam before but want to do these as party favors for a shower. How far in advance can I make these and keep at room temperature before freezing or refridgerating? Would love to get them done a week in advance.
If you make them a week in advance, I would follow the instructions and freeze after the 24 hours on the kitchen counter. Just simply remove from the freezer the night before you want to share them and place in the refrigerator. You’ll want to share instructions that they stay refrigerated.
Is there a way to make this sugar free or use a sugar substitute and still have it come out right?
Thank you.
There is a low sugar version of the pectin that you can use. I’ve tried it and understandably it didn’t taste as good. 🙂 However, there are other recipes out there for strawberry jam that use less or no sugar. A simple search online should help you find a recipe to try.