Easy Strawberry Freezer Jam FAST READ

What? A strawberry freezer jam recipe at the top of the post… Crazy right? Nothing seems to make people more grumpy than scrolling three miles for the recipe. 

So I have decided to keep mine at the top and put the tips at the bottom. Cool? Do you have to go read them? Nope. But if you are new to doing any kind of cooking it’s best to read the tips and never assume anything. 

Strawberry Freezer Jam Recipe Ingredients

• 4 cups strawberries, cut in half
• 4 cups sugar
• ¾ cup water
• 1 package (1 3/4 ounces) of powdered fruit pectin

Strawberry Freezer Jam Steps To Follow

Mash up the strawberries until slightly chunky to make 2 cups crushed strawberries. Mix strawberries and the 4 cups granulated sugar in a large bowl. Let stand at room temperature 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Mix the water and pectin in a 1-quart saucepan.

Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and stir 1 minute. Pour hot pectin mixture over strawberry mixture; stir for 3 minutes – Do not stop.

As soon as the 3 minutes is up, spoon the mixture into freezer-safe containers, leaving 1/2-inch headspace. Wipe rims of containers; seal. Let stand at room temperature for about 24 hours or until set.

You can store the freezer jam in the freezer up to 6 months or in the refrigerator for up to 3-6 weeks. Thaw frozen jam and stir before serving.

Tips For Mashing Fresh Strawberries

You can use a pastry hand mixer if you like them to be more chunky but if you want to have less chunks a blender or food processor is the way to go. A food processor will allow you to have a little more fruit pieces than a blender will. A blender will make the berries like thick water if you blend long enough. 

Add the fresh berries to the machine and pulsate the kitchen tool until the fresh fruit is the consistency you would like.

Tips For Choosing Strawberries

The If you use ripe strawberries the jam will taste sweeter. If you choose less ripe berries you will have less sweet or even sour jelly.

Some Disadvantages Of Freezer Jam

Making freezer jam is a convenient method for preserving the flavor of summer fruits. The lack of cooking involved in making freezer jam makes it attractive to cooks who do not have access to those who are short on time. Unfortunately, there are a few potential drawbacks to making freezer jam.

One issue commonly encountered with freezer jam is that the sugar can be difficult to dissolve completely while making the sugar mixture, resulting in a grainy, sandy texture. You could use room temp berries or let the barries and sugar sit for just a little while so the sugar can dissolve. 

The other downside when making freezer jam is that sometimes it may not thicken correctly or set properly into its intended shape. This problem can arise if the ratio of sugar and pectin used does not equalize correctly; however many problems can occur even when proportions are correct, such as heat fluctuations during refrigeration or poor stirring during preparation.

Proper stirring and thorough cooling are essential for achieving a thicker result when making freezer jams.

Gritty Freezer Jam

Making freezer jam can be a great way to preserve your harvest and the memories of summer. The key is to make sure that its texture is not grainy.

To prevent this, I have developed a few simple steps. First, you can give the berry mixture a short stint in the microwave, which will allow the sugar to dissolve without affecting color or flavor. Keep the time down to 20 seconds or less at a time so you don’t spoil the berries.

Thickening Tips For Freezer Jam

Making jams and jellies can be a tricky process, especially when it comes to making sure your jam or jelly thickens properly. The most common issue is with freezer jams, but the same tricks are used to combat graininess in traditional jams and jellies as well.

It is key to make sure that all of the sugar is dissolved before adding pectin, as this will help ensure that the jam “sets” correctly once it has cooled into its desired consistency.

Make sure to measure out your ingredients carefully; unlike other types of cooking, when making jam the exact proportions of fruits and sugars play an essential role in getting everything just right.

Without the proper measurements, you may not get the desired results and end up a bit too runny or even overly thickened because the sugar and pectin work together to thicken the jelly.

How long can jam be kept in the refrigerator or freezer?

Jam is amazing in the summer, but its also great with a nice hot cup of tea in the winter months as well.

Thankfully, you can store your homemade jam in either the refrigerator or freezer and it will last much longer than when stored at room temperature.

In the freezer, homemade jam can be stored securely for up to one year! But when you take it out of the freezer, it needs to go into the refrigerator as soon as it is thawed. Do not open the lid while waiting for it to thaw. Keeping the air out is key to making any food last longer.

This is because freezing temperatures slow down spoilage, but don’t necessarily stop bacteria or mold growth completely.

Refrigerating your homemade jam in an airtight container will allow it to stay fresher for a bit longer. When kept this way, you can usually expect it to be safe for eating up to 2-4 weeks from when you made it.

Can you use frozen berries to make freezer jam?

If you don’t have access to a berry farm or a farmers market, using frozen berries to make freezer jam can be a great way to enjoy the wonderful flavors of freshly prepared jam all year round.

Not only is it convenient and relatively low cost, it also means that you can always have access to your favorite jams regardless of the season and availability of fresh fruit at your local grocer.

To get started you will need to thaw the berries and make sure they are not sugared; simply substitute an equal amount of frozen fruit for fresh.

Once you have the fruit, let it sit at room temperature until it has thawed completely, don’t drain any excess liquid produced in this process because it adds flavor and texture to the finished jam. This will also help you dissolve the sugar once you are ready to make the jam.

Can You Use Other Sweeteners To Make Freezer Jam?

Yes! You can use other sweeteners, such as honey, maple syrup, and agave nectar to make freezer jam. 

These alternative sweeteners can be used in place of white sugar, however, you may need to adjust the recipe accordingly. Using different sweeteners can cause the jam to be set differently or not at all. 

Using a different sweetener can add unique flavor profiles to your jams and give them a unique twist.

When using an alternative sweetener such as honey or maple syrup, reduce the amount of pectin called for in the recipe by 1/2 teaspoon. This will help balance out some of the added sweetness and will help prevent your jam from becoming overly thick. Additionally, if you are using honey or agave nectar as a substitute for white sugar, you should also reduce the amount of pectin.

Strawberry freezer jam is the perfect recipe for beginner jam makers. Without any previous knowledge or experience of canning, you can easily make this delicious treat with absolutely no fuss. All you need to do is mix together the ingredients in a big bowl and ladle it into jars or containers. You don’t need to worry about getting special equipment as there’s no water bath, canning pots, or sealing techniques involved in making this jam.

All that’s left for you to do is pop the jars in the freezer, wait several hours for it to set and then enjoy your homemade creation!

This simple but tasty recipe makes it a great option for those who have never made jam before or just want to try something new. 

Strawberry Freezer Jam is incredibly easy to make and requires minimal prep time. Whether you’re looking for an afternoon snack or a gift idea for friends and family, this wonderful jam will give everyone something truly enjoyable to savor. With this handy recipe, creating blissful moments doesn’t have to be hard at all!