Berry Delightful: A Fun Guide to Making Homemade Strawberry Jam

I will not claim to be an expert - like at all! I made strawberry jam for the first time yesterday because I was trying to recreate one of my favorite matcha drinks. My favorite little treat to grab for myself while I am out of the house is an iced strawberry match from Marit Coffee. IYKYK & if you dont, you should go try one! Anyway, this drink is like $8 for a 12 oz and i cannot keep getting it several times a week but when I tell you i love it so much... I love it SOO much. So, I decided to try and make it on my own. Click HERE for the Matcha recipe :)

Anyway, while making homemade jelly for the first time, I fell in love! The whole process is honestly pretty relaxing and the taste is phenomenal! Basically, its 24 hours later and I am ready to declare myself a full fledged homemade jelly GURL.

From one novice to another, I wanted to share the recipe that brought me so much joy yesterday.

For the most part google will give you this exact recipe but I did go a little lighter on the sugar because the matcha powder I bought is slightly sweetened, but honestly couldn't imagine it any sweeter.

I think I am going to try and make this pretty regularly and keep it in the fridge for my Strawberry Matcha Drink and my PB&J Oatmeal but even if you don't plan on becoming a regular jelly maker, I still highly recommend you try this recipe at least once! My husband was so impressed when he came home and was so excited to make something that needed jelly lol.

Making homemade strawberry jam is a delightful and rewarding process. Here's a simple recipe to help you whip up a batch of fresh, berry-filled jam:

Ingredients

1 lbs of fresh strawberries

2/3 cups of granulated sugar

2tbs lemon juice

Again, I like to measure with my heart. I used one package worth of strawberries - cut up so they are easier to mash. I left some chunks in mine because I got lazy but ended up being really happy to have a more chunky jelly!

The original recipe I found online also called for 2 lbs of sugar which i honestly cannot even imagine because this came out so sweet! In a good way but I could not imagine it sweeter than it is.

What you'll need

A medium pot or deep pan.

Something to mash with - I just used a big fork but it did take some elbow grease.

An airtight jar to store your delicious creation.

Instructions

1. Prepare the Strawberries: Give your berries a quick rinsy rinse and cold water bath with a sprinkle of baking soda to get them clean. Cut off all green stems and leaves and slice into smaller even pieces.

2. Mash the Strawberries: Place the strawberries in a large pot and use a potato masher to gently mash the strawberries to your desired consistency. Some like their jam chunky, while others prefer it smoother.

3. Add Sugar and Lemon Juice: Stir in the granulated sugar and lemon juice with the mashed strawberries. The lemon juice not only adds flavor but also helps the jam set by interacting with the natural pectin in the strawberries.

4. Cook the Jam: Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring frequently to prevent burning. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and continue to cook, stirring often, until the jam thickens. This usually takes about 15- 20 minutes. You can test the thickness by placing a small amount of jam on a cold plate; if it gels, it's ready.

5. Prepare Jar: While the jam is cooking, sterilize your jar and lid by boiling them in water for about 10 minutes. This helps prevent contamination and ensures your jam keeps well.

6. Fill the Jars: Carefully ladle the hot jam into the sterilized jar using a jar funnel to avoid spills. Leave about a 1/4-inch headspace at the top. Wipe the rims of the jars with a clean cloth to remove any jam residue that could prevent a proper seal.

8. Seal the Jars: Place the lids on the jars and screw on the bands until fingertip tight. To ensure they're sealed and preserved for shelf storage, you can process the jars in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.

9. Cool and Store: Let the jars cool to room temperature. Check the seals by pressing the center of the lid; if it doesn’t pop, your jar is sealed. Store the unopened jars in a cool, dark place. They can typically last up to a year. Once opened, keep the jam refrigerated and use within a month.

Homemade strawberry jam is perfect for spreading on toast, swirling into yogurt, or even as a topping for ice cream. Enjoy the fruits of your labor, both literally and figuratively!

I didn't go through all the proper "sealing precautions but I am planning on using my jelly right away! If you plan to give this as a gift or store it on the shelf for a little while, make sure that your jar is sealed properly so that no bacteria starts to grow!

Enjoy your jam!! with proper storage your jam should stay fresh for 1-2 months! But of course pay attention to any smell or texture changes.