Food & Cooking Recipes Healthy Recipes Gluten-Free Recipes Quick Strawberry Jam 4.1 (125) You won't believe how easy this recipe is. Prep Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 10 mins Total Time: 25 mins Yield: Makes 1 3/4 cups Jump to recipe This easy strawberry jam recipe is perfect for first-time jam makers or anyone looking for a quick way to use up fresh, juicy berries. You only need a quart of strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice to make it—no pectin required. Rather than mashing the fruit while it cooks on the stovetop, we use a food processor to break down the berries. Then it’s a quick 10-minutes of cooking in a skillet before the jam is ready to be cooled and spread onto biscuits, sandwiched with peanut butter, swirled into yogurt, and so much more. Capture all the deliciousness of strawberry season with this couldn't-be-quicker recipe. The Basics of Home Canning and Preserving Fruits and Vegetables, According to an Expert Credit: Jake Sternquist The Difference Between Jam and Jelly The terms jam and jelly are tossed around interchangeably, but there is one major difference between these two sweet, spreadable condiments: Jam: Because it's made with chopped or crushed fruit, jam has a chunkier consistency and more rustic look than jelly. (Don't get jam confused with preserves, though, which are typically made with whole pieces of fruit for an even chunkier end product.) Serve it with toast, spoon it onto ice cream, work it into a turkey sandwich, layer it into a parfait, or dollop it onto thumbprint cookies. Jelly: On the other hand, jelly is made with the strained juice from fruit that's been mashed or crushed. It is far smoother than jam and best used for sandwiches, spreading on toast, or as a glaze for baked goods. The 3 Ingredients for Quick Strawberry Jam Strawberries: You can make this recipe year round, but it really sings with fresh, in-season berries. Wash them very well before using, then use a paring knife to cut out the hull, or the stem and leaves on top of each berry. Sugar: We call for one-half cup of white granulated sugar for this recipe, but you can use a bit less if your berries are especially sweet or you prefer a tangier spread. We don't recommend swapping in another type of sugar like brown or turbinado here as they can dull the fresh fruit flavor of the jam. Lemon juice: Adding fresh lemon juice to jam balances out the sweetness from the fruit and sugar while also helping the jam to jell. Use fresh, not bottled, lemon juice for this recipe. Directions Credit: Jake Sternquist Process strawberries In a food processor, process strawberries until coarsely chopped. Credit: Jake Sternquist Cook with sugar and lemon: Transfer to a large skillet and stir in sugar and lemon juice. Cook over medium-high, stirring frequently, until jam is thickened and bubbles completely cover surface, 9 to 10 minutes. Credit: Jake Sternquist Using a large skillet rather than a saucepan allows the berry mixture to spread out as it cooks, which speeds up the evaporation and thickening process. Transfer to jar and cool; refrigerate: Credit: Jake Sternquist Credit: Jake Sternquist Transfer jam to a jar and let cool to room temperature before refrigerating. How to Store Easy Strawberry Jam The cooled jam should be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 10 days. Unlike other jam recipes, this one should not be canned and stored at room temperature. (If you want a jam with a longer shelf life, try these strawberry preserves, which can be canned, or this convenient freezer jam.) Ways to Use Strawberry Jam Beyond Toast Use a little jam to add a sweet touch to vinaigrettes and marinades, much in the same way you'd add honey. (It's especially delicious with chicken or pork.)Swirl strawberry jam into oatmeal or overnight oats or layer it in a parfait with yogurt and granola.Mix it with maple syrup for a pourable fruity sweetener that's perfect for pancakes or waffles.Stir it into lemonade or milk for a fruity beverage.Combine it with muddled basil, gin, and a splash of seltzer for a summery cocktail. 5 More Jam Recipes to Try Basic Jam Easy Pineapple Jam Rhubarb-Raspberry Jam Slow-Cooker Bacon Jam Peach Jam Updated by Esther Reynolds Esther Reynolds Esther Reynolds is an experienced recipe developer, recipe tester, food editor, and writer with over a decade of experience in the food and media industries.