Homemade Honey Strawberry Jam

Running out of strawberry jam? No problem, homemade honey strawberry jam is ultimately easier to make using this recipe that I am going to share with you. With just 3 ingredients, we can make an excellent jar of strawberry jam for your family. This recipe does not require pectin nor sugar, so gather up your empty jars and follow this full step by step recipe and video tutorial that you will surely enjoy.

Every year in Australia, strawberries are grown from February to May. Then comes the month of June to September which is the harvest season where many locals would buy it for different purposes. But the best time to buy strawberries is the month of August where it’s very fresh, crunchy, and a lot cheaper. So next month would be the perfect time to buy in bulk of fresh strawberries, store some in the freezer to make strawberry smoothies, or make as many strawberry jams as you like that is good for a year.

In most countries, jams have been a staple food for both kids and grown-ups and that you can find it to almost everyone’s pantry. There’s a wide variety to choose from like raspberries, blueberries, but strawberries remain a crowd favorite. Here in Australia, a spread of butter and jam on toast is one of the popular choices for breakfast. Some prefer jam on a cookie to enjoy with a cup of coffee which is a superb choice too. 

Making homemade jams is not that difficult but requires a little bit of patience and gentleness because it takes time to prepare.

Though there are a lot of products to choose from, I noticed that the jam I make at home is always a bit thicker and tastes better than the ones I buy from the supermarket. In this recipe, I am going to replace sugar with honey, which will give the jam a sweet natural taste that you will love.

Ingredients for the strawberry jam

Ready to give this recipe a shot? To make the jam, you need 3 ingredients:

✓ Fresh Strawberries

✓ Honey

✓ Lemon Juice

Making Jam is very simple but requires a bit of time stirring it in your pot on the stove. No pectin was used for this recipe instead I’ll be using honey and lemon juice to set the jam and fresh strawberries as well. You can scroll down to the bottom to see the how-to video and printable recipe card. 

How to make honey strawberry jam at home

Pick the best strawberries you can, this will give the best flavor and color to your jar. I also made slightly cooked strawberries to serve as decorations on top. 

1. Wash and cut strawberries, leave some whole.
2. Place chopped strawberries in a heavy bottom saucepan, and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, add honey and lemon juice then start stirring continuously and keep it cooking.
3. To help make sure your finished jam is clear and clean, you need to always skim the bubble on top. 
4. Once the jam is almost set and gets thicker, place the whole strawberries to the jam mixture and cook for another 5 minutes on low heat.
5. Turn off the heat, and let it cool down. 
6. Place in a bowl overnight, then scoop in your jar, make sure leave a big cooked strawberry on top, it helps to look beautiful jar.
7. Place the lid and seal each jar to keep it fresh.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN JAM, JELLY, AND PRESERVES

Jams, Jellies, and fruit preserves seem like they are all just the same, but they have their distinct characteristics.

Jelly has a distinct category because it is made from fruit juice rather than whole fruit or puree. This gives the jelly its clear texture.

While jams and preserves fall in a different category. Fruit preserves are a kind of jam. Jam is made with pureed fruit that is why it’s not clear. It has more of an opaque appearance, which is closely similar to preserves which have larger and nice chunks of fruit in it.

How to fix if your strawberry jam it didn’t set up:

The reasons may vary why your jam didn’t set up properly. It might have needed more cooking time. The acid in lemon helps the jam to have its gel texture.

If you followed the recipe carefully but it still didn’t set up properly, let the jam sit overnight in the fridge. If that step still doesn’t help to stiffen up and set. You might need to try re-cooking it for a bit longer.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION ON MAKING STRAWBERRY JAMS:

I received a lot of questions and comments for this recipe especially from those who just started with making jams. Here are some of those questions I’ve answered that I listed for you today. If you have questions that haven’t been answered, you can also check the comment section for loads of useful tips and info there!

Can I freeze strawberry jams?

Yes, you can. The great news is you can even freeze it right inside the jar. Just be sure to leave some space at the top, because jams expand a little when it is frozen.

How long does homemade strawberry jam last in the fridge?

For best results, use jams within 10 days. If you keep it carefully sealed and unopened, your homemade jam should last in the fridge for about 1 to 3 months. In the freezer, it should last for a year.

Can I use frozen strawberries to make jam?

Yes, but you need to increase the cooking time because frozen strawberries tend to be more watery. You can also use a thermometer to know whether your jam is done. (Ideally, when it reaches 215 degrees Fahrenheit, your jam should be ready.)

Can I use this strawberry jam recipe with other fruits?

The cooking process of this jam will work with other fruits too, but you need to consider the sweetness level of whatever fruit you are going to use to make a jam.

USES OF HOMEMADE STRAWBERRY JAM 

Now that you have made your own Homemade Honey Strawberry Jam, it’s also the perfect time to pair it with bread, pastries, and even desserts!

Here are some few suggestions:

1. Use strawberry jam as topping for scones, biscuits, and croissants
2. Try filling it for donuts to make a strawberry bavarian
3. Spoon it over on your cheesecake

All these delectable treats give us more reason to stock up with a Homemade Honey Strawberry Jam at home. Aside from providing wholesome and healthy food free from excess sugar and preservatives, you can also save a lot of money recycling your empty Jam jars, and buying in bulk of fruits that are in season. Try making this recipe with your family members, and sure it will be a great bonding experience.