Strawberry freezer jam is a no-cook method of making jam that will last in the fridge for weeks or the freezer for months.
Simply chop some fresh berries, mix with sugar, orange rind if you’d like, and some freezer jam pectin. Stir and enjoy!
Strawberry freezer jam is so easy to make, that even the kids will want to get their ‘jam’ on!
An Easy Strawberry Jam
When my kids were little, we used to make so much freezer jam! It’s still a favorite for everyone.
- We love this super easy recipe because there’s no boiling, reducing, or cooking!
- Simply mix the ingredients, let them ‘set,’ and then store them in your favorite jars!
- This jam requires no canning, just pop it into the freezer to keep it for months.
- Strawberry jam makes perfect hostess gifts! Dress up a mini-mason jar with a ribbon and a tag.
- Freezer Jam Pectin is the secret ingredient for a delicious jam with the perfect consistency! Look for pre-measured packets or liquid fruit pectin for a foolproof jam every time!
Ingredients in Strawberry Freezer Jam
Strawberries – Choose firm, fresh strawberries that are clean and free of any debris. Frozen berries can work, too! Let them thaw and drain in a colander in the sink before using.
Citrus – While it’s optional, a bit of orange zest adds a bright flavor to the jam. A teaspoon of lemon juice will work, too!
Pectin- Pectin is a natural thickener found in plants and nuts. Popular brands of fruit pectin are Certo, Ball, and SureJell. Be sure you are using pectin intended for freezer jam like this one. See recipe notes for more information.
How to Make Strawberry Freezer Jam
Nothing beats strawberry jam slathered on a white bun or drizzled over vanilla ice cream.
- Combine chopped/crushed strawberries with orange zest & sugar and rest (per the recipe below).
- Slowly stir in a packet of pectin and continue stirring gently for about 5 minutes.
- Rest 2 minutes and then stir 2 minutes more.
- Pour into jars and enjoy.
Tips
While this Strawberry Freezer Jam recipe is easy to make, here are a few tips to ensure success.
- Ensure the pectin you use is intended for freezer jam like this one.
- If using pectin that does not say freezer jam, it will need to be boiled with ¾ cup of water first and mixed into two cups of crushed fruit. See recipe notes.
- Use room temperature berries.
- We prefer to chop the berries by hand, and then mash a few with a potato masher. If you use a food processor, pulse just a couple of times, you don’t want them pureed.
- Stir in other chopped fresh fruit like raspberries or peaches.
How to Use Freezer Jam
There are so many ways to use strawberry freezer jam, it has a more fresh flavor than purchased jam so it’s great on all kinds of recipes!
- Breakfast – Spoon it into some overnight oats, scones, or use it to top French toast sticks, waffles, or pancakes!
- Dessert – Enjoy cookie bars, drizzle over ice cream, or as the star in these Jam Thumbprint Cookies!
- Snack – With fresh bread and peanut butter for a classic PB&J! Slather it on some homemade biscuits or spoon it into some yogurt.
The fruit is crushed/chopped for freezer jam, it is not cooked. Fruit is most often cooked for regular jam.
No, freezer jam can be eaten once it’s made and does not need to be frozen first.
It will keep in the fridge for 2-3 weeks or the freezer for 1 year.
I like to freeze it in plastic freezer jam containers or even in zip top freezer bags. Thaw the jam in the fridge overnight before using.
We have made strawberry rhubarb jam without pectin but this recipe has not been tested without pectin. We hope to work on a version without pectin soon!
Storing Strawberry Jam
Keep freshly made strawberry freezer jam in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks and in freezer-safe containers in the freezer for up to a year.
Thaw jam in the refrigerator overnight or on the counter for a couple of hours.
Surplus of Strawberries?
Did you make this Strawberry Freezer Jam? Leave a rating and a comment below!
Strawberry Freezer Jam
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 cups strawberries about 2 lbs
- 1 teaspoon orange zest optional
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- Freezer Jam Pectin (you can find this at Walmart or Target or online)
Instructions
- Wash the strawberries and finely dice. Use a masher to slightly crush some of the berries until you have 4 cups of berries total.
- Zest 1 teaspoon of zest from the 1 orange if desired. Add to the strawberries along with the sugar. Mix well and rest for 10 minutes.
- Stir in the pectin, a little at a time, until incorporated. Continue gently stirring for 4 minutes with a spoon.
- Let rest for 2 minutes. Stir for 2 minutes more.
- Pour into freezer jam jars or glass jars.
Notes
To use regular fruit pectin:
- Combine 2 cups of crushed/chopped berries (about 1 pint before crushing) with 4 cups of sugar and citrus zest if using.
- Bring ¾ cup of water and 1 packet of pectin (like Sure-Jell) to a rolling boil for 1 minute.
- Stir the pectin into the fruit mixture stirring for 3 full minutes.
- Pour into jars and rest at room temperature 24 hours. Refrigerate or freeze.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Breakfast
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I made it and it was easy and delicious!!! The hardest part was zesting the orange and stirring the fruit . Try it!
I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe Felecia!
Am I using the whole pound of pectin for this recipe? Thanks much!
I use a small packet of pectin, about 1.75oz or 45g depending on the brand. I would suggest checking the package to see how much pectin is required for 4 cups of fruit if you are not using freezer pectin.
Thank you. Didn’t know about special pectin for freezer and had previously made it with the hot stuff Sure Gel. LOVE strawberry freezer jam! Great recipe. I added a little Splenda as well.
This turned out lovely. And yes you can freeze food in any type of glass jars…been doing it for years and years.u
I have reused every jar from the store and canning jars to freeze everything from soup to meat to veggies. Nothing I haven’t frozen in frozen infrozen I glass jars. Saves lots of room in freezer.
So glad you loved it Sami! Thanks for the tips on the jars.
Hi! Where did you get the adorable jar in the display picture? This would be a great gifting jar!
That jar came from Marshall’s but there are similar ones available on Amazon. Unfortunately, there isn’t a brand listed on them that I can share with you.
Can you use a sugar substitute?
If using a sugar substitute, I would suggest using a no-sugar pectin intended for using less sugar or sugar substitutes.
Hello, how much pectin, i could only find a very large bag. Thank you.
I use a small packet of pectin, about 1.75oz or 45g depending on the brand. I would suggest checking the package to see how much pectin is required for 4 cups of fruit if you are not using freezer pectin.
I remember, years ago, adding a little crushed pineapple to batches of strawberry jam….. what are your thoughts about this?
I think that sounds delicious Marsha! Let us know how it goes!
I just saw this on FB….. can other fruits be used with this recipe, instead of strawberries?
I’m sure they could as long as the proportions are the same!
I FREEZE ANY THING IN MASON JARS EXCEPT I do wrap my jars in news papers an Elderly Woman gave me this hint many years ago.
How long does it need to be frozen for? Should I leave it in the freezer until ready to use, or thaw and refrigerate? There’s nothing in the directions about actually freezing the jam.
You can use it right away and refrigerate for about 10 days. If you’d like to store it in the freezer to keep, just place the jam in a freezer safe jar. Defrost in the fridge overnight. Once defrosted, the jam will keep for about 10 days.
In my country we don’t have pectin! Can i use something else? Im from the Netherlands in Europe! Thanks in advance! Byerbye. :-) :-) :-)
Here’s a good guide for Pectin-free jellies.
http://www.hobbyfarms.com/food-and-kitchen/8-natural-healthy-canning-substitutions.aspx
Can this be done using artificial sweetener
I have not tried it, but I can’t see why it wouldn’t work. I would recommend looking on the website of the brand of pectin you purchase or sending their customer service an email.
you can totally use freezer jars. I have done this lots!
I have quite a few quart mason jars. Can this be frozen in them or do I need special freezer jars? Thanks! Very excited to try this recipe!
I am not sure how the glass would freeze.. I use the glass for the one we eat right away. Any plastic container should work just fine.
the glass jars will break if you don’t have plastic freezer jars try freezer bags they work for me!!
Fantastic idea!!!
No, you can’t freeze glass jars !!! They will break.
YES you can freeze in glass MASON jars. You can use regular 2 piece lids or they even sell one piece ones just for freezing :) Just remember to leave room for expansion when frozen!
I use mason jars to freeze my homemade spaghetti sauce. I’ve never had a problem. Been doing it for years.