This homemade refrigerator jam uses strawberries, sugar, a little pectin and lemon juice and will take you less than 10 minutes to make in the microwave
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Full Recipe Ingredients/Instructions are available in the recipe card at the bottom of the post. However, you can find important tips/tricks in the post like how to store, reheat and substitutes.
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So happy to have found a quick and easy method for preparing a small batch of jam. As summer comes to an end this is a great method to preserve the sweet summer’s bounty. Great on toast, strawberry quinoa breakfast bowl or with ice cream.
Ingredients
Strawberries - fresh berries are perfect but you can also use frozen. You will need 1 pound (1 grocery store clamshell) You will need to cook it longer because of the extra moisture.
Vegan Sugar - granulated sugar isn't naturally white on its own; oftentimes, the refining process of sugar involves the use of bone char to achieve a white color. Sugar that comes from sugar beets is considered vegan; the process does not involve bone char resulting in a light brown color.
Pectin - is plant-based and suitable for vegan. Most pectin is made from apples or citrus fruits.
Fresh Lemon Juice - adds a tangy flavor but is also there to help the jam set. You can actually leave the pectin out and the jam will still set nicely because of the lemon juice.
Is Pectin Vegan?
Pectin is completely plant-based and suitable for anyone who's vegan or vegetarian. Most pectin is made from apples or citrus fruits.
Pectin is a water-soluble fiber derived from non-animal byproducts, unlike gelatin which is a protein derived from animals.
Can I Use Frozen Strawberries?
Yes, if using frozen fruit, you will need to cook a few minutes longer to compensate for extra water.
How To Make Strawberry Jam In The Microwave?
Remove green top, wash, hull and slice up strawberries. In a wide bowl crush strawberries until you have a cup of mashed berries.
You can use a potato masher, fork, muller or whisk something that can help you easily crush the strawberries.
Place strawberries, sugar, pectin and lemon juice in extra large heat proof cup.
Stir to combine thoroughly and place in microwave; cook for 5 minutes.
The jam will thicken as it cools
Remove the cup from the microwave (it will be extremely hot and steamy; be careful), stir. Then cook in increments of 2 minutes. For a total of about 11 to 14 minutes.
Alternative Cooking Methods
Stove Top - Bring the preserve mixture to a simmer over medium heat. Cook for about 10 minutes. Watching closely to not burn (lower heat if necessary, whisking every few minutes. Let the jam cool off completely. The jam will thicken as it cools. Transfer to a clean jar and store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks
Microwave - see recipe card and process steps below
Does Jam Need To Be Refrigerated?
Yes, because this is a homemade jam with only fresh ingredients and no preserves. Please note the method to make this jam is different from canning and can not be store on the shelf like in canning.
How To Store
Since this is a homemade organic jam the shelf life is shorter than store bought. Store in fridge in jar with airtight lid, jam will last about 2 to 3 weeks
Recipe Variations
Try other fruits like raspberries, peaches, blueberries or blackberries
Uses For Your Homemade Jam
- Gluten - Free Biscuit
- With Gluten-free Waffles
- Over Ice Cream
- On top of toast
Easy Microwave Strawberry Jam Recipe
Equipment
- Large 8-Cup Glass Measuring Cup or Large Heat Proof Bowl
- Potato Masher, Fork, Muller or Whisk
- Glass Jar with lid
Ingredients
- 1 Ib 16 oz / 1 container Fresh Strawberries
- ¾ cup Sugar - can reduce to ½ cup if you want a lower sugar jam
- ½ teaspoon Pectin
- ½ teaspoon Lemon juice
Instructions
Prepare Strawberries
- Rinse, hull and chop strawberries.
- Crush strawberries. Can use potato masher, fork or muller to crush strawberry.
Mix
- In a large bowl combine the berries, sugar and lemon juice. (Be Sure To Use An Extra Large Bowl As The Jam Will Bubble Up In The Cooking Process! and could overflow if bowl is to small)
Cook
- Heat strawberries in microwave for 5 minutes. Then in increments of about 2 minutes. This is to avoid the jam overflowing. Cook for about 11 to 14 minutes. For frozen strawberries about 14 because of extra moisture and for fresh about 11 until thicken.
- Let the jam cool off completely. The jam will thicken as it cools. Transfer to a clean jar and store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Notes
Alternative Cooking Method
Stove Top - Bring preserve mixture to a simmer over medium heat. Cook for about 10 minutes. Watching closely to not burn (lower heat if necessary, whisking every few minutes. Let the jam cool off completely. The jam will thicken as it cools. Transfer to a clean jar and store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.How To Store
Since this is a homemade organic jam the shelf life is shorter than store bought. Store in fridge in jar with airtight lid jam will last about 2 to 3 weeksNutrition
These nutritional figures should be considered estimates. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe.
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