Strawberry Freezer Jam Recipe (Low-Sugar)
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4.9
21 reviews
Excellent
Strawberry Freezer Jam Recipe (Low-Sugar)
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This easy Strawberry Freezer Jam Recipe uses half the sugar of typical freezer jam, a low sugar strawberry freezer jam! YES! Enjoy this delicious strawberry jam guilt-free!
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Ingredients
- 2 quarts strawberries cleaned, patted dry, stems removed (2 quarts equals about 3 pounds)
- 2 cups granulated sugar I used all-natural cane sugar, regular white sugar may also be used
- 6 tablespoons low-sugar fruit pectin I used Ball low-sugar fruit pectin, but also try Sure Jell low sugar
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Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together sugar and fruit pectin
- In a food processor, pulse strawberries a few times. You want some chunks. Or in a large bowl using a potato masher, mash strawberries, leaving some chunks.
- Add 5 cups crushed strawberries (2 quarts should yield just about 5 cups) to a large bowl, sprinkle the sugar and fruit pectin over the mashed strawberries.
- Stir the strawberry jam mixture really well for 3 whole minutes. Make sure you are scraping the bottom.
- Spoon into containers or jars, cover and seal, then set on the counter for 24 hours. As the jelly starts to set, if there is separation (the fruit begins to float to the top), give it a quick stir, and the fruit should stay suspended.
- After 24 hours, place jars of jam in the freezer or refrigerator; be sure to leave about an inch of space in the jars for your freezer jam so it allows for expansion while it freezes.
Equipments used:
Notes
- Storage
- Store frozen jam in well-sealed containers in the freezer for up to 6-12 months. Leave about an inch of head space to allow for expansion when freezing. I have frozen in glass containers for years and only had something break if I overfilled it.
- When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge and refrigerate the freezer jam for 3-6 weeks. I tuck mine in the back of the refrigerator, where it is coldest.
- Instead of a food processor, use a potato masher or a meat masher (like what you’d use to break up ground beef); it works well.
- knife
- This is a lower-sugar version. Because of that, the jam is a little less gel-like. Add more sugar, up to 4 cups, if you prefer a thicker consistency.
- Fresh-picked strawberries are ideal, but store-bought will work fine. I've never used frozen strawberries, but typically you can swap frozen for regular berries in cooking and baking. If using frozen strawberries, thaw them first, draining as much of the liquid as possible
- How to Fix Runny Freezer Jam
- Several readers have had issues with their jam setting up; remember that even the most experienced jam makers can experience runny jam. Make sure your pectin has not expired.
- I consulted with a friend, who I consider a jam and canning expert, and she gave me this website as her troubleshooting guide. Below are several of her ways and a few others I've researched.
- Store frozen jam in well-sealed containers in the freezer for up to 6-12 months. Leave about an inch of head space to allow for expansion when freezing. I have frozen in glass containers for years and only had something break if I overfilled it.
- When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge and refrigerate the freezer jam for 3-6 weeks. I tuck mine in the back of the refrigerator, where it is coldest.
- Instead of a food processor, use a potato masher or a meat masher (like what you’d use to break up ground beef); it works well.
- Clean and de-stem strawberries using a paring knife or using a strawberry huller.
- This is a lower-sugar version. Because of that, the jam is a little less gel-like. Add more sugar, up to 4 cups, if you prefer a thicker consistency.
- Fresh-picked strawberries are ideal, but store-bought will work fine. I've never used frozen strawberries, but typically you can swap frozen for regular berries in cooking and baking. If using frozen strawberries, thaw them first, draining as much of the liquid as possible
- First, remember that pectin can take 24-48 hours to set up, so wait before trying any of the below methods. It can take that long for the pectin to do its work.
- Don't remake more than 4 cups (8 pints) at a time.
- Place jam in a low, wide pan (more surface area) and, over low heat, bring to a boil. Allow to boil down, but be careful not to over-boil it, simmer 5-10 minutes until it thickens.
- If it still doesn't thicken, whisk ¼ cup sugar mixed with 1 tablespoon powdered pectin for every 4 cups of jam. Pour the jam into a low, wide pan and add the sugar and pectin combo. Stir regularly while simmering until the sugar and pectin are dissolved and the mixture has thickened, then pour into jars.
- Or try stirring 2 tablespoons of chia seeds into the jam mixture; the chia seeds will absorb the moisture naturally without adding sugar. If you don’t like the look of the seeds, give it a whir in a blender. Allow it to set up overnight, and you get chia seeds' added health bonus.
- Or stir in 1-2 teaspoons of cornstarch mixed in 2-3 teaspoons of water, and pour the slurry into the simmering jam mixture, stirring constantly; it should thicken up considerably. It may have a cloudier appearance after using cornstarch, but this is another way without adding more sugar.
Nutrition Information
Show Details
Serving
1jar
Calories
487kcal
(24%)
Carbohydrates
125g
(42%)
Protein
3g
(6%)
Fat
1g
(2%)
Saturated Fat
0.1g
(1%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
Monounsaturated Fat
0.2g
Sodium
40mg
(2%)
Potassium
582mg
(17%)
Fiber
9g
(36%)
Sugar
98g
(196%)
Vitamin A
46IU
(1%)
Vitamin C
223mg
(248%)
Calcium
63mg
(6%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 5half-pint jars
Amount Per Serving
Calories 487 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1jar | |
| Calories | 487kcal | 24% |
| Carbohydrates | 125g | 42% |
| Protein | 3g | 6% |
| Fat | 1g | 2% |
| Saturated Fat | 0.1g | 1% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 0.2g | 1% |
| Sodium | 40mg | 2% |
| Potassium | 582mg | 12% |
| Fiber | 9g | 36% |
| Sugar | 98g | 196% |
| Vitamin A | 46IU | 1% |
| Vitamin C | 223mg | 248% |
| Calcium | 63mg | 6% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
21 reviews
Excellent
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