Season Special: Simple Stovetop Strawberry Jam
It’s strawberry season!
Since this time of year is so fleeting, one of our favorite ways to preserve the ripe sweetness of these beautiful red berries is to make a scrumptious jam! As a caterer and a lover of simple, sustainable food, I believe the best way to honor this harvest is to preserve it in its purest form. This three-ingredient stovetop jam is my way of capturing the summer sun and sharing it with you all year round. No canning experience needed for this simple strawberry jam!
This recipe requires minimal prep, and it really lets the strawberries shine while they’re in their prime. Bonus points if you get your hands on some locally grown strawberries!
Please note: this jelly recipe does not require pectin. The natural pectin in the strawberries will create this jam as long as it is heated to 220 degrees F. For a firm jam, a 1:1 ratio of fruit to sugar is recommended. If you prefer a softer, syrup-like topping, you can reduce the sugar, but the texture will be looser.
Ingredients to Gather
2 pounds fresh strawberries, hulled and crushed
2 cups of sugar
2 tablespoons lemon juice
Yields about 1 cup of jam.
Let’s Make it!
Combine the crushed strawberries in a sturdy bottomed pot with the lemon juice and allow to sit for 10 minutes.
Stir in the sugar.
Heat to 220 degrees F over medium heat, stirring constantly. This step requires a little patience and can take 10-15 minutes.
Pour into a heat safe bowl and refrigerate for 24 hours. This will allow the jam to set properly and the flavors to meld.
Spoon or ladle the mixture into small glass jelly jars or container of your choice for storage. Be sure to leave 1/2 inch of headspace in jars for expansion during freezing. Seal tightly.
Enjoy! Keeps in the fridge for 7-10 days, can be frozen for months! Thaw in fridge before using.
Serving Suggestions
Enjoy over a warm piece of sourdough toast. Up-level by spreading 2 tablespoons of ricotta cheese on the sourdough toast, top with jam, and apply a drizzle of balsamic glaze. Garnish with fresh basil.
Enjoy on a warm biscuit!
Swirl into oatmeal or yogurt.
Spoon onto ice cream for an enjoyable treat!
Peanut butter and strawberry jam sandwiches are a household staple!
