Sweet Delight in a Jar: Making the Best Homemade Strawberry Jam

There’s something truly magical about a jar of lush Strawberry Jam made at home. The beautiful red color and a symphony of sweet and tangy flavors make strawberry jam one of the most liked among its counterparts. But the worst part about this wonderful spread is that most people are convinced that real strawberry jam tastes exactly like the store-bought ones.

Well, this isn’t true the only thing that store-bought jams are is nothing but full of preservatives. Store-bought jams are mostly filled with artificial ingredients that might cause you health issues in the long run. Homemade jams on the other hand are full of natural goodness, made with fresh ingredients, and cooked to perfection without any preservatives, these define what real jams should taste like.

Making jams has always been an exciting experience; the aroma of fresh strawberries simmering on the stove and caramelized sugar transfers you to another world. Each step holds great importance and must be performed with utmost care and love. I remember when I first experienced making a Jam with my granny, that day I not only learnt how to make the best Strawberry Jam in the world but also some essential skills of patience.

Over the years, this recipe has evolved to be one of the most loved in my house. Each summer, I wait for the arrival of fresh strawberry stock at my local farm’s market, so that I can use those delicious red buds to make the most lush strawberry jam.

So today I have made a plan to share this lovely recipe of mine with you, dear readers. Together we will go through the process of making this extra delicious Strawberry Jam, from scratch. Get ready to embark on this sweet journey.

Recipe video

A closer look at the Ingredients…

Creating this extra delicious Strawberry Jam at home involves very basic ingredients and a simple process, here is a list of ingredients that you will need

Strawberries

Strawberries lie at the heart of this Jam, and picking the right ones becomes crucial. I always use organic strawberries all the time as they are free of pesticides and offer a greater flavor profile. So whether you opt for fresh strawberries or frozen ones, make sure to check that they are perfectly ripe and sweet. The fresh ones must have a bright red color with a sweet aroma while the frozen ones must be of high quality with no added preservatives.

Maple Syrup

This lush homemade jam gets its sweetness partly from the strawberries and partly from maple syrup. This golden ingredient enhances the Jam’s flavor by offering the right amount of sweetness. Make sure to use pure maple syrup for best results.

Lemon Juice

Lemon juice is the most essential ingredient for this homemade strawberry jam. It not only helps add a vibrant and refreshing flavor to the jam but also acts as a natural preservative that enhances its shelf life.

Ginger

A small piece of ginger goes a long way to make this jam taste better by adding a subtle warmth and spice to it. I always like to add a thumb-sized piece of fresh ginger to my strawberry jam which makes it more complex and flavorful. But if you are somebody who isn’t a huge fan of garlic, you can reduce it or skip it.

Salt

A pinch of salt in strawberry jam might not sound like a good idea initially, but it definitely belongs here. Salt helps enhance and balance the flavors of sugar in the jam and also brings out the natural flavors of the strawberry.

How to make the best Homemade Strawberry Jam

1. Start by thoroughly washing the strawberries and pat dry them. Pat drying them is an important step as excess water can dilute the jam and affect its consistency. Once dried, cut the strawberries into small bite-sized pieces.

2. Add the chopped strawberries into a saucepan and start cooking them over medium-high heat. Once the temperature goes up, the strawberries begin softening and releasing juices.

3. Throw in the ginger piece if you wish to and let them simmer for about 10 minutes.

4. Once the strawberries have softened, add in the maple syrup as per your preference. If you like your jam to be extra sweet add more maple syrup.

5. Next, pour a dash of lemon juice into the pan and give it a good stir.

6. Let this cook until the jam thickens and has achieved your desired consistency. Once the jam has reached the desired texture, remove it from the heat and allow it to cool down completely. You can even add a pinch of salt at this step or can even omit this step.

7. Store this amazing Homemade strawberry jam in sterilized jars, if you wish to store them for a longer period.

Serving Suggestions

Now that you have prepared your heavenly strawberry Jam, it’s time to enjoy it with things that pair excellently with it. I have made a list of things that I like to eat my strawberry jam with

● On a Toast

The most classic way to enjoy strawberry jam is by spreading it on a slice of freshly toasted bread. Spread a good amount of the homemade strawberry jam on a few slices of bread and enjoy the crispiness of the tangy sweetness of this jam.

● Baking

This strawberry jam has many uses in the sphere of baking, use it as a filling for thumbprint cookies, a layer in your sponge cake, as a cheesecake topping etcetera. There are plenty of ways that you can put your homemade jam to use.

● Yoghurt

Add a spoonful of homemade strawberry jam to your yoghurt bowl for a quick and tasty snack.

● With plant based cheese

This might sound weird at first but trust me on this, put some jam on a piece of plant-based cheese and you’ll be biting on a combination made in heaven. The creaminess of the cheese is complimented well by the sweetness of the jam.

How to store your delicious Homemade Strawberry Jam.

Homemade strawberry jam can be kept in the fridge for up to two weeks. For longer preservation, freeze it or use a good canning procedure to keep it for months. Just make sure to use sterilized jars and lids to avoid spoiling.

Making your own jam is a really satisfying experience. It’s a simple pleasure that adds a dash of homemade sweetness to your daily routine. This homemade strawberry jam is perfect for spreading on toast, swirling into yogurt, or giving it as a present to loved ones.

So gather your strawberries, turn on the burner, and enjoy the process of creating something incredibly amazing. I hope you enjoy this dish as much as I do. Happy jamming!