Imagine capturing the pure, vibrant essence of sun-ripened strawberries in a jar, without ever turning on your stove! This No-Cook Strawberry Freezer Jam is your ticket to preserving summer's most delicious fruit with minimal effort and maximum flavor. Perfect for busy home cooks, baking novices, and anyone who wants to enjoy the taste of fresh strawberries all year round, this simple recipe will transform your breakfast toast, yogurt, and desserts into gourmet delights.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: -
Total Time: 10 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 5 cups
Ingredients
- 2 cups crushed fresh strawberries
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 1 package (1.75 oz) fruit pectin
Instructions
- Begin by preparing your workspace. Gather all the ingredients and tools you will need: a mixing bowl, a potato masher or fork for crushing strawberries, measuring cups, a large spoon for mixing, and clean jars for storing the jam.
- Wash the fresh strawberries thoroughly under cool running water to remove any dirt or impurities. Remove the green tops (hulls) and any blemished parts of the strawberries.
- Using a potato masher or a fork, crush the strawberries in a mixing bowl until you have about 2 cups of crushed fruit. The consistency should be somewhat chunky, allowing for a nice texture in the jam.
- In a separate bowl, measure out 1 ½ cups of sugar. This will help to sweeten the jam and also assist in the gelling process.
- Sprinkle the sugar over the crushed strawberries and gently stir to combine. Let this mixture sit for about 10 minutes. This resting time allows the sugar to draw out the natural juices from the strawberries, enhancing the flavor.
- While the strawberry and sugar mixture is resting, prepare the fruit pectin. Open the package of fruit pectin and follow the instructions on the package for incorporating it into your jam. Typically, you will need to mix it with some of the sugar before adding it to the fruit mixture.
- After the strawberries have rested, add the fruit pectin to the strawberry and sugar mixture. Stir everything together vigorously for about 2 minutes until the pectin is fully dissolved and the mixture is well combined.
- Once the mixture is well combined, it is time to transfer it into clean jars. Use a ladle to scoop the jam into sterilized jars, leaving about ¼ inch of headspace at the top of each jar.
- Seal the jars with their lids, ensuring they are tightly closed. Allow the jam to sit at room temperature for about 24 hours to set properly.
- After 24 hours, your no-cook strawberry freezer jam will be ready to enjoy! Store the jars in the freezer if you plan to keep them for longer periods. The jam can be stored in the freezer for up to a year. Once opened, keep the jam in the refrigerator and consume it within 3 weeks.
Tips
- Choose perfectly ripe strawberries for the most intense flavor. Look for bright red, fragrant berries without any soft spots or mold.
- Use precise measurements for sugar and pectin to ensure proper setting and optimal texture.
- When crushing strawberries, aim for a slightly chunky consistency to preserve some fruit texture in your jam.
- Clean and sterilize your jars thoroughly to prevent any bacterial growth and extend the jam's shelf life.
- Allow the jam to set at room temperature for exactly 24 hours before transferring to the freezer to ensure proper gelling.
- Label your jars with the date of preparation to keep track of freshness.
- For best flavor and texture, thaw frozen jam in the refrigerator before serving.
- Experiment with adding a splash of vanilla extract or a squeeze of lemon juice for a flavor twist.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 60kcal
Carbohydrates: 15g
Protein: 0g
Fat: 0g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
