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This Honey Strawberry Jam recipe is a fantastic way to celebrate Strawberry Season and store the summer strawberry harvest away for all seasons, making strawberry jam a delightful and rewarding process. Homemade strawberry jam is a perfect way to use up leftover fruit and make it last throughout the year! Alternatively, you can make freezer jam to preserve the freshness and natural goodness of the strawberries without cooking them.
Jam was Invented to be a Jar of Sunshine in the Dead of Winter
Using fresh fruit in the recipe ensures the best flavor and natural sweetness. This recipe can also be adapted to make sugar free jam, which retains the natural sweetness of the strawberries without the need for added sugars. Sweet strawberries, especially when fresh-picked, offer superior sweetness compared to store-bought ones.
Our Wild Strawberry Body Scrub is 100% plant-based and vegan
The History of Strawberry Honey Jam
Once upon a time, long ago, before electricity and niceties like refrigerators, the only way you could enjoy fruit during the winter months was by preserving fruits when they became ripe during the warm months of the year. Fruit jam was a common method of preserving fruits. And interesting to note is that raw honey was the preservative system of choice by the Greeks, who used honey to preserve quince, a fruit that appears to be a cross between a pear and an apple. Modern recipes often replace white sugar with honey for a healthier option. A simple homemade jam recipe can bring great satisfaction and taste, making it a delightful alternative to store-bought options.
This strawberry jam recipe is perfect for on toast and muffins and would even be great to sandwich between the layers of a homemade cake or on Strawberry Scones. Using our Eastern Shore Honey makes this jam even sweeter, more flavorful and eliminates the need for refined sugars. For convenience, this recipe yields two half pint jars, making it perfect for small families or individuals who want to enjoy fresh jam without making large batches.
Ingredients and Equipment
Essential tools and ingredients for making honey strawberry jam.
To create the perfect honey strawberry jam, you’ll need a few key ingredients and tools. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Fresh Strawberries: Fresh strawberries will give your jam a more intense strawberry flavor, but if they’re out of season, frozen strawberries work just as well. Just make sure to thaw them before use.
- Honey: Use it as a natural sweetener. Honey not only sweetens the jam but also adds a unique depth of flavor. Feel free to adjust the amount to suit your taste.
- Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon juice adds a touch of acidity that balances the sweetness and helps preserve the jam.
- Pectin: Pectin will help thicken the jam. Both powdered and liquid pectin work, so use whichever you have on hand.
- Potato Masher: A potato masher is essential for mashing the strawberries and releasing their natural pectin, which helps the jam set.
- Large Saucepan: A large saucepan is necessary for cooking the jam. Make sure it’s big enough to prevent the mixture from boiling over.
- Canning Jars: You’ll need jars to store your jam. Jars are perfect for preserving and gifting.
- Lids and Bands: Ensure you have lids and bands to seal the jars properly.
- Water Bath Canner: A water bath canner is crucial for processing the jars and ensuring your jam is safely preserved.
With these ingredients and tools, you’re all set to make a delicious batch of honey strawberry jam!
Fresh Honey Strawberry Jam on Bread
I was delighted to find a naturally paleo, gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free jam recipe that is also low in sugar. This recipe preserves all of the flavors of strawberries without the need for lots of added sugars or artificial ingredients. For a delightful treat, try pairing it with vanilla ice cream, creating a nostalgic and comforting dessert. It's also yummy when paired with roasted strawberry sorbet.
Organic, home-grown berries would be the best for this recipe, as it is very difficult to remove pesticides from strawberries. Check out our blog post to read up on growing strawberries. If you can’t grow your own at home, find them locally from a farmer’s market or a neighbor. Other berries would make a great addition to this jam. Blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries would all be excellent to mix in!
How to Make Honey Strawberry Jam
It's easy to make this honey sweetened strawberry jam recipe, also known as strawberry honey jam. Using fresh picked fruit is ideal for making the jam. Let's take a look at the list of ingredients you'll need:
- Fresh strawberries
- Fresh raspberries
- Bee Inspired Honey
- fresh-squeezed lemon juice
- orange zest
- lemon zest (optional)
If fresh strawberries are not available, you can use frozen strawberries. Thaw them before use and follow the same steps as with fresh fruit.
Keep in mind that honey sweetened jam may not be as sweet as traditional jams but is a healthier, more flavorful option. Honey is sweeter than sugar, so use 3/4 cup (or so) of honey for every 1 cup of sugar in recipes.
These ingredients come together quickly and easily! You'll also need to have glass mason jars on-hand and follow the manufacturer's directions on the best ways to prepare the glass for the strawberry jam.
During the cooking process, it is important to bring the mixture to a rolling boil. This ensures the jam thickens properly. Additionally, to make canning safe, lemon juice, citric acid from nature must be added to homemade jam recipes.
One: Make the jam
- Hull the berries by removing the greens and smash them in a pan.
- Add lemon juice, honey, and orange zest then heat over medium heat.
- Cook until thick, stirring frequently for up to 45 minutes.
- Remove foam and consider adding pectin for thickening.
- For pectin use, mix with cold water and add to boiling jam.
Two: Test the jam
To test the readiness of the hot jam, you can place a small amount on a chilled spoon and check if it holds its shape without running.
You can also put some of the jam on a clean spoon and then put the spoon on a plate in the freezer. Let it sit there for five minutes, and then take it out. If the jam doesn't fall easily off the spoon when you turn it to the side, it's ready, and you can take the pot off the heat. If it does pour off easily, continue cooking for another 5 minutes and try the test again until the jam thickens to the desired consistency.
Three: Bottle the jam
Transfer the homemade strawberry jam to hot sterile jars, leaving 1/4 to 1/2 inch headspace, and seal. Process the hot jars in a water bath. If the jam will be eaten immediately, don't bother with processing, and simply refrigerate.
Tips for a Perfect Jam
Expert advice to ensure your jam turns out perfectly every time.
Making strawberry honey jam is a delightful process, and with a few expert tips, you can ensure your jam turns out perfectly every time:
- Use Home-Grown Strawberries: Strawberries straight from the ground will give your jam a more vibrant flavor and better texture. If they aren’t available, frozen strawberries are a good alternative—just make sure to thaw them first.
- Adjust the Sweetness: Honey is sweeter than sugar, so you might need less than you think. Start with 1 cup and adjust to taste. If you prefer it to be sweeter, feel free to add a bit more honey.
- Don’t Overcook: Overcooking can make this recipe too thick and sticky. Keep an eye on the consistency and remove it from the heat once it reaches the desired thickness.
- Use the Right Pectin: Choose the right type of pectin for your jam. Powdered pectin works well for high-sugar jams, while liquid pectin is better for low-sugar versions.
- Sterilize Equipment: To prevent contamination and spoilage, sterilize all your equipment, including jars, lids, and utensils. This step is crucial for safe canning.
- Follow Safe Canning Practices: Ensure your jam is properly preserved by following safe canning practices. This includes processing the jars in a water bath canner to create a vacuum seal.
By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to making a perfect batch of honey strawberry jam every time.
Canning and Preserving
Methods to safely store your jam for long-term enjoyment.
Preserving your homemade strawberry honey jam ensures you can enjoy the taste of summer all year round. Here are some methods to safely store your jam:
- Water Bath Canning: This is the most reliable method for long-term preservation. Submerge the filled jars in boiling water for 10-15 minutes. This process kills any bacteria and creates a vacuum seal, ensuring your jam stays fresh for up to 2 years.
- Freezer Jam: If you prefer not to can, freezing jam is a great alternative. Simply fill clean, sterilized jars with the jam and store them in the freezer. This method preserves the fresh, bright strawberry flavor and can last up to 1 year.
- Refrigerator Jam: For a quicker option, you can make refrigerator jam. Fill clean, sterilized jars with the jam and store them in the refrigerator. This method is perfect if you plan to consume the jam within 6 months.
- Storage: Store your jam in a cool, dark place to maintain its quality. For freezer jam, keep it at 0°F (-18°C) or below. For refrigerator jam, store it at 40°F (4°C) or below.
By choosing the right preservation method, you can enjoy your homemade strawberry honey jam for months to come. Whether you opt for water bath canning, freezer jam, or refrigerator jam, each method ensures your jam remains delicious and safe to eat.
Adapting our Honey Sweetened Strawberry Jam Recipe
Most jam recipes can be adapted to suit your taste, and this one is no different. For those who prefer making smaller quantities, this small batch strawberry jam is perfect, offering convenience and satisfaction with just a few simple ingredients and a short cooking time. A recipe is not perfect until you've added your touch. That's why we encourage you to play with your food. Let your inner chef come out and play and change up this recipe. Here are some ideas:
- Use different combinations of berries
- Use cherries or peaches for a lower glycemic index
- Swap out orange zest for lemon or lime zest
- Try orange juice instead of lemon juice
- Use Blackberry or Orange Blossom Honey to add a depth of flavor.
Need ideas on unique ways to use this jam?
I know that I am guilty of opening a jar of jam for biscuits, and three years later, I throw it out when I realize something similar to a science project is growing inside the jar. You can get creative with this strawberry jam spread to use it up before it turns on you. Try some of these ideas.
Before using the jam in different recipes, it is important to let the jam cool for about 30 minutes after removing it from the heat.
- Make your greek yogurt and top with this recipe and Honey Nut Granola
- Add it to your hot oatmeal
- Use it in between layers of these blackberry pancakes
- I'll bet it would be delicious in this honey berry popsicle recipe
- Serve it on your next cheese plate
- Drop dollops of this jam (and swirl!) into this southern cornbread recipe or this brownie recipe
Updated 4/7/2025
