The Best Strawberry Freezer Jam (Low sugar and No Cook)

Learn how to make the best strawberry freezer jam you will ever taste! This low sugar and no cook recipe is insanely easy to make with only 5 ingredients, done in about 10 minutes, and lasts approximately 1 year frozen.

Growing up, the only kind of jam I would eat was my Mom’s Homemade Strawberry Freezer Jam recipe. I used to continually make it over the years, but somehow in all of our military moves, I lost the recipe.

My mom’s recipe used a Strawberry Flavored Kool-aid packet. I’m not sure if this was for added flavor, or color, or even both. I also know my mom’s recipe used more sugar, so it could be the kool-aid packet was meant to help balance out the sweetness.

But after experimenting and going off of what I can remember, I hit on the perfect flavor that I remember in my childhood, but in an even easier method! No cooking. No Kool-Aid packets. And I was able to make it low sugar, yet STILL come up with the flavor of my mom’s strawberry freezer jam.

My kids were my first taste testers. And let me tell you, they are absolutely crazy over this strawberry freezer jam. If I don’t watch them, they will eat it like it is candy, with a spoon directly out of the jar! They can’t stop raving about how it’s the best jam they have ever tasted!

❤️ Why it works

There are several reasons why this is the best strawberry freezer jam you will ever taste. But let me just share a few that might perk your interest.

• The perfect recipe for beginners! Simply stir together the jam ingredients, put it in freezer-safe containers, pop it in the freezer and you are done! 
• Easy No Cook Jam recipe! There is no cooking involved! That makes it faster, easier, and won’t heat up your house! I found this also makes the flavors taste more like a fresh summer strawberry. 
• No Canning! That means you don’t need to sterilize jars, no water bath, no checking to make sure it is sealed properly. 
• Low Sugar! You will notice that our strawberry freezer jam recipe calls for less than half of the sugar of most recipes. Honestly, I found most recipes to be far too sweet and it would mask the natural flavor of the Strawberries. When you lower the sugar then the fruit becomes the star flavor again. 
• No Fail Freezer jam! If you follow the recipe and tips, you will have the perfect freezer jam every time! I make this recipe about every month or two all year long to restock our freezer since 2017. I have not once had it fail me. 
• Kid Friendly. Not only do kids love it, but the recipe is so easy that it’s a great way to get the kids involved. Depending on their ages, they can be involved in almost every step of making this strawberry freezer jam! 

My kids help to wash and hull the strawberries. They like to push the button on the food processor. My kids also love to add the lids and labels to the jars when it’s all done. And then, of course, they love to help eat it too.

🍮 How To Use Strawberry Freezer Jam

One thing that I absolutely love about this easy no-cook strawberry freezer jam recipe is that it has so many ways to use it! Because it’s not cooked it tastes amazing on foods that you would normally pair with fresh strawberries.

Some of my favorite ways to use this low sugar strawberry freezer jam include:

• Spread on top of crackers – Ritz, Saltines, Graham Crackers, and all! (always my favorite snack as a kid)
• Ice Cream topping
• Fruit filling for cupcakes
• Fruit filling for yogurt
• Spread on Peanut Butter Muffins
• Use as the filling for jam filled thumb print cookies
• Strawberry Shortcake Topping. (How my Mom always made strawberry shortcake)
• Spread on toast, bagel, English muffin, bread, etc.
• Spread on Pancakes, waffles, and French Toast
• Sweet topping for German Pancakes.
• No-bake cheesecake topping.
• Fudge Brownie cheesecake topping.
• Spread on breakfast muffins
• Top breakfast chocolate doughnuts.
• Donut injected filling
• Sweet Crepe filling
• Spread on Biscuits
• Spread on Sweet Southern Corn Bread or Corn Muffins

The options are endless!

🍓 Ingredient Notes

Some of the links below are Amazon affiliate links, which means that I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase through them. This helps me to keep this blog running and to provide you with free content.

This easy strawberry freezer jam only requires 5 simple ingredients.

• Fresh Ripe Strawberries
• White Sugar
• Lemon Juice – fresh squeezed is always best, but bottled lemon juice works well too.
• Pure Vanilla Extract
• Ball RealFruit Instant Pectin or Ball Realfruit Freezer Pectin. You can also use Mrs. Wages No Cook Freezer Jam Fruit Pectin. These are the only three I’ve found that work consistently without cooking and allow for the recipe to still set up with less sugar.

🍶 How to Make Strawberry Freezer Jam

Making freezer jam is one of the easiest jams to make. Especially our no cook strawberry freezer jam. Once you realize how easy it is, you will probably never go back to store-bought jam again.

1) Prepare containers: Wash and dry the freezer-safe containers then set aside.

2) Prepare the Strawberries: Wash, hull, and mash/puree the strawberries. You can use a potato masher or a food processor to mash the berries. Just be sure to leave some chunks.

For hulling the strawberries I prefer to use a simple stainless steel Strawberry Huller. It’s quick, simple, and less expensive than the fancier models out there. And honestly, I think it does a better job.

I prefer to puree my strawberries in my Ninja Blender/Food Processor. I can fit all 2 lbs of the strawberries into the food processor attachment. And it purees the strawberries much quicker than by hand. And it’s a lifesaver for those that suffer from carpal tunnel or arthritis.

3) Combine sugar and pectin: In a mixing bowl or stand mixer bowl, mix together the sugar and pectin so it is well combined.

4) Add strawberries, lemon juice, and vanilla: Add the strawberries, lemon juice, and vanilla extract to the sugar and pectin mixture.

5) Mix for 3 Minutes: Set a timer for 3 minutes and mix the jam mixture vigorously. You can mix by hand with a whisk or use a hand mixer or a stand mixer. I prefer Kitchenaid or Bosch brands. I set my kitchenaid on a medium speed and let it mix for 3 minutes. This is a crucial step to ensuring that the jam will set correctly.

6) Fill Freezer Safe Jars: Ladle or pour the jam into freezer-safe jars leaving 1″ headspace for expansion in the freezer.

7) Cover and Label: Place the lids securely onto each jam jar. Label each jar with the contents and date it was made. You can use special freezer labels or freezer tape. I usually grab regular masking tape and a Sharpie permanent marker.

8) Allow to Rest: Let the jam sit on the counter undisturbed for 30 minutes before freezing or using. This allows the pectin and sugar to work to set the jam to the right consistency.

9) Store in Freezer: Place jam jars into the freezer. Or if you want to use one right away, you can place one in the refrigerator.

🕰️ How To Store Freezer Jam

Strawberry Freezer Jam lasts approximately 1 year in the freezer or up to 3 weeks in the fridge. When you are ready to use the jam, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator. 

Choosing your freezer jam jars

Glass Food storage containersYou will see most people still use glass canning jars for freezer jam. These are great because they are reusable and look nice in the freezer. The downside is that glass is easily shattered when exposed to extreme temperature fluctuations. When looking for a glass jam jar, make sure it is specifically designed to withstand the freezing temperatures. 

I can’t tell you how many times we’ve had a glass container break when we pull it out of the freezer and place it on our counter. Even without force, it can happen. And once the container breaks, all the contents have to be thrown out because you just can’t risk even the smallest piece of glass still residing in the food. So while many people still use glass containers, I don’t mix glass with the freezer anymore. 

Freezer Plastic jam containers: I like plastic containers because they are also reusable, and still look nice in the freezer. They are specifically designed for freezing temperatures and the fluctuations of temperature when removed from the freezer, so they don’t shatter. They are also a lot lighter and can be stacked to save on space when they are not in use. 

I really like the Ball Plastic Freezer jars or the Bernardin Freezer Jars for storing, when you can find them.

🤷🏼‍♀️ Why Didn’t My Strawberry Freezer Jam Set?

 If your jam doesn’t properly set, it’s usually because the ratio of fruit to sugar was off, your pectin was old, or your sugar didn’t fully dissolve. To ensure your jam sets follow these tips: 

1- Use exact measurements. Having an unbalanced ratio of fruit to sugar to pectin is a leading reason why freezer jams don’t set. Don’t add extra berries just because you have extra. Don’t skimp on the pectin. Don’t use less sugar than the recipe calls for. Our strawberry freezer jam has been tested over and over again to include the exact sugar to pectin ratio that will set up with the right consistency and texture. 

2- Check the date on the pectin box. Pectin can get old and lose its oomph. If your pectin is expired, discard it.

3- Use the right pectin.  Not all pectins work the same. For this low sugar strawberry freezer jam, you need a specific pectin. If you use a regular pectin the ratios will not work correctly which could result in your jam not setting correctly. 

4- Fully mix the jam, sugar, and pectin. Not mixing enough or long enough means that the sugar doesn’t fully dissolve which affects the jam not setting up. Make sure that you thoroughly mix the sugar for the full 3 minutes. I set a timer every time. 

💡 Tips for Making No Fail Strawberry Freezer Jam

• Read all the suggestions and tips I’ve included in this recipe article. I’ve done a lot of research, experimenting, and testing on this recipe. I’ve worked hard to include all the tips, tricks, suggestions, and troubleshooting information you need to make this recipe turn out each time. Before making it, it is important to read through it all and follow directions precisely if you want your strawberry freezer jam to succeed. 
• Use the right Pectin. As I mentioned earlier, not all pectin is the same. Liquid pectin is very different from sure-jell. Regular sure-jell is very different from no-sugar needed pectin and they are all different from Ball instant or freezer pectin. Different ratios are needed for each one. And most of them require cooking except for the Ball instant or freezer pectin. If you want your strawberry freezer jam to turn out, make sure you are using the right pectin. 
• Don’t skip the lemon juice! Adding lemon juice to jam not only assists with setting and preservation but also adds a bright, slightly tart flavor to balance out the sweetness of the fruit. If you skip the lemon juice, you will affect the flavor as well as the chance of your jam to set correctly. 
• The jam requires some time to fully set, which is why it’s recommended to let it sit on the counter for a minimum of 30 minutes. Since it is not cooked, it is not recommended to leave out on the counter for 24 hours like other cooked jams suggest.
• Do not double the batch. It will not set up correctly. As much as it is tempting to double the recipe to make it go faster. DO NOT DO IT! This is one time when you definitely need to make each batch individually. But I promise you, after you taste your homemade jam, it will be worth the little extra effort. 
• The quality of the jam will depend on the quality of the fruit.
• Use real vanilla extract. Imitation has a weaker flavor and just doesn’t give the same flavor notes to the jam as a real extract.

💭 FAQs

Please note: Every child is different, so it is important to use your own judgment when deciding which tasks are appropriate for your child. These are just suggestions, and you may need to adjust them based on your child’s individual abilities and needs. It is also important to remember that younger children will require more direct supervision than older children.

Remember to pin this Strawberry Freezer Jam to Pinterest! 
Use the button on the recipe card or the share buttons on the side or bottom of this page.

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Yield: 6 half pints

The Best Strawberry Freezer Jam (Low sugar and No Cook)

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Learn how to make the best Strawberry Freezer Jam you will ever taste! This Low sugar and no cook recipe is insanely easy to make with only 5 ingredients, done in about 10 minutes, and lasts approximately 1 year frozen.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Rest Time 30 minutes

Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients

• 4 cups strawberry purée (2lbs whole)
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
• 5 Tablespoons Ball RealFruit Instant Freezer Pectin
• 1 Teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Prepare containers: Wash and dry the freezer-safe containers then set aside.
2. Prepare the Strawberries: Wash, hull, and mash/puree the strawberries. You can use a potato masher or a food processor to mash the berries. Just be sure to leave some chunks.
3. Combine sugar and pectin: In a mixing bowl or stand mixer bowl, mix together the sugar and pectin so it is well combined.
4. Add strawberries, lemon juice, and vanilla: Add the strawberries, lemon juice, and vanilla extract to the sugar and pectin mixture.
5. Mix for 3 Minutes: Set a timer for 3 minutes and mix the jam mixture vigorously. You can mix by hand with a whisk or use a hand mixer or a stand mixer. I set my kitchenaid on a medium speed and let it mix for 3 minutes. This is a crucial step to ensuring that the jam will set correctly.
6. Fill Freezer Safe Jars: Ladle or pour the jam into freezer-safe jars leaving 1″ headspace for expansion in the freezer.
7. Cover and Label: Place the lids securely onto each jam jar. Label each jar with the contents and date it was made.
8. Allow to Rest: Let the jam sit on the counter undisturbed for 30 minutes before freezing or using. This allows the pectin and sugar to work to set the jam to the right consistency.
9. Store in Freezer: Place jam jars into the freezer. Or if you want to use one right away, you can place one in the refrigerator.

Notes

When I make this jam, I save one jar to put into the fridge to use right away and the others go into the freezer.

Read all the suggestions and tips I’ve included in this recipe article. I’ve don’t a lot of research, experimenting and testing on this recipe. I’ve worked hard to include all the tips, tricks, suggestions and troubleshooting information you need to make this recipe turn out each time. Before making it, it is important to read through it all and follow directions precisely if you want your strawberry freezer jam to succeed. 

Use the right Pectin. Not all pectin is the same. Liquid pectin is very different from sure-jell. Regular sure-jell is very different from no-sugar-needed pectin and they are all different from instant pectin. Different ratios are needed for each one. If you want your strawberry freezer jam to turn out, make sure you are using the right pectin. 

• You will want to use Ball RealFruit Instant Pectin or Ball Realfruit Freezer Pectin. You can also use Mrs. Wages No Cook Freezer Jam Fruit Pectin. These are the only three I’ve found that work consistently without cooking and allow for the recipe to still set up with less sugar.

Don’t skip the lemon juice! Adding lemon juice to jam not only assists with setting and preservation but also adds a bright, slightly tart flavor to balance out the sweetness of the fruit. If you skip the lemon juice, you will affect the flavor as well as the chance of your jam to set correctly. 

Use REAL Vanilla Extract. It provides a richer, stronger flavor profile. Imitation vanilla is weak and doesn't add the same flavor.

The jam requires some time to fully set, which is why it's recommended to let it sit on the counter for a minimum of 30 minutes up to 24 hours.

Do not double the batch. It will not set up correctly. As much as it is tempting to double the recipe to make it go faster. DO NOT DO IT! This is one time when you definitely need to make each batch individually. But I promise you, after you taste your homemade jam, it will be worth the little extra effort. 

Storage:

Store in a freezer-safe jar/container. I prefer specifically designated plastic freezer jars.

This strawberry freezer jam can last up to 1 year in the freezer. To use thaw overnight in the fridge. Once thawed, it can last approximately 7-13 days in the fridge.

Servings:

This recipe makes approximately 6 half-pints of jam. A typical serving of Jam is 2 Tablespoons. This recipe makes approximately 96 servings of jam.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 
  Removable Food Freezer Labels, 375pcs 1 x 3 inch Self-Adhesive Food Storage Stickers, Easy Clean Refrigerator Freezer Paper Label,4 Colors Food Labels 3 Rolls
• 
  SHARPIE Permanent Markers | Fine Point | Assorted Standard Colours | 4 Count
• 
  2Pcs Stainless Steel Strawberry Huller Fruit Stem Remover Picker Leaf Peeler Tweezers Kitchen Gadgets for Strawberry Cherry Tomato Fruit Tools, Silver
• 
  Mrs. Wages No Cook Freezer Jam Fruit Pectin (VALUE PACK of 12)
• 
  Ball Freezer Jars 8 oz Half Pint 3pk
• 
  Ball Jar Plastic Freezer Jars 16-Ounces (2-Count)
• 
  Ball Plastic Freezer Jar 8oz Pack of 3
• 
  Ball RealFruit Instant Freezer Pectin
• 
  Nutri Ninja Blender/Food Processor
• 
  Ball, Canning Funnel (Assorted Colors)
• 
  Mixer
• 
  Silicone Spatula Set
• 
  5 Quart Collapsible Colander

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

96

Serving Size:

2 Tablespoons
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 27Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 1mgCarbohydrates: 7gFiber: 0gSugar: 6gProtein: 0g

Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although Busy Creating Memories attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.

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