Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Easy and Quick: Ready in just 20 minutes with minimal ingredients and effort.
Natural Thickening: No pectin needed—natural sugars and lemon juice create perfect texture.
Versatile: Great on toast, pancakes, oatmeal, or as a topping for desserts.
Customizable: Add spices or mix with other fruits to suit your taste.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- 4 cups blueberries (fresh or frozen)
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 pinch salt (optional, to enhance flavor)
Directions
- Wash the blueberries thoroughly in a colander.
- In a large saucepan, combine blueberries, sugar, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt.
- Heat over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is completely dissolved.
- Increase heat to high and bring the mixture to a rolling boil, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
- Boil for about 15 minutes, then test for doneness using the frozen saucer trick: place a small amount of jam on a chilled saucer, wait a minute, and push it with your finger. If it wrinkles, the jam is ready; if not, boil a few more minutes and retest.
- Remove from heat and let the jam cool slightly.
- Ladle the jam into sterilized jars, leaving a little headspace, and seal with lids.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 10 days or freeze for up to a year.
Servings and Timing
Servings: About 4 cups of jam
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Variations
- Add a cinnamon stick or a vanilla bean while cooking for a warm flavor twist.
- Mix in other berries like raspberries or blackberries for a mixed fruit jam.
- Stir in a splash of balsamic vinegar for a gourmet touch.
Storage/Reheating
- Store jam in sterilized jars in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.
- For longer storage, freeze jam in airtight containers for up to 1 year.
- Thaw frozen jam in the refrigerator and stir before use.
FAQs
Do I need to sterilize jars?
Yes, sterilizing jars helps prevent spoilage and keeps your jam fresh longer.
Can I use frozen blueberries?
Absolutely! Use them straight from frozen but adjust cooking time slightly if needed.
How do I know when the jam is done?
Use the frozen saucer test: jam wrinkles when pushed after cooling.
Can I add pectin?
Pectin is not necessary for this recipe, but you can add it if you prefer a firmer set.
Is lemon juice important?
Yes, lemon juice balances sweetness and helps jam set properly.
Can I add other fruits?
Yes, try mixing with strawberries, cherries, or peaches for different flavors.
How thick will the jam be?
The jam will be thick but spreadable with chunks of blueberry.
Can I can this jam for shelf storage?
This recipe is designed for refrigeration or freezing; canning requires additional processing.
What if my jam is too runny?
Cook longer to evaporate more liquid or add a natural thickener like chia seeds.
How long does homemade jam last?
In the fridge, up to 10 days; frozen, up to 1 year.
Conclusion
This homemade Blueberry Jam is a quick, simple, and versatile way to enjoy fresh or frozen blueberries year-round. With minimal ingredients and no need for pectin, it’s perfect for spreading on your favorite breads or using in desserts. Store it chilled for short-term use or freeze to savor later—either way, you’ll love the fresh, sweet burst of blueberry in every spoonful.
Blueberry Jam
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: About 4 cups of jam
- Category: Preserves
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A simple and delicious homemade blueberry jam made with fresh or frozen blueberries, sugar, and lemon juice. Perfect for spreading on toast, enhancing desserts, or pairing with savory dishes.
Ingredients
4 cups blueberries (fresh or frozen)
2 cups sugar
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 pinch salt (optional, to enhance flavor)
Instructions
- Wash the blueberries thoroughly in a colander.
- In a large saucepan, combine blueberries, sugar, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt.
- Heat over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is completely dissolved.
- Increase heat to high and bring the mixture to a rolling boil, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
- Boil for about 15 minutes, then test for doneness using the frozen saucer trick: place a small amount of jam on a chilled saucer, wait a minute, and push it with your finger. If it wrinkles, the jam is ready; if not, boil a few more minutes and retest.
- Remove from heat and let the jam cool slightly.
- Ladle the jam into sterilized jars, leaving a little headspace, and seal with lids.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 10 days or freeze for up to a year.
Notes
Add a cinnamon stick or a vanilla bean while cooking for a warm flavor twist.
Mix in other berries like raspberries or blackberries for a mixed fruit jam.
Stir in a splash of balsamic vinegar for a gourmet touch.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 50
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 1mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
