3-Ingredient Microwave Strawberry Jam Recipe + Two Others! (w/ Video) (2024)

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Hi Bold Bakers!

Each Summer, when lovely berries and stone fruit come into season, I love the tradition of making jam! Homemade jamis an incredible way to make the most of all the strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries that fill the farmer’s markets and grocery stores.

Around this time of year, there is such an abundance of excess fruit that stores often freeze these berries — making them a freezer staple in my house, and the key to making homemade Strawberry Jam all year around. While the traditionalmethod of making jam is a fun project, it is just that — a project.

My recipe for Easy Strawberry Jam (and more flavors!) turns making jam into a crazy simple process. With the assistance of my favorite kitchen appliance, my microwave, I make homemade jam with just berries, sugar, and lemon in no time!

What’s the difference between a jam and a jelly?

The difference between jam and jelly is really a matter of texture. Jelly has added pectin or fruit sugars which allow the mixture to set into a more gelor jell-o like texture. Additionally,jelly is strained of any seeds, skin, or fruit to form a clear fruit spread.

Jam, on the other hand (like my Strawberry Jam), is simply fruit and sugar cooked together into a thick glossy spread. Jam, unlike jelly, highlights the cooked fruit by keeping in the natural fruitsseeds and chunks, which is always my favorite part!

What other flavors/fruits will this Strawberry Jam Recipe work with?

This recipe is really just a super simple method I wanted to share and it doesn’t have to be Strawberry Jam!

The process of combining frozen or fresh berries or fruit with a bit of sugar and lemon can be used to make so many variations. While this recipe shows you how to make strawberry, raspberry, and blackberry jam, it really can be made with so many fruits!

[ What goes with this jam? Bake some bread with my Crazy Dough Recipe! ]

Be sure to check out the notes section of this recipe to see what fruits can be made into jam in the microwave. You will be astounded by how easy and tasty this jam recipe is. No matter what fruit or berry you use, the steps are: combine the frozen fruit, sugar, and lemon in a large bowl, then microwave for roughly 9-11 minutes. After this time in the microwave, the fruit will have broken down and a mixture will be a thick and sweet syrup.

Once popped into a jar in the fridge this jam sets up to be a glossy homemade jam you can enjoy any time of year.

How long will these jams keep?

This jam will last in the fridge for 4-6 weeks. Since this jam is homemade, with way less sugar than the store-bought kind and absolutely no preservatives or colors, it doesn’t last for a year in your refrigerator door.

That said I highly doubt this jam will last very long since in my house it quite literally disappears assoon I whip it up.

Do I have to use the microwave?

No! If you don’t have a microwave, or would just rather not, you can always use your stovetop. Check the written recipe below for more detailed instructions.

Can I swap out the sugar?

Yes! For more information, check out my handy Sugar Substitutes Chart!

Like This Recipe? Here Are Some More!

• Homemade Raspberry Sauce with 3 Ingredients
• Traditional Irish Soda Bread
• Homemade Butter

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Ingredients

Instructions

Recipe Notes