Using just 3 or 4 ingredients you can have a wonderful batch of sugar free strawberry jam. This jam is a healthy alternative that tastes great with toast and biscuits.
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We love jams and jellies, and making our own batch of homemade sugar free strawberry jam here and there has been a great summer favorite for a few years now (well, that and our Sugar Free Blueberry Jam).
This homemade jam retains all the natural sweetness of ripe strawberries while bypassing added sugars. Chia seeds, known for their incredible ability to absorb liquid and create a jelly-like texture, work their magic here to give the jam the perfect consistency.
This jam has been great on everything from biscuits to scones, sandwiches and more. I've enjoyed it on our Cherokee Fry Bread, Frozen Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches, and this 4 Ingredient Scones. There's really no limit to its uses.
Want a canning-safe recipe? Check out our How to Make Strawberry Jam (for Canning).
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💛 Why You'll Love This Recipe
- A great way to use fresh fruit: This recipe is perfect for using berries when they're in season or on sale, and frozen berries work just as well.
- Surprisingly easy: Making sugar-free strawberry jam takes very little effort and only a bit of stirring.
- Ready fast: The jam comes together in about 15 minutes, making it an easy homemade option.
🛒 Ingredients
Strawberries: Use 1 pint of fresh strawberries, washed, hulled, and quartered.
Chia seeds: These naturally thicken the jam without pectin. If you have extra on hand, try them in How to Make Overnight Oats to make Strawberries and Cream Overnight Oats.
Lemon juice: Helps balance flavor and extend fridge life.
Sweetener: Honey or real maple syrup both work well. Honey is my go-to, but maple syrup is a great option too, like the one we use in Maple Syrup Iced Coffee.
See the recipe card below for full ingredients and instructions.
💰 Budget-Friendly Tips
Buy strawberries in season: Fresh strawberries are cheapest and most flavorful in season. This is a great time to make jam.
Use frozen if needed: Frozen strawberries work well and are often cheaper when fresh berries are expensive. Thaw before cooking.
Sweeten to taste: Start with less honey and add more only if needed to avoid using extra sweetener.
Small batch win: This recipe makes a modest amount, so there's no waste or need for special canning supplies.
🥄 Instructions for Sugar Free Strawberry Jam
Step 1: Wash and hull your fresh strawberries before cutting them into quarter-sized pieces.
Step 2: Add your strawberries to a medium-sized saucepan and cook for about 6-8 minutes over medium heat until the berries are pretty soft.
Step 3: Remove from heat and add lemon juice. Stir.
Step 4: Mash strawberries with a potato masher until your desired level of chunkiness.
Step 5: Stir in the chia seeds and honey before returning the pot to the stove.
Step 6: Cook for about 5 more minutes while stirring consistently to prevent sticking.
Step 7: Set the pan aside, turn off the heat and allow the jam to cool before handling. At this point, you can take a small spoonful and sample the jam to see if you would like to make it sweeter or not.
If so, add in more honey now to get it to where you want it. Don't mind the chia seed texture, as they will soften.
Step 8: Keep stored in an airtight container in the fridge for at least 4 hours before using.
👩🏻🍳 Expert Tips
- Control the texture: Mash the strawberries more or less depending on whether you prefer a smoother jam or a chunkier, preserve-style texture.
- Chia thickening: Chia seeds thicken the jam as it rests. For a smoother finish, grind them before adding.
- Set time matters: The jam may look thin at first, but it will thicken after a few hours in the refrigerator.
❄️ Storage and Make Ahead
Storage: Store chia jam in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
Make Ahead: This jam is ideal for making ahead. Prepare it up to several days in advance and refrigerate until ready to use.
🥗 Side Dishes or Pairing Ideas
Use this strawberry chia jam on toast, biscuits, or English muffins. It's also great swirled into yogurt, oatmeal, or spread on pancakes and waffles.
- Air Fryer Canned BiscuitsRecipe $1.87 / Serving $0.24
- Baking Powder BiscuitsRecipe $1.62 / Serving $0.14
- 3 Ingredient BiscuitsRecipe $3.49 / Serving $0.29
- Big Fluffy Scones RecipeRecipe $1.38 / Serving $0.23
❓ Recipe FAQs
Because this chia strawberry jam recipe contains lemon juice your jam will last up to 2 weeks if stored properly in an airtight container in the fridge. You can get it to last up to several months if stored in the freezer, just thaw before using.
Yes, you can make this jam with frozen strawberries, and if you do, you can omit the added water as the frozen berries will have plenty of moisture in them already.
This recipe is not canning friendly. This is what is often referred to as a "freezer jam" meaning that it is meant to be kept stored in your fridge or freezer for up to a few weeks, whereas canned jams can last indefinitely.
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🐝 If you tried this Sugar Free Strawberry Jam, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and share your buzz in the 💬 comments below. I'd truly appreciate it!
📖 Recipe
Sugar Free Strawberry Jam
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh strawberries, hulled and quartered - ($2.24)
- 1 teaspoon lemon Juice - ($0.01)
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds - ($0.20)
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup, plus more to taste - ($0.24)
Instructions
- Prep berries. Wash, hull, and quarter the strawberries.
- Cook fruit. Add the strawberries to a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.
- Add lemon. Remove from heat and stir in the lemon juice.
- Mash. Mash the strawberries with a potato masher to your desired texture.
- Thicken. Stir in the chia seeds and honey. Return the pan to medium heat and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent sticking.
- Adjust sweetness. Remove from heat and taste. Add additional honey if desired. The chia seeds will continue to soften as the jam rests.
- Cool and set. Let cool, then transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 4 hours before using.
Notes
- Texture control. Mash more for smoother jam or less for chunkier jam.
- Frozen berries. Frozen strawberries work well and do not require added water.
- Chia option. Grinding chia seeds creates a finer jam texture.
- Setting time. Jam thickens as it chills and may look thin while warm.
- Storage. Refrigerate for up to 2 weeks. Freeze for longer storage and thaw as needed.
Nutritional Information
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