Making strawberry jam is a delightful journey that brings the flavors of fresh strawberries straight into your kitchen. With the help of SURE JELL, creating a homemade jar of goodness becomes simple and rewarding. This tried-and-true recipe transforms ripe, juicy strawberries into a delicious spread that you can enjoy all year. The secret lies in the perfect balance of sweetness and the ability to preserve the natural taste of the fruit. Whether you’re new to making jam or a seasoned pro, this method ensures your efforts yield that signature sweet and satisfying flavor.
As someone who cherishes the art of food preservation, I’ve found that using SURE JELL guarantees consistent results. The process is straightforward: carefully select the freshest strawberries, follow the easy steps, and soon you’ll have a batch of homemade jam ready to share or savor. Not only is it a great way to preserve the essence of summer, but it also makes for a thoughtful gift. Each spoonful carries the joy of creating something truly special, packed with the vibrant taste of strawberries.
Making Jam As A First-Time Food Preserver
Making strawberry jam at home is an exciting step in your journey of food preservation. Using SURE JELL, even beginners can create a homemade treat that’s both sweet and satisfying. Start with fresh strawberries, as their vibrant flavor is key to an excellent jar of jam. This recipe is simple and perfect for first-timers, ensuring that you can easily preserve the natural taste of the fruit to enjoy all year long. Sharing your creation with family or friends adds another layer of joy, as every spoonful celebrates your efforts.
At ourhappybackyardfarm, many of us began by making jam, and the experience was unforgettable. Sharing your results on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest not only inspires others but also helps build a sense of community. Reading comments and seeing others’ shares creates a ripple effect, encouraging more people to take on this great craft. Whether it’s for your pantry or as a heartfelt gift, this jam is more than a recipe—it’s a connection to tradition and the simple pleasures of home.
The Key to Perfect Jam and Jelly Consistency
SURE-JELL is a pectin used to help thicken jams and jellies. While pectin naturally occurs in fruits, adding SURE-JELL speeds up the process and ensures your preserves set properly. Without it, your jam could end up runny.
As for the sugar, it plays an essential role in helping the jam set. Without both sugar and pectin, your jam may not reach the desired consistency. However, if you’re concerned about the sugar content, SURE-JELL offers low-sugar and no-sugar pectin options to suit your preferences.
Ingredients and Canning Supplies for Strawberry Jam with SURE-JELL
To make strawberry jam with SURE-JELL, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 5 cups of fresh crushed strawberries (about 4 pints of ripe strawberries)
- 1 package of SURE-JELL (original yellow box)
- 1 teaspoon of butter
- 7 cups of sugar
For the canning process, gather these supplies:
- Jelly jars, lids, and rings
- Magnetic lid lifter
- Funnel
- Water bath canner
Directions for Making Strawberry Jam with SURE-JELL
Preparing to Start
Before you begin making strawberry jam, it’s essential to gather all your canning supplies. Having everything organized and within reach ensures a smoother jam-making process. Since timing is crucial in making jam, I like to get everything ready before diving in.
Start by preheating your oven to 200°F. Place your sterilized jars upside down in the oven to keep them warm. Meanwhile, add about 8 lids to a small saucepan, setting the heat to low. Ensure the lids are fully submerged in water as they warm up.
Preparing the Strawberries
Now it’s time to get the strawberries ready! Start by washing and capping them. While some people use a strawberry huller, I’ve always preferred to use a small paring knife for the task.
Once the strawberries are capped, the next step is crushing them. For years, I manually chopped them into small pieces, sometimes resorting to a potato masher. However, in recent years, I’ve switched to using a food processor, which makes crushing the strawberries much faster and more efficient!
Putting It All Together
Place the crushed strawberries into an 8-quart pot, then add the box of SURE-JELL and the butter. Stir the ingredients together and bring the mixture to a rolling boil over high heat, continuing to stir.
Once the strawberry mixture reaches a boil, stir in the sugar and bring it back to a rolling boil. Let it boil for one minute, stirring constantly. This is the critical moment, so make sure everything is ready to move quickly to the next step!
After the one-minute boil, it’s time to fill your jars with the jam. I always use a canning funnel and ladle to keep the process clean and minimize spills.
Wipe the rims of the jars to remove any jam that could prevent a proper seal. Then, add the lids and rings and set the jars aside to seal.
I typically don’t water bath my jams and jellies. Pouring the hot jam into pre-warmed jars usually creates a seal on its own. However, if you prefer, you can process the jars in a water bath for 10 minutes to ensure a secure seal.
Storing Strawberry Jam with SURE-JELL
A jar of strawberry jam made with SURE-JELL, when properly sealed, can be stored in the pantry for up to a year.
Once opened, transfer the strawberry jam to the refrigerator, where it will stay fresh for about 3 weeks.
Want to Try More Food Preservation?
Check out these recipes:
- Fresh Wild Blackberry Jelly
- Canned Peaches
Try These Other Delicious Strawberry Recipes!
- Easy Fresh Strawberry Pie
- Quick and Simple Strawberry Muffins
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- Jelly Jars
- Food Processor
- Water Bath Canne
Strawberry Jam with SURE-JELL
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Jar of strawberry jam beside a biscuit on a plate
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Additional Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
Ingredients
- 5 cups of crushed strawberries
- 7 cups of sugar
- 1 box of Original SURE-JELL
- 1 tsp of butter
Instructions
- Refer to the post above for detailed instructions on gathering and preparing your canning supplies.
- Place 5 cups of crushed strawberries into a large pot.
- Add 1 box of SURE-JELL and 1 tsp of butter to the pot. Stir continuously and bring to a rolling boil.
- Once boiling, add 7 cups of sugar and bring the mixture back to a rolling boil.
- Boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- Pour the jam into jars, wiping off the tops to ensure a clean seal.
- Place the lids and rings on the jars.
- Set aside to seal or process in a water bath for 10 minutes.
