Save some money and learn to make your own DIY Blueberry Jam with this secret ingredient jam recipe. Plus you can use fresh or frozen berries!
Picked at the peak of ripeness and then frozen, these berries will be exponentially better than a pale, washed-out berry from faraway climes at this time of year. Get them into the jam pot before they thaw; the faster they defrost, the less juice escapes the fruits. This makes a thicker, tastier jam.
MAKE JAM WITH FRESH OR FROZEN BERRIES
Making homemade Blueberry Jam is a rewarding and delicious experience. Nothing tastes quite as good as making your own jam! I have been sharing all of my jam recipes with you lately and if you’ve noticed one theme, it’s that I use flavored Jell-O as my secret weapon. It adds sweetness and flavor. Because, let’s be honest, sometimes berries just aren’t always as berry tasting as we’d like them to be, right? With fresh or frozen blueberries, you can make a delicious homemade jam to enjoy all year round. Plus, they’re great to give as gifts too!
You’ll need about 4 cups of fresh blueberries.
It’s my secret ingredient. You don’t need to add any additional pectin and it really enhances the blueberry flavor of this jam. But if you don’t want to use it, you can use a 3-ounce package of Certo liquid fruit pectin. You will also need to increase the sugar to 4 cups of sugar instead of 3 1/2 because the Jell-O comes with added sugar).
You can serve this homemade jam on just about anything. Biscuits are the obvious choice, but spread some of this on my homemade English muffin bread and see how incredible that is!
A lot of people don’t realize this but frozen fruits and vegetables are picked and frozen right at the peak of freshness. So you can almost guarantee you are going to get the best version of that fruit. You also can rely on frozen fruit to be consistent in flavor whereas fresh can vary depending on when or where it was purchased and whether its under ripe or over ripe.
I like this as a chunky jam, but if you want a smoother one, you can use an immersion blender to smooth it out.
I use these 11 ounce jars (you’d get just over 4 jars) or you can use these 8 ounce jelly jars and you would get about 6 jars.
Homemade jam should be stored in the refrigerator for about a month (two at the most).
You don’t actually have to do this but I think it makes for a prettier, clearer jam. It doesn’t effect the taste really. It only takes a few minutes and I think it’s worth it.
To me, blueberry seeds are so minuscule that you don’t really feel them in there but some folks swear they do, or for whatever reason, just don’t want or like them in there. You will have to do an extra step of straining the seeds out through a mesh strainer. You’ll probably need to help push it through as well because it will be thick. I never do this as we all enjoy the whole fruit in there and there are a lot of health benefits to leaving the seeds in.
Yes. You can use a water bath canning procedure. I recommend trying these directions here.
You bet! In fact, you can freeze it for up to a year!
INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR THE FULL RECIPE)
- frozen blueberries – as I have stated in the post, you can use fresh berries (quantities given above). The berries do not need to be thawed first.
- sugar – it may seem like a lot of sugar but it really is perfectly balanced. You can certainly use less sugar if you prefer. I have not tried this with any sugar substitutes.
- berry blue Jell-O – This is really the only Jell-O flavor that works with this jam. See my FAQ above on how to make this without Jell-O.
- fresh lemon juice – this brightens the flavor of the berries. It’s not absolutely necessary but I think it really helps to bring out their flavor. I only use fresh, not the bottled stuff.
Blueberry Jam | Frozen Berries, Powdered Pectin | DELICIOUS Water Bath Recipe
FAQ
Do you thaw frozen berries before making jam?
Can you use frozen blueberries instead of fresh blueberries?
Can you use frozen blueberries for canning?
Do frozen blueberries need to be thawed?
Are frozen blueberries good for jam?
Yes, absolutely! Frozen blueberries are a great option for making jam. In fact, many people prefer using frozen berries over fresh ones as they have been picked and quickly frozen at their peak ripeness. This makes them just as nutritious and delicious as fresh berries.
Are frozen blueberries as nutritious as fresh blueberries?
Frozen blueberries retain the same properties and maintain nutrition as fresh blueberries. Frozen blueberries might sometimes lose some nutrients and structure over time.
Can you substitute frozen blueberries for blueberry jam?
Frozen blueberries can be substituted and the recipe will yield 4 (½ pint) jars. How long does homemade blueberry jam last? Homemade blueberry jam properly made and processed by canning in a hot water bath, can be expect to have a shelf life of 18 months to about two years when properly stored in a cool, dry place.
Can you use fresh blueberries in blueberry jam?
Yes, fresh blueberries can be used in this recipe as well. Frozen blueberries are convenient and readily available, but fresh blueberries will work just as well. 2. Why do I need to add lemon juice to the jam? Lemon juice adds a bright and tangy flavor to the blueberry jam, enhancing the overall taste of the spread.