Strawberry Preserves with no Pectin (Easy Jam Recipe)

Love homemade strawberry jam? Then make this simple strawberry jam recipe at home using fresh strawberries and chia seeds instead of pectin. 

Learn how to create delicious strawberry jam with the added health benefits of chia seeds. 

This easy recipe requires minimal effort and can be made using the refrigerator method. 

Enjoy the natural sweetness of ripe strawberries combined with the delightful crunch of chia seeds in your homemade jam!

What is refrigerator jam?

Refrigerator jam is a an easy type of jam that doesn’t require any canning process or hot water bath. 

Unlike traditional jams, which involve cooking the fruit with sugar, lemon juice, and pectin, refrigerator jam is designed to be stored in the fridge and eaten within a short period. 

It’s an ideal choice for making a small batch strawberry jam recipe or those new to jam-making. 

With refrigerator jam you get fresh taste.

Refrigerator jam retains the fresh taste of the fruit because it doesn’t undergo extensive cooking.

And it’s easy to prepare.

Making refrigerator jam is straightforward and requires fewer ingredients. 

You can choose ripe fruit, crush it, add sugar, and create a delicious batch of jam without the need for canning or long cooking times.

So, if you’re looking for a quick and flavorful way to enjoy homemade jam, refrigerator jam is the way to go! 

This refrigerator jam uses the natural pectin of chia seeds instead of store-bought pectin.

In addition, it gives a nutrient boost you won’t find in store bought jams or preserves.

Plus it just tastes better. 

This is the recipe without the work typically required for jam making.

Ingredients for the best strawberry jam

Strawberries. Pick fresh organic strawberries for this fresh strawberry jam. 

Otherwise head to your local farmer’s market. 

Then grab these rest of the simple ingredients from the grocery store.

Chia seeds. You can find chia seeds in the rice, organic or baking section of the store. 

Honey. Be sure to use local raw honey. It’s flavor is superior to the stuff in the bear.

Vanilla extract. You can find this in the baking aisle.

Glass jars. I use mason jars with lids. They come in many sizes and can be purchased at the local grocery store.

Step-by-step Instructions

• Over medium-low heat stir the fresh berries and honey in a large pot for about five minutes until softened. 
• Use a potato masher to mash the softened strawberries. 
• Add the chia seeds and cook for about 15 minutes until the jam cooks and is very thick. 
• Remove from heat and add the vanilla extract. 
• Transfer the strawberry mixture to jam jars. 
• Place lids on each jar of jam and refrigerate for up to a week.

This easy strawberry jam recipe take less than 30 minutes to make and taste delicious on top of crusty English muffins, drizzled on vanilla ice cream and spooned onto oatmeal.

The possibilities are endless.

For breakfast, I mix this homemade jam into my yogurt and top with sliced almonds. 

It’s great way to stay full until lunch.

I am always looking for ways to use up the mounds of berries I pick during strawberry season at a local you-pick farm.

I love to create my own jams using less sugar when fresh fruit is at its ripest. 

This  for gift giving. 

Simply attach a recipe card to the top of the jar.

It’s the perfect recipe to welcome new neighbors or to give as a hostess gift.

Can you use chia seeds instead of pectin?

Chia seeds can be used as a natural thickening agent for jams and jellies.

They are considered a superfood and with good reason. 

They’re high in fiber and rich in omega 3s, antioxidants and minerals. 

They are great way to stay full. 

And did I mention they’re gluten-free?

Now I was one of those who hesitated trying chia seeds.

I’m not sure why.  They’re delicious!

Dry, they taste like poppy seeds. 

Add a little liquid and they absorb and soften the seed so they taste sweet.

They are the perfect substitute for pectin in this low sugar strawberry jam.

Now any fruit would make for delicious preserves but for this recipe I wanted a fresh strawberry flavor because they are a favorite fruit amongst my boys.

I think blueberry chia preserves would be just as delicious.

More great recipes using chia seeds

• HOMEMADE MAPLE ALMOND GRANOLA
• EASY PROTEIN CHIA CHOCOLATE PUDDING WITH GREEK YOGURT
• HEALTHY NO BAKE ENERGY BALLS WITH PROTEIN POWDER
• EASY PUMPKIN PIE OVERNIGHT OATS RECIPE

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