Strawberries are in season and while We’ve made homemade strawberry jam and desserts, we love making strawberry jelly. Now, this jelly is made similar to jam unlike, the gelatin-based fruit desserts. Jelly tastes different from the jam. Jam is more wholesome made with full strawberries crushed with a potato masher while jelly is very smooth made with strawberry juice. The processing time for jam is longer than jelly. We make homemade which is all-natural unlike, commercial jams and jellies that use high fructose corn syrup and citric acid.
Why make homemade jelly?
No-fail method – This recipe is simple and easy. And if you’ve never made homemade jam and jellies before you will definitely start now. No- canning – This is a homemade freezer jam recipe without the fuss of canning so you don’t need to put the jars in a boiling water bath. Just pour the jelly into sterilized jars and save them in the fridge or freezer. However, below, I have also given you the detailed process for canning. With pectin – Ideally, you can make strawberry jam or jelly with just two ingredients: fruit and sugar. However, since we remove the fruit fiber and seeds, where the natural pectin is, for jelly we need to add artificial pectin. Artificial pectin is usually made from fruit rind and is safe and easy to use. Low-sugar – Fresh strawberries are naturally soft and sweet. Therefore, you don’t need to add a lot of sugar to this jelly. You can use this jelly on toast or French toast, as well as in cookies such as thumbprint cookies. Of course, in jelly donuts too.
Step-by-step: How to make strawberry jelly
Check the strawberries and remove any bad, discolored, or bruised ones.Pro tip – You can use soft strawberries but discolored and bruised ones will ruin the jelly. Also, don’t soak the fruit in water for too long as they do soak up moisture. Place the strawberries in a food processor and blend until smooth. Pour the puree into a sieve /mesh, cheesecloth, or jelly bag to strain out only the strawberry juice. Discard the seeds and fruit fiber.Pro tip – I like to use my blender instead of a food processor so I don’t lose all the fruit fiber. The disadvantage of keeping fruit fiber though is that the jelly is less transparent.
In a heavy bottom large pot (a large saucepan works too), combine the strawberries, sugar, salt, pectin powder, and lemon juice. Give it a good stir.Pro tip – Some pectin can become lumpy when added to the pan, but, it does dissolve during cooking. Alternatively, you can add the pectin to a small batch of strawberry puree and then add it to the pot. Cook on medium heat until the sugar is dissolved. Then, turn the heat up and let the mixture come to a boil. Let it boil for two minutes on medium-high. Skim any foam that rises to the top with a metal spoon.Pro tip – The foam does not affect the taste of the jelly but it does give the jelly a cloudy appearance. Then, turn the heat to medium-low and cook for just about 5 minutes. If there is still some scum on the top, you can add a tablespoon of butter to dissolve it.Pro tip – Ideally you do not need to reduce jelly or jam with pectin. But, since we are using less pectin in our jelly we will cook and reduce it for just about 5 minutes more.
Turn the heat off and let the jam sit in the pan for 2 to 3 minutes.Pro tip – When using pectin there is no need to test jam the traditional method. But, if unsure you can use a candy thermometer – the jelly should still reach 105 C / 221 F. Pour the jelly into warm sterilized jars leaving 1/4 inch space from the top. Use a clean sterilized knife or spatula to move the jelly a bit – this will remove any air pockets. Place a piece of wax paper on the top before you place the lid on tightly. Clean the rim of the jar with a clean paper hand towel. Top the lid.Alternatively, use the lid with screw-on rings that come with the canning jars.
The canning process (if you plan to can the jelly)
Sterilize the jars
Sterilize 4 x 8 oz (250 g) jars by washing them in soapy warm water or cleaning them in the dishwasher with a gentle cycle. Then, place them in the oven for 20 minutes at a low 284 F / 140 C.Pro tip – I find the dishwasher works well to wash jars and the oven dries any excess moisture in the bottles. Note – Leave them in the oven until you are ready to use them (you can turn the oven off). Don’t forget to wash and sterilize the bottle lids as well.
Canning process
Place a rack in the bottom of a large stockpot or water bath canner. Fill half the pot with water. Bring the water in the pot to a boil on high heat. Lower the filled jars over the rack leaving enough space between the jars.Pro tip – The level of water should be at least an inch above the top of the jars. So, if necessary, pour more boiling water. Bring the water to a boil again. Cover the pot and process/simmer for 15 minutes. Then, carefully remove the jars from the stockpot and place them upside down on a kitchen towel to absorb any excess moisture. Cool completely.Pro tip – The hot jars are very delicate so make sure to use tongs when taking them out and place them on soft towels to prevent them from breaking. Do not touch the inside of the jar to prevent mold. Press the top of the lid to ensure the seal is tight – the lid should not move at all. Store in a cool dry place.
Storage
If canning, the canned jelly will stay in a cool dry place in the pantry for up to a year or even longer. When not canned, the jelly will stay at room temperature for a month or more in good weather. You can also keep the jelly in the fridge for 3 to 6 months. Label the jar with the name and date so you know what is in and when you made it.
Blueberry Jam – No Pectin Plum Peach Jam – No-Pectin Cherry Jam – No Pectin (3 ingredients) Fresh Fig Jam – No Pectin (just 3 ingredients) See all jam recipes
Frequently asked questions
Creative ways to serve strawberry jelly
Strawberry jelly, with its sweet and fruity flavor, can be used in various creative ways. Here are some ideas to inspire you:
PB&J Rolls: Spread a thin layer of peanut butter on a tortilla or flatbread, then spread strawberry jelly. Roll it up tightly and slice it into bite-sized pieces for a fun twist on the classic PB&J sandwich. Stuffed French Toast: Make a delicious breakfast French toast treat by spreading strawberry jelly between two slices of bread, then dipping the sandwich in an egg and milk mixture. Cook it on a grill until golden brown and serve with a sprinkle of powdered sugar. Thumbprint Cookies: Bake a batch of thumbprint cookies and fill the indentations with strawberry jelly. The combination of the buttery cookie and the fruity jelly creates a delightful treat. Yogurt Parfait: Layer strawberry jelly with Greek yogurt and granola in a glass or jar to create a tasty and colorful parfait. Repeat the layers and top it off with fresh strawberries for added freshness. Ice Cream Topping: Warm up the strawberry jelly slightly and drizzle it over a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The jelly will create a sweet and fruity sauce that pairs perfectly with the creamy ice cream. Mini Pies: Fill pre-made mini jam pie crusts with strawberry jelly and bake until the crust is golden and the jelly is slightly bubbly. These individual-sized pies are great for parties or a quick dessert. Grilled Cheese with a Twist: Spread strawberry jelly on one side of the bread before assembling your grilled cheese sandwich. Combining melted cheese and sweet jelly creates a unique and delicious flavor profile. Crepe Filling: Spread strawberry jelly inside freshly made crepes and roll them up. Dust the crepes with powdered sugar and serve them as a sweet breakfast or dessert. Milkshake or Smoothie Addition: Add a spoonful or two of strawberry jelly to your milkshake or smoothie before blending. The jelly will add a burst of fruity flavor and create a fun texture. Fruit Dip: Mix strawberry jelly with cream cheese or Greek yogurt to create a sweet and tangy fruit dip. Serve it alongside a platter of fresh fruit for a refreshing and indulgent snack.
These creative serving ideas will take your strawberry jelly to new heights and allow you to enjoy its sweet and fruity flavors in unique and exciting ways. Have fun experimenting and adding your own personal touch to these suggestions.
Strawberry Jam recipe – No Pectin or Microwave Strawberry Jam Apricot Jam – No Pectin or Apricot Peach Jam Mixed Berry Jam – No Pectin (low-sugar) Old Fashioned Raspberry Jam – No Pectin
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