Introduction
Oh, the taste of fresh, homemade jam! Does it bring back memories of Grandma’s kitchen, warm toast, and the sweet, comforting aroma of summer berries? I know it does for me. And what if I told you that you could capture that magical taste and feeling with a recipe that’s unbelievably simple and healthy? Seriously, this homemade strawberry chia jam is a game-changer. It’s quick enough for a weeknight, impressive enough for guests, and so delicious you’ll want to make a double batch!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super Fast: Ready in about 15 minutes of active cooking time!
- Incredibly Easy: Just a few ingredients and simple steps. Anyone can make this.
- Perfectly Giftable: Jar it up for friends and family – they’ll be so impressed!
- Crowd-Pleasing: Who doesn’t love delicious strawberry jam? It’s a classic for a reason.
- No Refined Sugar: Sweetened naturally with coconut sugar or maple syrup.
Ingredients
Let’s talk about what makes this jam so wonderful. The beauty is in its simplicity:
- 1½ cups strawberries (fresh or frozen): Fresh berries give the brightest flavor, but frozen work like a charm, especially when strawberries are out of season. No need to thaw them beforehand!
- 2 tbsp chia seeds: These little powerhouses are our secret thickening agent. They absorb liquid and create that lovely jammy consistency without any pectin or long cooking times.
- 2 tbsp coconut sugar or maple syrup: We’re skipping the refined stuff here. Coconut sugar adds a lovely caramel note, while maple syrup offers its signature sweet, earthy flavor. Choose your favorite!
- 2 tsp lemon juice: A little bit of acidity brightens up the strawberry flavor and helps preserve the jam. Don’t skip this!
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional): If you have it on hand, a splash of vanilla extract adds an extra layer of warmth and depth. It’s a little extra something that makes it truly special.
How to Make It
Ready to whip up some magic? Grab your favorite saucepan and let’s get started!
- Prep Your Berries: If you’re using fresh strawberries, start by hulling them (that’s just removing the green leafy tops). Then, give them a good slice. If you’re using frozen, you can skip this step – they’ll break down as they cook!
- Combine Everything: In a medium saucepan, toss in your sliced or frozen strawberries, the chia seeds, your chosen sweetener (coconut sugar or maple syrup), and the lemon juice. Give it all a good stir to combine.
- Simmer and Thicken: Place the saucepan over medium heat. You’ll want to stir this occasionally as it heats up. As the strawberries start to cook, they’ll release their juices and begin to break down. Keep simmering and stirring for about 10-15 minutes. You’ll notice the mixture getting thicker and glossier – that’s the chia seeds working their magic! The strawberries will soften and become jam-like.
- Add Vanilla (If Using): Once the jam has reached your desired consistency, remove the saucepan from the heat. If you’re adding that little touch of vanilla extract, now’s the time to stir it in.
- Cool Down: Carefully transfer your beautiful, homemade jam into a clean jar or container. Let it sit on the counter and cool down completely. You’ll see it thicken up even more as it cools.
- Chill and Enjoy: Once cooled, pop that jar into the refrigerator. Your delicious, healthy strawberry chia jam is now ready to be slathered on toast, swirled into yogurt, or enjoyed by the spoonful!
Substitutions & Additions
This recipe is wonderfully versatile. Feel free to play around!
- Other Berries: This works beautifully with raspberries, blueberries, or a mix of your favorite berries. Just keep the ratio of berries to chia seeds similar.
- Sweetness Level: Taste as you go! You might prefer a little more or less sweetness depending on how ripe your berries are.
- Spice it Up: For a little warmth, add a pinch of cinnamon or a tiny grate of fresh ginger while it’s cooking.
- Citrus Zest: A bit of lemon or orange zest added at the end can give it a delightful zing.
Tips for Success
A few little things I’ve learned to make your jam-making even smoother:
- Don’t Overcook: While you want the strawberries to break down, overcooking can sometimes make chia jam a bit too firm. Keep an eye on it and aim for that glossy, thickened texture.
- Stirring is Key: Stirring prevents sticking and helps those strawberries break down evenly.
- Chia Seed Power: Remember, chia seeds absorb liquid. If you find your jam is a little too thick once cooled, you can stir in a tablespoon of water or a splash more lemon juice. If it’s too thin, you can let it simmer for another minute or two, or even stir in another teaspoon of chia seeds and let it sit for 10 minutes.
- Prep Ahead: You can absolutely make this jam a day or two in advance. It stores wonderfully in the fridge.
How to Store It
Keeping your delicious homemade jam fresh is easy peasy!
- Store your jam in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- It should stay fresh and delicious for about 1-2 weeks. The flavor is best when it’s freshest!
FAQs
How long does it take to thicken?
The jam will start to thicken as it cooks (about 10-15 minutes) and will continue to thicken further as it cools in the refrigerator.
Can I use other sweeteners?
Absolutely! Honey would also work, though it might impart a stronger flavor. Adjust the amount to your taste preference.
Can I make this without chia seeds?
Chia seeds are what give this recipe its “jammy” consistency without cooking for hours. If you omit them, you’ll end up with more of a strawberry sauce. You could try using other natural thickeners like agar-agar if you’re looking for an alternative, but chia is wonderfully simple and healthy!
Is this jam safe to can?
This recipe is designed for refrigerator storage. If you plan to can it for shelf-stable storage, you’ll need to follow specific canning guidelines and recipes that are approved for safe home canning.
Easy Homemade Strawberry Chia Jam
A quick and healthy homemade strawberry chia jam recipe with no refined sugar, ready in about 15 minutes of active cooking time. Perfect for spreading on toast, swirling into yogurt, or enjoying by the spoonful.
Equipment
- Saucepan Medium size
- jar Clean, airtight container for storage
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- 1.5 cups strawberries fresh or frozen
- 2 tbsp chia seeds
- 2 tbsp coconut sugar or maple syrup to taste
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp vanilla extract optional
Instructions
- Prep Your Berries: If you're using fresh strawberries, start by hulling them (that's just removing the green leafy tops). Then, give them a good slice. If you're using frozen, you can skip this step – they'll break down as they cook!
- Combine Everything: In a medium saucepan, toss in your sliced or frozen strawberries, the chia seeds, your chosen sweetener (coconut sugar or maple syrup), and the lemon juice. Give it all a good stir to combine.
- Simmer and Thicken: Place the saucepan over medium heat. You'll want to stir this occasionally as it heats up. As the strawberries start to cook, they'll release their juices and begin to break down. Keep simmering and stirring for about 10-15 minutes. You'll notice the mixture getting thicker and glossier – that's the chia seeds working their magic! The strawberries will soften and become jam-like.
- Add Vanilla (If Using): Once the jam has reached your desired consistency, remove the saucepan from the heat. If you're adding that little touch of vanilla extract, now's the time to stir it in.
- Cool Down: Carefully transfer your beautiful, homemade jam into a clean jar or container. Let it sit on the counter and cool down completely. You'll see it thicken up even more as it cools.
- Chill and Enjoy: Once cooled, pop that jar into the refrigerator. Your delicious, healthy strawberry chia jam is now ready to be slathered on toast, swirled into yogurt, or enjoyed by the spoonful!
Notes
Store your jam in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should stay fresh and delicious for about 1-2 weeks.