Low sugar blueberry jam is filled with fresh bright flavors! It's easier to make than you think, the perfect of fruit and sweet delicious berries!
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Why you'll love this recipe
✔️ best blueberry preserves ever!
✔️ even though this uses less sugar, this jam is perfectly sweet!
✔️ even if you've never made your own jam before, you got this!
Ingredients
For the exact measurements, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- fresh blueberries - you'll need 5 cups of blueberries
- powdered ginger
- fresh lemon and fresh lime
- salt and red pepper flakes
- granulated sugar
- low sugar pectin - Sure Jell Pectin make sure you get the PINK box
- butter *optional
Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. For the complete directions just scroll down to the bottom!
- Wash blueberries well.
- Measure 4 ½ cups sugar into a large bowl. Remove ¼ cup sugar and in a separate bowl, mix it with the box of pectin (powered Sure Jell). Set aside both mixtures; the sugar and Sure Jell/sugar combination.
- Put 5 cups blueberries and ½ cup water into a heavy bottom pan. Using an immersion blender, crush blueberries until they are completely chopped up (if you do not have an immersion blender, use a regular blender or food processor). Add the lemon and lime zest & juice, ginger, salt and red pepper flakes. Add the Sure-Jell/sugar mixture and butter (if using) and stir thoroughly.
- Place mixture over high heat and bring to a boil stirring constantly. When it comes to a full boil (one that you can not stir down) add the remaining sugar and return to a boil, again stirring constantly.
- Boil hard for exactly one minute and remove from heat. Ladel into clean, sterilized jars.
- Clean the rim of the jar carefully (so you get a good seal). Place lids on jars and screw on the rings.
- Place jars in a water bath canner for 10 minutes, this will help seal the jars. Remove from heat and place them on a heatproof surface (I usually use a heavy cutting board. You'll hear the jars make a popping noise as they seal.
- You can check to see if the jars have sealed by pressing down in the center of each jar. If it is sealed, it will not move. If it didn't seal the button on the top will pop up & down. *
Equipment
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You can find much of the equipment you need at the grocery store, however not all stores carry what you need.
- half pint jars - perfect for home canning. Wash in hot soapy water and sterlize before using .
- canning essentials box kit - jar lifter, funnel, ladle, etc. it contains all of the equipment you'll need to make homemade jam.
- stainless steel ladle - to ladle the jam into jars.
- oven mitts - you'll need two. You're dealing with boiling sugar. The pot holders will keep you from burning your hands.
- wooden spoon - a stainless steel spoon will heat up as the jam boiling, use a long wooden spoon.
FAQ's
The lemon juice lowers the pH of the jam mixture and helps the jam to set.
How do you thicken blueberry jam?
Jam is thicken by adding pectin.
Adding citrus is the secret ingredient! Lemon or lime juice brightens the flavor of the jam making it extra delicious.
For the best results, use fresh fruit that is ripe and juicy and at its prime
Things to know
Jam or jelly did not seal? You have a couple of options.
- Option 1 - Remove the ring and lid. Clean the top of the jar. Replace the lid with a new one and secure the ring tightly. Place back into a water bath for another 10 minutes to reseal.
- Option 2 - Simply refrigerate the jar that did not seal, it will keep for several weeks in the refrigerator!
Jam or jelly did not set, meaning it's too runny? You have a couple of options.
- Option 1 - Remove the lids from the jars - place all of the jar back in a heavy bottom pot, add SureJell mixture, mix thoroughly and repeat stages 3-7.
- Option 2 - Label it as syrup, and enjoy it on pancakes and French toast!
Although it may seem like a lot of sugar, do not change the amount of sugar used in this recipe. Using less sugar could cause the jam not to set or mold.
Do not use a metal spoon, a wooden spoon is the best choice. The boiling jam will actually heat up the metal spoon!
Check out this post How to make Jam - you'll be a jam making queen (or king!) in no time!
Storage
Refrigerate - cool jars to room temperature. Refrigerate any unopened jars or jars that did not seal.
Pantry - sealed jars of the low sugar blueberry jam can be stored in the pantry.
Related recipes
- Orange Jelly - filled with bright citrus flavor!
- Sure Jell Strawberry Jam - another low sugar jam, strawberry is everyone's favorite!
- Low Sugar Apricot Jam - filled with bright flavors and filled with sweet apricots!
- Here you'll find my favorite Gourmet Jam Recipes, homemade jam makes the best hostess gift or a great Christmas present as well!
Looking for more jam and jelly recipes? Click here and it will take you to my recipe index. Almost all of my jam recipes are low sugar, but as sweet as honey! I know you'll find a new favorite!
Serve with
- Delicious on a buttery crescent or toasted English Muffins.
- This recipe also makes the BEST peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Who doesn't love a great PB&J?!!
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If you love this recipe, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating!
Low Sugar Blueberry Jam Recipe
Ingredients
- 5 cups blueberries
- ½ cup water
- 1 teaspoon powdered ginger
- 1 lemon zested and juiced
- 1 lime zested and juiced
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 4 ½ cups sugar
- 1 box low sugar Sure Jell Pectin make sure you get the PINK box
- 1 tablespoon butter *optional
I earn a commission from Instacart from qualifying purchases.
Instructions
- Measure 4 ½ cups sugar into a large bowl. Remove ¼ cup sugar and in a separate bowl, mix it with the powered Sure Jell. Set aside both mixtures; the sugar and Sure Jell/sugar combination.
- Put 5 cups blueberries and ½ cup water into a heavy bottom pan. Using an immersion blender, blend the blueberries until they are completely chopped up (if you do not have an immersion blender, use a regular blender or a potato masher). Add the lemon and lime zest & juice, ginger, salt and red pepper flakes. Add the Sure-Jell/sugar mixture and butter (if using) and stir thoroughly.
- Place mixture over high heat and bring to a boil stirring constantly. When the hot jam comes to a full rolling boil (one that you can not stir down) add the remaining sugar and return to a boil, again stirring constantly.
- Boil hard for exactly one minute and remove from heat. Ladl into clean, sterilized hot jars.
- Wipe jar rims carefully (so you get a good seal). Place lids on jars and screw bands on.
- Place in a hot water bath for 10 minutes, this will help seal the jars. Remove from heat and place them on a heatproof surface (I usually use a heavy cutting board. You'll hear the jars make a popping noise as they seal.
- You can check to see if the jars have sealed by pressing down in the center of each jar. If it is sealed, it will not move. If it didn't seal the button on the top will pop up & down. *
Notes
Nutrition
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Don't worry, we'll never share your email.Recipe backstory
Since getting married and moving to Fresno, I miss my family. In Sacramento, I lived closed to my brother Don & Alice and their daughter Christy and granddaughter (my niece) Chloe. Of course we visit as often as we can but I especially miss seeing Chloe grow up, our slumber parties and visits.
Chloe is 13 now - a teenager, eek! Still, we always try to plan some time in summer we can spent with her. Last year of course was the unfortunate waterpark visit (where I broke a rib going down a waterslide I had no business being on. I really need to act my age...) and the summer before it was trips to the zoo and of course we had the summer of jam making!
Chloe, Dan and I always have tons of fun together and visits are filled with giggles, lots of learning. Dan and I learning all the latest - kid stuff mostly! Like how Dan and I are totally kawaii potato fabulous (I had no idea what this meant so I googled it!) and always involves some fun in the kitchen!
A couple years ago when Chloe visited she decided to make some jam to take home (she was 10 at the time). Because blueberries are her favorite - we decided on Blueberry Jam.
We sampled some different spices and made this wonderful Blueberry Pizzazz Jam (Chloe named it herself!) and if you think canning is hard....then I beg to differ. This jam is so easy a 10 year old made it! (Read more by clicking here.)
Citrus and spices turns this from an ordinary blueberry jam into a blueberry jam with PIZZAZZ, hence the name Blueberry Pizzazz! It's a delicious and delicate blueberry jam that is a delight to your palette, perfect on a croissant and super easy to make!
Liza
What an amazing recipe! I love both jellies and jams (can't pick!), but wow! Low-sugar and it looks so nice and thick! And I loved the tip about the butter! So smart!! 🙂
Bowl Me Over
Blueberries are such a treat! I love being able to enjoy all of their deliciousness in the wintertime too. Thanks Liza - sure appreciate your support!
Claire
So pretty! I will definitely try to make them
Bowl Me Over
I know you'll love this jam, thank you so much Claire!
Julie
What amazing memories and it sounds like you guys have a great time together. This jam is just gorgeous. There's nothing like fresh fruit jam!
Bowl Me Over
Chloe is my little buddy, I cherish our time together - thanks Julie!
Angela
This sounds awesome! Homemade jam is really so good!
Bowl Me Over
Agreed Angela - thank you so much!
Del's cooking twist
Original and tasty! 🙂
Bowl Me Over
Thank you!
Shelley @ Two Healthy Kitchens
Mmmmmm ... citrus and ginger and red pepper flakes - what a delicious, kicky addition to the berries! No wonder your niece said this had "pizzaz"! And I love that it's easy enough for kiddos to help (or even do it most all themselves)!
Bowl Me Over
I love my Chloe time - she's such a special little gal!
Tara
Love the little hit of spice in this recipe, great pics too!
Bowl Me Over
Thanks Tara!
justine @ Full Belly SIsters
I love the red pepper flakes to give this a kick!
Bowl Me Over
I'm a big fan of red pepper flakes!
Debi @ Life Currents
I love making my own jam, and yours sounds fabulous! I love that you have both lemons and limes in here! Yummers!
Bowl Me Over
Thanks Debi!
Ashley
I thought this said "pizza" and was SO confused! Lol. Pizza jam would be weird. PIZZAZ sounds amazing!
Bowl Me Over
Hahaha, that got a belly laugh Ashley! 😀 Although pizza jam sounds kinda cool....oooh....idea!
Linda (Meal Planning Maven)
Your niece looks like she had a blast being your kitchen helper! And I love the pizzaz factor you added to this jam which will give it a nice "kick!"
Bowl Me Over
Thanks Linda!
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy
I tried blueberry jam for the first time a couple of weeks ago and I loved it. I am going to have to try making it myself.
Bowl Me Over
When you make your own it's sooo much better than store bought, you'll love it Dannii!
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche
I don't think I've ever had blueberry jam but it sounds DELICIOUS! Love blueberries.
Bowl Me Over
It's a favorite, you should definitely give it a try Becca!
Katerina
How lovely to have a little helper in the kitchen! The color of the jam is amazing I bet the taste too!
Bowl Me Over
Thanks Katerina!
Elizabeth
Aw what a lovely experience for your niece, and delicious jam too!
Bowl Me Over
Yes, it was a blast (for me!) 😀
Heidy L McCallum
I love the addition of ginger and lime to you Blueberry Jam, I bet it's so good!
Bowl Me Over
Super yummy Heidy, you'd love it!
Janette@culinaryginger
It must be great having a little helper in the kitchen. This jam sounds delicious and I love the name
Bowl Me Over
I sure love her visits, thanks Janette!
Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious
Best helper EVER!
Bowl Me Over
Yes indeed! 😀
Manila Spoon (Abby)
I should tell my kiddies about this to inspire them to make jam with me next summer! Love the spicy kick you added here, too! The jam sound delicious!
Bowl Me Over
We really enjoyed this jam Abby - fun for the kids too!
peter @feedyoursoultoo
If your niece can do it then I can do it. It looks really good too.
Bowl Me Over
Thanks Peter - You'll love it!