Sure Jell Strawberry Jam Recipe with Fresh Strawberries and Lime

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This recipe for Sure Jell Strawberry Jam with sweet berries and tart lime makes the most amazing preserves! It's easier to make than you think and once you make it you'll never buy jam again!

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Homemade Strawberry Jam
Sure Jell Strawberry Jam Recipe
Equipment
FAQ's
Things to know
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Serve with
Homemade Strawberry Jam You'll Make Again and Again

Homemade Strawberry Jam

Homemade strawberry jam is one of those simple kitchen projects that feels extra rewarding. Friends and family always get excited when I share a jar, and once you taste the fresh strawberry flavor, it's easy to see why.

Don't let canning intimidate you. This recipe walks you through the process step by step, making it approachable even if it's been years since you've made jam. The combination of sweet berries and bright lime creates a flavor that's hard to resist!

Sure Jell Strawberry Jam in jar with spoon scooping out jam.

5 from 10 votes

Sure Jell Strawberry Jam Recipe

Sweet strawberries and a splash of lime come together in this easy homemade jam that's bursting with bright berry flavor.

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Prep Time10

Cook Time30

Total Time40

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Servings: servings

Calories: 101kcal

Author: Deb Clark

Ingredients

▢ 5 cups crushed fresh strawberries You'll need about 10 cups whole strawberries to make 5 cups crushed
▢ 1 teaspoon salt
▢ 1 lime zested and juiced
▢ ¼ cup tequila use good tequila! / OPTIONAL
▢ 4 cups sugar
▢ 1 1.75 sure-jell pectin PINK BOX

Instructions

Clean the strawberries and remove the stems (do not chop).
Mash the berries with a potato masher. Measure out exactly 5 cups of crushed berries. Add to a large heavy bottom pot.
Add the juice and zest of the lime and one teaspoon salt
Measure ¼ cup of sugar and mix it with the contents of the Sure-Jell. Sprinkle it into the berry mixture and set it on the burner. Turn on high and bring to a full rolling boil, stirring constantly.
When the fruit mixture comes to a hard boil (one that you cannot stir down) add the remaining sugar.
Return it to a hard boil and boil exactly one minute.
Remove from the heat. With hot pan holders on immediately stir in ¼ cup tequila. It will bubble and spit a bit! Continue to stir until it is completely incorporated, about a minute.
Ladle hot jam into clean, sterilized jars.
Using a paper towel clean the top of the jar off completely.
Add the lid and screw top. Screw the lid on tightly. Process in a hot water bath for 10 minutes to seal.
Remove from the hot water bath and place on a heat-proof surface. You'll hear the jars pop and you'll know they are sealed.

Notes

This recipe makes 6 pints of jam.

The tequila is totally optional - you can omit it from the recipe if you choose.

Refrigerate - Cool to room temperature. Refrigerate any opened or unsealed jars of jam. They will last in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

Pantry - Store sealed jars in a dark cool spot, like your pantry for up to six months.

Nutrition

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Equipment

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heavy bottom pan
potato masher
wooden spoon
ladle
canning jars, lids and rings
hot pan holders
timer
funnel
lifting tongs
Sure-Jell Pectin - be sure to get the PINK box
Canning essentials box kit

Jars of homemade strawberry jam surrounding a bagel spread with sweet jam! — Sweet spring strawberries make the most delicious jam!

FAQ's

How long has it been since you've done any canning? Has it been awhile? If so, now's the time to jump back into jamming and let's start by answering a few questions.

Are preserves and jam the same thing?

Pretty much, the names are used interchangeably. In both jam and preserves you'll find pieces of fruit.

Is jelly the same as jam?

Nope, jelly is different than jam. As I'd mentioned above jam contains pieces of fruit. Jelly is made from fruit juice.

Why do you put lemon juice in strawberry jam?

Lemon or lime juice helps maintain the proper acidity level in the jam, which contributes to safe canning and helps the jam set properly.

Is pectin necessary for jam?

Pectin doesn't preserve jelly or jam, but helps it jell so it isn't too runny.

Bagel topped with homemade strawberry jam. — With something this delicious you're going to want to enjoy every bite!

Things to know

Clean the fruit by soaking it. Place ripe strawberries in a large bowl. Using 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water, swish around really well, drain and rinse with fresh water. Repeat if necessary until the water runs clear.
For best results, use the exact amount of sugar called for in the recipe. The sugar not only sweetens the fruit but also preserves it. If you use less sugar, you may end up with mold on top of the jam even though you've sealed it properly.
Don't change the amount of fruit - if you put in too little, it can get too thick, like paste. Too much fruit and it may not set and will be syrupy.
Although the jars and rings are reusable, the lids are not.

For more information on making homemade preserves visit A Guide to making Homemade Jam.

Jam-making isn't hard, but you do have to be precise. When the recipe calls for boiling, just one minute, set a timer. Over-processing can make the jam set incorrectly. And the longer it's boiled, the more flavor is removed from the fruit.

Trust me, this is the closest I've ever gotten to chemistry as I (ahem...) graduated from the school of hard knocks! 🤣🤣🤣

A jar of strawberry jam and bagels. — You're going to be scraping the bottom of the jar as you enjoy every drop of this amazing jam!

If you like this jam, you'll definitely want to try other jam recipes on my site like;

Ja Makin' Me Crazy Mango Jam - is seriously delicious!
Bam Bam Pomegranate Jam - with a great POP of spice, this is so good.
Low Sugar Blueberry Jam is packed with blueberry flavor and uses less sugar than traditional recipes.
This recipe for Strawberry Freezer Jam - no water bath canner required. Just ladle into plastic containers and freeze.

Looking for more delicious homemade jam recipes? Be sure to check out Gourmet Jam Recipes - all of our favorites in one spot!

Serve with

Grilling chicken, pork or shrimp? Jams and jellies are a flavorful quick, and easy glaze.
A PB&J, of course! Everyone loves a great peanut butter and jam sandwich.
I use a spoonful in salad dressings to add great flavor!
It's perfect inside these yummy Strawberry Sandwich Cookies!
What if the jam doesn't set? Label it as syrup, and no one will be the wiser. 😉
Sure jell strawberry jam makes a great hostess gift!

Homemade Strawberry Jam You'll Make Again and Again

Once you make a batch of this Sure Jell Strawberry Jam, it's hard to go back to store-bought. The combination of sweet strawberries and bright lime creates a fresh flavor that's wonderful on toast, biscuits, ice cream, and so much more.

Give it a try while strawberries are in season, then come back and let me know how many jars you tucked away for later!

Comments

5 from 10 votes (1 rating without comment)

Sure Jell Strawberry Jam

Homemade Strawberry Jam