Homemade Strawberry Jam: A Margarita on Toast!

What happens when you add a splash of tequila, salt and lime to strawberry jam? Well you get the most delicious Homemade Strawberry Jam and it transforms into a margarita on toast! Sweet summertime berries, tart lime and the peppery bite of a great tequila combine and make the best Strawberry Tequila Jam!

Mix some tequila, lime and salt into strawberry jam and you have a Strawberry Margarita on toast!

I am getting ready to go to the family reunion up in Oregon. That means I started making jam about six weeks ago!

My folks really love the low sugar jams I make and my Aunts Barb and Shirley have been known to arm wrestle to see who gets the last few jars. I love that they really enjoy it and I never go up to Oregon empty handed!

This time I developed a new recipe that I’m excited to share with you today and let me tell you, this one already has BIG stamps of approval from my friends Michelle and Ron in New Mexico and my buddy Marye in Texas!

This Strawberry Margarita Jam definitely gets two BIG thumbs up! 👍👍

Sweet spring strawberries make the most delicious jam!

How long has it been since you’ve made jam? 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, they are different! As I’d mentioned above jam contains pieces of fruit. Jelly is made from fruit juice.

Ok now that we’ve covered some of the basics there are a few more things I’d like to clear up.

Helpful hints when making jam –

• Clean the fruit by using 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water, add the fruit and swish around really well.
• Don’t change the amount of sugar the recipe calls for. The sugar not only sweetens the fruit but also preserves it.  If you reduce the amount of 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 so 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 – you’ll need to purchase new ones

With something this delicious you’re going to want to enjoy every bite!

I know you’re absolutely going to love this recipe! Jam making isn’t hard but you do have to be precise. When the recipe calls for boiling just one a minute, set a timer. Over processing can make the jam set incorrectly and just as important 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! 🤣🤣🤣

If you like this jam, you’ll definitely want to try other jam recipes on my site like; Ja Makin’ Me Crazy Mango Jam (seriously delicious!) Bam Bam Pomegranate Jam (with a great POP of spice), Christmas in July Pepper Jam (my most popular jam!) or Blueberry Pizzaz Jam and this one is so easy my 10 year old niece made it!

HOW TO MAKE STRAWBERRY PRESERVES

1. Clean and hull the strawberries (do not chop).
2. Add the strawberries to a large heavy bottom pan. Using a potato masher, mash the berries well.
3. Add the juice and zest of the lime and salt as called for in the recipe.
4. Measure 1/4 cup of sugar and mix it with the contents of the Sure-Jell. Sprinkle it into the berry mixture and set it onto the burner on high and bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
5. When it comes to a hard boil that you cannot stir down, add the remaining sugar.
6. Stirring constantly, return it to a hard boil and boil exactly one minute.
7. Remove from the heat and stir in the tequila.
8. Immediately ladle into clean, sterilized jars.

See it’s not hard to make!

You’re going to be scraping the bottom of the jar as you enjoy every drop of this amazing jam!

Essential Tools to make Homemade Strawberry Jam

• heavy bottom pan
• wooden spoon
• ladle
• canning jars, lids and rings
• hot pan holders
• timer
• funnel
• lifting tongs

Everyone loves homemade jam and it is the BEST hostess gift!

More Strawberry Jam Recipes

Basic Strawberry Jam • Strawberry Preserves • Low Sugar Strawberry Jam

Jams and jellies can also be used as a glaze over pork when you’re grilling, I use a spoonful in salad dressings and if the worst thing happens and your jam doesn’t set? Label it as syrup and no one will be the wiser, trust me – you got this! 👌

Homemade Strawberry Jam Recipe

5 from 8 votes

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Homemade Strawberry Jam - A Margarita on Toast

Sweet summertime berries, tart lime and the peppery bite of a great tequila combined with sweet strawberries makes the most delicious strawberry margarita jam!

Course Breakfast

Cuisine American

Keyword Strawberry Margarita

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 40 minutes

Servings 6 pints

Author Souper Chef Deb

Ingredients

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

Instructions

1. Clean the strawberries and remove the stems (do not chop).

2. Mash the berries with a potato masher. Measure out exactly 5 cups of crushed berries. Add to a large heavy bottom pot.

3. Add the juice and zest of the lime and one teaspoon salt
   

   
   

4. Measure 1/4 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 boil, stirring constantly.

5. When it comes to a hard boil (one that you cannot stir down) add the remaining sugar.

6. Return it to a hard boil and boil exactly one minute.

7. Remove from the heat. With hot pan holders on immediately stir in 1/4 cup tequila. It will bubble and spit a bit! Continue to stir until it is completely incorporated, about a minute. 

8. Ladle into clean, sterilized jars.
   

9. Using a paper towel clean the top of the jar off completely.

10. Add the lid and screw top. Screw the lid on tightly. Process in a hot water bath for 10 minutes to seal.

11. 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.