This low sugar Strawberry Rhubarb Jam Recipe that is easy to make and delicious! Juicy strawberries and tart rhubarb combine to make a luscious jam recipe that is the BEST! This fool-proof method will have you jam-making in no time!
Table of contents
💭 Recipe backstory
Strawberries makes me think of summertime and rhubarb always takes me back to the lake and summers with Grandma and Grandpa. BEST memories ever!
Grandma always had fresh baked rhubarb pie when we'd visit. Most times she'd have 20-30 pies in the freezer. Often I'd help her make them. Making pies was part of the tradition as she liked to serve dessert at lunch and dinner!
And since we'd have anywhere from 18-40 (or more!) hungry mouths per meal, we definitely had to be prepared.
I have the best memories of Grandma. When she passed away, I helped my Mom clean things out. One of the things we found was a jar of rhubarb strawberry jam I made for her.
My Uncle Jim shared that Grandma would carry that jar of jam with her when she moved from South Dakota where she lived in the summertime to New Jersey where she wintered every year. It warmed my heart to know she kept it close.
My Mom said when they were kids she'd often make a rhubarb sauce to spread over toast in the summertime when butter wasn't available. Honestly, I would prefer this over butter all day long!
Ingredients
- fresh rhubarb
- fresh strawberries
- pure cane sugar
- lemon juice
- low sugar sure-jell pectin (pink box)
- 8 oz. canning jars with lids
Instructions
- Wash rhubarb, dice - measure exactly four cups.
- Clean and hull strawberries mash - measure exactly 2 cups.
- Combine strawberries and rhubarb in a large pot with the lemon juice.
- Measure
¼ cup of sugar and mix it with the contents of the Sure-Jell. Sprinkle it into the fruit, mix well again and set it on the stove on high and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. - When it comes to a hard boil add the remaining sugar.
- Continue stirring constantly and return it to a boil. Boil for exactly one minute. (Set a timer to make sure you get it for a full minute).
- Remove from the stove & immediately ladle into sterilized jars.
- Wipe rims, place lids on jars, screw on tightly.
- Place jars in a hot bath (boiling water) for 10 minutes to seal the jars.
- Makes 6 eight oz. jars.
🙋♀️ FAQ's
Rhubarb is low in pectin. It's necessary to add pectin and acid (lemon juice) to help the jam set.
Some compare it to a tart green apple. Rhubarb is sour and acid and needs a tight balance of sweet to bring out the flavor of the fruit.
Rhubarb is ripe during the hot summer months. Wait to harvest until the stalks are about 10 inches long. Some will be red, others will be green. The color of the stalk does not signify whether the fruit is ripe or not.
Absolutely not! The leaves are poisonous. If you are lucky enough to be able to grow rhubarb where you live, simply lob off the leaves and discard.
Serving suggestions
Serve Strawberry Rhubarb Jam on a toasted English muffin and it's delicious on PB&J. It's even yummy over ice cream!
It's also great as a topping for pancakes and waffles - what a treat!
Related recipes
I have several AMAZING jam recipes on the blog that are easy to make and delicious! Everyone loves homemade jams and jellies! They make great hostess gifts and during the holidays it's such a treat to share with loved ones!
When we travel home, I always takes jars of jam with me to give to family and friends. My Aunts have even been known to arm wrestle over the last jar! It's just that good!
- Christmas in July Pepper Jam -
BIG favorite! Great as a jam, delicious as a glaze over pork or chicken. Yummy over a block of cream cheese with crackers! Bam Bam Pomegranate Jam - Super tasty with bread & butter or your favorite PB&J!- Homemade Blackberry Jam Recipe - Easy to make and delicious, blackberry jam is totally worth the effort!!
- Ja Makin' Me Crazy Mango Jam - Everyone loves this jam, it has the spice of the islands, this is a MUST make!
- Strawberry Margarita Jam - love a great margarita? Then you'll love this jam!!
Is the thought of making jam intimidating? Trust me, you got this! And in case you have any questions, pop me an email or click on the this post - it has all of my jam making tips and tricks!
Recipe
Strawberry-Rhubarb Jam Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups rhubarb diced
- 2 cups strawberries mashed
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- 4 cups sugar
- 1 box sure jell pectin pink box
Instructions
- Wash jars - then sterlize them in a hot water bath.
- Begin by washing the fruit. Clean the rhubarb, dice into small pieces - measure exactly four cups.
- Clean the strawberries, remove the stems and mash the berries with a potato masher - measure exactly 2 cups.
- Add the rhubarb and strawberries to a large heavy stockpot. Add the lemon juice.
- Measure ¼ cup of sugar and mix it with the contents of the Sure-Jell. Sprinkle it into the fruit, mix well again and set it on the stove on high and bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
- When it comes to a full boil (a boil you can't stir down) add the remaining sugar. Continue stirring the entire time while the jam cooks. Return it to a boil. Boil for exactly one minute, stirring vigorously. (Set a timer to make sure you get it for a full minute).
- Remove from the stove and immediately ladle hot jam into sterilized hot jars, leaving ¼ inch headspace at the top of the jar.
- Using a clean damp cloth, wipe the tops of the jars to remove any fruit mixture that may have gotten on the top of the lids. (This will keep the jars from sealing.)
- Tap the filled jars on the counter to remove air bubbles.
- Place lids on jars, followed by the rings, screw it on tightly.
- Process in a water bath canner (boiling water) for 10 minutes to seal the jars.Makes 6 eight oz. jars.
