So there was a time many moons ago when every spring, I’d go to Costco and buy the big containers of those big, fat strawberries and make enough strawberry freezer jam to last me an entire year, not to mention enough jam to give as gifts to friends, co-workers, and the little Mexican boys who would knock on my door and sell me homemade tamales.
And then life got complicated.
I got pregnant with my first kiddo in the spring, which automatically nixes most food-related endeavors. The next year, I had a newborn, the year after I was in the midst of a job-hating crisis and was stressed out beyond belief, and it just goes on and on. Excuses, excuses, right?
Well, I was at Sam’s Club the other day and saw one of those 2 lb. clamshell boxes of fat, juicy strawberries, and I thought, “Has it really been 6 years since I last stockpiled massive amounts of strawberry jam in my freezer??” Immediately wishing to try and make some restitution for the fact that my son, the little bean whose presence stopped my jam-making obsession, had never had jam that didn’t come from a grocery store, I bought all the fixins for strawberry freezer jam.
Now…I know I’m not reinventing the wheel here–I’m just using the recipe that’s inside the Sure Jell package. Heck, a good number of you have probably beaten me to the punch and have already made freezer jam this year. And there are probably some of you who don’t believe in freezer jam and only make canned jam (which I’ve never done…shhhhh…) and are judging me right now. But I want to show those of you who have never made freezer jam and also those of you who may have forgotten how fun and easy it is to make. Not to mention tasty. No wonder I hardly ever eat PB&J anymore–jarred jam is gross.
One thing I love about freezer jam is that you don’t cook the mixture, so it tastes really fresh, almost like fresh, sweet strawberries on your sandwich instead of goopy, sticky stuff. The only thing that’s even remotely tricky is that you have to be exact; no heaping or scant cups of sugar or strawberries here. Level it out to the top, pay attention to what you’re doing, and you, too, can have homemade jam in about an hour. Awesome, right? Right.
So all you do is find some luscious-looking berries–ripe, but not overly ripe. 
And seriously, if you don’t have a Costco or Sam’s Club membership and are not interested in getting one, at the very least, have someone you know who does have a membership pick you up some strawberries because the ones there are huge, delicious, and CHEAP–like I paid about $3.50 for 2 lb. of the biggest, juiciest strawberries I’ve ever seen. Can’t beat that. Unless you’re a strawberry farmer.
Okay, to get started, you’ll need to wash and dry 8- or 16-oz. freezer-safe containers. You can use glass jam or jelly jars, but it makes me nervous to have large amounts of glass in my freezer for extended periods of time, so I just use the 8-oz. disposable food storage containers (like the Ziploc ones in the picture or Gladware). Ball jars makes plastic jam containers that are a little bit cuter, but I don’t think the little bit of cute makes up for the increased cost. Plus, because of their shape, it’s easier to re-use the food storage containers for something more practical like snacks or fingerpaint.
Wash and cut the stems off 1 quart (about 1 lb.) of strawberries. 
Working with about 1 c. of berries at a time, mash with a potato masher or pulse in your food processor until they’re mushed but still have some chunks of fruit in there–you don’t want it to be completely smooth.
Place mashed berries in a large bowl with 4 c. sugar. 
My friend Jeni was telling me today about how she likes to make her freezer jam with pectin that calls for less sugar (it’s called the “Less-Sugar” variety, believe it or not) and how she really likes it because it tastes more strawberry-y and less sugary. I’ve never tried it, but I really want to make my next batch of freezer jam with that to see how I like it. HOWEVER. This time around, I’m using the pectin where you use a lot of sugar, so the directions are for that. Don’t try and cut down on the sugar at ALL or your jam won’t set up right.
Anyway, stir the sugar into the strawberries and allow to stand for 10 minutes. 
While the strawberries are standing, whisk together the entire packet of pectin and 3/4 c. water. It might be a little lumpy. Stirring constantly, heat to boiling and stir for 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir into strawberry mixture for 3 minutes or until the sugar is dissolved (a few granules may remain).
Ladle into prepared freezer-safe containers. 
Place the lids on the containers and allow them to stand at room temperature for 24 hours. Place in the refrigerator or freezer; the jam will keep in the fridge for 3 weeks or the freezer for up to 1 year.
That one with the ribbon on it is for the little Mexican boys who sold me tamales and put up with my horrible Spanish…although they’re probably not little anymore and they’re probably not going to find me in Louisiana. Adios, muchachos…
Strawberry Freezer Jam
Recipe from the Sure Jell box
1 qt. (2 c. crushed) ripe strawberries, washed and stemmed
4 c. sugar
1 package fruit pectin (I use Sure Jell; I don’t even think I’ve seen a different brand)
3/4 c. water
8-oz. freezer-safe containers
Wash and dry the freezer-safe containers and set aside.
With a potato masher or in a food processor, mash the berries, leaving some chunks. Measure out 2 c. of berries into a large bowl. Stir in exactly 4 c. sugar and allow to stand for 10 minutes.
While the berries and sugar are co-mingling, whisk the pectin into 3/4 c. water in a small saucepan. Stirring constantly, bring to a boil over high heat and stir for 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir into strawberry mixture for 3 minutes or until sugar is almost entirely dissolved.
Ladle the jam into the prepared containers, leaving about 1/2″ at the top for expansion. Top with lids and allow to stand for 24 hours at room temperature. Refrigerate for up to 3 weeks or freeze for 1 year. Makes 5 8-oz. containers.
Oh I love strawberry jam, especially the homemade ones!!
My mom makes this recipe every year. It really is delicious. I never had store-bought jelly as a kid because we always had this homemade jam. Then, as an adult, I tried store-bought jelly. Gross.
I just saw our little produce market has strawberries for $.89 a pound! Going to fill me a cart tomorrow and make some of this deliciousness!
Approx how many 8 oz containers should I purchase for one recipe? Gonna try this as soon as the Louisiana strawberries hit the stores down here!
When we lived a little farther North, our family made wild plum jelly (the cooked kind) from the wild plums that grew everywhere. That stuff was devine.
What funny timing…I just bought several clam shells of strawberries that are sitting in my fridge waiting to be make into freezer jam. We pulled the last container out f the freezer on Monday much to my kids dismay. It's the only kind I've ever made and my kids love it. I also use the freezer pectin – only 1 1/2 cups of sugar for a full batch. It's so good!
Last year I experimented with both kinds of pectin–the less-sugar and the regular–and my whole family preferred the less-sugar batch. (I just didn't tell them which was which!) You should give it a try sometime.
I have been making this freezer jam for years. It is wonderful. Ball has a fairly new pectin product out that uses quite a bit less sugar than the regular Sure-Jell and I liked that, but my boys like the regular better so I just made more of that today! It's the bomb! ( :
mmmmm! I love strawberry freezer jam. I've also made it with peaches. That is pretty tasty too! The only problem is that if I make about 5 or 6 lbs or strawberries it's so delicious it only lasts about a month at our house!!
Trimble.. Yes.. we don't like chunks either.. so I puree mine.
I also use the "ball" brand. Super yummy and NO cooking!!
I've always wanted to make freezer jam, but have been hesitant to try it… Thanks for the inspiration!
I re-moved (meaning I've lived her before) to the midwest where they have huge U-pick strawberry farms. Last time I lived here, I picked over 60 pounds and had strawberries coming out of my ears. I canned a lot of strawberry jam, but I also put up a huge batch of freezer jam. Nothing beats the fresh, delicious taste!
The recipe that comes with my pectin always has you add lemon juice! I've never seen one without lemon! Also, we double the pectin, and put half the sugar. Works great, and is still plenty sweet.
What a fabulous post – This is something my mom and I do every year – make freezer jam. Our first time we did peach and it was the best jam I've ever had!! Last year we branched out, made peach, peach-raspberry and strawberry. Can you say YUMMO?! Our friends and family HAPPILY return the cute little glass jars we put the jelly in, empty & washed hoping for another full jar of jam. :o) Guess they like it too. Last fall we made 80 jars of jam – this year we may top that, but none of it goes to waste!!
Hugs & Happy Days!
Min
What if I don't want chunks in it, can I puree it completely?
Alisha, I am so jealous! 98 cents a pound?!
Thanks for posting this. I always hear people talk about it, but I have never tried it because I didn't realize how easy it is!
I always have trouble with things when it says, "bring to a boil and let boil for one minute." What does that mean? Like, when you see the first few bubbles is that boiling? Do you wait until it is really a rolling boil before you start timing?
I am shocked at how easy this is! We just finished off a Costco Strawberry container, but now I have to go get more!! Thanks!
Thanks for this recipe!! I just bought 10 lbs of strawberries for $.98/lb, and was hoping to make some freezer jam (for the first time!). Looking forward to some jam!!
Love Strawberry Jam! Probably making some this weekend. Last year my mom and I discovered some pectin that uses 1 cup of sugar with about 4 cups of strawberries???? I think. I know it is one cup of sugar. So, anyways…less sugar taste more like strawberries and is better for my kiddos. You should try it on your next jam making day.
I love strawberry jam. I love the Ball's Simple Creation No-cook Freezer Jam Pectin. It only uses 1 1/2 cups sugar fro 4 cups strawberries and it requires no cooking!
I'm such a loser, because I've never made jam of ANY kind before! I can't wait to try this, thanks for the info Kate.
Thanks for this recipe! The only Jam I would ever eat was my grandmother's Strawberry Freezer jam. But after she died – I just refused to eat jam anymore, and I make my kids eat store bought if they want some. (Grandma died before they ever got a chance to have the good stuff.) I alway's assumed it was difficult to make – thanks for letting me know how easy it is. I'll never buy it at the store again!! (By-the-way I absolutely love your website, just found it a month or so ago and have tried so many of your recipes already, all of which were wonderful. Thank you!!!)
Oh, Heather Anni, PLEASE do your kids a favor and let them eat homemade strawberry freezer jam!! They will always remember it!
I've always used Ball brand No Cook Freezer Jam Fruit Pectin. I like it, but now I want to try the less-sugar kind.
Do you ever add lemon zest or something like that?
Thanks for this post. : )
I've used the less sugar type as well, and it's great. Did you know that Kroger (the "Smith's" chain in Utah – other names in other states) has their own brand of the exact same thing as SureJell? It is only about $1.19 here in Utah – and works like the real deal. SureJell has always been pretty pricey here – but you don't have to add corn syrup, lemon juice, etc… like with the MCP brand. Great post! Love your site…
I ALWAYS use frozen strawberries, and the less sugar pectin. So delicious! In fact we tried the regular pectin once, and it was NOT as good as the less sugar. So definitely go that route!
just a note . . . I've been making this for years and I ALWAYS use the less sugar more fruit pectin, which comes int he pink boxes. Its the SAME recipe but uses more fruit and less sugar. Its even better than the yellow box kind, and more berry-ish (is that a word?) Try it next time! You are still using 2 c of sugar, so its PLENTY sweet.
Megan–Yeah, when you're ready to use it, just stick it in the fridge. It's soft enough that you can use it from the freezer for jam-related emergencies, it just won't spread as easily.
This sounds great! One question, though: When you want to use it, do you thaw it (in the fridge), or can you use it straight out of the freezer? I'm guessing you move it to the fridge when you want to use it, but I thought I'd make sure.
It is great to be reminder that it is that wonderful time of year when the strawberries are starting to come on. Nothing is better than fresh strawberry jam. Thanks for sharing!
I love the idea of stockpiling containers of strawberry jam or the whole year!
It was all my kids had ever had until we moved to bush Alaska. Do you know how difficult it is to get fresh strawberries here? It's nearly impossible unless you are willing to pay big bucks ($8.99 a pound no extra charge for the mold). So I bought store jam. My kids balked, gnashed their teeth, staged a revolution and quit eating PB&J.
Out of desperation I decided to take a risk and took the big Costco bag of frozen strawberries (because even though we have no costco, we are still able to buy some of their bulk items at an overly inflated price here at our grocery store) out of my freezer, thawed a bunch in a bowl, chopped them up and made freezer jam out of them. And IT WORKED! Very well. and now my kids are happy again, spoiled, but happy.
all that to say, PEOPLE, STRAWBERRY FREEZER JAM IS THE BEST!!
try it!
Freezer jam is best when made with beautiful fresh strawberries, but did you know that you can make a quite satisfactory jam out of frozen strawberries? That might be an option for those who live where fresh strawberries may not be readily available.