Strawberry Freezer Jam Recipe – Easy with less sugar

This strawberry freezer jam recipe is one of my family’s favourites. The jam tastes so fresh and fruity, you’ll think you’re eating fresh strawberries.

strawberry freezer jam
Get that fresh strawberry flavour all year long.

Also Read: Strawberry Rhubarb Freezer Jam, Three Kinds of Strawberry Jam, Jam Making 101- The Basics

Why We Love Strawberry Freezer Jam

  1. Taste – Strawberry Freezer Jam tastes like fresh strawberries.
  2. Less Sugar – Freezer jam uses more fruit than sugar, regular jam uses more sugar than fruit. (Freezer jam uses 6 cups fruit and 1 1/2 cups sugar, regular jam uses 4 cups fruit and 7 cups sugar).
  3. Easy to Make – No cooking required. Simply crush strawberries and add sugar and pectin.
  4. Great Activity for Kids – A fun summertime activity to do with kids. They love smooshing the strawberries.
  5. No Special Equipment Needed – No canner, no special canning jars, no fancy jar lifters, all you need is bowl and a potato masher (even a fork will do).
  6. No Canning Procedure Required – No sterilizing or water bath, just put it in a container and freeze.
  7. Fresh or Frozen – Make freezer jam anytime with fresh or frozen fruit.
  8. Any Combination of Fruit – Combine different fruits. We love strawberry rhubarb freezer jam too.
strawberry freezer jam

Freezer Jam Pectin

Be sure to use freezer jam pectin for this recipe. While you can freeze jam made with other kinds of pectin, the procedure for making the jam will be different. If you use regular powder pectin or liquid pectin, you’ll need to cook the jam in order for it to set before freezing. Pomona pectin also requires some heating. To learn more about different pectin types, check out this pectin chart.

Always read the instructions on the pectin package and use the process recommended for that particular pectin.

Common Questions about Freezer Jam

1.What is Freezer Jam?

Freezer jam is any jam that you cannot safely store on a shelf. It must be either refrigerated (for up to 3 weeks) or stored in a freezer in order for it to be safe for a year or more. Because freezer jam is often not cooked and has less sugar than traditional jam, it is more susceptible to mold.

Any jam that is stored on a shelf, must be water bath canned in order to keep pathogens and mold out.

Technically, any jam, including high sugar, cooked jams can be stored in the freezer.

2. What’s the Difference Between Freezer Jam and Regular Jam

Freezer jam is usually NO-COOK and LOW SUGAR jam. In order for it to gel, a specific type of pectin (labeled no-cook freezer jam) is used. In this strawberry freezer jam recipe, I use 6 cups fresh/frozen fruit to 1 1/2 cups sugar.

Freezer jam tastes much fruitier and less sweet than traditional jam.

Freezer jam is not as firm as traditional jam. Expect it to drip a little.

strawberry freezer jam on toast
Freezer jam is fruitier, less sweet and a little softer than traditional cooked jam.

Regular jam uses a different type of pectin that needs heat, sugar and acid to gel. That’s why traditional strawberry jam requires cooking, the addition of lemon juice and a lot of sugar (4 cups fruit to 7 cups sugar).

There are other methods for getting a strawberry spread for your morning toast – chia seed jam, low sugar cooked jam, or simply cooking your strawberries so long that all the water evaporates.

3. Do I have to Sterilize the Jars for Freezer Jam?

No! Just make sure they’re clean and seal well.

4. Can I Cook or Can Freezer Jam?

No. If you use freezer jam pectin, you cannot turn it into a cooked jam recipe that you can water bath process and keep on the shelf. Freezer jam pectin works differently and you will not get good results.

Your jam will spoil very quickly if you try to can this recipe. Try this recipe for low sugar cooked strawberry jam, check this recipe

5. Does Freezer Jam Need to Be Frozen to Set?

No, freezing is not part of the process for preparing freezer jam. You can eat freezer jam 30 minutes after you made it – no freezing required. It is only called freezer jam because for long term storage, you store it in the freezer instead of a pantry shelf.

6. What Kind of Jars Should I Use for Freezer Jam?

Use whatever kind of freezer friendly container you have. It can be glass, plastic or silicone. It can be a reused container or even a plastic freezer bag. You do not need to use canning or jam jars.

PRO TIP: Remember that frozen food expands, always leave at least 1/2 inch in jars or containers when freezing.

7. How Long Does Freezer Jam Last?

Freezer jam has less sugar so it can form mold more quickly than traditional jam. Expect a jar of freezer jam to last about 3 weeks in the fridge, once opened.

Keep extra jars in the freezer for a year for best quality. It will be safe to use long after that, but ice crystals will develop and you may start to loose some colour and flavour.

strawberry freezer jam
My daughter Melanie has been helping me make freezer jam since she was little.

Strawberry Freezer Jam Recipe

strawberry freezer jam
Print Recipe
4.12 from 18 votes

Strawberry Freezer Jam

Add a little flare with flavourings like vanilla extract or mint leaves. You can also substitute some of the strawberries with other fruit like rhubarb (3 cups strawberries & 1 cup stewed rhubarb), blueberries (2 cups strawberries & 2 cups blueberries) or mangoes (2 cups strawberries & 2 cups mangoes).
Prep : 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4 jars

Ingredients

  • 6 cups strawberries – fresh or frozen
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 1 pkg FREEZER JAM pectin

Instructions

  • Wash and clean berries. If using frozen, thaw berries.
  • In a shallow baking dish, crush strawberries, one layer at a time with a potato masher. You should get approximately 4 cups of crushed fruit.
  • In separate small bowl, mix sugar and pectin.
  • Add pectin mix to strawberries. Stir until completely dissolved, about 3 minutes.
  • Pour into clean jars or plastic freezer containers leaving a ½ inch headspace to allow for expansion.
  • Wipe rim with clean cloth and seal.
  • Let stand for 30 minutes to set. Then enjoy your jam!
  • Keep in fridge for 3 weeks or freeze for up to 1 year.

Video

Notes

Be sure to use Freezer Jam Pectin – regular pectin will require cooking before freezing.
You can eat your freezer jam right away – it does not need to go in the freezer first. It will keep in the refrigerator for 3 weeks. If you want to store it longer than that, it must be kept in the freezer. Freezer jam cannot be stored on a shelf.
Yield 4 to 5 half pint (250ml) jars
Tried this recipe?Mention @GetGettyS or tag #GetGettyS

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

Calories: 379kcal | Carbohydrates: 97g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 4mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 90g | Iron: 1mg
Course: jam, preserves
Cuisine: American
Keyword: freezer jam, low sugar jam, no cook jam, pectin, preserves

Make it with Friends and Family

Making freezer jam is something that I have done with many groups at home, in a strawberry patch, at community kitchens and at family and kid camps. It’s always such a fun and rewarding activity. If you haven’t given it a try – go for it! If you need a little inspiration or want someone to walk you through the process, send me a message. I’d love to be your jam coach!

For more tips and recipes for different kinds of jams, jellies and preserves, click here.

If you make strawberry freezer jam, take a photo, post it on Instagram and tag @getgettys so I can see it and like it!

Sign up to get articles by Getty delivered to your inbox. You’ll get recipes, practical tips and great food information like this. Getty is a Professional Home Economist,  speaker and writer putting good food on tables and agendas.  She is the author of Manitoba’s best-selling Prairie Fruit Cookbook, Founder of Fruit Share, a mom and veggie gardener.

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