Canning Strawberry Jam: A How To Guide

Many people are now discovering the joys of canning their favorite foods and concoctions.

Whether it’s preserving fresh garden produce, jams and jellies, canning is an old method that can help keep these foods safe and edible for a very long time. And canning their homemade strawberry jams is a favorite project for many food enthusiasts.

It is quite simple to do and only takes a couple of hours, but the results can be rewarding.

There’s something about a jar of home-canned jam that makes it special. It is a must in most households for a quick breakfast or snack – a slice of bread topped with a dollop of strawberry jam and butter is heaven!

But if you are new to canning, you will have to take care of the timings and temperature, and the directions have to be followed zealously.

The Making And Canning Of Strawberry Jam – A Quick Guide

Strawberry jam can be made in just about 20 minutes, and it only takes a handful of ingredients.

For canning, first wash the lids, jars, and bands in soapy water.

To sterilize the jars, place them in the canner and bring the water to boil. Remove the jars once the water begins to boil and set them aside to dry.

For the jam, you will need crushed strawberries, granulated sugar, lemon juice, and original fruit pectin. Crush the strawberries using a large fork or even your hands, and then combine them with lemon juice in a saucepan and heat. Slowly stir in the pectin and sugar, bringing the mixture to boil.

Stir constantly until the jam begins to thicken – most of its thickening will happen as it begins to cool.

Now with the help of a ladle, fill each washed jar with the jam leaving some space to ensure a vacuum seal on the jar. Place the lid and band on the jar and put it in the boiling water canner and let it process for 10 minutes.

After that, remove the jars and let them cool at room temperature.

FAQs

Here are some of the common queries about canning strawberry jam:

Do You Have To Water Bath Strawberry Jam?

Yes, strawberry jam must be processed in a boiling water bath to prevent the growth of mold.

If you don’t process the jar in a hot water bath for some time, you are creating an ideal environment for germs or bacteria to thrive.

How Do You Store Homemade Strawberry Jam?

Homemade strawberry jam can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 months once opened. If you want to extend the shelf life of your homemade strawberry jam, don’t forget to process it in a hot water bath. This makes the jam last for more than a year when stored in a cool, dry place.

Also, the sugar in the recipe acts as a preservative by drawing the water out in the thickening process – it is a barrier against harmful bacterial growth.

How Long Do You Process Strawberry Jam?

If the jars are pre-sterilized, leave the jam in the boiling water bath for 5 minutes, but if the jars were not pre-sterilized, the processing time should be 10 minutes, at least.

Also, if you live at a higher altitude, add 1 minute of processing time for every 1,000 feet of additional elevation.

Can You Pressure Can Strawberry Jam?

Strawberry jam should not be pressure canned because it will not be able to survive the process. The excess heat involved in pressure canning will break the gel, and the jam will be too runny.