Name: Low Sugar Strawberry Jam Without Pectin
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 1
Ingredients: 2 cups fresh or frozen strawberries; 1 teaspoon lemon juice; 2-4 teaspoon honey or maple syrup (optional); 2 tablespoon whole or ground chia seeds; ¼ cup filtered water (if using fresh berries)

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This low sugar strawberry jam is so easy to make, is made with simple ingredients and can be used in many different ways. It's so good, sometimes I just eat it with a spoon!

Strawberry jam in a jar, surrounded with fresh strawberries and a butter knife — *This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure here*.

I absolutely love strawberries and I always have. Just ask my mom, and she will vouch for me- I can literally eat them forever! So it's no surprise I love whipping up this easy strawberry jam recipe and having it on hand in the fridge to eat with German pancakes, freshly baked bread, sourdough french toast or on my oatmeal.

Plus, making your own jam is fun and fulfilling!

When it's strawberry season and you don't know what to do with all the strawberries, remember this recipe!

If you want to grow strawberries at home, I highly recommend this resource for some tips and tricks.

Low Sugar Strawberry Jam with Chia Seeds

First of all, it's really easy. When canning large batches of jam feels intimidating, this is a fabulous option! You don't need a water bath canner, canning rack, candy thermometer or mason jars. It does require more frequent batches, but it's so fast and easy, I don't even care. You can also make a larger batch and freeze some for later!

Second, it's really healthy! Canning jam requires a lot of sugar, so I love that I can use not nearly as much sugar in this recipe. Plus, the rest of the ingredients are simple and full of nutrients, so it doesn't make my stomach feel bad.

Third, it's yummy! I mean, you really can't mess this recipe up, because it's about 90% fresh fruit (or frozen). That fresh strawberry flavor- it just tastes like summer!

How to Thicken Strawberry Jam Without Pectin

The first time I learned about chia seed jam, I was so excited! I have always loved traditional jam, but as I started to pursue a healthier lifestyle, I didn't want to be eating all the sugar that's normally in jam!

Chia seeds quickly absorb up to 10 times their weight in liquid, so if combined with the right amount of liquid, they help to create a gelatinous substance. This makes them perfect to thicken jam without using pectin or lots of sugar. Simply cook and mash your fruit to release the natural juices, then mix with chia seeds.

This means you also have control over how thick your homemade jam becomes. Start with the recommended amount of chia seeds in the recipe and add more if you prefer a really thick jam.

Is Strawberry Jam Healthy?

This homemade strawberry jam recipe contains healthy ingredients and a low amount of sugar.

Strawberries - High in potent antioxidants, which help to fight inflammation and Vitamin C, which is commonly known for its immune-boosting properties, but it also helps with the absorption of iron and the formation of collagen. Strawberries also contain high amounts of manganese, a vital nutrient that helps with brain and nerve function, the formation of bones, blood sugar regulation and much more!

Chia seeds - High in many nutrients, including fibre, omega 3's, protein, antioxidants, calcium, iron and much more! They may prevent heart disease, improve bone health and reduce inflammation in the body.

Maple syrup - Natural and contains a small number of vitamins and minerals. It is still sugar, so it's best to use as little as possible! And this recipe contains MUCH less sugar than traditional jams with pectin.

chia strawberry jam in a jar with strawberries

Ways to Use Strawberry Jam

There are endless ways to use this low sugar strawberry jam recipe! Here are some ideas:

Spread on freshly baked bread, toast, English muffins or biscuits
Use in a sandwich with nut butter
Top your soaked oatmeal
Spread on pancakes, German pancakes, french toast, crepes or waffles
Use as a topping on ice cream, strawberry milkshakes or a bowl of yogurt
Swirl it into a cheesecake before baking it
Add it to a smoothie
Use it as a fruit layer in cakes
Thumbprint cookies
Homemade poptarts
Doughnut filling
Mix it into yogurt popsicles

FAQ

Is Low Sugar Strawberry Jam Vegan?

This low sugar jam recipe is vegan if maple syrup is used instead of honey.

Can Strawberry Jam Be Made with Frozen Strawberries?

Yes! It's very easy to use frozen strawberries instead of fresh ones. You just cook them down until they are mashable and then add the rest of the ingredients!

Should I Use WHole or Ground Chia Seeds?

Either whole or ground chia seeds will work in this recipe. If you leave them whole, you'll notice them in the jam, almost like little raspberry seeds. If they are ground they blend in well and aren't noticeable in the jam.

how to make Strawberry Jam Smooth

For the smoothest strawberry jam, blend the cooked berries with an immersion blender, or in a food processor or blender until smooth. For best results, strain out the seeds using cheesecloth or a fine sieve if you want extra smooth jam. Then use ground chia seeds to thicken.

Piece of bread with peanut butter and low sugar strawberry jam

Why Do You Put Lemon Juice in Strawberry Jam?

For recipes with pectin, lemon juice is essential because it adds acidity, lowering the pH, which affects how the jam sets. In this recipe, fresh lemon juice is used to add a little bit of tartness, to balance out the sweetness of the strawberries and brighten the overall flavor of the jam. For an even more intense lemon flavor you can add ½ teaspoon of lemon zest if you'd like.

Will My Strawberry Jam Thicken AS it Cools?

The jam will thicken as it cools, so use the suggested amount of chia seeds, refrigerate the jam for 30 minutes and if it's not as thick as you'd like, stir in more chia seeds.

How Long Will Strawberry Jam Last?

Strawberry chia jam will last up to 14 days in a sealed container in the fridge.

Why Didn't My Strawberry Jam Set?

The most likely reason is that there was excess liquid in your strawberries and more chia seeds are needed to absorb the liquid and thicken the jam. Just add more chia!

Can Strawberry Jam Be Canned?

This chia jam is low in sugar and acid, so isn't safe to can. Although some people can chia jam using a specific recipe that's designed for canning. This recipe is meant to be small batch and kept in the fridge.

Can Strawberry Jam be Frozen?

This 4 ingredient strawberry jam can be frozen, just refrigerate it overnight first to ensure the chia seeds absorb all the moisture they can. Store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. This is a great way to store larger amounts of jam if you want to make a larger batch less often.

Can Strawberry Jam Be Used As Cake Filling?

Absolutely! Be sure the jam is on the thicker side (add more chia seeds if needed) so it will hold well in between other layers of cake.

Scooping jam out of a jar with a butterknife

Tools You May Need

Saucepan

Potato masher

Immersion blender

How to Make Low Sugar Strawberry Jam

Ingredients:

2 cups fresh or frozen strawberries
1 teaspoon lemon juice
2-4 teaspoon honey or maple syrup (optional)
2 tablespoon whole or ground chia seeds
¼ cup filtered water (if using fresh berries)

Instructions:

Place strawberries in a small saucepan (add ¼ cup water if using fresh strawberries), covered, over medium-high heat. Remove the lid and stir every few minutes. Once the liquid is boiling, you can reduce to medium heat. Allow 15-20 minutes cooking time, or cook until the strawberries are soft and begin to fall apart.

Mash! For chunkier jam, use a potato masher to break up the berries until you reach your desired consistency. For smoother jam, blend with an immersion blender or in a food processor or blender.

blending strawberry jam with an immersion blender

Add sweetener and lemon juice. Taste and add more if necessary. Mix in chia seeds.

Mixing chia seeds into strawberry puree to make strawberry jam

The hot jam will be thinner than when it cools completely. Cover and allow to sit in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before using. Check the jam for thickness and stir in ½ - 1 tablespoon more chia seeds if you want a thicker jam. Again, allow to rest in the fridge for 30 minutes before using.

Makes 1 cup of jam.

How to Store Low Sugar Strawberry Jam

Store chia strawberry jam in an airtight container in the fridge for 10-14 days.

Because of the lack of sugar, this jam should not be stored at room temperature like pectin jam. Keep in the fridge!

Did you try this recipe? If so, I would really appreciate a 5-star rating and your comments below! Thanks!

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