How to Make Strawberry Freezer Jam - Oh Sweet Basil (2024)

Looking to learn how to make strawberry freezer jam? Sweet, fresh berries mashed and stirred into gorgeous strawberry jam and you’ll never buy store-bought again!

Mom’s Homemade Jam

I grew up on homemade jam from my mom which she kept stored in all different flavors, strawberry, raspberry, apricot and more. I loved homemade jam and never had a single bite of store bought jam until I was in college and had run out of the homemade jam I’d brought with me.

It was a tragic moment in my life. I could not stand the taste of store bought! I thought it tasted fake and overly sweetened. I had cough syrup, not jam on my mind.

Freezer Jam VS Canned Jam

But then my strawberry jam recipe from home got put to the test against a boy I was dating’s jam. His mom had sent a little home with us after dinner one night and I was ashamed to totally ditch Mom’s jam. Freezer jam won by a landslide.

What’s the difference between freezer jam and canned jam?

The biggest difference between freezer jam and canned jam is in taste. Both are jams and are great on sandwiches, rolls, biscuits and the like, but freezer jam is never cooked, thus making it taste fresh just like a perfectly ripe strawberry.

Freezer Strawberry Jam-

Freezer jam requires no cooking, this means that you merely stir, smash, mix and store.

Because the fruit is fresh and the jars are not sealed you must keep it stored in the freezer. I know, your freezer is already getting full, but I would rather hit the store for meats more often than ever give up freezer jam.

Canned Strawberry Jam-

Canned jams mean that you must first cook the fruit down with sugar and pectin, allow to cool and then can in a pressure cooking to be sure that all lids are set. This jam is stored in pantrys or cupboards. The flavor is much more dull as is the color.

Freezer jam is always, always the yummier jam.

How to Make Strawberry Jam

Well, more specifically, how to make freezer strawberry jam.

Enjoy this smothered all over the softest potatoes rolls or a warm slice of molasses oatmeal bread!

What’s the difference between jam and jelly?

Jam is made with fruit pulp while jelly is make with fruit juice. A jelly is that thick, congealed like jell-o type of jam whereas a freezer jam is soft, sticky and spreadable jam.

Does Jam Need To Be Refrigerated?

Jams and jellies do not need to be refrigerated, however they will last much longer if they are kept in the refrigerator so we absolutely always do.

Jam will keep for 30 days in the pantry, and at least 6 months in the refrigerator.

Can Jam Be Frozen?

Yes, both homemade jam and store bought jam can be frozen for longer storage time.

Jam can be frozen for a year, but after that you’d better start making PB&Js.

How Long Will Jam Keep?

Unopened homemade jam will keep for 1-2 years in the pantry. Once opened, it will keep for 6 months to a year.

Store bought jam will keep for about a year.

Can You Make Jam From Frozen Berries?

Yes, jam can be made from frozen berries, but we much, much prefer to use fresh berries as they aren’t as watery and are better in flavor. Especially when you’re talking about freezer jam recipes, the fresh, ripe berries perform far better.

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