There’s nothing quite like the taste of fresh-picked strawberries, and homemade strawberry freezer jam is the best way to preserve that sweetness all year long. With just three simple ingredients, this recipe keeps the flavor fresh and vibrant without any preservatives.
Growing up, making strawberry freezer jam with my mom and sister was a summer tradition. We’d spend the day at a u-pick berry farm, filling buckets to the brim and eating just as many as we picked.
Back home, our fingers would be stained red as we washed, hulled, and mashed the berries for jam. The kitchen smelled like fresh strawberries, and by the end of the day, our freezer was stocked with jars of homemade jam.
Now, I make this same recipe for my own family, and it’s just as loved today as it was back then. Whether you’re using berries from your own garden or a local farm, this strawberry freezer jam is the perfect way to capture the taste of summer.
Why You’ll Love This Cooked Freezer Jam Recipe
If you’ve never made freezer jam before, this recipe is the perfect way to start. It’s simple, foolproof, and preserves the fresh taste of summer with minimal effort.
- Cooked for better flavor. Unlike no-cook freezer jams, this recipe slightly thickens the berries, enhancing their natural sweetness and creating a better texture. It spreads beautifully—never too runny or too firm!
- No canning required. You get all the benefits of homemade jam without the hassle of water baths or sterilizing jars. Just cook, pour, and freeze!
- Beginner-friendly and quick. With just three ingredients and a few easy steps, this jam comes together in no time. No special equipment is needed—just a pot, a spoon, and some jars.
- Lasts up to a year. Freezing preserves the bright, fresh-picked flavor of the strawberries, so you can enjoy homemade jam anytime.
- Works with different fruits. Swap some of the strawberries for raspberries, blueberries, or peaches to create a variety of freezer jams with the same simple process.
Whether you’re using berries from your own garden or a local farm, this strawberry freezer jam is the easiest way to capture the taste of summer and enjoy it all year long.
Ingredients for Homemade Strawberry Freezer Jam
This simple recipe uses just three ingredients to create a fresh, flavorful jam that lasts for months in the freezer.
- 4 cups fresh strawberries, mashed – For the best flavor, use ripe, in-season berries.
- 1 package Sure Jell pectin – This helps the jam set properly while keeping the fresh fruit flavor intact.
- 7 cups sugar – Yes, it’s a lot, but it’s necessary for proper thickening and preservation. The sugar balances the tartness of the berries and enhances their natural sweetness.
Want to switch things up? You can easily substitute half of the strawberries for other fruits like raspberries, blueberries, or peaches to create a delicious mixed-berry freezer jam.
Step-by-Step: How to Make Cooked Strawberry Freezer Jam
This step-by-step guide will walk you through making perfectly sweet and spreadable homemade strawberry freezer jam. No canning required—just cook, pour, and freeze!
1. Wash the strawberries.
Put the strawberries in a strainer and rinse them in the sink. You can use bruised berries, but I’d cut out parts that were eaten by bugs, or toss the berry out completely.
Let the berries air dry a bit while you wash the jars.
2. Prepare the jars.
You can use any size jar you want for this traditional jam recipe, but pint-sized or jam jars work the best. They do make it look pretty.
Since we do not can this strawberry jam, we do not need to use mason jars. So, I like to save any pretty jam or jelly jars that I have and reuse them for this recipe.
But mason jam jars make a gorgeous freezer jam as well.
You can also use any freezer container you’d like, such as tupperware, if you use plastics.
3. Wash the lids and rings.
If you do use mason jars, wash the lids and rings with soapy warm water as well. You do not need to sanitize them or boil the lids.
4. Hull the berries. (Remove the green tops.)
Using a berry huller or a knife, remove the green tops of each of the strawberries. You can also cut your berries in half, if you want to, but it is not necessary.
5. Mash the berries with a potato masher.
Mash the berries a bit with the potato masher. Of, if you’d like, you could try using the food processor.
They don’t need to be mush; they just need to be broken down a bit. We’ll boil them on the stove as well, which will break them down further.
But we are making a jam, which usually has chunks of fruit in it. So, it’s okay to have chunks.
How well you mash your berries throughout this entire process totally depends on how chunky you like your jam to be.
6. Cook the strawberries with Sure Jell.
Transfer your crushed strawberries to a large pot or kettle and add one package of Sure Jell. Stir the Sure Jell into the berries.
7. Bring to a hard boil.
Increase the heat to high and bring the mixture to a full rolling boil, stirring constantly. A rolling boil is when the mixture continues to bubble even while stirring. It will start to thicken.
8. Continue to mash the strawberries as they boil.
As the crushed strawberries boil, continue to mash them, until you have jam texture you like, stirring constantly as well, because the pectin mixture will thicken quickly.
9. Add all the sugar at once.
Add seven cups of sugar to your pot all at once, and continue to stir constantly. The jam will continue to thicken quickly, so don’t step away from it!
10. Boil for 1 more minute.
Bring your jam back to a boil, still stirring constantly, for one more minute, and then remove it from the heat.
11. Fill the jars.
Using a funnel, carefully pour the hot strawberry mixture into the prepared jars. Work quickly but carefully.
12. Wipe the rims with a wet, warm cloth.
You may still get jam on the jars, so wipe down the rims of the jars with a warm, wet cloth. Wipe down the sides of the jars as well, if you spilled jam over the sides.
13. Let the jam cool.
Allow the jars to sit at room temperature for a couple of hours before transferring them to the freezer. This helps prevent condensation inside the jars.
14. Add the lids and rings to the jars, screwing them on tightly.
When your jars are no longer hot to the touch, go ahead and and screw the lids on tightly. Then let your jam cool longer, before storing it in the freezer.
15. Store and enjoy!
Once your jam is cool, go ahead and put it in the freezer!
You don’t have to freeze it all. You can put a jar right in the fridge for fresh eating. 😉
And that’s it! You’re done.
This easy strawberry freezer jam recipe ensures that you can enjoy fresh, homemade berry jam without any hassle. Happy cooking!
Troubleshooting & FAQs
If you’re new to making freezer jam or have run into issues in the past, these troubleshooting tips will help ensure success. Here are some common questions and answers to guide you through the process.
What’s the difference between freezer jam and regular jam?
As the name implies, freezer jam is stored in the freezer, whereas regular jam can be stored in a pantry. This makes strawberry freezer jam a quicker and simpler option for busy moms!
How long does homemade strawberry jam last in the freezer?
Strawberry freezer jam can last up to a year in the freezer, retaining its fresh taste and vibrant color. Once thawed and opened, it’s best to consume the jam within three weeks for optimal flavor and quality.
Can you freeze strawberries for jam?
Absolutely!
Freezing strawberries for jam is a great way to preserve their freshness until you’re ready to make your jam. Simply rinse the strawberries, remove the stems, and lay them out on a cookie sheet.
Put the cookie sheet into the freezer to freeze the berries. Once frozen, remove them from the cookie sheet and store them in an airtight container or freezer bag, in the freezer.
When you’re ready to use them, just thaw the strawberries and proceed with your jam-making process. I’ve never actually done this, so let me know how it turns out for you!
How do you thicken strawberry freezer jam?
This easy strawberry freezer jam is naturally thicker than most, so you won’t need to worry about thickening it.
The combination of fresh strawberries, pectin, and sugars creates a perfect consistency without any extra steps. Just follow the recipe, and you’ll have a lovely, thick jam ready to enjoy!
Can any jam be freezer jam?
No, not every jam can be turned into freezer jam. Freezer jam has a different sugar-to-fruit ratio and doesn’t undergo the same cooking process as traditional jam.
Does homemade jam freeze well?
Yes, this homemade jam freezes wonderfully! Freezing preserves the jam’s flavor and texture, making it taste just as fresh and delightful as the day you made it.
Do I need fresh strawberries for freezer jam?
Not necessarily! While fresh strawberries are always a fantastic option for freezer jam, I’ve heard you can also use frozen strawberries with great results.
I’ve never tried it, so if you try it, let me know in the comments below how it turns out.
Why is my freezer jam runny?
Freezer jam has a softer set, but it shouldn’t be runny. If it didn’t thicken, the pectin may not have activated properly—make sure to boil the fruit and pectin mixture before adding sugar, then boil again for exactly one minute.
If it’s still runny, let it sit in the fridge for 24 hours to see if it thickens.
Ways to Use Homemade Strawberry Freezer Jam
Strawberry freezer jam is more than just a spread for toast. Its fresh, sweet flavor makes it a versatile addition to many recipes.
- Spread it on biscuits, English muffins, or homemade bread for a quick and easy breakfast.
- Stir it into yogurt or oatmeal for added sweetness without artificial flavors.
- Use it as a topping for pancakes, waffles, or French toast instead of syrup.
- Swirl it into vanilla ice cream or blend it into a smoothie for a fruity twist.
- Warm it slightly and drizzle it over cheesecake, pound cake, or shortbread cookies.
With so many ways to enjoy it, this homemade strawberry freezer jam is a staple worth keeping on hand all year long.
The Best Ever Strawberry Freezer Jam
Ingredients
- 4 cups strawberries
- 1 package Sure Jell
- 7 cups sugar
Instructions
- Wash the berries.
- Choose small jars, such as pint jars or fruit jars, and wash them with hot, soapy water.
- Wash the lids and rings.
- Hull the berries. (Remove the green tops.)
- Mash the berries with a potato masher.
- Put the berries in a pot or kettle on the stove and add 1 package of Sure Jell.
- Bring to a hard boil.
- Continue to mash the berries, as they boil, if you like jam with less chunks of fruit in it.
- Add all the sugar at once to the pot.
- Bring back to a boil, and mash as needed, for one more minute.
- Using a funnel, carefully pour the hot jam into the prepared jars.
- Wipe any jam off the rims of the jars with a warm cloth.
- Add the lids and rings to the jars, screwing them on tightly.
- Let your jam cool for a couple of hours.
- Store your fresh jam in the freezer until you are ready to eat it!
Slow Down and Savor It
Making homemade strawberry freezer jam is more than just preserving fruit—it’s about slowing down and enjoying the simple pleasures of the season. Whether you’re picking fresh berries, stirring a pot of jam on the stove, or spreading it on warm biscuits, these moments are worth savoring.
Food has a way of connecting us to memories, traditions, and the people we love. A jar of homemade jam isn’t just something to keep in the freezer—it’s a reminder of summer’s sweetness, ready to be enjoyed any time of year.
So take the time to make something from scratch, share it with family, and enjoy every bite. Slow down, and savor it.
More Canning & Preserves to Try!
Strawberry Syrup – From the Tops!
2 thoughts on “The Best Homemade Strawberry Freezer Jam Recipe”
Do you measure the 4 cups of strawberries before (a quart box of whole strawberries) or after they are mashed?
I do before.