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This bright and cheery Healthy Strawberry Jam is made with 3 simple ingredients and no refined sugar! Believe or not, this jam can be made in under 10 minutes and is bursting with berry goodness.

☆☆☆☆☆ Iris commented: “I love this recipe using the agar agar as the thickener! It is so easy.”

a slice of toast topped with cream cheese and strawberry jam
Chef Ani headshot in white kitchen cutting lettuce.

This Low-Sugar Jam Recipe Comes From My Grandma’s Kitchen

This strawberry jam recipe was passed down to me by my Norwegian grandmother, and I love feeling connected to her every time I make a batch.

It’s a healthier alternative to store-bought jams since it’s made with no refined sugar. Instead, the jam is sweetened with dates, which I think is absolutely genius!

Here’s why my family loves this recipe and you will too:

  • Bold strawberry flavor: I love the look and taste of this recipe in equal measure!
  • Great for gifting: Bottle your jam in pretty glass jars and hand it over wrapped up with a ribbon and tag. 
  • Super versatile: You can spoon this jam onto toast, pancakes, and waffles, or use it for topping yogurt, ice cream, and more!

Bottle up some of your very own homemade jam this summer! It’s something you can really feel proud of.

XOXO Ani

The 3 Ingredients You’ll Need

  • Fresh or frozen strawberries: Frozen strawberries work well here because they’re already prepped and don’t require any additional washing or chopping. However, you can also use fresh strawberries if you prefer. Just make sure to wash and hull them before using.
  • Pitted dates:  These act as a natural sweetener in the recipe and help to thicken the jam. 
  • Agar agar: Agar agar is a vegan substitute for gelatin that helps to thicken the jam. You can also omit the agar agar altogether, but the jam will be thinner in consistency.

Chef Tip: If you don’t have any dates, you can substitute them with another sweetener, such as pure maple syrup or honey. If you decide to use a liquid sweetener, you may need to adjust the amount of agar agar to ensure that the jam sets properly.

How to Make Strawberry Jam with No Added Sugar

  1. Thaw the strawberries slightly. It’s okay if they’re not fully thawed, you just need them to release enough juice to blend up the dates.
  2. Blend the dates. I use my high-powered Vitamix to blitz the dates with some of the strawberry juice until super smooth.
  3. Simmer everything in a saucepan. Once the mixture comes to a boil, it only needs to simmer for 2 to 3 minutes.
  4. Store in the fridge. Since this is a low-sugar strawberry jam, it doesn’t last as long as traditional jams (sugar adds sweetness and also acts as a preservative, fun fact!). Once prepared, this jam will last for about 2 weeks in the fridge.

Recipe Variations to Try

  • Strawberry rhubarb jam: Swap out some of the strawberries for chopped rhubarb to create a delicious strawberry rhubarb jam.
  • Strawberry vanilla jam: Scrape the seeds of a vanilla bean into the jam for a fragrant flavor.
  • Chia seed jam: Add chia seeds to the recipe to create a thicker, jam-like texture without using agar agar.
  • Strawberry coconut jam: Add canned coconut milk or shredded coconut to the jam for a tropical twist.
  • Strawberry lemon jam: Add freshly squeezed lemon juice and zest to the recipe for a bright and tangy flavor.

My Grandma’s Tips for Making This Recipe

  • Make the jam on an as-needed basis: Grandma keeps frozen strawberries in her freezer and makes batches of this jam as needed since it comes together so fast and doesn’t have a long shelf life.
  • Don’t overcook the strawberries: Overcooking the strawberries can result in a jam that is too thick or has a burnt taste. To avoid this, cook the strawberries until they are just softened, but still retain some of their texture.
  • Sterilize your jars: To ensure that your jam stays fresh and safe to eat, be sure to sterilize your jars before filling them with the jam. You can do this by boiling the jars and lids in a large pot of water for 10-15 minutes.

Ways to Use Your Jam

  • Classic PB&J sandwich: Spread a generous amount of strawberry jam onto two slices of bread and add a layer of peanut butter (or homemade cashew butter!) for a delicious PB&J sandwich.
  • Yogurt parfait: Layer plain or vanilla vegan yogurt with jam and granola for a simple and satisfying breakfast or snack.
  • Dessert topping: Spoon the jam over ice cream, pancakes, oat waffles, or cheesecake for a sweet and fruity topping that’s sure to please.
  • Thumbprint cookies: You can replace the raspberry jam in my almond thumbprint cookies with this strawberry jam.
  • Scones: My glazed strawberry scone recipe calls for strawberry jam rather than fresh strawberries for the most concentrated strawberry flavor!

More Easy Jams and Spreads

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Healthy Strawberry Jam served on toast

Bestemor’s Healthy Strawberry Jam Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 1 review
  • Author: Chef Ani
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5-10 minutes
  • Total Time: 10-15 minutes
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegan
Print Recipe

Description

Here’s a bright and cheery strawberry jam made with 4 healthy ingredients and without any refined sugar! 

Ingredients

Scale
  • 500 g (1 pound) frozen strawberries (fresh works too)
  • 4–5 large soft dates, pits removed 
  • 1/4 teaspoon agar agar
  • 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup (optional)

Instructions

  1. Let the strawberries thaw slightly until there is enough liquid to blend dates.
  2. Use the thawed strawberry liquid to blend dates in a blender for a minute or so.
  3. Add all ingredients to a sauce pan and bring to a boil. (Be sure to add the agar agar while liquid is cold.)
  4. Reduce heat and simmer for 2-3 minutes.
  5. Your jam is now ready to be put in glass jars! Let it cool completely before using as the consistency will be runny while warm. Once cool, store in the fridge.

Notes

If using fresh strawberries: Wash and hull them before using them in the recipe. You may need to adjust the cooking time slightly since fresh strawberries will release more liquid than frozen strawberries.

To store: Once your jam is made, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. If you want to store it for longer, you can also freeze it for up to 6 months.

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