Healthy Strawberry Jam

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

Believe or not, this recipe can be made in under 10 minutes and is super simple and bursting with berry goodness.

Bottle up some of your very own homemade strawberry jam, it’s something you can really feel proud of; making your own jam!

This is my Norwegian grandmother’s recipe and I love feeling connected to her every time I make a batch.

Why you’ll love this healthy strawberry jam recipe

• Makes a wonderful gift: Bottle your jam in pretty, cute glass jars and hand it over wrapped up with a ribbon and tag. 

• A healthy alternative to store bough jams: with zero refined sugar, this recipe is great for kids. Sweetened with dates, absolutely genius.

• Overflowing with strawberry flavor and bright color: I love the look and taste of this recipe, in equal measure.

• Flexible: this healthy strawberry jam can be served and paired with so many different things, from pastries, to muffins and in between sponge cakes.

Looking for more fun recipes? Here are some of my favorites:

• Easy Vegan Crumble Tart
• Vegan Pancakes
• Peach Bars
• Almond Biscotti
• Fresh Strawberry Pie
• Homemade Raspberry Jam

Ingredients and substitution notes 

• Frozen strawberries: Frozen strawberries work well in this healthy strawberry jam recipe because they are 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. Make this jam with blueberries as an alternative.

• Soft dates:  These act as a natural sweetener in the recipe and help to thicken the jam. 
• If you don’t have dates, you can substitute with another sweetener, such as maple syrup or honey. Just keep in mind that the flavor of the jam may be slightly different depending on what sweetener you use.

• Maple syrup: Alternatively, you can increase the amount of sweetener if you prefer a sweeter 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 may be thinner in consistency.

Recipe variations and add-ins

• Rhubarb jam: Add chopped rhubarb to the recipe along with the strawberries to create a delicious strawberry rhubarb jam.

• Vanilla bean jam: Scrape the seeds of a vanilla bean into the recipe for a fragrant and delicious strawberry vanilla bean jam.

• Chia seed jam: Add chia seeds to the recipe to create a thicker, jam-like texture without using agar agar.

• Coconut jam: Add coconut milk or shredded coconut to the recipe for a tropical twist on classic strawberry jam.

• Lemon jam: Add freshly squeezed lemon juice and zest to the recipe for a bright and tangy healthy strawberry lemon jam.

Top tips for making healthy strawberry jam

• My Grandma keeps frozen strawberries in her freezer and makes up this jam as needed.  
• 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.
• Use agar agar to thicken the jam: Agar agar is an effective thickener for the jam, and it will give it a nice, jam-like consistency. Follow the instructions on the package for how much to use, and be sure to mix it in thoroughly to avoid any clumps.
• 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.

• Store the jam properly: 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.

Make ahead of instructions and storage

Make-ahead instructions:

You can make healthy strawberry jam ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Alternatively, you can freeze the jam in a freezer-safe container for up to 6 months. When you’re ready to use it, simply thaw it in the refrigerator overnight.

Storage tips:

Once you’ve opened a jar of healthy strawberry jam, store it in the refrigerator and consume it within 2 weeks.

Be sure to label your jars with the date that you made the jam so that you can keep track of how long it’s been stored.

Serving suggestions 

• Classic PB&J sandwich: Spread a generous amount of healthy strawberry jam onto two slices of bread and add a layer of peanut butter for a classic and delicious PB&J sandwich.

• Yogurt parfait: Layer plain or vanilla vegan yogurt with strawberry jam and granola for a simple and satisfying breakfast or snack.

• Dessert topping: Spoon strawberry jam over ice cream, pancakes, waffles, oat waffles, or cheesecake for a sweet and fruity topping that’s sure to please. You can even mix it with some whipped vegan cream to make a strawberry cream topping.

FAQs

Can I use fresh strawberries instead of frozen? 

Yes, you can use fresh strawberries instead of frozen. Just be sure to 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.

Can I use a different sweetener instead of dates? 

Yes, you can use a different sweetener instead of dates if you prefer. Some good options include maple syrup or sugar. Just keep in mind that the sweetness level may vary depending on the type and amount of sweetener you use. 

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.

Watch Bestemor’s Healthy Strawberry Jam Recipe Video:

Grandma Notes:

Grandma keeps frozen strawberries and blueberries in her freezer and makes up this healthy strawberry jam as needed.  It is super easy and so delicious. If making blueberry jam, follow the same recipe.  Add a few drops of vanilla extract for flavor.

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