Small Batch Refrigerator Jam
The process of making small batch refrigerator jam is incredibly easy, quick, and versatile for any fruit or flavor combination. Use this base recipe to make strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, blackberry, peach, or numerous other flavor combinations of jam!
Overview
Skill Level: Beginner
This basic recipe for refrigerator jam is a template to use for any favorite fruit jam combination! This recipe works well with both fresh or frozen fruit and makes a small batch meant to be stored in the refrigerator or freezer.
Quick jam is essentially fool proof. Add any kind of spices, herbs, or zests you like to create your own unique creation! Create a new small batch jam every few weeks to keep your toast interesting!
Quick Jam Flavor Ideas
- Blueberry + Ginger
- Strawberry + Basil + Lemon
- Raspberry + Mint
- Blackberry + Cinnamon
- Peach + Blueberry
Tips, Tricks, and Techniques
- Be careful not to overcook the fruit during this process. The mixture will seem too thin, but will thicken up as it cools.
- Boiling sugar is incredibly hot. Use caution when stirring to not splatter the mixture.
- If you want to add some fresh herbs into your jam, such as basil, mint, or thyme, do it during the last few minutes of the cooking process to retain their bright flavor.
Ingredient Functions
- Sugar: The sugar and the liquid from the fruit are coming together to make a syrup. As the fruit cooks, the moisture begins to evaporate the sugar syrup will thicken.
- Lemon Juice: In addition to adding some flavor, the acidity of lemon juice helps the pectin naturally released from the fruit to set. This gives it the jam consistency.
MORE RECIPES FROM BAKER BETTIE!
If you enjoyed this recipe, you might like to try these other delicious topping recipes.
- Orange Cranberry Jam (a twist on the Thanksgiving staple)
- Fresh Berry Sauce (use to top pancakes, ice cream, cakes, and more)
- Homemade Clotted Cream (faux clotted cream)
Small Batch Refrigerator Jam
This recipe is for a small batch of refrigerator jam. The process is easy, quick, versatile for any fruit or flavor combination, and is made without pectin. Use this base recipe to make strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, blackberry, peach, or numerous other flavor combinations of jam!
Ingredients
- 448 grams (1 pound) fresh or frozen fruit (strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, cherries, blueberries, cranberries, or peaches all work well)
- 60 grams (¼ cup, 60 milliliters) water
- 200 grams (1 cup) granulated sugar
- large pinch salt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
PREP
- Prepare the fruit (448 grams / 1 pound) by washing and removing any stems, peels, or pits if applicable. Roughly chop the fruit into large chunks. Raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries can all remain whole.
Make the Jam
- In a saucepan (at least 2 quarts in size) combine the fruit, water (60 grams (¼ cup), granulated sugar (200 grams/ 1 cup), salt (large pinch), and lemon juice (1 tablespoon) over medium heat. Mash the fruit and sugar with a potato masher, fork, or the back of a large spoon. It does not need to be completely mashed depending on how chunky you like your jam.
- Bring the mixture to a boil and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for about 20 minutes until the juices thicken. A good way to test if it's ready is by spooning a bit of jam onto a plate and place it in the freezer for about 2 minutes. Push the jam around on the plate and if it has a gelatinous jammy consistency, it is ready. If it's still liquid then continue cooking.
- Cool completely then store in an airtight container or jar in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks or in the freezer for up to 4 months. When freezing, be sure to leave enough room at the top of the container to allow the jam to expand when frozen.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
36 Comments on “Small Batch Refrigerator Jam”
Ha! This is pretty much exactly what I do. I love making small batch jams because I don’t have access to the abundance of fruit to make large batches cost effective. It’s so much better than whatever the store has to offer. Even in winter with organic strawberries at $8/lb, still better.
On another note, I can’t wait for the Superbowl…..for the food of course. I think I’m going to try your pretzels to go along with some “party” food I’m making. I’ll let you know how they turn out!
It’s such a great way to make some quick jam isn’t it?! Please do let me know how you like the pretzels!
Thanks for this. I took my toddler for a program at our local library and they made jam. 1 cup strawberries, 1/4 cup sugar, and 1 tablespoon of pectin. But I like this one don’t have to hunt pectin down and lemon juice is a pantry staple…of course the trade off is having to cook it but worth it. They used a Ziploc bag to smash the strawberries and then mixed pectin/sugar then added to strawberries and smashed them more. It was so good! I’ve never liked jam especially without peanut butter but homemade I can eat alone. Your recipes are great I have tried the rosemary snickerdoodle cookie and the spicy chocolate cookie yummm!
Awe, thanks so much, Marita! I love that your local library teaches children (and adults) how to make jam! Keep up the great baking 😉
Thanks so much for this recipe! I just recently got hooked on a blueberry preserve that’s very hard to find. I cannot wait to have my little 4 and 9 year old granddaughters help me make this! We love your recipes! Seems like you read my mind…everything I think about making….bam…there you are with the recipe, lol. You need your own show!
Awe, thank you, Micki! I’m so glad my recipes are hitting the bullseye 😉 Enjoy baking with your granddaughters!
YESSSS.
Love simple recipes like this, and that it doesn’t use pectin!
YES! Total win/win! Thanks, girl.
How many cups of fruit equals one pound needed for this recipe?
Hi Kathy,
Different fruits vary in size greatly therefore I cannot give one volume measurement because it depends on what type of fruit you are using and the size it is. For instance a pound of blueberries will be about 3 1/4 cups while a pound of halved strawberries could be about 4 cups depending on how big they are.
Looking to make this as gifts for my husband’s office staff. How much jam does this recipe yield?
Hi Lisa, one batch of this will yield 12 fl oz. Keep in mind that this method does not make a shelf stable jam. It will need to be refrigerated or frozen! Enjoy!
Plums in late summer make a great jam with rosemary.
Oh that sounds amazing Pam! I’ll have to try that!
Can I cook this in the microwave and for how long?
No, jam needs to be made on the stovetop.
This has been my go-to recipe for our home grown blueberries and strawberries in the summer. I’d like to try it with turbinado sugar. Will it come out the same?
I followed the directions exactl, before I put it in my refrigerator it was cool to touch and after it comes out of my refrigerator it is Rock solid. What can I do?
Is it still spreadable? If not, I suspect too much of the water evaporated in the pan.
Hello, I was wondering if I could strain this after cooking to make jelly. I want to use blackberries, but don’t like the hulls. Thanks!
You can!
Hi – I just made this the afternoon with a couple of peaches and a pluot. It made the house smell so good! It’s an easy recipe and delicious, although it’s a little sweet for me. Would it turn out okay if I used 3/4 of a cup of sugar or even 1/2 a cup? Just curious. Thanks for a great recipe!
Yes you can do that!
Have you ever made this recipe with elderberries. I tried last year but ended up with syrup (oh darn!). Any suggestions. My elderberries are currently frozen
Would Truvia work in this recipe instead of sugar?
Yes, you can use truvia.
Made this with some raspberries from my garden. Had just enough to make this, and it turned out great!
Great job!
Simple recipe that makes for a delicious jam. Great way to save some near-spoiled fruit. I used half the sugar recommended and it was still plenty sweet.
Thanks for sharing!
On vacation and the AirBnB where we were staying had some beautiful blackberry bushes….picked a bunch and made this easy jam.
All I had was the berries, some sugar and, of course, water. So easy and so good.
Thanks!
hello,
A couple of years ago I had made a small batch of blackberry and cinnamon. Loved it. Currently making blueberry but I had a pinch of cinnamon as well, but I was wondering I have mojito mint growing on my balcony and you suggested adding the herb a few minutes at the end ( is that 2, 5 minute at the end) would I place the whole leaf (1 or 2) and not sure if mint would go well with blueberry. And of course removing the leaf(s) before pouring into the jars
thoughts?
I used your recipe to make Blackberry Refrigerator Jam. It turned out fantastic. Thank you. This afternoon I will make Apricot-Ginger jam, using your recipe!
Apricot ginger sounds delicious! Enjoy!
Hello,
Apricots in season, this recipe will work. Thus far I’ve used it blueberries and blackberries; were delicious.
Thank you.
You’re so welcome! Apricot jam sounds perfect.