Do you love the taste of strawberry jam, but don’t like all the sugar that is usually in it? Do you worry about your blood sugar levels when you eat jams and jellies? Well, honey strawberry jam is for you! This jam has all the deliciousness of regular strawberry jam but without sugar. So how do we make this amazing low-sugar strawberry jam? Keep reading to find out!
Try a low-sugar jam for a positive change
If you’re looking for a low-sugar jam without artificial sweeteners or added preservatives, consider making honey strawberry jam. This reduced-sugar
jam uses honey as a natural sweetener while preserving the freshness of summer strawberries.
Making homemade low-sugar jam has some great benefits including that it allows you to customize sweetness levels so you can wire it to your exact preference. This recipe benefits from having no refined sugar and is free of harsh chemicals. It is quick and easy to make, and you can even use frozen berries so that you can enjoy it anytime you want that beautiful strawberry taste.
So, next time you’re in the mood for a sweet treat, bypass the bakery and make yourself a jar of low-sugar honey strawberry jam instead!
The making of a honey-strawberry jam
Making low-sugar or reduced-sugar honey strawberry jam requires omitting the amount of sugar traditionally used in a jam recipe and replacing it with honey. The process begins with selecting ripe, juicy strawberries and honey of your desired sweetness.
Wash and hull the strawberries. Add them with lemon juice and some grated cooking apple to the preserving pan. Instead of white sugar, you will be using luscious honey. Be sure to incorporate the honey into the mixture slowly, stirring to allow it to dissolve completely. If you’d like a bit more flavour, consider adding spices such as cinnamon or herbs such as mint.
Finally, you can add your honey strawberry jam to a jar or container of your choice and place it in the refrigerator to store. With some time and practice, making low-sugar or reduced-sugar honey strawberry jam is an achievable goal.
TIPS for making this strawberry jam
1. Select ripe, fragrant strawberries and make sure to remove the green stems before preparing them for the jam-making process. Discard any bruised or blemished fruits.
2. Simmer all ingredients together over low heat until they reach desired thickness – stirring often to prevent sticking and burning on the bottom of the pan.
3. The jam will have a softer set than that of traditional jams, due to the absence of sugar. It will still be enjoyable! If you would prefer it to be thicker, then consider adding more lemon juice, commercial fruit pectin, chia seeds or your preference for thickener e.g. corn flour.
4. This jam will need to be stored in the fridge or freezer. The honey will not give it the shelf-life of other sugar-based jams. You could process it in a water bath or pressure canner if storing it in the cupboard is essential to you.
Customising this strawberry jam
- Add the orange or lemon zest to this jam for a hint of citrus that can pair perfectly with the strawberries. This will create an extra layer of flavour and help to balance out the sweetness by adding a fresh bright note.
- Consider adding freshly grated ginger for a hint of spice and warmth. Or, jazz up the taste with some freshly ground cardamom.
- Mix in fresh basil or mint leaves for an added herbal flavour. Similarly, infuse it with fresh rosemary for a woodsy depth of flavour.
- Stir in chopped crystallized ginger for flavour and texture.
- Add more honey if you want it to be sweeter.
Ways that you may consider enjoying this jam
1. Spread it on toast or a bagel for a sweet breakfast treat.
2. Use it as an ice cream topping to make your own sundae creation.
3. Make homemade peanut butter and honey strawberry jam sandwiches.
4. Drizzle it over cheesecake for a fruity, sweet flavour profile.
5. Bake it in cookies, cakes or brownies for added sweetness or serve it with scones for a decadent afternoon tea!
6. Add to water, still or sparkling, tonic or a part of a cocktail for a drink that sings of summer.
If you’ve never made strawberry jam before, this is a great recipe to start with. It hits that perfect balance of sweetness and tartness, and the honey makes it something special. Don’t be afraid to add a little extra honey if you want it sweeter, or a splash of lemon juice if you like things on the tart side. And once you’ve got the hang of making your own strawberry jam, feel free to experiment with other fruit combinations. Just remember to use ripe fruits for best results. Now go forth and enjoy some delicious homemade strawberry jam!
Honey Strawberry Jam Recipe
Equipment
- Chopping board and knife
- Grater
- Preserving pan
- Long-handled spoon for stirring
- Potato masher
- Ladle
- Funnel
- Clean, sterilised glass jars with fitting lids
- Labels and pen
- Optional: Food processor
Ingredients
- 340 g strawberries, fresh or frozen
- 1 medium cooking apple (e.g. granny smith)
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 175 g honey
Instructions
- Wash and hull the fresh strawberries before you add them to the saucepan. If you are using frozen fruit, add it to the saucepan and allow it to thaw before proceeding with cooking.
- Wash the apple and cut them remove the core. You can keep the skin on for maximum pectin contribution, or not if you prefer. Grate the apple, or finely chop them in your food processor.
- Add the grated apple, with its juices, and the lemon juice and stir through the strawberries. Bring it all to a boil.
- Then reduce the heat and allow the mixture to simmer for 15 minutes to allow the strawberries to soften.
- Use the potato masher to break down the fruit to release its juices – you can do as much or as little of this as you choose. I like to have some larger strawberry pieces for texture and enjoyment.
- Next, remove the saucepan from heat and carefully add the honey, stirring until it is completely dissolved and incorporated into the mixture.
- Return the saucepan to the heat and simmer again for another 30-40 minutes, making sure to stir now and then to prevent scorching. The jam will thicken the longer it cooks, but will not be as thick as jams made with sugar and/or pectin. It will also thicken some more as it cools.
- Ladle the mixture into clean, sterilised jars, add the lid, and let cool to room temperature.
- Label with name and date.Refrigerate or store in the freezer immediately after cooling. If you choose to keep it in the fridge try and leave the jam there for at least 24 hours before enjoying it.
- **This type of preserve can be made with any type of berry, so feel free to experiment with different ones.
Notes
TIPS for making this strawberry jam
1. Select ripe, fragrant strawberries and make sure to remove the green stems before preparing them for the jam-making process. Discard any bruised or blemished fruits. 2. Simmer all ingredients together over low heat until they reach desired thickness – stirring often to prevent sticking and burning on the bottom of the pan. 3. The jam will have a softer set than that of traditional jams, due to the absence of sugar. It will still be enjoyable! If you would prefer it to be thicker, then consider adding more lemon juice, commercial fruit pectin, chia seeds or your preference for thickener e.g. corn flour. 4. This jam will need to be stored in the fridge or freezer. The honey will not give it the shelf-life of other sugar-based jams. You could process it in a water bath or pressure canner if storing it in the cupboard is essential to you.Customising this strawberry jam
- Add the orange or lemon zest to this jam for a hint of citrus that can pair perfectly with the strawberries. This will create an extra layer of flavour and help to balance out the sweetness by adding a fresh bright note.
- Consider adding freshly grated ginger for a hint of spice and warmth. Or, jazz up the taste with some freshly ground cardamom.
- Mix in fresh basil or mint leaves for an added herbal flavour. Similarly, infuse it with fresh rosemary for a woodsy depth of flavour.
- Stir in chopped crystallized ginger for flavour and texture.
- Add more honey if you want it to be sweeter.
Ways that you may consider enjoying this jam
1. Spread it on toast or a bagel for a sweet breakfast treat. 2. Use it as an ice cream topping to make your own sundae creation. 3. Make homemade peanut butter and honey strawberry jam sandwiches. 4. Drizzle it over cheesecake for a fruity, sweet flavour profile. 5. Bake it in cookies, cakes or brownies for added sweetness or serve it with scones for a decadent afternoon tea! 6. Add to water, still or sparkling, tonic or a part of a cocktail for a drink that sings of summer.Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
All nutritional information is an estimate only, based on third-party calculations derived from an online nutritional calculator, Spoonacular API. The data provided is a courtesy and should not be considered a guarantee or fact. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients and brands you use, your measuring methods and portion sizes. For accurate results, we recommend that you calculate the nutritional information yourself, using a preferred nutritional calculator or advice from a nutritionist, based on your ingredients and individual processes.