5 Essential Freezer Jam Recipes for Summer
Freezer jam is one of the easiest ways to preserve fresh summer fruit. With just a few simple ingredients and no special caning equipment, you can make homemade jam to enjoy all year long.
It's been a family tradition to make homemade freezer jam every summer using the season's freshest fruits.
I love to take my girls to our local farmer's market or pick-your-own farms to get the ripest fruits.
With just a few minutes in the kitchen, we get to enjoy the freshest tasting jams all year long. I just pull a jar from the freezer whenever we're in the mood for a new flavor.
All you need is fresh fruit, sugar, and pectin. I've got the short list of tools, you bring the handiwork and a little time.
Whether you're looking for a classic strawberry jam or want to true something a little more unique like peach vanilla bean, you'll find my favorite recipes collected here.
What is Freezer Jam?
Freezer jam is a homemade jelly made from fresh fruit, sugar, and pectin that is not cooked and does not require traditional canning methods.
You stir the fruit, sugar, and pectin together, fill your storage containers, and then let the jam set at room temperature.
The jam then gets stored in the freezer for up to one year. Simply thaw a portion at a time.
Since you're storing it in the freezer, there's no need to worry about the traditional preserving methods that help if you wanted it to be shelf-stable.
You can fill any freezer-safe container you have with the jam, absolutely NO special canning skills required.
Why You'll Love Freezer Jam
- No Water Bath Canning Required
- Uses Fresh Seasonal Fruit
- Ready in Under 30 Minutes
- Stores for 1 Year
- Makes Great Homemade Gifts
How to Use Freezer Jam
If you've never had freezer jam before, it is much thinner and saucier than normal store-bought jelly or jam which has a more gelatinous texture.
That signature runny-ness is precisely why my family loves freezer jam so much. Freezer jam practically melts on top of hot toast or pancakes.
We use it as a syrup, a sauce, or a filling for easy fruit-flavored desserts.
Tools You Need
To make a batch of homemade freezer jam, you'll need a very short list of kitchen tools:
- Potato Masher: For crushing your fruit.
- Saucepan and Whisk: For preparing the pectin.
- Heat-proof Mixing Bowl: For stirring the jam together.
- Storage Jars: I highly recommend these jelly jars. Even though they are made for traditional canning methods, they work perfectly for freezer jam and hold up really well in the freezer.
- Pectin: I always use this original formulation of pectin with my recipes.
Storage and Shelf Life
If you're wondering how long freezer jam lasts, you can safely keep it stored:
- Freezer: Up to 1 year
- Refrigerator: 2 - 3 weeks once thawed
The jam is best stored in small, usable quantities so nothing goes to waste.
Best Fruits for Making Freezer Jam
Not all fruits are made for making jams and jellies. Some just don't let the pectin do its job right.
You're safest with these options:
- Strawberries
- Blackberries
- Blueberries
- Raspberries
- Cherries
- Peaches
I've got recipes for most of these options, let's take a look:
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Strawberry Freezer Jam
This easy no-cook strawberry freezer jam was the first flavor I ever made and is a classic I turn to every summer. You'll always find a jar in our freezer.
Blackberry Freezer Jam
Since berries do so well in jam, my next attempt was this amazing blackberry freezer jam with a hint of lime. It is so good on a buttermilk drop biscuit!
Cherry Freezer Jam
Every year I have several pounds of fresh cherries to process from my husband's uncle's orchard. This cherry freezer jam was a huge hit and I love to spread it on a flaky chocolate chip scone.
Peach Freezer Jam
I was so excited when we moved to the South to get my hands on some South Carolina fresh peaches to make this amazing peach vanilla bean freezer jam. It was one of the first things I made after our move and I still love to keep it in my freezer all these years later.
Blueberry Freezer Jam
Just like all my other recipes, this blueberry preserves recipe is actually a freezer jam, too. I made it as an option for making my blueberry vinaigrette completely from scratch if you can't find blueberry jam at the store but it works perfectly as a breakfast spread, too.
What to Serve with Freezer Jam
The naturally thinner texture of freezer jam pairs so perfectly with a long list of baked goods but here are some of my favorite ways to use it:
Spread on Toast: A classic for a reason. Make my English muffin bread or this bread machine white bread for the best toast ever!
Pancake Syrup: Drizzle some jam over a stack of buttermilk pancakes or malted waffles instead of maple syrup.
Ice Cream Topping: Spoon some jam over a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a simple summer dessert.
Tea and Scones: Enjoy an afternoon pot of tea and plate of scones with fresh jam.
Biscuit Spread: Add small cups of whipped butter and jam to a buttermilk biscuit plate.
Your First Jam
Ready to get "jamming"? If you're feeling overwhelmed about which jam to make first, here's a little help from my kitchen to yours:
- Are you a first time jam maker? Start with my easy strawberry jam.
- Want a jam to pair with your biscuits? Make my blackberry jam.
- Need a homemade gift for the holidays? Prep some cherry jam now and freeze it for December.
- Want to bottle summer in a jar? Grab some peaches for vanilla peach jam.
- Want a jam to spoon over pancakes? Start with my blueberry preserves!
More Breakfast Spread Recipes
If you're planning a special brunch for a holiday or celebration, a homemade breakfast spread makes your buffet table feel so special. Here are a few of my favorite recipes:
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