A jam jar is perhaps one of the most common things that can be found in almost every Indian fridge. This delicious condiment comes in extremely handy in making your mornings a bit sweeter, especially when you are in no mood to prepare a lavish breakfast. Spread some jam over a toast or two, and you are good to go! Be it kids or adults, this flavourful fruity spread is loved by all.
But did you know that store-bought jams may contain several unhealthy ingredients, heavy doses of sugar, and also preservatives? Luckily, preparing a jam at home is not really a difficult task. You can make your very own homemade jam in less than an hour and keep it for over two weeks when stored properly. Here’s your opportunity to learn how to make your own jam for you, your kids, or your family.
10 Homemade Jam Recipes You Must Try & Will Surely Love
1. Cranberry Jam
The sweet and tart flavours of this homemade cranberry jam will leave you asking for more. It also makes for an amazing gift during the holiday season.
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- ¼ cup water
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- ¾ teaspoon vanilla crème stevia (or other sweetener equivalents to 6 tbsp sugar)
Steps
- Put the cranberries and water in a blender to form a smooth mixture.
- Pour out this mixture into a saucepan.
- Now add in the remaining ingredients
- Cook on medium-high flame for about 5 minutes. Stir continuously. The liquid should be reduced by half.
- Pour the mixture into a jar and let it cool.
- Once it has cooled, cover and refrigerate it.
2. Pineapple & Passion Fruit Jam
This yummy, low-sugar jam goes well with bread, yoghurt and porridge. Its slightly chunky texture adds to its amazing taste. Also, this super delicious jam is gluten-free!
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 25 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 medium pineapple
- 3 passion fruits
- 1 lemon (juice)
- 250 grams sugar
Steps
- Remove the skin and the hard centre of the pineapple and cut it into small pieces.
- Place the pieces into a heavy bottom pan.
- Add in the passion fruit, sugar and lemon juice.
- Cook the ingredients on medium to high flame until it starts boiling.
- Reduce the flame and keep boiling the mixture for about 15-20 minutes. Stir occasionally.
- Now, check the setting point every five minutes. If you see any chunks of fruits, mash them.
- To test whether the jam has set, take out a spoonful of the mixture on a cold saucer and let it cool. If the jam is set, it will wrinkle when you push it with your finger.
- Pour out the mixture into a sterilised glass jar. Cover the pineapple jam jar with waxed paper and seal it.
- Keep the jar in a cool and dry place.
- Once you have opened the pineapple jam jar, you need to keep it in the refrigerator to keep it fresh.
3. Fresh Fig Jam
Along with being incredibly tasty, this fig jam is also great for your health.
Preparation Time: 10 Minutes
Cooking Time: 17 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 cups fig cubes
- ½ cup jaggery (chopped)
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Steps
- Put the fig cubes and ¾ cup water in a saucepan and mix.
- Cook on a medium flame for about 12-15 minutes. Stir occasionally.
- Cook until the mixture becomes soft.
- Add the jaggery and mix.
- Cook for another 5 minutes over low flame.
- Make sure to mash the mixture continuously to get the right texture.
- Turn off the stove.
- Add the lemon juice and mix well.
- Let it cool completely before putting it in jars and storing it in the fridge. The jam will stay fresh for 1 week.
4. Mango Jam
The rich texture and tangy flavour make it the perfect accompaniment to freshly buttered toast. Here is how you can prepare this delectable delight.
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 12 minutes
Ingredients
- 1½ cup Alphonso mango pulp
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Steps
- Put all the ingredients together in a saucepan and mix.
- Now put the pan over medium flame and cook for about 12-15 minutes. Stir continuously
- Keep cooking till the mixture is thick and glossy.
- Let it cool completely before pouring it into an air-tight container and storing it in the refrigerator. The mango jam will stay good for a week.
5. Plum Jam Recipe
This tasty and healthy plum jam may prove to be very beneficial for those who complain about issues like fullness and constipation after they eat. It promotes digestion and may also help in increasing appetite.
Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 35 minutes
Ingredients
- 12 plums
- 140 grams of rock sugar (or less in case the plums are sweeter)
- 100 grams water
- 5 grams of lemon juice
Steps
- Wash the plums and chop them into smaller pieces before putting them into the juicer.
- Add water, sugar and lemon juice and crush to form a mixture.
- Pour the mixture into a pot and put it on the stove. Bring it to a boil.
- Once it starts boiling, turn the flame to medium and let it boil slowly.
- It should take about 25 to 30 minutes for the sauce to thicken.
- Once the sauce is cooked, pour it into a small glass bottle.
- Let the sauce cool down before putting it in the refrigerator.
6. Strawberry Jam
You need only 5 minutes and 3 easy-to-find ingredients for making this amazing strawberry jam recipe! This jam goes well with waffles, pancakes and bread rolls among other things.
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 5 minutes
Ingredients
- ¾ cup mashed strawberries
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ tablespoon lemon juice
Steps
- Put the strawberries and the sugar in a pan and mix well.
- Cook the ingredients on medium heat for about 5 minutes. Stir occasionally.
- Allow the mixture to cool.
- Once it has cooled down completely, add the lemon juice and mix.
- Your strawberry jam is ready! Transfer it into an air-tight jar and store it in the refrigerator.
7. Mixed Fruit Jam
Who doesn’t love the all-time favourite mixed fruit jam? Use this easy to follow jam recipe to make your own batch of fresh and healthy jam instead of using preservatives laden store-bought ones.
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 40 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 apples (peeled and chopped)
- 2 oranges (peeled and chopped)
- 7-8 strawberries (chopped)
- 2 bananas (peeled and chopped)
- 6 plums (peeled and chopped
- 1 pineapple (peeled and chopped)
- ½ tablespoon lime juice
- 1 cup sugar
Steps
- Put all the fruits in a blender to form a smooth puree.
- Now transfer this puree into a pan and add sugar. Cook the ingredients on medium heat while stirring continuously. Bring it to a boil.
- Lower the flame and let the mixture simmer until it is thick. Stir occasionally.
- Once the mixture begins to thicken, add the lemon juice. Mix well.
- Let the mixture cook until it is thick. Stir occasionally. This will take around 35-40 minutes on low flame.
- Once you receive the desired consistency, take the pan off the stove.
- Once the jam has cooled down, transfer it in a glass jar.
- Seal the jar and store your homemade jam in the fridge to keep it fresh for 2 weeks.
You can tweak the recipe according to the fruits and berries you prefer.
8. Raspberry Jam
This classic jam is loved by adults and kids alike. Spread it on a toast or stir it in your yoghurt, it will definitely help make your day a little sweeter. Keep it in a sealed jar in the fridge and it stays as good as new for about 2 weeks.
Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients
- 4 cups raspberries
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Steps
- Take a medium saucepan and put in the raspberries, sugar and lemon juice.
- Put the pan over the stove on medium flame.
- Let the sauce cook, while stirring frequently. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Now reduce the flame to medium-low and simmer. Stir frequently.
- Continue cooking the mixture until it thickens. You will know it’s done when it leaves a trail behind the spoon. It will take about 12 to 15 minutes.
- Once the jam has thickened, remove the pan from the stove.
- Transfer it into a clean glass jar.
- Once it has cooled completely, put the lid on and keep it in the fridge.
9. Apple Jam
This super simple apple jam recipe is a great accompaniment to toast, yoghurt, pancakes and waffles.
Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 50 minutes
Ingredients
- ½ kg apples
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 cinnamon stick
Steps
- Keep a small plate in your freezer.
- Peel and chop the apples into about 1-inch pieces.
- Put the apple pieces and 1½ cups of water in a pan and cook over medium-high flame.
- Stirring occasionally, bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Continue cooking until the apple pieces are tender and the mixture has reduced by about ¼. This may take anywhere between 15 to 20 minutes.
- Add sugar to the mixture. Reduce the flame to medium and continue cooking. Stir frequently.
- Cook until the mixture thickens. This may take about 25 minutes more.
- Now add the cinnamon stick and lemon juice and mix well.
- Simmer the mixture for 5-8 minutes. This will help infuse the cinnamon.
- To test if the jam is cooked, take out a spoonful of the mixture and put it in the cold plate. Leave it for 2 minutes before dragging a finger through the jam. The jam is ready if it is able to hold its shape. If not, you need to cook it some more.
- Once the jam is cooked, remove the cinnamon stick.
- Pour it into glass jars. Seal the jars well and put them in the refrigerator. The jam will stay fresh for about 2 weeks.
10. Gooseberry Jam
This jam is a combination of sweet and sour flavours that will add a tasty twist to any food you pair it with. Perfect for the Indian palette, gooseberry jam goes well with bread, parathas and rotis.
Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 12 minutes
Ingredients
- ¾ cup gooseberries (roughly chopped)
- 2½ tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon Juice
Steps
- Put gooseberries and lemon juice along with half a cup of water in a pan.
- Mix the ingredients and cook for about 10 minutes on medium flame, while stirring occasionally.
- Add sugar to the mixture. Cook for another 2 minutes, while stirring continuously.
- Let the jam cool down.
- Once it is cool, pour it into a clean and dry glass jar.
- Store in the refrigerator and it will stay good for 10 to 15 days.
How To Store The Jam Correctly?
Follow these tips to store your homemade jam the right way.
- Always sterilise your jar before use.
- Make sure the jars are dry before transferring homemade jam into them.
- Make sure the jar is air-tight.
- Store the jam in a cool and dry place.
- Keep the jam jars away from direct sunlight.
- Once a sealed homemade jam jar is opened, it should be stored in the fridge.
Other than the jams listed here, you can also prepare homemade blueberry jam, apricot jam, chocolate jam and orange jam. All you need is the right ingredients and a few minutes to spare, and you can prepare all your favourite jam flavours right in your kitchen!
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