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Classic Blueberry Jam

A close-up of glistening, homemade blueberry jam piled high on a white plate, showcasing whole blueberries.
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A straightforward recipe for making small-batch blueberry jam at home, with options for low-sugar and no-pectin methods.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups fresh blueberries
  • 2 cups granulated sugar (adjust for low-sugar option)
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • 1 vanilla bean, split and scraped (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest (optional)

Instructions

  1. Wash blueberries and remove any stems.
  2. In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, combine blueberries, sugar, and lemon juice. If using, add the scraped vanilla bean seeds and pod.
  3. Stir to combine. Let the mixture sit for 10-15 minutes to allow the sugar to draw out some juice from the berries.
  4. Place the pot over medium-high heat and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.
  5. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer. Stir frequently to prevent sticking.
  6. If using the vanilla bean, remove the pod after about 10 minutes of simmering.
  7. Continue to simmer until the jam thickens. This can take anywhere from 20 to 40 minutes, depending on your desired consistency. To test for doneness, place a small amount of jam on a chilled plate; it should wrinkle when pushed.
  8. If you prefer a smoother jam, you can mash some of the berries with a potato masher or use an immersion blender briefly.
  9. If adding lemon zest, stir it in during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
  10. Ladle the hot jam into clean jars, leaving about 1/4 inch headspace. Wipe the rims clean.
  11. Process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes (adjust time for altitude). For small batches or refrigerator jam, simply let the jars cool, then store in the refrigerator.

Notes

  • For a low-sugar version, use 1 cup of sugar for every 4 cups of blueberries. The jam may be softer and have a shorter shelf life.
  • To make jam without pectin, ensure you cook it long enough for the natural pectin in the blueberries and lemon juice to thicken the mixture.
  • Adding a small amount of butter (1 teaspoon) during cooking can help reduce foaming.
  • Ensure your jars and lids are sterilized before filling.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://delishcraze.com/blueberry-jam-recipe-no-pectin-low-sugar/