I didn’t plan on writing about how to make blueberry jam today. However, due to current conditions, we’ve been staying close to home more than usual. While I have travel content that I need to write, I’m just not motivated to do it. However, cooking and gardening have been stress-relievers for me lately, so that’s what I’ve been doing. In the last 24 hours, I’ve made two batches of refrigerator pickles (check out my dad’s no cook pickle recipe here) and two batches of blueberry jam. I may make another batch today, but since I’m almost out of sugar, I’ll need to run to the store first.
Yesterday, a friend asked me for the blueberry jam recipe. It’s really simple. I use the recipe in the Sure Jell box. Seriously. I am going to share it with you here though, with some photos, so that you can see how easy it is.
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Making Blueberry Jam
What is Sure Jell?
Sure Jell is a brand of powdered fruit pectin. There are other brands out there (Certo is one), but since my mom always used Sure Jell for her jam–she makes the best strawberry freezer jam (recipe in the box–for real)–I use Sure Jell too. Sure Jell does offer light and no-sugar pectin; however, I haven’t tried them out.
Fruit Pectin? What’s that?
Fruit pectin is a natural ingredient used to thicken jams and jellies. It’s made from orange peels after the oranges have been squeezed to extract their juice. Pectin is a gummy substance that’s found in the skin of apples, oranges, and other fruit. You can purchase it in powdered or liquid form. You can make your own pectin, but it’s much faster to use a brand like Sure Jell. If you are interested in trying to make your own pectin, check out this recipe. As for me, I’ll just stick with my tried and true Sure Jell.
The Benefits of Blueberries
I’m not going to tell you that blueberry jam is good for you. It tastes great, but like most jams and jellies, there is a lot of sugar in it. However, a serving of jam is only one tablespoon (34 calories; 9 carbs). Unless you are on a low carb diet, a serving of jam isn’t going to hurt you.
Blueberries, on the other hand, are great for you. They are a superfood and are rich in antioxidants and phytoflavinoids. Blueberries are also a great source of vitamin C and potassium. Eating blueberries as part of a healthy diet can help you lower your risk of heart disease and cancer, as well as help curve inflammation.
How to make blueberry freezer jam
Ingredients
To make blueberry jam, you will need 5 cups of blueberries, 5 1/4 cups of white sugar, one package of Sure Jell, and 3/4 cup of water. Five cups of blueberries is about two and a half pints. Note: do not try to double the batch. Make each batch separately to make sure that you have to correct fruit, sugar, and pectin ratio. Otherwise, your jam may not set up correctly.
Preparing the fruit
First, wash and prepare the blueberries. Make sure that no leaves or stems remain. This is the most tedious part of preparing the jam. Luckily, it really doesn’t take long.
Next, crush your berries to the desired consistency. You can chop them by hand, use a food processor, or use a blender. I use a blender because, well, that’s what my mom does.
The third step is to add the sugar to the berries, stirring well. I usually use my stand mixer for this step, although I’ve done it by hand in the past. After you’re done, let the mixture sit for 20 minutes.
Adding the pectin
After my berries have sat for 15 minutes, I start preparing the fruit pectin. I put 3/4 of a cup of water into a saucepan and add the powdered Sure Jell. I cook it on high, stirring constantly until the mixture comes to a boil. Then, I boil it for one minute, still stirring, before removing the Sure Jell and water mixture from the heat. Slowly add the prepared Sure Jell to the fruit and sugar, stirring for three minutes (this is really why I use the stand mixer–it makes it much easier).
Filling the jars
Because this is freezer jam, you can use either plastic or glass containers, new or recycled. We’ve used old margarine containers, jars from purchased products, and more. Just make sure that your jars and lids are freshly washed. If you are planning to give jam away as gifts, there are some pretty jars available in a variety of shapes and sizes. You’ll need 8-9 eight ounce jars per batch.
I use a wide mouth funnel and a measuring cup to fill my jars. They even make collapsible funnels now for easier storage. Fill each jar, leaving 1/2 inch at the top empty. Wipe any drips and dribbles off with a clean cloth before adding and tightening the lids. Let your jam sit for 24 hours at room temperature before transferring it to the refrigerator or freezer.
Storing your blueberry jam
After letting your jam stand at room temperature for 24 hours, you can transfer it to the refrigerator or the freezer. Blueberry jam will last in the refrigerator for 3 weeks or in the freezer for up to a year.
Final thoughts on making Blueberry Jam
I hope you enjoy this recipe and try making your own blueberry freezer jam. It really is a quick and easy method and stores well. For the perfect treat, try the jam with homemade cream scones. You can find my easy Scottish cream scone recipe here. It’s so delicious!
I have never been a big blueberry person, but my husband is. Me, raspberries are my weakness in the fruit department. I could eat them all day everyday. Since my husband loves blueberries, I’m going to try making this for him as a surprise. I’m amazed at how easy it really is! Jam has always seemed a bit daunting to me, so I hadn’t braved the task yet. But your recipe makes me want to give it a try!
Wow..what a fun recipe. Even the images are looking delicious to me haha.
Wow! I love blueberry jam, though haven’t think of making my own, seems not too bad to try.
It’s my favourite breakfast fruit after a workout. And in desserts again Blue cheesecake’s my fav. So clearly bookmarking this one and making it soon!
I’ve always wanted to try and make jams but was a little scarred of the whole process. I seriously thought it was a lot harder than this. I may have to try it though. We have a ton of blueberries at the moment and I know they will go bad if we don’t use them fast so, this would be a great option. This may be an odd question but once the jam is cooled, are you able to freeze?
Yes, you let the jam sit at room temperature for 24 hours and then refrigerate it or freeze it.
This looks delicious! I’ve always wanted to make my own jam and starting off with a simple recipe sounds like a good idea so I don’t get overwhelmed! Thanks for posting!
Rayka | South Asian Skin Blog
http://www.southasianskin.com
This looks absolutely divine!! We actually have TONS of blueberries we picked in our freezer, so I might have to make this! My son would love it!
Interesting. I too did not plan on making blueberry jam today, but now I kind of want to lol.
I just purchased a few canning jars and wasn’t sure what to use them for so I might just have to make this recipe! Thank you for sharing 🙂
Blueberry jam. This is the first time im hearing this. I wonder how it taste – must be tasty.
Looks soo delicious! I love berry based jams!
Looks so tasty will try to make jam someday
Love blueberries although we do not get to buy them often as it is only available in limited stores and vanishes as soon as they reach. I love the recipe and jam is a perfect way to ensure that you keep getting the taste whenever we wish.Love that this jam will be very healthy and the next time I am able to source the fruit would try out making the jam at our home.
This looks great! there is a place in the UK just near me where the lady makes all her own jams etc x
Blueberry is my favorite too! Even my cat loves blueberries. This jam recipe is a perfect treat.
wow! looks so simple! I would totally try fruit pectin for my next jam
Super cool recipe – and it’s great to take this extra time we’re all spending at home to make some delicious food. Although I don’t think we have this exact brand in Europe, my mother always uses pectin to make jam because I am a vegetarian and don’t like animal-based thickening agents.
Wow! It look so fresh and attractive! Everybody loves blueberries, and it’s a great gift to have them home-made, and also share with family and friends! – Knycx Journeying
Oh my this looks good and I have a ton of blueberries in my fridge! I’m going to have to try this. Thank you for sharing!!
I have never heard of sure jell. I am going to have to look for some. We love jam. My fiance made a strawberry habanero jam for his spicy loving friends. I just want a regular jam to have with my toast. I am definitely going to try this.
This looks so good! I will have to give it a try!
This is great. I LOVE blueberries and blueberry jam, especially on my bagel in the morning. I’m going to have to pay attention to when our local pick your own blueberries place opens back up again so that I can stock up and make some!
We LOVE jam and blueberries. This looks delicious!
You have no idea how much I LOVE blueberries. Thanks for the recipe It looks and sounds yummy. I can not wait to try it out.
I love the look of this, blueberries are my favourite! Will have to try it out!
Love love love blueberries. I recently bought a ton and ended up making pancakes, a cake and some coulis. Jam was the only thing left – will try your recipe out!
I love blueberries. I can’t wait to try your recipe.
Every year, I have the opportunity to get it really inexpensive package of 4 pounds wild blueberries. I can usually always find things to use them with, but I haven’t made jam yet. Thanks for the recipe!
Since we have more time now, it’s great to discover new skills and recipes to make! Thank you for this. I’d love to try and create my own blueberry jam.
Ooo this sounds delicious! My husband and I like blueberries so I will have to try this out.
Yum, my grandmother used to make jellies and jams all the time, and I have vowed to try to do so myself at some point. This has inspired me with the blueberry bushes in season.
Will give this a try, thanks!
Looks delicious and healthy too!!! It has been decades since I made jam myself, and maybe it’s time to start doing this again. Your post motivates me to do so.
I love blueberries and what better than a jam out of it ! lovely recipe
Thank you for your recipe! Looks yummy and healthy! I love all berries because of the health benefits, and try to have some type in smoothies daily
Thanks for making this post! Even though it’s not the travel content you need to write hopefully making the post and cooking itself has given you some momentum. It looks delicious!
I am such a fan of blueberries and I have no idea why I never thought about blueberry freezer jam. I will definitely try this and bring it to a picnic.
I absolutely love blueberries, and all the benefits that come along with them. You have inspired me to try out making some jam now. I’ve never made any, and I was actually thinking about making some strawberry jam with the strawberries from my garden. I’ll try out this recipe for sure! Thank you for sharing. 🙂
I absolutely love blueberries and constantly have a giant container of them in my house this time of year. The minute I run out I need to get more. Honestly never thought of making a freezer jam out of blueberries but me and the girls will have to give this a try for sure!
I have been wanting to make my own jam! I wonder if this can be supplemented with a different fruit? I’ll have to give it a try.
There are directions inside the Sure Jell box for all types of different jams and jellies, including strawberry, peach, sour cherry, and several others.
I love blueberries, now I’m happy I found this recipe to make myself some blueberries jam.
My mother has a blueberry plant in her backyard. She’s grown a lot this year so I can’t wait to try this
Blueberries are my favorite! Hadn’t heard of a jam with this awesome fruit. Would definitely love to try out