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A close up of an open jar of this strawberry preserves recipe on a rustic wooden table

Homemade Strawberry Preserves

A classic, pectin-free strawberry preserves recipe that yields thick, chunky, and intensely flavorful fruit spread.

  • Total Time: PT3H
  • Yield: 3 half-pint jars 1x

Ingredients

Scale

2 lbs fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
3 cups granulated sugar
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
Optional: 1 tsp lemon zest

Instructions

Step 1: Combine the strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice in a large, heavy-bottomed pot.
Step 2: Let the mixture sit for at least 2 hours at room temperature to allow the fruit to macerate and release its juices.
Step 3: Place a small plate in the freezer to use later for testing the set point of your strawberry preserves recipe.
Step 4: Bring the strawberry mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar has fully dissolved.
Step 5: Increase the heat slightly and maintain a rolling boil for about 20-30 minutes, skimming off any pink foam that rises to the surface.
Step 6: Test for doneness by dropping a small spoonful of preserves onto the chilled plate; if it wrinkles when nudged, it is ready.
Step 7: Ladle the hot preserves into sterilized jars, leaving 1/4 inch of headspace, and seal tightly.

Notes

Always use a heavy-bottomed pot to prevent the sugar from scorching. Small batches are easier to manage and set more reliably.

  • Prep Time: PT20M
  • Cook Time: PT40M
  • Category: Sweet Breakfasts
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
  • Calories: 50 kcal
  • Sugar: 12 g
  • Sodium: 1 mg
  • Fat: 0 g
  • Saturated Fat: 0 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 13 g
  • Fiber: 0.5 g
  • Protein: 0.1 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg

Keywords: strawberry preserves recipe, homemade jam, no pectin jam, canning strawberries, strawberry spread

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