Easy sugar free strawberry jam with chia seeds, doesn’t need pectin, and is done in 20 minutes. No canning skills needed. Your taste buds will be tantalized!

A fan favorite in our house is peanut butter and jelly. It’s a staple in nearly every kids diet. Quick to pull together, satisfying and filling, they’re perfect for school lunches, picnics, or a quick snack.
I love them too! I used to bring them to work at least 3 days a week for lunch!
How to find the healthiest store bought peanut butter?
We make our peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with all natural peanut butter, and whole wheat bread. My favorite is Spread the Love Organic Peanut Butter.
When I buy peanut butter I immediately turn around the jar to see the ingredients. When it comes to peanut butter there should only be one; peanuts. This peanut butter checks all the boxes for me. It’s organic, palm oil free, non GMO, sugar free, and salt free. It’s also made by a small family run company.
How to find the healthiest store bought bread?
I’d love to say that I make my own whole wheat bread at home, but I don’t. Maybe one day I’ll be super mom, and bake my own bread, but for now I go with what’s easy, and that’s store bought bread.
However, I’m very picky about my bread.
My go-to bread is Dave’s Killer 21 Whole Grains and Seeds Bread. It’s non-GMO and uses whole grain ingredients. When you’re looking for a whole wheat bread choice, the first ingredient should be whole wheat flour, not wheat flour. Wheat flour without the word “whole” in front means that the grains has been processed. Another great bread we often get is Food for Life: Ezekiel Sprouted Grain.
When I’ve got peanut butter I feel good about, and whole grain bread that’s full of nutrients, I don’t want to spoil what could be a nutritious sandwich by using regular jam from the store that is high in sugar. Or making a one of the high sugar jam recipes out there!
This sugar-free strawberry jam is naturally sweet and extra nutritious with a boost from chia seeds! Chia is loaded with antioxidants, fiber, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids. It helps to thicken the jam too! No pectin is needed!
With a quart of organic strawberries in my fridge that needed to be eaten soon, I decided to make my own quick and easy jam.
My boys loved this jam on their PB and J sandwiches. They were also great helpers in the kitchen, eager to pour the ingredients in the pot and give it a stir.
When I get my kids involved in the cooking process with a simple recipe, they’re more likely to give what they made a try. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t, but in this case they were on board!
Why This Recipe Works
- Quick and Easy to Make
- Simple ingredients with fresh fruit
- Done in 15 minutes
- Less Sugar (all natural sweeteners)
- Low in Calories
- Makes a healthy spread for toast, or as a filling for desserts
- High in Vitamins and Nutrients
- All natural flavor
Recipe Ingredients and Notes
Chia Seeds: A staple in plant-based recipes. Chia seeds make an excellent binding agent in baking recipes. In this recipe they serve to gel the jam together without the need of pectin.
Lemon Juice: The lemon juice adds needed citric acid and helps to breakdown the strawberries when cooked. Use fresh squeezed lemon juice for best results.
Organic Ripe Strawberries: When choosing the strawberries to use for this jam go with organic. The EWG (Environmental Working Group) puts out their Dirty Dozen List of the top 12 fruits and vegetables that contain the highest amount of pesticide residue. Strawberries are number one on their list. If you buy anything organic, buy organic strawberries.
Maple Syrup: Only a touch of maple syrup is added to this low sugar jam. You can leave out completely if you prefer.
Tools and Equipment You’ll Need
- A small saucepan to simmer the strawberries.
- Mason Jars for storing.
Step by Step Insturctions
Step 1: De-stem and chop the strawberries into small chunks. You’ll need 2 cups. I had a quart of strawberries, and had a few leftover after measuring out the 2 cups chopped.
Step 2: Combine chopped strawberries, lemon juice, and water in a small pot. Cover and bring to a rolling boil on high heat. Remove lid, and simmer on medium heat. Stir a few times while it’s cooking. The jam will begin to thicken. For a less chunky jam use a potato masher to reduce lumps.
Step 3: Remove from heat. Add 1 tablespoon of maple syrup. Taste, and add 1 more tablespoon of maple syrup if you’d like it to to be sweeter.
Step 4: Grind 2 tablespoons of chia seeds in a coffee grinder. Stir the ground chia seeds into the jam. Let sit to cool. The jam will continue to thicken.
Step 5: When jam has cooled transfer to a jar, and refrigerate.
Recipe FAQS
They have numerous health benefits packed into a small amount of calories. They serve as a plant-based protein source, contain omega-3 fatty acids, are an excellent source of antioxidants. They also provide some of your daily value of fiber, contain calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, and protein that are good for bone health. In fact, gram for gram chia seeds contain more calcium than dairy, making them an excellent source of calcium for vegans or those who do not consume dairy.
This is a basic low sugar jam recipe. You can get creative and use numerous fruits with the same excellent result. Some of our favorites include blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries.
This homemade jam is not canned and sealed. Therefore, it has a shorter shelf life. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, or transfer to a freezer safe container and freeze for up to 3 months.
Yes! This recipe is low carb. It only has 3 grams of carbs per serving.
Some of the added ingredients you’ll find in jellies and jams include potassium sorbate, fruit pectin, locust bean gum, calcium chloride, and xanthan gum. Not all of these are bad, but it’s best to look for the most natural ingredients.
Expert Tips for the Best Homemade Jam
- Grind the chia seeds into a fine powder. The chia seeds will bind the ingredients much better when ground than if you use whole chia seeds.
- Bring the strawberries, water, and lemon juice to a boil with the lid on. Remove the lid and reduce the heat once it reaches boiling.
- Stir the mixture every few minutes.
- Allow the jam to cool completely before transferring it to a sealed jar.
- Be sure to wash jars thoroughly before adding jam.
- This recipe makes a small batch, just enough for 2 weeks!
- There’s no need to do any tricky canning techniques, but this jam does have a shelf life, so enjoy within 2 weeks or freeze for up to 3 months.
More healthy sauces and spreads!
Recipe
Low Sugar Strawberry Jam
Ingredients
- 2 cups organic strawberries chopped into chunks
- 2 tablespoon water
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1-2 tablespoon organic maple syrup
- 2 tablespoon chia seeds finely ground
Instructions
- Combine strawberries, water, and lemon juice in a small pot. Cover and bring to a boil.
- Remove lid. Reduce heat to medium. Cook for an additional 15 minutes, stirring every few minutes. The strawberry mixture will thicken.
- Remove from heat. Add 1 tablespoon of maple syrup. Taste and add an additional tablespoon of maple syrup if you like it sweeter.
- Stir in ground chia seeds and let sit to cool.
- When cooled completely, transfer to a jar and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. You can freeze the jam for up to 3 months.
Video
Notes
- Grind the chia seeds into a fine powder.
- Stir the mixture every few minutes.
- Allow the jam to cool completely before transferring it to a sealed jar.
- Enjoy within 2 weeks or freeze for up to 3 months.
Linda M.
An you can this jam?
Alison Corey
Yes, you can can this jam too.
Biana
What a great idea to use maple syrup! This jam sounds amazing.
Beth
My daughter is going to love this jam! I love that it’s sugar free and healthier! Excited to make this today!
maryanne
This jam is so delicious! And I had no idea I could use chia seeds to make homemade jam!
Carrie Robinson
I just love using chia seeds to make healthier jam! And I also love that this recipe has no sugar in it. 🙂
Marlynn
I can’t believe how easy this was to make and it’s SO tasty! Such a great way to enjoy the strawberries we pick throughout the summer!
Pam Greer
Thanks for the tip to grind the chia seeds! This jam comes out perfect every time!
Kate
Oooh I love how healthy and yummy this looks! Can’t wait to try it!
Lauren Vavala | DeliciousLittleBites
I have a huge bag of chia seeds that I was just staring at the other day thinking I need to come up with some ways to use them. Definitely adding this strawberry chia jam to the list – yum!!
Traci
Sooo, basically, we never have to buy packaged jam again 🙂 Thanks for sharing this great recipe! YUMMMM!
Emma
Great recipe! I love chia seed jams. So much healthier that regular store bought jams.