Sugar Free Strawberry Jam

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

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!

• Vegan Caramel Sauce
• Healthy Chocolate Sauce
• Vegan Lemon Curd
• Dairy Free Sour Cream

Recipe