This strawberry chia seed jam is delicious, red, sweet-and-sour goodness. You can spread it on toast, swirl it into yogurt or add some to your oatmeal.
As lovely as the options above sound, the most common use for this jam around here is making PB and J's. Cooper is not in a peanut free classroom this year so if that's what he wants for lunch, I'm not going to complain. Most jam and jelly contain TONS of sugar and crazy artificial ingredients. This 4 ingredient easy chia jam is made of mostly strawberries, some honey, chia seeds, and lemon juice. So... it's healthy! The chia seeds and lemon juice work together to naturally thicken the mixture into a nice jammy consistency.
TIME SAVING TIPS AND TRICKS:
MAKE AHEAD: This jam is perfect for making ahead. It will keep in the refrigerator for several weeks!
FREEZER: This strawberry chia seed jam stores well in the freezer. I usually make a large batch and freeze the extra jars (make sure you use a freezer friendly mason jar). I love pulling them out in the winter when getting organic strawberries is impossible!
Helpful Hints:
- Did you know that you can make homemade uncrushable sandwiches? I usually make about 20 at a time and store them in the freezer. Pop one into your kiddos lunch box and it will be perfectly thawed by lunch time. This makes packing school lunches a mindless task... my favorite! (I used a cut and seal from pampered chef).
- Strawberries are very high up on the EWG's dirty dozen list. You should buy organic if possible. My grocery store is often out of organic strawberries when they aren't in peak season. You can buy a bag of frozen strawberries, they work just as well!
- This jam does not taste like ordinary strawberry jelly that you buy in the stores. It lacks the sweetness, and has a sour tang to it (from the lemon). If you want less sour and more sweet, increase the honey and reduce the lemon juice.
Strawberry Chia Seed Jam
Ingredients
- 6 cups of berries
- 3 oz lemon juice (2-3 lemons)
- ¾ cup raw organic honey
- 1 Tbs chia seeds
Instructions
- Hull strawberries and cut them in half (quarters if they are large). Place in pot.
- Juice lemons until you get 3 oz. Add to pot.
- Add honey and chia seeds to pot. Stir to combine.
- Heat mixture on high, stirring occasionally, until it boils. Once boiling, reduce heat to medium low and allow mixture to simmer until strawberries become soft (about 20 minutes).
- Using an immersion blender or a potato masher , blend or mash the strawberries. Do not overland... you want a few fruit chunks! Simmer another 30-45 minutes until consistency is that of jam.
- Remove jam from stove and place in a freezer safe container.
Nicole Lawrence says
Can the jam be canned after making, rather than storing in the freezer?
Bailey Sissom says
Hi Nicole. I have never canned anything before so I'm not really sure. Sorry that's not more helpful!