Low Sugar Strawberry Jam Canning Recipe With Pectin

How to make a lower sugar strawberry jam.  This is a delicious way to preserve fresh berries in a low sugar strawberry jam canning recipe.  This is a cooked jam that's plenty sweet and lets the natural flavor of the berries shine.

Lower Sugar Strawberry Jam Canning Recipe With Pectin

My grandmother made strawberry jam with fresh strawberries every year.  She always froze it, so I did too.

I like freezer jam because it's a bit easier to make than canned jam.  However, I really can't afford to use the freezer space this year.

My kids go through a lot of strawberry jam, so I make three or four batches of less sugar strawberry jam recipe a year.  It's a lot of freezer space and freezer containers, so now I'm making a strawberry jam canning recipe with pectin.

Canned jelly gets firmer, and it has a fresh strawberry flavor.  I got a few flats of berries this year and made a strawberry lemonade concentrate canning recipe and this homemade low sugar strawberry jam.

For more jam and jelly recipes, check out these posts:

• Apple Pie Jam Recipe for Canning
• Zucchini Bread Jam Recipe
• Vanilla Bourbon Peach Jam Recipe
• Dandelion Jelly Canning Recipe
• Low Sugar Blueberry Jam Recipe
• Low Sugar Apple Cider Jelly Recipe With Pectin
• Sweet Pepper Jelly Canning Recipe
• Old Fashioned Apple and Mint Jelly Recipe
• Reduced Sugar Raspberry Jam Recipe
• Low Sugar Peach Vanilla Bean Jam
• Strawberry and Vanilla Jam Recipe

Keep track of your canning recipes by making a binder with my printable canning journal.

Why is Jam so High in Sugar?

Sugar isn't just for sweetness in jams and jellies.  Berries are high in water, and the sugar helps pull water out of the fruit.  Then chemical bonds form between the sugar and the water.  This helps preserve the jam by preventing microbes from growing.

Pectin works by forming bonds with other pectin molecules.  If there's a lot of water in the recipe, pectin binds with water instead and don't form a gel.  By pulling out the sugar, pectin can bind with pectin to create a thicker jelly.  

If you use regular pectin, you will need to use the full amount of sugar, and it can't be substituted for another sweetener.

However, you can make a Sure Jell low sugar strawberry jam recipe with the pink box of pectin.  This is formulated to make jam or jelly with no sugar or less sugar.

If you try to use the yellow box or regular pectin, your jam or jelly won't set.  You can learn more about how to fix runny jam or runny jelly if your jelly doesn't set properly.

What Happens if You Put Less Sugar in Jam?

If you use regular pectin and use less sugar to make less sugar strawberry jam recipe, you will end up with runny jam.  You will need to use the pink box to make low sugar strawberry jam with pectin.  

How Can I Thicken Jam Without Adding Sugar?

I like to use this Instant Pot strawberry jam recipe and use an artificial sweetener.  You can boil off the extra water to thicken it.

You can also learn how to make chia seed jam with any fruit or try this no pectin strawberry jam recipe.

I don't can these recipes because I'm not sure of the safety of canning them.  I freeze extra for later.

Can You Preserve Jam Without Sugar?

Yes, you can preserve jam without sugar.  However, you'll need to follow the directions in the pink box of Sure Jell for no sugar.

It has directions to make cooked peach jam, strawberry jam, and triple berry jam using Splenda or other no calorie sweetener.

Note that it uses less fruit per box, so you'll have a smaller yield.

Can You Can Jam Without a Canner?

I recommend buying a water bath canner if you plan on canning, but you can get by without one.  You can use a stock pot for canning this less sugar strawberry jam recipe.

However, you will need to elevate the jars from the bottom of the pan.  I have a set of silicone hot pad trivets that I set on the bottom of the pan to lift the jars.

Check out my canning supplies for beginners to see what you need to get started.

Do You Have to Water Bath Strawberry Jam?

Yes, you have to water bath this Sure Jell low sugar strawberry jam recipe.  Some home canners simply flip over the jar after filling, but this isn't approved for canning.

Processing the jars in boiling water helps prevent mold growth and seals the jars.  If I'm going through the trouble of canning, then I want to make sure my food is safe when I want to eat it.

Keep your family safe by avoiding these 11 canning mistakes that can kill you.

Canning jars not sealing?  Learn why jars don't seal and how to reprocess canning jars.  Also learn how to sterilize canning jars.

Homemade Low Sugar Strawberry Jam Tips

Here are some tips for making a Sure Jell low sugar strawberry jam recipe:

• It's important to follow the directions exactly.  The ratio of fruit, pectin, and sugar is what creates the jel.
• Make sure you boil the jam for the recommended amount of time.
• Do not double the recipe.  If you want to make two batches, make them back to back.
• You can use fresh or frozen strawberries to make a strawberry jam canning recipe with pectin.  I freeze berries often so I can make the jam when I have time.
• Use firm and ripe berries.
• Make sure your jars are washed and sanitized before using.

Lower Sugar Strawberry Jam Ingredients

You will need the following to make low sugar strawberry jam with pectin:

• 6 cups crushed strawberries
• 4 cups sugar
• 1 box Low Sugar Sure Jell

You will also need the following equipment to make a Sure Jell low sugar strawberry jam recipe:

• Dry measuring cup
• Liquid measuring cup
• Large saucepan
• Ladle
• Large bowls
• Jelly jars
• Rings and lids
• Canning rack
• Water bath canner
• Spoons

How to Make Strawberry Jam Canning Recipe With Pectin

Step #1

Use a dry measuring cup to measure the crushed strawberries and place in a large saucepan.  

Step #2

Measure the sugar and place in a separate bowl.  

Step #3

In a small bowl, combine 1/4 of the measured sugar and 1 box of low sugar Sure Jell pectin.  Stir well and add to the fruit in the pan.  Stir well.

Step #4

Bring the strawberry mixture to full rolling boil that can't be stirred down while cooking on high heat.  Stir constantly.  

Step #5

Stir in the remaining sugar.  Bring to a full boil while stirring constantly.  Boil for exactly 1 minute while stirring.  Remove from heat and skim off any foam.

Step #6

Ladle the jam into prepared jars.  Leave a 1/4 inch head space.  Wipe the jar rims and cover with a lid and ring.  

Step #7

Place jars in hot water on a canning rack inside the canner.  Add hot water to cover jars by 1 to 2 inches of water.  Cover and bring to a full boil.  Process jam for 10 minutes.  When the time is up, turn off the heat and remove the lid from the canner.  Let sit for 5 minutes.  Then use a jar lifter to remove the jars from the water and place on a towel or other heat proof surface to cool completely.

You can store sealed jars for up to a year on the shelf.  Lower sugar strawberry jam has a shorter shelf life since it doesn't have as much sugar to act like a preservative.

I hope you like this Sure Jell low sugar strawberry jam recipe!

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