Learn how to make the BEST Blueberry Freezer Jam! These delicious berry preserves couldn't be easier to make or more delicious. This homemade jam is the perfect summer treat for blueberry lovers!
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Ginnie's Take
Blueberries are one of my favorite fruits! I find their sweet-tart flavor impossible to resist, and I always have a carton (or two) in my fridge. Now that summer is here, blueberries are truly at their peak of flavor. If you're a fan too, then you have to try this scrumptious Blueberry Freezer Jam recipe! It's the best (and easiest) way to preserve these tasty berries so you can enjoy them year round.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Delicious Taste - This easy Blueberry Jam has the most wonderful sweet berry flavor. It really does make any breakfast more special!
- Simple Recipe - You only need three ingredients, and the recipe is quite easy. Just do a little mixing and mashing, and you're all set.
- Free Printable Label - I've created a super cute label just for you! Whether you're keeping this homemade jam for yourself, or you're giving it as a gift, these labels are perfect for decorating your jars.
Jump to:
Ingredients
This recipe uses basic, easy to find ingredients! Here's what you'll need:
- Blueberries - For the best results, choose the sweetest and most flavorful fresh blueberries that you can find.
- Sugar - You'll use granulated sugar to sweet the berries and to help the jam set (thicken). Make sure to use the exact amount called for in the recipe, and avoid using sugar substitutes.
- Pectin - To thicken and stabilize the jam, you'll also need some pectin, a naturally occurring soluble fiber found in fruits and vegetables. This recipe uses Sure Jell Original Premium Fruit Pectin, which is easy to find in most grocery stores. If you need to substitute another brand, use this recipe as a guide, but follow the directions on your box.
This recipe is naturally vegetarian, vegan (make sure to use vegan sugar), dairy free, gluten free, and nut free!
You'll Also Need
Before getting started, gather the following supplies:
- Two large bowls - You'll use one bowl to mash the berries, and the other bowl to mix the jam ingredients together.
- Potato Masher or Sharp Knife - While you could use a sharp knife to finely chop the blueberries, save yourself the mess, and use a potato masher instead (so much easier).
- Measuring Cups - You'll use dry measuring cups for the berries and sugar and a liquid measuring cup for the water.
- Large Spoon - For stirring the ingredients together.
- Small Pot - To prepare the pectin.
- Ladle + Funnel - You'll use the ladle to transfer the jam to the jars. A funnel isn't required, but it makes this process much easier and less messy. This canning funnel fits perfectly on the edge of a mason jar. I use mine for all sorts of kitchen tasks!
- Containers - And of course, you'll need some containers to store the jam! Check out my tips below for choosing the best ones.
Best Jam Containers
You can use any freezer-safe container, but some will work better than others:
- Half-Pint Jars - Small half-pint jars hold about one cup of jam. The perfect amount, in my opinion!
- Pint-Jars - If you go through jam fast, then pint-sized jars (which hold about two cups) are also a great option.
- Plastic Containers - Don't want to use glass? These plastic freezer jars are the perfect alternative. Each one holds about one cup.
How to Make Freezer Blueberry Jam
This homemade Blueberry Jam couldn't be easier to make! You'll find a detailed recipe card below, but here's an overview of the steps:
- Prep berries. Remove any blueberry stems, then finely chop the berries with a sharp knife, or mash them with a potato masher. Tip: For the best results, do this in batches. Because blueberries are so small, if you try to chop or mash them all at once, you'll miss a lot of berries.
- Add sugar. Next, you'll measure the blueberries, then add them to a separate bowl. Stir in the sugar, mixing really well. Set this mixture aside for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Tip: Don't forget the mix the blueberries as they sit. Stirring helps dissolve the sugar.
- Mix pectin with water. Stir the pectin and water together in a small pot. Tip: Don't worry if the pectin looks lumpy. The lumps will dissolve as it heats.
- Cook pectin. Bring the pectin mixture to a boil over high heat, stirring constantly. Continue stirring as the mixture boils for one minute, the remove it from the heat.
- Add pectin to fruit. Stir the hot pectin into your berries, then continue mixing for three minutes, or until the sugar has dissolved. Tip: This may take longer than three minutes, and a few tiny crystals of sugar are okay. However, the jam shouldn't have a grainy texture.
- Transfer to jars. When the sugar has dissolved, transfer your jam to the jars, leaving a half-inch of empty headspace at the top. Cover with lids, then let the jam sit at room temperature for 24 hours, or until set. After 24 hours, store the jam in your refrigerator for up to three weeks or in your freezer for up to one year.
Wasn't that Blueberry Freezer Jam fun and easy to make? And just wait until you have your first taste. Yum!
Freezer Jam Tips
This Freezer Blueberry Jam recipe is practically foolproof, as long as you follow the directions! Check out these helpful tips before getting started:
- Prep Your Jam Containers - Start by washing and drying your containers first. That way, they'll be ready when your jam is ready. You can do this by hand or in your dishwasher.
- Use Ripe Fruit - If you want your jam to taste its best, you need to use the best-tasting fruit. Unripe fruit isn't juicy enough to dissolve the sugar, and over-ripe fruit may have too much liquid (not to mention a bad flavor and texture).
- Dry Your Fruit After Washing It - To avoid adding excess liquid to the recipe, dry your fruit thoroughly after washing it.
- Use Sure Jell Pectin - Although there are other brands out there, they all work a little differently. For this recipe, you need to use Sure Jell Original Premium Fruit Pectin. If you buy another brand, you can still use this recipe as a guide, but you should follow the directions on the box.
- Follow the directions and measure accurately. This freezer jelly recipe is very easy, however you need to measure the ingredients precisely, and you need to follow the recipe as written. Avoid making changes. Tip: If you have leftover blueberries, resist the temptation to throw them in! Save them for another recipe instead.
- Avoid reducing the sugar or using substitutes. The recipes does have lots of sugar, but the jam won't set up if you use less. Sugar substitutes also won't work either. Tip: If you prefer lower sugar jam, use Sure Jell Less Sugar Fruit Pectin instead, and follow the directions inside the box.
- Make double batches in separate bowls. This will ensure accurate measurements and even distribution of ingredients.
Variations
Once you've mastered these basic Blueberry Preserves, try one of these easy variations:
- Blueberry-Raspberry - Mix 1 ½ cups crushed blueberries (about 3 cups whole berries) and 1 ½ cups crushed raspberries (about 3 cups whole berries) together in a large bowl. Stir in 5 cups sugar, then let stand 10 minutes (stirring occasionally). Prepare as otherwise directed.
- Mixed Berry - Stir together 1 ½ cups crushed strawberries (about 1 quart / 3 cups whole berries), ½ cup crushed blueberries (about 1 cup whole berries), and ½ cup crushed raspberries (about 1 cup whole berries) in a large bowl. Stir in 4 ½ cups sugar, then let stand 10 minutes (stirring occasionally). Prepare as otherwise directed.
Storage
After your Frozen Blueberry Jam sets, you can refrigerate it for up to three weeks, or you can freeze it for up to one year.
Related Recipes
Searching for more freezer jam ideas? Make one of these recipes next:
- This yummy Freezer Strawberry Jam is popular for a reason ... it's so delicious!
- You won't be able to resist this classic Raspberry Freezer Jam either.
- Can't get enough peaches? Make this tasty Peach Freezer Jam, then enjoy your fave fruit year round!
- If you're a cherry fan, put this Cherry Freezer Jam recipe on your summer bucket list.
- This mouthwatering Blackberry Freezer Jam is a must make for berry lovers!
- Craving tropical flavors? Then you're going to love this delightful Mango Freezer Jam.
Looking for more blueberry breakfast recipes? Try my Blueberry Overnight Oats, Blueberry Banana Bread, Blueberry Compote, or Blueberry and Banana Baked Oatmeal recipes, too!
Printable Label
Don't forget to grab your cute Blueberry Freezer Jam labels! They're perfect decorating your jars, whether you're giving away the jam, or keeping it for yourself.
For best results, print the labels on white cardstock or sticker paper. You can use them a few different ways:
- Attach them to your jars with ribbon, string, or decorative twine.
- Place the labels on the jar lids (under the ring).
- Adhere the labels on the front of the jars (if using sticker paper).
Click here to download the free printable labels, or click anywhere on the image below:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Freezer jam is a type of homemade jam that's made with fresh fruit, sugar, and pectin. Because you don't need to cook the fruit, it's very easy to make. The jam can be stored in your freezer (or refrigerator).
Freezer jam is an uncooked jam that's made with fresh fruit, sugar, and pectin. It isn't canned, and it must be stored in your refrigerator or freezer. Regular jam is made by cooking fresh fruit with sugar (and often, other ingredients). Once it's cooked, the jam is canned, which makes it shelf-stable (until it's opened).
If your jam didn't set up, you may not have measured the ingredients accurately, which threw off the ratio of fruit to sugar. It's also possible that you jam didn't thicken, because the sugar wasn't completely dissolved, or because the pectin was expired. You can eat the jam as-is (it will still taste delicious), or you can follow these remake directions.
Pectin is a naturally occurring soluble fiber that's found in fruits and vegetables. It helps to stabilize and thicken freezer jam. Learn more about how pectin works.
Blueberry Freezer Jam will last for three weeks in your refrigerator or for up to one year in your freezer.
You do not need to boil jars for freezer jam. Make sure to clean and dry your jars thoroughly, either by hand or in your dishwasher.
Blueberry Freezer Jam
Ingredients
- 5 cups blueberries
- 5 ¼ cups granulated sugar
- 1 (1.75 ounce / 49 gram) package Sure Jell Original Fruit Pectin
Equipment
- Potato Masher
- Mason Jars (7 half-pint, or 1 half-pint and 6 pint)
Instructions
- Remove blueberry stems, then place berries in a large bowl. Mash berries into small pieces with a potato masher (or finely chop).
- Measure out exactly 3 cups mashed blueberries, then add them to a large bowl. (If you have extra berries, reserve them for another use.)
- Stir sugar into berries, mixing well. Let the mixture stand for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- After 10 minutes, combine pectin and ¾ cup water in a small pot. Bring mixture to a boil on high heat, stirring constantly. Boil for 1 minute (continuing to stir), then remove from heat.
- Add hot pectin to blueberry mixture, then stir for 3 minutes, or until the sugar is completely dissolved. (This may take longer than 3 minutes.)
- Transfer jam to jars, leaving ½-inch of empty headspace at top. Cover with lids.
- Let jam stand at room temperature for 24 hours, or until set.
- Once jam is set, refrigerate it for up to 3 weeks, or freeze it for up to 1 year. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
