Treat yourself to this homemade Peach Freezer Jam! This delicious recipe is quick and easy to make and the perfect way to preserve fresh summer fruit ... best of all, it tastes so amazing!
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Peach season is here! I love this delicious summer fruit and always get a little sad when this juicy stone fruit goes out of season.
This yummy Peach Freezer Jam recipe is my favorite way to enjoy this favorite fruit year round, and it's so simple to make. All you need to do is chop some peaches and stir a few ingredients together ... you can do this!
You are going to love this recipe! There's no cooking required, apart from heating the pectin (which naturally thickens the jelly), and you only need four easy-to-find ingredients. Best of all, the flavor is out of this world delicious ... just like biting into the juiciest summer peaches!
Homemade Freezer Jam is an easy way to preserve fruit that doesn't take a lot of effort or time. Gather your family to create some special summer memories, or throw together a batch yourself!
Ready to get started? You'll find the easy recipe below, plus tons of helpful tips and photos, and a free printable label, too!
Ingredients
You'll need four ingredients to prepare this simple recipe:
- Peaches - You'll need about two pounds of peaches to make this recipe. Fresh peaches works best, although frozen may also be used (thaw them before starting).
- Lemon - This recipe uses two tablespoons of fresh lemon juice (about one lemon), which is essential for helping the jam set (thicken) and balancing the sweet flavor. Don't skip it!
- Sugar - Granulated sugar sweetens the peaches and helps the jam set. Make sure to use the exact amount of sugar called for in the recipe. If you use less (or a sugar substitute), your jam will end up runny and won't set.
- Pectin - This naturally occurring thickener / stabilizer is essential for setting the homemade jam. You'll need Sure Jell Original Premium Fruit Pectin for this recipe, which is easy to find in most grocery stores (you can usually find it in the baking aisle) or online. There are a few different brands out there (Ball is also popular), but they are not interchangeable. If you purchase a different brand, use this recipe as a guide only, and follow the directions on the box.
This yummy Freezer Jam recipe is naturally vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, and dairy free, so you can share it with everyone at your table!
You'll Also Need
To make this recipe, you'll need to gather a few supplies:
- Cutting Board - To chop the peaches.
- Large Bowl - To mix the jam ingredients together.
- Knife - You'll need a knife to chop the peaches.
- Pot of Boiling Water (Optional) - There are a couple ways to peel peaches. I used a sharp paring knife, but you can also blanch them in boiling water, if you prefer.
- Measuring Cups - It's imperative to measure your ingredients accurately for this frozen jam. You'll need one-cup and half-cup dry measuring cups to measure the fruit and sugar, a liquid measuring cup for the water, and a tablespoon-sized measuring spoon for the lemon juice.
- Large Spoon - To mix the everything together.
- Small Saucepan - To cook the pectin.
- Ladle + Funnel - While not required, a funnel makes transferring the jam to the jars much easier (and less messy). I used this canning funnel, which fits perfectly on the edge of a mason jar. It's great for recipe like Overnight Oats, too!
- Containers - You need a few containers to store the jam ... check out my tips below!
Best Freezer Jam Containers
While any small, freezer-safe container can be used for storing the jam, some are better than others. Here are a few containers I'd recommend:
- Jam Jars - These half-pint mason jars hold about one cup of jam. The pretty quilted pattern on the outside of the jars also that makes them perfect for gifts.
- Pint-Sized Mason Jars - If you eat lots of jam, then you may want to store it in larger pint-sized jars.
- Plastic Containers - I've never had a glass mason jar break when freezing jam, but if you'd prefer to use plastic, these reusable plastic containers (each is equivalent to a half-pint) will work great.
Tip: This recipe makes about three pints (six cups). So you will need six half-pint jars, or three pint-sized jars to store it. I personally prefer small half-pint jars, because the jam only lasts three weeks in the refrigerator.
How to Make Peach Freezer Jam
Homemade Freezer Jam is simple to prepare, although you do need to follow the directions carefully. You'll find a detailed recipe card below, but here's an overview of the steps:
- Peel + chop peaches. Start by peeling your peaches and finely chopping them. There are a couple ways to peel peaches. One way is to remove the peel with a sharp paring knife. Another way is to blanch the peaches. To do so, cut an shallow X on the bottom of your peaches, then drop them into boiling water. After one minute, transfer the blanched peaches to a bowl of ice water. Once cooled, the peel should be easy to remove. Tip: If you use a paring knife, you may want to buy an extra peach just in case, because you may end up removing some of the flesh, too.
- Mix peaches, lemon juice, and sugar. Add the sugar, lemon juice, and peaches (make sure to get the juice, too) to a large bowl, then mix well. Set the peaches aside for 10 minutes, and continue to stir occasionally. Tip: Don't forget to stir the peaches a few times during the 10 minute period. This helps the sugar dissolve better.
- Combine pectin and water. After 10 minutes, combine the pectin and water in a small saucepan. Don't worry if the mixture is lumpy. The lumps will dissolves as the mixture heats.
- Heat pectin mixture. Bring the pectin-water mixture to a boil over high heat, stirring constantly. Continue boiling for one minute, stirring constantly, then remove the pectin from heat.
- Stir pectin and peaches together. Add the hot pectin to your peaches, then stir for three minutes, or until the sugar is dissolved. Tip: It's okay if a few tiny sugar crystals remain, but you must keep stirring until the mixture is no longer grainy. For me, this usually takes at least five minutes.
- Transfer jam to jars. When the sugar has dissolved, transfer the jam to clean jars, leaving ½-inch of space at the top. Cover the jars with lids, then let the jam sit at room temperate for 24 hours (or until set). After the 24 hours is up, you can refrigerate the jam for three weeks or freeze it for up to one year.
And that's all there is to it ... your homemade Peach Freezer Jam is ready to enjoy. You are going to love the fresh peach flavor!
Storage
Once your jam has set, store it in your refrigerator for up to three weeks or freeze it for up to one year.
Freezer Jam Tips
This Frozen Peach Jam is practically fool proof to make ... as long as you follow the directions. Keep these helpful tips in mind, too:
- Wash and dry your jars before you start. You do not need to boil the jars (unlike canned jam), but they do need to be cleaned thoroughly in your dishwasher or by hand. Feel free to reuse the lids, if you're using mason jars.
- Start with firm, ripe fruit. If you start with under-ripe fruit, your jam's flavor will be flat and there won't be enough juice to dissolve the sugar. If your peaches are over-ripe and mushy, the texture will be wrong, and the jam may have too much liquid to set up properly.
- Wash and dry your fruit before beginning. Make sure to dry your peaches after washing them. You don't want to get excess liquid in the jam.
- Use Sure Jell Pectin. Although you can buy different varieties and brands of pectin, they are not interchangeable. You'll need Sure Jell Original Premium Fruit Pectin for this recipe. If you happen to purchase a different brand, use this recipe as a guide, but make sure to follow the directions on the box.
- Be exact when measuring the ingredients. Make sure to measure your ingredients carefully. Use a dry measuring cup to measure the fruit and sugar (the sugar / fruit should be even with the top of the cup), tablespoon-sized measuring spoon for the lemon juice, and a liquid measuring cup for the water. Tip: Do not add extra fruit, even if you have leftovers ... it will throw off your measurements, and your jam may not set.
- Follow the directions exactly as written. This recipe relies on science to work properly (similar to baking). So accurate timing and proportions are important. Be precise when measuring, and follow all recommended times. Tip: Set the timer on your microwave (or phone) to make sure you're not skimping on any times.
- Do not reduce the sugar or use a sugar substitute. It's true, this recipe uses a lot of sugar. In order for this Peach Jelly recipe to work properly though, you need to include it all. Tip: If you'd prefer to use less sugar, buy a box of Sure Jell Less Sugar Premium Fruit Pectin instead, and follow the directions inside the box.
- Don't make a double batch in one bowl. When making a double batch, it will turn out better if you prepare each batch in its own bowl and heat the pectin separately.
Variations
This fresh, no cook Peach Jam is delicious as-is, but if you feel like experimenting, you can prepare this recipe with different fruits, or you can combine the peaches with other ingredients for a unique flavor. Here are some ideas to try:
- Raspberry Freezer Jam - This raspberry variation on the recipe is one of my favorites and a total crowd pleaser!
- Strawberry Freezer Jam - The quintessential freezer jam ... this recipe is a classic for a reason (so delish).
- Peach-Raspberry - Combine 2 cups crushed raspberries (about 3 cups whole berries) and 1 ½ cups finely chopped peaches (about 1 ¼ pounds whole peaches) in a large bowl. Stir in 7 cups sugar, then let stand 10 minutes (stirring occasionally). Prepare as otherwise directed.
- Peach-Vanilla - Combine 3 cups finely chopped peaches (about 2 pounds whole peaches), 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste in a large bowl. Stir in 4 ½ cups sugar, then let stand 10 minutes (stirring occasionally). Prepare as otherwise directed.
- Peach-Apricot - Combine 1 ¼ cups finely chopped peaches (about 1 pound whole peaches), 1 cup finely chopped apricots (about ¾ pound whole apricots), and 2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice in a large bowl. Stir in 4 cups sugar, then let stand 10 minutes (stirring occasionally). Prepare as otherwise directed.
- Peach-Blueberry - Combine 2 cups crushed blueberries (about 4 cups whole berries), 1 cup finely minced peaches (about 2 large peaches), and ¼ cup lemon juice in a large bowl. Stir in 5 cups sugar, then let stand 10 minutes (stirring occasionally). Prepare as otherwise directed.
Related Recipes
Looking for more fresh peach ideas? Check out one of these recipes next:
- Peach Green Tea
- Veggie + Peach Wraps
- Peach Overnight Oats
- Peach Baked Oatmeal
- Peach Goat Cheese Toast
- Peach Crumble
- Peach Crisp
Printable Label
Don't miss these cute printable Peach Freezer Jam labels I created for you! These adorable labels are ideal for labeling jars, as well as for gift giving. Here are some ways to use them:
- Use decorative twine, string, or ribbon to attach the label to the jar. (Print on white cardstock for best results.)
- Put the labels on top of the lid, under the ring. (Print on white cardstock for best results.)
- Print the labels on sticker paper, then cut them out and stick them right to the jar.
To download the free printable labels, click anywhere on the image of them below (or click here).
Frequently Asked Questions
Freezer jam is a homemade jam that's made with fresh fruit, sugar, and pectin. It's typically made without cooking the fruit, and it can be stored in your refrigerator or freezer.
Freezer jam is an uncooked jam made with fresh fruit, sugar, and pectin, that must be stored in the refrigerator or freezer. Regular jam is made by cooking fruit with sugar (and other ingredients, such as lemon juice and pectin) until thickened. It is then canned in a hot water bath, which makes it shelf stable (before opening).
If your freezer jam didn't set properly, you may not have measured your ingredients accurately (the ratio of fruit to sugar was off), the sugar may not have been totally dissolved, or you didn't cook the pectin properly or it may have expired. You can always add more pectin to thicken it (check out these remake instructions).
Pectin is a natural ingredient (it's a soluble fiber found in fruits and vegetables) that's used to thicken and stabilize jams and jellies. When combined with sugar and fruit, pectin helps create that jelly-like texture you expect in jam. Learn more about how pectin works.
Freezer jam can be stored in your refrigerator for up to three weeks or frozen for up to one year.
You do not need to boil jars when making freezing jam, however you should clean the jars thoroughly (either in your dishwasher or by hand).
Peach Freezer Jam
Ingredients
- 2 pounds peaches
- 4 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 (1.75 ounce / 49 gram) box Sure Jell Original Fruit Pectin
Equipment
- Mason Jars (six ½-pint jars OR three pint jars), or other freezer safe containers
Instructions
- Peel, pit, and finely chop peaches. (See note.)
- Use a dry measuring cup to measure out exactly 3 cups finely chopped peaches. (If you have extra fruit, reserve for another use.)
- Stir lemon juice and sugar into peaches, mixing well. Let stand for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- After 10 minutes is up, combine pectin and ¾ cup water in a small pot. Bring mixture to a boil on high heat, stirring constantly. Boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly, then remove from heat.
- Mix hot pectin into peach mixture, then continue stirring for 3 minutes, or until the sugar is totally dissolved. (This may take longer than 3 minutes.)
- Transfer jam to jars, leaving ½-inch of headspace at top. Cover with lids.
- Let jam sit at room temperature for 24 hours, or until set.
- Once jam is set, refrigerate for up to 3 weeks, or freeze for up to 1 year. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
