Blueberry jam is bursting with berry flavor, and it’s easy to make at home (no pectin required).
Mmmmm….blueberry jam.
There’s no quicker way to bottle up summer in a jar than a quick and easy homemade blueberry jam. The whole process takes just 30 minutes start to finish, and comes together with just three simple ingredients.
Every year I pack my freezer with homegrown blueberries, and once it’s bursting to the brim, we pack away flats of blueberry jam into our pantry. Though this recipe for blueberry jam is perfect for canning, it also works well as a small batch refrigerator or freezer jam.
Blueberries are generally considered a “low pectin fruit” and most blueberry jam recipes add boxed or liquid pectin. Though I’ve made blueberry jam with pectin in the past, the amount of sugar required is astronomical when using traditional pectin.
Low sugar pectin is an option, but I’m never entirely happy with the consistency. Most of the time it comes out more like jello in a jar rather than a smooth homemade blueberry jam.
But is added commercial pectin really necessary? Couldn’t I boost the pectin already present in blueberries by adding a bit of high pectin lemon juice instead?
The answer? Yes!
Making blueberry jam is incredibly simple, and you can easily make it with or without pectin. I’m going to take you through both processes, which are very similar, and let you choose how you’ll make your own blueberry preserves.
How to Make Blueberry Jam
Making blueberry jam is pretty straightforward, especially if you’ve made other jams in the past.
Pick over the blueberries, removing any stems, leaves, and debris. Make sure the fruit is ripe, and that you don’t have any green berries (or overripe moldy berries). Good blueberry jam starts with high-quality fruit, so don’t skimp.
Add the blueberries to a pot, along with the lemon juice, and cook over low heat until the blueberries begin to pop and release their juices. Starting slow is important since there’s minimal liquid in the pot early on and you don’t want the fruit to scorch.
Within a few minutes, the blueberries will be releasing juice and you can turn the heat up to medium-high, gently mashing the berries to encourage them to fall apart a bit. After about 5-8 minutes you should have a blueberry soup, and you’re ready to add sugar.
Add the sugar and continue to cook the blueberry jam until it reaches gel stage. With my blueberries, this took about 20 minutes (total start to finish) at medium-high heat.
Test for gel stage on a plate that’s been placed in the freezer. The jam should gel quickly as it comes in contact with the cold plate.
You can also use an instant-read thermometer to test for gel stage (220 F at sea level). If you’re above sea level, the finish temperature of jam drops by 1 degree for every 500 feet in elevation. (For example, I’m at 1000 feet in elevation so I finish my jams at 218 F.
You may need to turn the heat down towards the end to prevent scorching, but be sure to continue to cook until the jam thickens into a smooth spreadable blueberry jam.
Troubleshooting Blueberry Jam
Did something go wrong when you were making blueberry jam? Here are a few reasons why:
- Jam Didn’t Thicken ~ If your blueberry jam didn’t gel, there are a number of things that could be at play. In pectin-based recipes, be sure you’ve added enough sugar for traditional pectin or that you’ve followed the directions to the letter (adding sugar in the wrong order will result in syrup rather than jam).
For the no pectin variation, be sure that you added lemon juice to boost the pectin content and then be patient when you’re cooking. Continue cooking the jam until it’s thickened, even if you need to turn down the temperature towards the end to prevent scorching.
- Jam is Bitter ~ Depending on the variety, blueberry skins can sometimes be bitter. Try making blueberry jelly instead, or choose very ripe fruit. Also, be sure you’ve avoided adding lemon pith if you’re using fresh lemon juice. Burned jam can also be bitter, so stir frequently and watch for scorching.
- Jam is Sour ~ Try adding more sugar if you’re using a low sugar recipe. Otherwise, be sure your fruit is completely ripe and that you haven’t included any green fruit.
Canning Blueberry Jam
While you can make blueberry jam as a simple freezer jam, or just place the jars in the refrigerator, canning blueberry jam is incredibly simple.
We live in a solar-powered home here in Vermont, so I always try to conserve limited freezer space by canning whatever I’m able. Blueberry jam cans up beautifully in just minutes in a water bath canner and then you’ll have a shelf-stable jam just waiting in your pantry.
To can blueberry jam at home, simply prepare a water bath canner before you start making your jam. Prepare the jam as usual, but then fill clean canning jars leaving 1/4 inch headspace.
Seal with 2 part canning lids and process in a water bath canner for 10 minutes.
Turn off the heat and allow the jars to sit in the canner for an additional 5 minutes before removing them to cool on a towel on the counter. (This extra 5 minutes is important to prevent siphoning from the rapid temperature change, which I learned all too well when canning apple pie filling.)
Once cool, check seals and store any unsealed jars in the refrigerator for immediate use. Sealed jars can be stored in the pantry, and should maintain quality for 12-18 months.
More Ways to Use Blueberries
Homemade blueberry jam is amazing, but when you’ve really got a bumper crop, try these other easy ways to preserve blueberries:
- Freezing Blueberries
- Canning Whole Blueberries
- Canning Blueberry Pie Filling
- Dehydrating Blueberries
Blueberry Jam
This simple blueberry jam is easy to make at home with just 3 ingredients, no pectin required!
Ingredients
- 4 cups blueberries (fresh or frozen)
- 2 cups cane sugar
- 1/4 cup lemon juice (fresh or bottled)
Instructions
- Place blueberries and lemon juice in a heavy-bottomed jam pot and gently bring to a simmer over low heat. Mash the blueberries to help them release their juices.
- Once the blueberries have released their juices, increase heat to medium-high, and add sugar.
- Cook the jam until it reaches gel stage, about 20 minutes. Test for gelling on a plate that's been in the freezer, or use an instant-read thermometer (220 degrees F at sea level).
- Pour finished jam into prepared jars, seal with 2 part lids. Store in the refrigerator or water bath can for a shelf-stable blueberry jam.
Canning Instructions (Optional)
To can the blueberry jam, fill clean canning jars leaving 1/4 inch headspace. Seal with 2 part lids and process in a water bath canner for 10 minutes. Turn off heat and allow the jars to set in the canner for an additional 5 minutes (prevents siphoning) before removing them to cool on a towel on the counter.
Check seals after 24 hours and store any unsealed jars in the refrigerator for immediate use. Sealed jars should maintain quality in the pantry for 12-18 months.
Notes
Feel free to reduce the sugar by half (to 1 cup), but know that it will mean a lower total yield and longer cook time. Cane sugar gels the easiest, but honey or maple will also work.
Blueberries are acidic enough to can without lemon juice, and it's added for both flavor and added pectin. Canned or fresh lemon juice will both work.
Canning is optional, but the jam must be stored in the refrigerator or freezer if it's not properly water bath canned. Refrigerate after opening either way.
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Soone Hitt
Hi Ashley,
I enjoy reading your blog. I’ve started the Plantain Salve and look forward to finishing and start using it for all the itches. Blackflies, mosquitos, and now Brown Tail Moth create lots of rashes here in Maine.
Question on your blueberry jam. I have some last year’s blueberry in the freezer and want to make jam to use up before this year’s crop will be ready soon. Frozen berries will have more water content so what do you suggest for good firm jam?
Thank you very much in advance!
Soone Hitt
Ashley Adamant
Frozen berries should work, but I haven’t personally tried it. The water content shouldn’t be a big issue, that cooks off. It’s more how freezing may or may not affect the pectin. I know that when you freeze cranberries it affects their pectin and denatures it somewhat, meaning that if you’re trying to make jellied cranberry sauce it won’t fully gel (but instead will be a bit runny). You may find that when working with a fruit that’s already low pectin that it may have more trouble gelling frozen.
Jean
Awesomeness! Added vanilla bean paste.
Willa Wolfe
As I am allergic to citrus am I doomed to pectin and huge amounts of sugar? Is there an alternative?
Ashley Adamant
Actually, believe it or not, most commercial pectin is citrus-based. That said, you may not have a reaction to it in processed form once it’s extracted into powdered pectin. If you can eat regular jam with pectin without an issue, I’d suggest trying Pomona’s Pectin. It’s a low sugar pectin that works great. It is extracted from citrus, like all the others, but if you can eat regular jam without issue then this should be fine too (still test it and start with a small amount just in case).
There are other options though, beyond both citrus and commercial pectin, and I hope to write an article on it in the near future. Homemade apple-based pectins are one option, as well as cutting the jam with other heavy pectin fruits to naturally boost it. There’s even a few wild pectin sources, like bunch berries, and I’ve got some of those in my pantry for experimentation…too many article ideas, not enough time…
Erin P
Hi Ashley! Can’t wait to make this blueberry jam as well as sour cherry jam! How much jam does this recipe yield?
Ashley Adamant
It makes 3 to 4 half-pint (8oz) jars. Total will depend on your fruit a bit, as some is juicier than others.
Erin P
Thank you!
Linda grimshaw
I made recipe for blueberry jam as directed, I now have a reputation in my neighbor hood for the jam lady, it was so easy and quick to make. Girls are bringing berries. Thank you for making my days so full of new and happy friends.
Ashley Adamant
That’s amazing =) I’m so glad you’re famous now, I’d love to be the neighborhood jam lady!
Donna
I made your blueberry jam recipe last year. I’ve already received requests for more. Truth, I’ve never eaten blueberry jam. I’m now a big fan. Your jam recipe help me have some fun during a pandemic. Sharing is almost as good as eating jam!
Ashley Adamant
Wonderful, I’m so glad you’re enjoying it!
Shanon
Loved this easy recipe !!!!
My family absolutely loved it 😉
Administrator
So glad to hear you enjoyed it!
IvyGreen
Thank you so much for sharing your blueberry jam recipe! I found it well written, easy to understand and follow, and exactly what I wanted! I was seeking instructions on water bath canning. Thankfully your recipe included canning steps! So happy!
Administrator
You’re very welcome. So glad you found what you were looking for.
Lucie
I am new at canning and have a bunch of blueberries. Several pounds I have already canned, but I would now like to make some of your blueberry Jam and was wondering if I could use coconut sugar or something like that and if it would act more like the cane sugar in gelling time. Thank you for your help.
Administrator
If you are using a different sweetener you may want to consider using a low sugar pectin like Pomona’s in order to get a good set on your jam.
Bev Douglas
Can this recipe be doubled? We have a bumper crop of blueberries.
Administrator
It is usually recommended to just make multiple smaller batches than to try and double a batch of jam.
Lauren
Hi! I am new to canning jams and I was wondering how much standard powdered pectin you would use in this recipe? Thank you!
Administrator
You don’t need to add any powdered pectin to this recipe. The pectin needed for the jam to gel comes in the lemon juice.
Tracy
I have a bumper crop of blueberries this year and my sister in law gifted me a water bath canner. Your jam was my very first canning project. It was easy and turned out awesome . Delicious and the consistency was perfect. I have made 2 batches already and will be making more for gifting. Thank you for the wonderful recipe.
Administrator
You’re very welcome. So glad you enjoyed the recipe.
Fallon
Hi, if I’m not canning, how long does the jam last in the fridge?
Thank you 🙂
Administrator
It should last in the fridge for several weeks.
Erin Butler
Hi! Could I substitute 1/2 blueberries and half boysenberries?
Administrator
Yes, that should work just fine.
Christina
Quick question. Will the jars last longer than u stated? I thought preserved fruit was good for many years. I have allot of berrys to preserve & wanted to make sure I don’t have to refrigerate them.
Administrator
They should be safe for a longer period of time but often the quality will begin to diminish.
Emily
I’m so excited to try this recipe! Quick question: would adding spices (like cinnamon) affect the canning process at all?
Ashley Adamant
Nope, that’s fine, you’re allowed to add dry spices to any canning recipe without impacting canning safety. Cinnamon would be delicious. Start with just a little though, as cinnamon tends to get stronger in flavor in the canning process, and it can be overwhelming if you put more than a little bit. Vanilla or almond extract are also good flavor choices, and they’re allowed for canning too. Enjoy!
Lindsey
I have canned blueberries, can I make the jam from those? Would I just add the lemon juice and mush them since the sugar was
Added when I canned?
Administrator
I’ve never actually tried this but it might work. You will probably still want to cook it down though.
Pat
Where do I find the version with pomonas pectin?
Administrator
You can find a recipe on the Pomona’s Pectin website. https://pomonapectin.com/blueberry-jam/
Mary Wong
Hi! I made blueberry jam using your recipe and the consistency is fantastic. I found it a bit sugary for my tastes and wonder if reducing the sugar will affect how it will gel in the end. Also, I opened up one of the jars this morning and there’s condensation on the lid. Is that normal? I used the canning method and the seal was in tight. Do you have any advice on this matter?
Administrator
Changing the sugar will definitely affect how it will gel but that doesn’t necessarily mean that you can’t try to reduce it. Condensation is actually pretty normal. It typically reintegrates into the product but if it doesn’t, it should still be fine as long as it was sealed properly and you don’t see, smell or taste anything unusual.
Kari MacKenzie
I doubled this recipe and it was a first for me to make any type of jam. The jam turned out perfect!! Thank you for this recipe!
Administrator
You’re very welcome. So glad you enjoyed the recipe.
Kari
Thank you for sharing this recipe. I made a batch last year and it turned out fabulous! I am about to make another two batches of it over this weekend.
Administrator
You’re very welcome. We’re so glad you enjoyed the recipe.
Candace
Quick question.. instead of water bath can this recipe have the canning process done in the oven??? Thank you so much, I look forward to trying this recipe out 🤗
Administrator
Canning in the oven is not a tested method so we don’t typically recommend it.