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    Home » Recipes » Breakfast

    Published: Mar 12, 2022 · Modified: Jul 14, 2022 by Pate Giltner 1 Comment

    The Best Bourbon Strawberry Jam Without Pectin

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    This is the easiest recipe for delicious homemade bourbon strawberry jam without pectin! It's made without pectin and canning, and it's as simple as simmering strawberries, lemon juice, sugar, and bourbon until thick.

    This is the perfect homemade jam because it's made without any special equipment, and it still keeps for up to three weeks in the refrigerator! 

    Strawberry jam in a white bowl with a gold spoon.

    Why you will love this recipe:     

    This is one of my favorite jam recipes, and it is my star ingredient in my Strawberry Bourbon Hand Pies.

    I love homemade jam because you can control how much sugar goes into your recipe. I tend to make my recipes a little less sweet because I like the fruit to really shine through, but this recipe is still plenty sweet!

    This recipe is also so perfect as a filling for so many other recipes! Jam isn't just for toast; put it in donuts, tarts, pies, glazes, cream puffs, and between cake layers. The options are endless! 

    Key ingredients for this recipe:

    • Fresh strawberries: fresh strawberries are the key ingredient in this jam. You can use frozen strawberries, but the cooking time will be longer, and the consistency could vary. You also want to make sure they are nice and ripe; the riper they are, the more wonderful flavor you will get.
    • Sugar: Sugar is what makes this jam sweet. However, there's not too much; I'm not a fan of overly sweet things.
    • Lemon juice: lemon juice helps to bring out the flavor in the strawberries.
    • Bourbon: this ingredient is optional, but it does add a nice kick of flavor to the jam. 
    • Mix the strawberries with the sugar, lemon juice, and bourbon
    • Strawberries in a pot ready to be cooked.
      Let sit for 30 minutes
    • close up shot of cooking jam.
      Boil and then simmer for 20-40 minutes

    How to make this recipe:

    1. Jam is so easy to make, especially if you aren't canning it. 
    2. Combine all the ingredients in a large pot. I then let mine sit for 30 minutes to allow the sugar to start breaking down the strawberries.
    3. Bring the mixture to a boil and then simmer on medium heat until the strawberries have reduced and the mixture has thickened.  
    4. Do the jam test. Before you start making your jam, stick a small plate into the freezer and let it chill while your jam cooks. When it starts to thicken, put one tablespoon on the frozen plate, and freeze for 1 minute. After a minute, push your finger up against the jam, and if it wrinkles and puckers, it's done!

    Tips for perfect jam:

    • Once your jam starts to thicken, watch it very closely. You want perfect consistency. Cooking it for too long will result in a claggy texture and too little a runny texture. 
    • When testing the recipe on the frozen plate, really look at the texture. The consistency it has on the plate will be very close to how it will end up being in the jar. Err on the side of a loose consistency because there is nothing worse than claggy jelly!
    Bourbon strawberry jam on a piece of toast.

    FAQ's:

    How to store this recipe:

    This jam will keep in the refrigerator an airtight container for 2-3 weeks.

    Why do you put lemon juice in strawberry jam:

    Lemon juice adds flavor and acid to the jam, which helps the mixture to thicken. 

    Will my jam thicken as it cools?

    Yes! Your jam will continue to thicken as it cools, so it's important to start testing it as soon as it starts to thicken so you don't overcook it. 

    Toast with strawberry bourbon jam on a white plate on a marble tray.

    LOOKING FOR RECIPES TO USE WITH HOMEANDE JAM?

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    Print
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    Strawberry jam in a white bowl with a gold spoon.

    Easy Bourbon Strawberry Jam Recipe (no pectin, no canning)

    ★★★★★ 5 from 1 reviews
    • Author: pate giltner
    • Prep Time: 5 minutes
    • Cook Time: 20-40 minutes
    • Total Time: 26 minute
    • Yield: 3-4 cups 1x
    • Category: Jam
    • Method: cooking
    • Cuisine: american
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    This is the easiest recipe for delicious homemade strawberry jam! It's made without pectin and canning, and it's as simple as simmering strawberries, lemon juice, sugar, and bourbon until thick. 


    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    1. 2 lb strawberries cut in half's
    2. 2 cups sugar
    3. ½ cup bourbon
    4. 1 table lemon juice

    Instructions

    1. Put a small plate in the freezer.
    2. A wide pot mix the strawberries, sugar, lemon juice, and bourbon and set aside for about 30 minutes or until the sugar and bourbon has started to break down the strawberries.
    3. Bring mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally.
    4. Reduce temperature to medium and simmer until mixture begins to thicken, 20-40 minutes. Keep stirring, so nothing sticks to the pot.
    5. Once the mixture starts to thicken, put a tablespoon of the mixture on the plate in the freezer and freeze for 1 minute. Test the gelling point of the jam by pushing your finger up against the cold jam and if it done, it will wrinkle.
    6. Remove from heat and let cool.
    7. Pour the jam into jars, and they will keep for 2-3 weeks. 

    Notes

    Your jam will continue to thicken as it cools, so it's important to start testing it as soon as it starts to thicken so you don't overcook it. 

    Keywords: Strawberry jam, bourbon

    Did you make this recipe?

    Share a photo and tag me @thegandmkitchen — I can't wait to see what you've made!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Anonymous says

      January 01, 2022 at 10:54 pm

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      ★★★★★

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    Here at The G&M Kitchen, you will find southern-inspired baking recipes with a modern twist that are easy, elegant, and fun! Everything is made from scratch, designed for the home kitchen, and is simply delicious!

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    Pate Giltner holding a cupcake
    Pate Giltner holding a cupcake

    About Pate

    Hi, I'm Pate, and welcome to The G&M Kitchen!

    The G&M Kitchen is a recipe blog that specializes in southern baked goods. Here you will find classics like buttermilk and honey biscuits and beautiful show stoppers like strawberry basil cupcakes. While all recipes are inspired by traditional southern classics, they all have a twist or adjustment that elevates them and brings them into the modern age.

    Learn more about me →

    As featured in: thefeedfeed, Sur La Table, Bake From Scratch, Foodtography School, The Bourbon Review, Bringing it Home

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