If you adore a burst of fruity sweetness with a tantalizing spicy kick, you are going to fall head over heels for this Jalapeño Strawberry Jam Recipe. It blends ripe, juicy strawberries with the lively heat of jalapeños, creating a jam that’s vibrant in flavor and versatile in use. Whether slathered on warm toast, dolloped over creamy cheese, or used as a glaze, this jam brings an exciting twist to any meal or snack. It’s a perfect balance of sweet and spicy that you’ll want to share with everyone you know.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Jalapeño Strawberry Jam Recipe uses a handful of straightforward ingredients, each playing a vital role to ensure the perfect balance of texture, color, and flavor. From the natural sweetness of fresh strawberries to the zesty punch of jalapeños, every ingredient is essential.
- Fresh strawberries: Use ripe, hulled, and chopped strawberries for the sweetest flavor and rich red color.
- Jalapeños: Removing seeds makes the heat milder but still gives a bright, fresh spice.
- Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with preservation while aiding in the jam’s set.
- Lemon juice: Adds acidity to balance sweetness and enhances natural pectin action.
- Fruit pectin: A must-have for thickening your jam to the perfect spreadable consistency.
- Water: Helps soften fruit and dissolve pectin during cooking.
How to Make Jalapeño Strawberry Jam Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Fruit
Start by washing and carefully hulling your strawberries, then chop them into bite-sized pieces. This ensures that your jam has lovely bursts of real fruit in each spoonful, making every bite satisfying and full of fresh flavor.
Step 2: Tame the Jalapeños
Next, slice open your jalapeños and scoop out the seeds if you prefer a gentler heat. Then finely chop the peppers so their spicy essence melds beautifully with the strawberries without overpowering the jam.
Step 3: Cook the Fruit and Jalapeños
Combine the chopped strawberries, jalapeños, and water in a large saucepan. Bring this mixture to a boil over medium heat, then let it simmer gently for 5 to 10 minutes until the strawberries begin to soften and break down, creating a luscious base for your jam.
Step 4: Add Sugar, Lemon Juice, and Pectin
Stir in the sugar and lemon juice until fully dissolved. Gradually sprinkle in the fruit pectin while stirring constantly to avoid lumps. This crucial step ensures your jam will have the perfect thickness and hold together when spread.
Step 5: Boil the Jam to Perfection
Bring your mixture back up to a steady boil and cook for another 5 to 7 minutes. Keep stirring frequently; this allows the jam to thicken nicely and develop its signature bright, glossy finish.
Step 6: Jar Your Jam
Carefully pour the hot jam into sterilized jars, leaving about a quarter-inch of headspace at the top. This space is important for proper sealing during canning.
Step 7: Seal and Process
Seal the jars tightly and either process them in a hot water bath for 5 to 10 minutes if you want long-term storage or refrigerate to enjoy within a few weeks. This step locks in freshness and love, keeping your jam delicious down the road.
Step 8: Cool and Savor
Let the jars cool completely before labeling and storing. Once cooled, your Jalapeño Strawberry Jam Recipe is ready to be enjoyed as the perfect sweet and spicy companion to your favorite foods.
How to Serve Jalapeño Strawberry Jam Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fresh strawberry slices or a thin jalapeño ring on top of a jarred serving adds visual appeal and draws attention to the jam’s vibrant flavors. A fresh mint leaf can also provide a hint of cooling contrast alongside the heat.
Side Dishes
This jam pairs beautifully with crusty bread or warm biscuits, elevating breakfast or snack time. It’s also incredible alongside creamy goat cheese or sharp cheddar on a cheese platter, making your gatherings more memorable and delicious.
Creative Ways to Present
Think beyond the toast! Drizzle this jam over vanilla ice cream for a spice-fruity sundae or use it as a glaze for grilled chicken or pork. You can even swirl it into yogurt or cheesecake batter for an unexpected twist that wows every time.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any jam left after your initial use, store it in the refrigerator tightly sealed to maintain freshness. It will keep beautifully for several weeks, allowing you to enjoy that spicy strawberry goodness whenever you crave it.
Freezing
You can freeze jalapeño strawberry jam for longer-term preservation. Place the jam in airtight freezer-safe containers or jars, leaving some room for expansion, and thaw it overnight in the fridge when ready to enjoy.
Reheating
To revive your jam after storage, gently warm it on the stove or microwave for a few seconds. This softens the jam and intensifies the flavors, just like fresh-from-the-pot, ready to spread or pour with ease.
FAQs
How spicy does the jam get with jalapeños included?
The heat level depends on how many jalapeños you use and whether you remove the seeds. Removing seeds results in a mild warmth that complements the sweetness perfectly without overwhelming your palate.
Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?
Yes, frozen strawberries work well in this recipe. Just thaw and drain excess moisture before cooking to avoid a runny jam and maintain the right consistency.
What type of pectin should I use?
Fruit pectin designed specifically for jam-making, like Sure-Jell, is recommended. It helps the jam set properly and gives you a dependable texture you can count on every time.
How long does homemade strawberry jalapeño jam last?
If canned and sealed properly, the jam can last up to a year in a cool, dark pantry. Refrigerated jars should be consumed within a few weeks for best flavor.
Can I adjust the sweetness or spice level?
Absolutely! Feel free to reduce sugar slightly if you prefer less sweetness or add more jalapeño if you like a spicier kick. It’s your recipe to make your own.
Final Thoughts
This Jalapeño Strawberry Jam Recipe offers a delightful fusion of sweet and spicy that transforms everyday moments into something extraordinary. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll want to make it again and again. Grab those strawberries and jalapeños, and let’s get cooking — your taste buds are in for a thrill!
Print
Jalapeño Strawberry Jam Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 6 half-pint jars
- Category: Condiment
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Jalapeño Strawberry Jam blends the sweetness of fresh strawberries with a spicy kick from jalapeños, creating a unique and flavorful spread perfect for toast, cheese boards, or glazing meats. This easy-to-make jam uses fruit pectin for the perfect gel and can be preserved in jars for long-term storage.
Ingredients
Fruit
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and chopped
- 1–2 fresh jalapeños, seeds removed for less heat
Other Ingredients
- 3 cups sugar
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1 package (1.75 oz) fruit pectin (like Sure-Jell)
- 1/2 cup water
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Wash, hull, and chop the strawberries to ensure they are ready for cooking.
- Prepare Jalapeños: Remove the seeds from the jalapeños to reduce heat if desired, then finely chop them.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large saucepan, combine the chopped strawberries, jalapeños, and water.
- Cook Fruit Mixture: Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, then reduce heat and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes until the strawberries begin to break down and release their juices.
- Add Sugar and Lemon: Stir in the sugar and lemon juice to the simmering fruit mixture.
- Incorporate Pectin: Gradually add the fruit pectin while stirring continuously to prevent lumps and ensure even distribution.
- Boil to Thicken: Bring the mixture back to a full rolling boil and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring frequently, until the jam thickens properly.
- Prepare for Canning: Pour the hot jam into sterilized jars, leaving about 1/4 inch of headspace at the top.
- Seal and Process: Seal the jars with lids and process them in a hot water bath for 5 to 10 minutes to preserve, or alternatively refrigerate and use within a few weeks.
- Cool and Enjoy: Allow the jars to cool completely before storing. Serve the jam as a sweet and spicy topping or condiment.
Notes
- Removing jalapeño seeds reduces heat but keeping some seeds will maintain spiciness.
- Use sterilized jars to prevent spoilage and extend shelf life.
- Process jars in a hot water bath for safe long-term storage.
- If refrigeration is preferred, consume within a few weeks.
- Adjust sugar amount to taste, but note it affects jam consistency and preservation.
