Sweet Strawberry Rhubarb Jam Recipe

Tangy Strawberry Rhubarb Jam Recipe: A Sweet Garden Treat

Bursting with summer’s vibrant flavors, this sweet strawberry rhubarb jam captures the essence of seasonal delight.

Tangy rhubarb meets luscious strawberries in a harmonious blend that dances across your taste buds.

The bright, ruby-red preserve combines tart and sweet notes in a jar of pure sunshine.

Each spoonful carries the nostalgic memories of garden-fresh produce and lazy afternoon picnics.

Local farmers’ markets provide the perfect ingredients for this simple yet incredible spread.

Slather this jam on warm toast or swirl it into yogurt for an instant burst of joy.

You’ll fall in love with this easy-to-make, homemade treasure that celebrates the best of summer’s bounty.

Steps To Make Homemade Strawberry Rhubarb Jam

  • Prepare Fruit Mixture

Toss chopped rhubarb and fresh strawberries into a large pot. Squeeze in some zesty lemon juice to brighten the flavors. Gently warm the mixture over medium heat, letting the fruits slowly meld together and soften.

  • Activate Pectin

Sprinkle pectin over the simmering fruit, stirring until completely dissolved. Crank up the heat and let the mixture bubble vigorously, creating a thick and glossy base.

  • Sweeten the Jam

Pour in sugar all at once, stirring constantly to prevent burning. Bring the mixture back to a powerful boil and let it dance for one full minute, creating a rich, intense flavor.

  • Finish and Preserve

Pull the pot off the heat and skim away any frothy bubbles. Carefully transfer the hot jam into clean jars, wiping the rims to ensure a perfect seal. Choose between canning in a water bath for long-term storage or keeping in the refrigerator for quick enjoyment.

Tips To Nail Jam Texture And Taste

  • Perfect Jam-Making Technique: Chop rhubarb and strawberries into uniform small pieces to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the jam.
  • Storage Wisdom: Homemade jam can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks or processed in canning jars for shelf-stable preservation up to one year.
  • Low-Sugar Alternative: Reduce sugar by using low-sugar pectin and decrease total sugar content to 50-75% for a less sweet, more fruit-forward jam experience.
  • Flavor Boosters: Experiment with additional spices like ground cinnamon, vanilla extract, or a splash of balsamic vinegar to enhance the strawberry-rhubarb flavor profile.
  • Dietary Adaptation: Create a sugar-free version using stevia or monk fruit sweetener and sugar-free pectin for diabetic-friendly or low-carb dietary needs.

Serve Jam With Toast Or Dessert

  • Breakfast Bliss: Spread this vibrant jam generously on warm, buttered toast or freshly baked English muffins for a delightful morning treat.
  • Sweet Morning Companion: Swirl the jam into Greek yogurt or oatmeal to elevate your breakfast with a burst of fruity flavor and natural sweetness.
  • Dessert Delight: Use as a topping for vanilla ice cream, cheesecake, or layer between cake layers to add a tangy-sweet dimension to your favorite desserts.
  • Cheese Board Star: Pair with soft cheeses like brie or cream cheese as a stunning accompaniment on a charcuterie board, perfect for entertaining guests.

How To Store Strawberry Rhubarb Jam Well

  • Chilled Storage Delight: Refrigerate your freshly made jam in sealed glass containers for up to 3 weeks, ensuring maximum flavor and texture preservation.
  • Quick Freezing Method: Transfer cooled jam into freezer-safe containers, leaving slight expansion room, and store for 6-12 months without losing its vibrant taste.
  • Smart Portion Technique: Divide jam into smaller mason jars or silicone freezer trays for convenient single-serving sizes, perfect for spontaneous breakfast or dessert needs.
  • Pantry Stocking Strategy: For long-term shelf stability, use properly sterilized canning jars processed in boiling water bath, which allows jam to remain delicious for 12-18 months in a cool, dark cupboard.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 124 kcal

Servings: 17

Sweet And Tart Ingredients For Strawberry Rhubarb Jam

For Fruits and Acid:
  • Rhubarb: Tart vegetable that provides a sharp, tangy backbone to the jam with its vibrant pink color and unique flavor profile.
  • Strawberries: Sweet, juicy berries that balance the rhubarb's tartness and add beautiful depth to the jam's overall taste.
  • Lemon Juice: Bright citrus that helps preserve color, enhances natural pectin, and adds a subtle zesty note to the preserve.
For Thickening and Sweetening:
  • Pectin: Natural fruit-derived gelling agent that helps the jam set perfectly and creates a smooth, spreadable texture.
  • Sugar: Essential for preserving the jam, balancing flavors, and creating the right consistency while acting as a natural preservative.
For Canning and Preservation:
  • Canning Jars: Clean, sterilized glass containers that ensure safe storage and long-term preservation of the homemade jam.
  • Jar Lids and Rings: Critical for creating an airtight seal that prevents contamination and extends the jam's shelf life.

Tools To Cook Strawberry Rhubarb Jam Right

  • Large saucepan: Essential for cooking down the fruit and creating jam base.
  • Wooden spoon or silicone spatula: Perfect for stirring ingredients without scratching pan.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Precise measurements ensure jam success.
  • Ladle: Helps transfer hot jam into jars safely and neatly.
  • Canning jars with lids and rings: Necessary for storing and preserving jam.
  • Large pot or water bath canner: Required for processing sealed jars.
  • Jar tongs or canning lifter: Safely removes hot jars from boiling water.
  • Kitchen towels: Used for wiping jar rims and handling hot surfaces.
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Sweet Strawberry Rhubarb Jam Recipe

Sweet Strawberry Rhubarb Jam Recipe


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4.7 from 8 reviews

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 17 1x

Description

Homemade strawberry rhubarb jam brings sweet-tart magic to breakfast tables across North America. Seasonal rhubarb and ripe strawberries combine into a luscious spread perfect for toast or baking.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups (800 grams / 28.2 oz) granulated sugar
  • 3 cups (720 ml / 24.4 fl oz) chopped fresh rhubarb (about 34 stalks)
  • 2 cups (480 ml / 16.2 fl oz) hulled and chopped fresh strawberries
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml / 0.5 fl oz) lemon juice
  • 1 box (1.75 oz / 49 g) powdered fruit pectin

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Uniformly dice rhubarb and strawberries to guarantee consistent cooking and optimal texture development.
  2. Initial Mixing: Combine fruit in a substantial heavy-bottomed pot, incorporating lemon juice to amplify flavor complexity and support natural preservation mechanisms.
  3. Heating Process: Gradually warm the fruit mixture over medium-low heat, stirring intermittently to prevent adherence and encourage gradual fruit disintegration.
  4. Pectin Integration: Disperse pectin evenly across softening fruit, whisking meticulously to eliminate potential clumping and ensure seamless incorporation.
  5. Boiling Transformation: Intensify heat until the mixture reaches an aggressive, unmitigated boil that resists stirring intervention, signaling critical jam-setting stage.
  6. Sugar Infusion: Swiftly introduce granulated sugar while continuously agitating to prevent scorching and cultivate a harmonious blend, transforming the mixture’s molecular structure.
  7. Final Setting: Sustain the vigorous boil for precisely one minute, monitoring carefully to prevent potential overflow and confirm proper jam consistency.
  8. Packaging and Preservation: Delicately transfer the molten mixture into sterilized glass vessels, meticulously cleansing jar rims and securing with pristine lids, then elect between water bath processing or immediate refrigeration for short-term storage.

Notes

  • Precision Chopping: Cut rhubarb and strawberries into consistent, small pieces for uniform texture and even cooking throughout the jam.
  • Acid Balance: Add fresh lemon juice to enhance flavor complexity and help natural pectin activate, ensuring better jam set and preservation.
  • Heat Control: Maintain medium-low temperature initially, stirring frequently to prevent fruit from sticking and promote gradual breakdown without burning.
  • Pectin Technique: Sprinkle pectin evenly and whisk thoroughly to eliminate potential lumps, guaranteeing smooth integration and proper thickening.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 17
  • Calories: 124
  • Sugar: 23 g
  • Sodium: 1 mg
  • Fat: 0 g
  • Saturated Fat: 0 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 31 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 0 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg
John Nicholson

John Nicholson

Lead Writer & Recipe Developer

Expertise

Recipe Testing and Development, Kitchen Hacks and Time-Saving Tips, Flavor Pairing and Ingredient Selection, Engaging Food Writing and Storytelling

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Program: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: A hands-on curriculum emphasizing farm-to-table cooking, local ingredient sourcing, and creative menu development. Students gained real-world restaurant experience, learning both classic techniques and modern approaches to sustainable cooking.

John Nicholson honed his skills at Johnson & Wales University, learning how to use fresh, local ingredients and down-to-earth techniques to make cooking simple and satisfying.

His recipes blend Southern comfort flavors with a modern touch, inviting everyone to cook with ease and confidence.

Living in Charleston, John takes cues from the city’s lively food scene, local markets, and seasonal produce. He’s all about making meals stress-free through easy tips, flavor pairings, and fun experiments in the kitchen

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