Normal women romanticize exotic vacation spots, dates with George Clooney, and a world in which brownies don’t contain calories. I romanticize canning. I have yet to work up the nerve to try the real-deal (canning that is—George, I’m available when you’re available), and until I do, I’m perfectly content with this easy, no-can 3 Ingredient Strawberry Chia Jam.
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In an idyllic life, I long spend days preserving fresh summer produce; to fill mason jars with sacred summer flavors, then stow them safely for a dreary morning in February.
It sounds industrious, wholesome, and wise.
In real life, five hours of yard work on Saturday nearly killed me, I find chickens to be rather smelly, and I refuse to live more than 15 minutes from a Trader Joe’s.
Thank goodness for strawberry chia jam. It allows me to savor all of the benefits of homemade jam, without the fuss of actually canning it.
Refined Sugar-Free Strawberry Chia Seed Jam – Easy and Delicious!
When you make your own jam, you can use the freshest, sweetest fruit available, control the amount and kind of sweetener (store-bought jams are often saturated with refined sugar), and above all, experience the deep, pure fruit flavor of scratch-made jam.
While traditional canning requires scrupulous attention to detail, intense sterilization, and a dedication to quantity that intimidates me, this strawberry chia jam demands only three ingredients, 30 minutes (much of which is hands off), and makes as small or large a batch as you please.
Making strawberry chia jam is as simple as heating and mashing the fruit with a bit of honey, stirring in the chia seeds, then letting it cool. That’s it. We be jammin’ (sorry).
As the jam rests, the chia seeds thicken and remind me of little speckly strawberry seeds. In addition to being cute, they’re loaded with fiber (a whopping 5 grams per tablespoon), giving the chia jam an extra nutritional benefit.
It’s also a great way to use up any overripe berries you have lurking in your refrigerator, and you can swap the strawberries for other summer fruits you love or have on hand. My next project is blueberry chia jam, if for no other reason than I impulse bought the two-pound value berry box at Trader Joe’s last night.
How to Serve Chia Seed Jam
- On Toast. I’ve been enjoying this strawberry chia jam on toast for easy breakfasts, snacks, and even desserts. Chia seed jam PB&J anyone?
- With Yogurt or Oatmeal. Mixing this jam into a bowl of yogurt or oatmeal takes a simple breakfast to the next level with a Yogurt Parfait.
- On Waffles or Pancakes. Slather some on Strawberry Shortcake Waffles or Vegan Pancakes for a breakfast the entire family will love.
- On Biscuits. Nothing satisfies quite like a plate of fluffy, buttery Drop Biscuits with homemade jam.
More Strawberry Recipes for Breakfast or Dessert
- Strawberry Crisp
- Gluten Free Strawberry Shortcake
- Strawberry Oatmeal Bars
- Strawberry Bread
- Strawberry Vanilla Yogurt Muffins
3 Ingredient Strawberry Chia Jam
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Ingredients
- 24 ounces strawberries or fruit of choice, fresh or frozen (if the fruit is large, slice it into pieces first)
- 2-4 tablespoons honey, maple syrup, or agave (I used honey)
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
Optional add ins:
- Aged balsamic vinegar (good with berry jams)
- Ginger or cinnamon (good with stone fruit jams)
- Vanilla extract or almond extract
- Orange or lemon zest
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine the fruit and 2 tablespoons honey. Cover and bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it begins to liquefy (about 5 to 10 minutes for berries, longer for firmer fruits). Once the fruit is liquidy, bring it to a gentle boil and let cook until it breaks down and becomes saucy, about 5 minutes. Mash lightly to reach your desired consistency (I kept mine fairly chunky).
- Taste the jam for sweetness. If you desire more, stir in additional honey a few teaspoons at a time, until you reach the desired taste. Stir in any optional mix-ins.
- Stir in the chia seeds and let cook one minute. Remove the pan from the heat, stir once more, and let sit for 10 minutes. The jam will continue to thicken as it cools. (If it seems very thin, add 1 to 2 additional teaspoons of chia seeds, stir, then let sit 10 additional minutes.)
- Transfer the chia jam to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or freeze for up to 2 months.
Notes
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