Strawberry Basil Freezer Jam
Posted: 05/19/2014
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
You’ll love the basil in this strawberry basil freezer jam — it is the perfect complement to your favorite slice of toast.
Recipe Overview
Why you’ll love it: The addition of basil really makes this jam special!
How long it takes: 25 minutes to make but allow 8 hours for the jam to set.
Equipment you’ll need: saucepan, stove, large bowl, measuring cup, jars
Servings: Makes 5 cups
Strawberry freezer jam — one of the best parts about visiting my parents. My mom always has strawberry jam stocked in the freezer for us to enjoy while we’re there. I sometimes even manage to return home with a jar. Honestly, I could eat it by the jarful spoonful, but I try to hold myself back since there is…umm…quite a bit of sugar in it. But it’s jam, so that’s to be expected.
This strawberry basil freezer jam is a twist on my mom’s classic strawberry freezer jam. The addition of basil makes it undeniably perfect for summer.
I just love the combination of strawberries and basil. Have you tried these strawberries stuffed with basil whipped cream? So yummy! May I say they’re even better than chocolate dipped strawberries?
Everyone loves strawberry jam spread on toast, bagels, and corn bread, but it is also amazing stirred into plain Greek yogurt, spooned over vanilla bean ice cream, or even stirred into hot oatmeal. Clearly, you’ll want to find every possible opportunity to use this delicious jam.
About This Freezer Jam
Strawberry freezer jam is unbelievably easy to make. One of my favorite brands, OXO, sent me Driscoll’s strawberries to create a recipe with — and I knew immediately that they would be destined for strawberry basil freezer jam.
You’ll find the easy-to-follow printable recipe at the end of this post.
Hulling the berries is easy (and dare I say fun?) with the OXO Strawberry Huller.
What You’ll Need
- Strawberries! You’ll need one pound of berries, or two cups mashed strawberries. Use ripe, but not overripe, strawberries.
- Sugar: Lots of it! Four cups of granulated white sugar, no substitutions.
- Fruit Pectin: I use a box of Sure-Jell.
- Fresh Basil: Fresh herbs are essential, don’t be tempted to substitute dried. Fresh mint is a good alternative.
How to Make This Jam
After hulling the berries, the next step in making strawberry basil freezer jam is mashing the berries (I use a potato masher for this).
Don’t get too carried away. You want lots of good chunks in there for a nice jammy texture. A food processor makes quick work of this step but avoid getting the strawberries completely pureed.
Next, stir in 4 cups of sugar. Yeah….4 cups! This is why it’s called jam. And not healthy jam. Or fresh fruit purees. It’s the sugar, baby. Totally necessary. Let the berries commune with the sugar while you prepare the pectin.
Hint: Measure the sugar separately in a bowl before adding it to the jam because it’s easy to get distracted and lose count of how many cups you’re up to. It is important to be accurate with your measurements when you make jam or it may turn out too runny.
In a saucepan, mix the powdered fruit pectin with water. Bring it to a boil, stirring constantly, and boil for one minute. Remove it from heat.
Stir the pectin into the berry/sugar mixture. I don’t mean a quick little swirl here but a thorough stir, like for three or four minutes, to make sure the pectin and strawberries are really mixed well.
Add chopped basil to the bowl and stir that in. Pour the jam into jars and cover.
Easy peasy!
FAQs
What is the difference between jam and freezer jam?
Regular jam is usually cooked. The strawberries are simmered on the stove with sugar, pectin, and other ingredients. The hot jam is poured into sterilized jars and processed in a canner. Canned jam can be stored at room temperature for up to a year.
Freezer jam, on the other hand, generally is not cooked. The pectin may be heated but the berries are fresh. The jars should be very clean but there’s no need to sterilize them with boiling water. Freezer jam has a softer consistency and needs to be refrigerated or frozen.
Can you use glass jars for freezer jam?
Yes! Glass jars are fine but make sure they are in a secure place in your freezer. Plastic resealable containers work well, too.
How do I know if my freezer jam is bad?
Freezer jam will last a long time in the freezer but once it’s thawed in the fridge, it may spoil eventually. If you notice mold, a yeasty or vinegar odor, and anything else that looks off, discard immediately.
Storage and Freezing Tips
Strawberry freezer jam will keep up to a year in the freezer. Thaw it overnight in the fridge before using.
Refrigerated jam will keep two to four weeks. Discard the jam if it looks moldy, or smells strange.
Don’t you just want to eat that slice of toast right now? Yum….
If you’re really feeling crazy, spread a little goat cheese or cream cheese on the toast first. The best breakfast ever!
More Strawberry Recipes
Strawberries, strawberries, strawberries! I mentioned stuffed strawberries above and I have a few more recipes for you to try!
- Easy Shortcakes Recipe – for classic strawberry shortcake
- Homemade strawberry milkshake with fresh basil (come on, you know you want to try this!)
- Grilled French toast stuffed with strawberry cream cheese (wow!)
- Strawberry sorbet with mint (yes, mint is just as tasty as basil with strawberries!)
- Ice cream terrine with roasted strawberries (if you haven’t tried roasting strawberries yet, you’re in for a special treat
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @rachelcooksblog on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!
servings
You’ll love the basil in this strawberry basil freezer jam — it is the perfect complement to your favorite slice of toast.
Ingredients
- 2 cups crushed fresh strawberries, about 1 pound
- 4 cups granulated sugar
- 1 pkg. (1.75 oz) fruit pectin, such as Sure-Jell
- 3/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mash strawberries using a potato masher. Measure out exactly two cups, setting aside any extra mashed berries, and add the 2 cups back to bowl. Save the extra mashed berries for another use. You want to be as exact with the recipe measurements as possible.
- To the 2 cups of mashed strawberries, stir in 4 cups of granulated sugar. Mix well to combine, making sure the sugar is completely incorporated, and then let the berry mixture stand for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- After 10 minutes, in a small saucepan, combine fruit pectin and 3/4 cup water. Bring to a boil on high heat, stirring constantly. When it boils, set a timer for one minute. Continue to stir constantly and then remove from heat when it has boiled for one minute.
- Stir pectin and water mixture into the fruit and sugar mixture. Stir constantly for about 3-4 minutes or until sugar is completely dissolved and mixture is no longer grainy. Stir in chopped basil leaves.
- Pour mixture into freezer containers with tight fitting lids (jars work great). You'll need five 8 oz. containers or something comparable. Total yield is 5 cups.
- Let jam stand at room temperature for 8 hours before moving to the fridge or freezer. If you freeze it, thaw it in the fridge overnight before using.
Notes
- This recipe makes 5 cups of jam. Nutrition information is based on serving size of 2 tablespoons.
Nutrition Information
Serving: 2tablespoon, Calories: 40kcal, Carbohydrates: 10g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 1mg, Potassium: 6mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 10g, Vitamin A: 4IU, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 1mg, Iron: 1mg
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
Disclaimer: I was given free OXO products and Driscoll’s berries to work with but was no compensated otherwise. All opinions are as always my own. Post contains affiliate links.
Kathryn A Wiskow says
Is it possible to process this so that you don’t have to freeze it? My freezer is always too full.
Rachel Gurk says
Probably but canning is not my forte so I’m unable to tell you exactly how to do that, sorry!
Fran says
Can you substitute the sugar with splendid or Stevia?
Rachel Gurk says
Not with regular fruit pectin because the sugar helps it set. You could try it with no sugar pectin (like this).
Tricia Baldwin says
I believe I am missing when you add the basil. I have read it several times and can’t find where it should be added. Which step is that, please.
Rachel Gurk says
You’re so right — sorry about that! I added it to step 4, the last step before you pour the mixture into jars.
Martha in KS says
Every year I sweat through making jam. This year I’ll just freeze it! I worry about glass jars in the freezer. Can you use plastic containers instead? BTW – I agree with your opinion of OXO. My digital scale, which I loved, stopped working after 18 mos. & I wrote them asking about the warranty. They sent me a free one! Great customer service.
Christine says
Instant pectin or regular?
Thanks,
Chris
Rachel Gurk says
I used this pectin.
Erin @ Texanerin Baking says
This looks heavenly! I’ve never tried basil in anything sweet but it sounds interesting. :)
Love these pictures!
Jeanne says
Looking forward to trying this jam. Two of my favorites—strawberries and basil.
Gwen @simplyhealthyfamily says
Home made strawberry jam reminds me of a summer stay in Idaho at my cousins house. She had a big basement pantry with shelves of it! Nothing compares and it’s worth the splurge once and a while ;p
Katie says
Yum! I’ve never made jam. I think this might be the best way to start making it… It looks super easy and I’m sure taste divine!
Liz@Virtually Homemade says
This looks super yummy and easy! My kind of jam!
denise says
love strawberry jam–not sure about putting basil in it, though, for me.
Cassie says
I totally need one of those handy tools! I was eating strawberries last night thinking as much. I love this jam with the basil!!
Stephie @ Eat Your Heart Out says
I grew up making strawberry freezer jam with my momma, too! This is glorious.
Samantha says
Strawberry and Basil are the best flavors together! Freezer jam is so great, I can’t wait to try this!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
I love freezer jams! The addition of basil is blowing my mind!! Love it! Pinned!