Strawberry chia jam is a healthy homemade jam recipe that is only 4 ingredients and goes great with just about anything! It’s naturally sweetened with maple syrup and thickened with chia seeds instead of sugar and pectin. It’s a must-try with ripe summer berries!
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I have fond memories of my mom cooking fresh summer strawberries over the stove to make homemade jam. While I’ve tried lots of “healthier” takes on some of my favorite childhood recipes, one of the few that proves better than the original is chia seed jam.
Chia jam is a simple combination of fruit, chia seeds, and sometimes lemon juice and maple syrup. The chia seeds thicken the cooked fruit, creating a jam-like consistency.
It’s a healthier alternative to sugar filled jelly or jam, and an easy way to control the ingredients that go into this beloved condiment. It’s also ready to eat in a matter of minutes, so there’s really no excuse for trying this with your best summer produce.
My kids have been eating a lot less fruit as they get older, so this is a great way to not only increase their fruit intake, but also add a healthy seed for protein and fiber to their diet.
Strawberry chia jam ingredients
- Strawberries
- Chia seeds
- Lemon juice
- Vanilla extract
How to make strawberry chia jam
- Cook strawberries in a pot over medium heat for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. The strawberries should become very soft and release a lot of liquid.
- Remove the strawberries from the heat and stir in lemon juice and maple syrup.
- Add the chia seeds and stir until thoroughly incorporated.
- Allow the mixture to rest for 5-10 minutes. It should thicken up like jam. Serve immediately or transfer to a jar to store in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Top tips and questions
What are chia seeds?
Chia seeds (affiliate link) are a nutrient dense seed that can easily be added to lots of foods such as granola bars, smoothies, or baked goods. They’re full of fiber, magnesium, potassium, antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and more!
Chia seeds are used as a thickener sometimes in cooking because they are high in soluble fiber and have an outer shell that can hold a large amount of water, causing them to turn into a gel consistency when placed in liquid. This is what creates the jammy texture in chia jam.
You can find chia seeds in the natural/organic section of the grocery store. If you’re old enough to remember chia pets, they’re the same seeds (but don’t eat the ones that come with the pets)!
Can I use frozen berries to make chia jam?
You can use frozen instead of fresh berries in this recipe. It may just take a little longer for the fruit to cook down since it needs to thaw first.
How do you store strawberry chia jam?
Store your homemade healthy jam in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to one week. I keep a few of these mason jars on hand for storage and shaking up salad dressings.
Is it safe to can chia seed jam?
I don’t have any experience with canning, but would not recommend canning chia seed jam because the chia seeds raise the pH level, creating potentially unsafe canning conditions. You can learn more about safe canning procedures from the CDC.
What do you eat with chia jam?
Strawberry chia jam is a great alternative anywhere you would use regular jam. Think peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, sourdough toast, overnight oats, yogurt parfaits, waffles, cheese boards, muffins, etc.
Tips for customizing
- Swap the strawberries for your other favorite berry such as blueberries or raspberries
- Try other fruits such as cherries, peaches, or pineapple
- Swap the maple syrup for honey (not vegan)
If you make this recipe, be sure to rate it, leave a comment, or tag #theliveinkitchen on Instagram!
Strawberry Chia Jam
Ingredients
- 4 cups strawberries, stems and leaves removed, halved
- 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice
- ¼ cup chia seeds
Instructions
- Place the strawberries in a medium pot over medium heat and allow to cook down, stirring occasionally, for 5-10 minutes. The strawberries should release a lot of liquid and become soft.
- Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the maple syrup and lemon juice. Add the chia seeds and stir until thoroughly incorporated.
- Allow the mixture to rest for 5-10 minutes. It should thicken up and look like jam. Serve immediately or transfer to a jar and store in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Notes
Tips for customizing
- Swap the strawberries for your other favorite berry such as blueberries or raspberries
- Try other fruits such as cherries, peaches, or pineapple
- Swap the maple syrup for honey (not vegan)
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