Easy 3-Ingredient Jam (No Pectin!)

This 3-ingredient jam is one of the first “from-scratch” recipes I ever felt confident making no canning kit, no thermometer, just a saucepan and some fruit I needed to use up before it turned.

It’s the kind of recipe that makes you feel like a real homesteader, even if you’ve just got a few bags of frozen fruit in your freezer.
Once you make it, you’ll never go back to store-bought jam again!

Why You’ll Love This Jam

• ✔️ Only 3 pantry staples
• ✔️ No pectin needed
• ✔️ Works with fresh or frozen fruit
• ✔️ Freezer-friendly
• ✔️ Great for beginners (or tiny kitchen days)

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Best Fruits to Use

This recipe works best with fruits naturally high in pectin or ones that cook down easily. Some of my favorites:

• Strawberries 🍓
• Blueberries 🫐
• Raspberries
• Peaches 🍑
• Blackberries
• Chopped apples
• Cherries
• Mixed berry blends

Tip: Avoid super watery fruits like watermelon or melons.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

• 2 cups chopped fruit (fresh or frozen)
• ½ – ¾ cup sugar (depends on the fruit + your taste)
• 1 tbsp lemon juice (fresh or bottled)

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That’s it! No pectin, no cornstarch, no stress.

How to Make It (Step-by-Step)

1. Add everything to a saucepan:
   Combine fruit, sugar, and lemon juice in a medium saucepan. Stir well.
2. Simmer & stir:
   Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat. Stir frequently and use a spoon or potato masher to break up the fruit.
3. Cook 15–20 minutes:
   Let it bubble gently until thickened. You’ll see it reduce and get jammy. It should coat the back of a spoon.
4. Test the set:
   Spoon a bit onto a chilled plate. If it wrinkles when pushed, it’s ready. If not, cook 5 minutes longer.
5. Cool & jar it:
   Let the jam cool slightly, then spoon into clean jars. Seal and refrigerate.

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How to Store It

• Refrigerator: Up to 3–4 weeks
• Freezer: Store in freezer-safe jars up to 6 months
• Canning: This is a small batch, quick jam — but you can water-bath can it if preferred (10 mins)

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Printable Recipe Card

3-Ingredient Jam

Ingredients:

• 2 cups fruit (fresh or frozen)
• ½–¾ cup sugar
• 1 tbsp lemon juice

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in saucepan.
2. Simmer 15–20 minutes, mashing and stirring.
3. Check for set, then cool and jar.
4. Store in fridge or freezer.

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