Easy Blueberry Jam Recipe - I Heart Naptime (2024)

Why This Recipe Works

• Quick and easy. One jar of homemade blueberry jam is made with just 4 ingredients and under 30 minutes. Including cool down time! There’s no sterilizing or boiling water for canning jars either.
• Cost-effective. It’s an inexpensive way to preserve seasonal fruit, whether fresh from the market or your blueberry picking haul.
• Delicious. If you find plump, juicy, and freshly ripe blueberries, this is a great way to capture all of that flavor. The sweetness from the sugar and the tang from the lemon juice gives it the perfect balance.
• Simple ingredients. Easy blueberry jam is always better homemade! This way you can control what’s in it and what’s not.
• Versatile. It can be used as anything from a spread to a topping to a filling, and more!

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

• Blueberries: You can use fresh or frozen blueberries. If you freeze your fresh blueberries when they’re in season or buy them frozen from the grocery store, you can make this homemade jam recipe all year round.
• Granulated sugar: This not only helps to sweeten the jam, but it acts as a preservative giving it a longer shelf life.
• Lemon: You’ll need both the zest and the juice for acidity and a tangy flavor. The acid helps your jam to set.
• Pinch of salt: A flavor enhancer that will help to maximize taste.

Variations

There are several ways you can tweak this easy blueberry jam recipe to make it your own. For example, you can add some cinnamon for a warm flavor, or use lemon juice from a bottle instead of from a fresh lemon (this is one of very few times it may even be the better choice). You can also omit the salt if preferred, and of course use this recipe with any fresh fruit or berries you’d like!

Jam Making Tips

• Double or triple the batch for more jam. It may take longer to set if you keep all of it in a larger single jar.
• Prevent burning. When cooking, make sure you stir the mixture continuously to avoid the sugars burning on the bottom.
• Avoid bacteria. Wash and sterilize the jars and lids to avoid any outside bacteria contaminating your preserves.
• Keep the lid off until cooled. Allowing it to cool first before closing the lid helps to prevent trapping of excess moisture inside the jar.
• Give it time to set. You can eat your blueberry jam right away but keep in mind it will still have a loose consistency. It takes up to 48 hours in the fridge to set to a jam-like consistency.

Recipe FAQs

Ways to Use Blueberry Jam

I use this easy blueberry jam recipe in many of the same ways I use my blueberry sauce!

It’s amazing to add to my oatmeal bowls and yogurt bowls in the morning or on top of cheesecake bars for dessert! Sometimes I’ll spoon some over homemade vanilla ice cream.

For brunch, it’s the best slathered over this recipe for Belgian waffles, blueberry pancakes, or 5-ingredient crepes!

Of course, this is a preserve that is perfect spread over a piece of toast, French bread rolls or homemade biscuits.

Storing

Fridge: Keep jam stored in a jar with an airtight light for up to 10 days in the fridge once opened. It will remain fresh and ready to eat for up to 1 month if left unopened.

Freezer: Make a batch of blueberry freezer jam by transferring the preserves to a freezer-safe jar or freezer bag. Leave room for the jam to expand as it freezes. Keep it frozen for up to 1 year. Thaw in the fridge and enjoy it however and whenever you’d like!

Still have more blueberries to use up? Make blueberry muffins, blueberry crisp, and lemon blueberry cupcakes next!