Easy Homemade Raspberry Jam

Name: Easy Homemade Raspberry Jam
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: 800 g fresh raspberries; 260 g sugar; 1-2 tbsp lemon juice

By: Cayla Gallagher

Published: January, 27 2016 Last Updated: June, 5 2023

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I love hearty breakfasts. I enjoy having bread with different types of spread most days.

But I’m also picky with my spreads, especially jams. The ones I’ve found in the store are either too sweet or too sour. So I decided to make one for myself.

I used to think that it was difficult to make jams, but it’s actually really easy. All you need is the right type of fruit, sugar, and lemon juice!

I will show you how to make one of my favorite jams for breakfast, which is raspberry. This easy homemade raspberry jam recipe will complement your bread, scones, and biscuits, unlike any store-bought jams you’ve ever had.

Recipe Ingredients

As I mentioned before, there are only 3 ingredients needed for the super easy homemade raspberry jam.

Fresh raspberries – Fresh fruits are typically the best to make jams because they give the best taste. To check for fresh raspberries, make sure they are firm and deep-red in color. Look out for molds and bruises as they are clear indications that your fruit is not fresh.
Sugar – You need sugar to balance out the tartness of your jam and make it sweeter. It also helps to preserve your jam and extend its shelf-life so you can enjoy it for a longer period of time.
Lemon juice – Freshly squeezed lemon juice acts as an acidifying agent that activates the pectin in the fruits to make sure that the jam thickens and is set properly. It also balances and enhances the raspberry flavor.

All three ingredients above complement each other to make your raspberry jam taste delicious and last long. They’re not many but they make up crucial components of a tasty fruit jam!

How to Make Easy Homemade Raspberry Jam

You don’t have to be a professional chef to cook this easy raspberry jam recipe. Just follow these steps and you will be fine!

Place the raspberries and sugar in a pot set to medium-high heat. Stir until the sugar has melted.

Increase the heat to high and bring it to a boil. Scoop the scum off the surface to avoid your jam looking cloudy. Reduce until your desired consistency is reached (I reduced my jam about halfway).
Add the lemon juice and mix well. Use a metal spoon to scoop the jam into a sterilized jar and screw the lid on top. Flip over and place in the fridge to chill.

What to Serve with Homemade Raspberry Jam

There are so many ways for you to enjoy your homemade raspberry jam. Sure, putting it on toast is great, but don’t limit yourself to the many ways you can indulge in this condiment!

Here are some ways to enjoy your easy homemade raspberry jam:

Toast – Spread raspberry jam on a slice of toast for a delectable yet simple breakfast or snack.
Scones – Serve raspberry jam with good ol’ English scones that have been freshly baked out of the oven.
Pancakes or waffles – Drizzle raspberry jam over your fluffy pancakes or crispy waffles for a hearty and satisfying breakfast.
Meat: Use raspberry jam as a glaze for your roasted or grilled meat for a heavenly combination of sweet and savory essence.
Ice cream: Drizzle hot jam onto a cold vanilla ice cream. It may sound weird, but if you haven’t tried this, I guarantee your first time won’t be your last time.

Recipe Tips

Mash the raspberries with a fork or potato masher but avoid over-mashing them as this will break down the fruit fibers. Instead of having chunks for texture, you’ll only have a runny jam, which is not ideal.

When you cook the jam, use a heavy-bottomed pot as it helps to distribute the heat evenly. Also, stir constantly to avoid burning the jam at the bottom.

Keep your homemade jam in sterilized jars and lids to keep it fresh. To do this, wash the jars in hot, soapy water and boil them for 10 minutes.

Storage Instructions

You can store your raspberry jam for up to one year in a cool dark place. However, once you’ve opened it, store the jam in the fridge and consume it within a few weeks.

If I boil a jar of homemade jam, is that enough to preserve it?

Boiling can definitely help to preserve it as it kills bacteria in the jam. However, it is not sufficient for long-term preservation. That’s why sterilizing your jars and lids is still the best way to do it.

Is pectin necessary for jam?

It is not necessary to have pectin to make jam, but it does help to create texture. However, some fruits such as apples and citrus fruits are naturally high in pectin and can be set on their own when turned into jam. An alternative to pectin is to cook the fruit and sugar until it reaches the desired thickness.

Can you use simple syrup instead of sugar?

Yes, most definitely! In fact, it is easier to dissolve the sweetener into the fruit mixture with simple syrup compared to sugar which helps to avoid scorching the jam while cooking.

Which is healthier to spread on toast, jam or butter?

It truly depends on the types of jam and butter, and your dietary needs. Some types of jam contain added sugar which is harmful and can cause weight gain if consumed excessively. But they also contain high levels of vitamins and antioxidants depending on the fruit used.

Butter, on the other hand, contains saturated fat which could cause heart disease, but some types of butter may also contain healthy fats such as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats which are good for the body.

If you’re looking to eat healthier, opt for jams that contain low sugar. Look for low-fat butter. Whatever you choose to consume, it helps to have them in moderation!

If some raspberries in the batch are bad, are all of them bad?

Not necessarily. However, spoiled raspberries can contaminate the rest of the fruits if they are not removed, so remember to inspect them first before consuming them and throw away anything that is bruised or moldy.