Strawberry Chia Seed Jam is the perfect blend of sweet summer berries and nutrient-rich chia seeds that turns simple fruit into a thick, spoonable, naturally sweet spread. For more chia seed goodness, you may also like our Chia Peanut Butter Smoothie.
Quick Look at This Recipe
- 🕗 Prep Time: 5 minutes
- 🔥 Cook Time: 10 minutes
- 🧊 Chill Time: 2 hours (or overnight)
- ⏰ Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- 🍽️ Servings: 6
- ⭐ Difficulty: Moderate – gently cook and mash strawberries, add chia seeds and other ingredients, chill, and enjoy
- 🍓Diet: 100% whole food, plant-based vegan, gluten-free, oil-free, soy-free, nut-free
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This jam is perfect for spreading on our whole wheat bagel, drizzling over our 5-minute soy yogurt, or simply adding a spoonful to your morning bowl of porridge or oatmeal.
If you are looking for a homemade jam that tastes better than store-bought and requires minimal ingredients and effort, this recipe will become your go-to. Say goodbye to gelatinous thickeners and refined sugar and hello to vibrant, fresh flavor in every spoonful.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Quick to make with a few easy-to-find ingredients.
- Captures the bright flavor of ripe strawberries while creating a jam with a smooth, yet textured bite.
- Chia seeds naturally thicken the fruit, so you do not need pectin or other stabilizers. You may also like our strawberry chia seed pudding.
- It is sweet enough to spread on toast yet wholesome enough to stir into yogurt or pair with oatmeal.
Health Benefits
- Strawberries are high in vitamin C and antioxidants that support immune health and skin radiance.
- Chia seeds add plant-based Omega-3 fatty acids, which promote heart health, and fiber for digestion.
- Because this jam uses a minimal amount of natural sweetener, it offers a better alternative to traditional jams that are loaded with refined sugar.
What You Need to Make This Strawberry Chia Seed Jam
- Strawberries (fresh or frozen): Provide juicy, sweet flavor and natural pectin that helps the jam set. They also give the vibrant red color that makes this jam irresistible.
- Pure maple syrup (or homemade date syrup): Adds subtle, caramel-like sweetness and deepens the flavor without overpowering the strawberries. It keeps the recipe refined sugar-free.
- Chia seeds: These tiny seeds absorb liquid and swell to create the classic jelly-like texture. They also give you fiber and healthy fats.
- Lemon: A splash of fresh lemon juice brightens the flavor and balances the sweetness.
For more chia seed fun, you may also like our Matcha Chia Pudding.
Substitutions and Variations
- Extra Lemony Goodness: Add a pinch of lemon zest to enhance the lemon flavor.
- Customization: Feel free to experiment with other fruits or add spices like cinnamon, ginger, or clove for an extra flavor kick.
- Chunkier: If you want a chunkier texture, reserve some diced strawberries and fold them in after cooking.
How to Prepare
- Step 1: Start by placing your chopped strawberries in a medium-sized pot over medium heat. If you're using frozen strawberries, there's no need to thaw them first; they’ll break down beautifully as they heat up. Add a tablespoon or two of water to the fresh strawberries to help them cook down.
- Step 2: As the strawberries begin to cook down, they will release their juices. After about 5-7 minutes, use a potato masher to mash the berries to your desired consistency. If you prefer a chunkier jam, mash less, for a smoother texture, mash more.
- Step 3: Once you’ve achieved your preferred consistency, add chia seeds, maple or date syrup, and lemon juice. The chia seeds will help thicken the jam while adding a pleasant texture.
- Step 4: Continue to cook the mixture for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. You’ll notice it thickening as the chia seeds absorb the liquid. Keep an eye on it to ensure it doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pot.
- Step 5: Once your jam has reached the desired thickness, remove it from the heat and let it cool.
- Step 6: Once cooled, transfer the jam to an airtight container, like a mason jar, and store it in the refrigerator.
Expert Tips
- Use ripe, in-season strawberries for the best flavor and natural sweetness.
- If the jam is too runny after cooling, stir in an extra teaspoon of chia seeds and let it rest another 10 minutes.
- For longer storage, process the jam in sterilized jars and keep it in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
- Taste the jam before refrigerating and adjust sweetness with more maple syrup if needed.
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Serving Suggestions
This Strawberry Chia Jam is incredibly versatile.
- Spread it on toast or a whole wheat bagel.
- Swirl it into our mixed berries overnight oats or vegan quinoa breakfast bowl.
- Use it as a topping for our vegan banana oat pancakes, whole grain french toast, banana oatmeal waffle recipe (switch out the blueberries), low-fat soy yogurt, or matcha chia pudding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Frozen strawberries work perfectly in this recipe. Just toss them into the pot without thawing, and they will break down beautifully as they cook.
The jam will keep for about 7- 10 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator. However, it tastes so good that it might not last that long! If you want longer storage, you'll need to process the jars in a water bath before sealing them. If you're interested in this, check out this article on how to store homemade jam for an extended shelf life. You can also freeze this jam in an airtight freezer-safe container for 4 months.
Strawberry Chia Seed Jam is simple to make yet incredibly versatile. With just four main ingredients, you capture pure fruit flavor and rich texture without artificial thickeners. Whether you are topping toast, stirring into yogurt, or gifting homemade jars to friends, this refreshing jam tastes like sunshine in a jar.
More Spreads and Sauces to Check Out
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Strawberry Chia Seed Jam
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh or frozen strawberries
- 1 to 2 Tablespoons pure maple syrup (or 2 to 3 Tablespoons homemade date syrup)
- 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 Tablespoons chia seeds
Instructions
- Start by placing your chopped strawberries in a medium-sized pot over medium heat. If you're using frozen strawberries, there's no need to thaw them first; they’ll break down beautifully as they heat up. Add a tablespoon or two of water to the fresh strawberries to help them cook down.
- After about 5-7 minutes, use a potato masher to mash the berries to your desired consistency. If you prefer a chunkier jam, mash less, for a smoother texture, mash more.
- Stir in maple or date syrup, lemon juice, and chia seeds. The chia seeds will help thicken the jam while adding a pleasant texture.
- Continue to cook the mixture for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. You’ll notice it thickening as the chia seeds absorb the liquid. Keep an eye on it to ensure it doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pot.
- Once your jam has reached the desired thickness, remove it from the heat and let it cool. After it cools, transfer the jam to an airtight container, like a mason jar, and store it in the refrigerator.
Gigi & Sersie says
Great flavor with simple ingredients, and lots of ways to enjoy it. Sourdough toast with almond butter and this jam.