What happens when you add a splash of tequila, salt and lime to a strawberry jam recipe? Well you get Strawberry Margarita on toast! Sweet summertime berries, tart lime and the peppery bite of a great tequila combine and make the most delicious jam ever - homemade is best!
For this recipe you'll need: strawberries, lime, salt, Sure-Jel, sugar, tequila
Mix some tequila, lime and salt into strawberry jam and you have a Strawberry Margarita on toast![/caption]
Hey my name is Deb and I’m stopping by to share a recipe from Bowl Me Over. As the name implies most (not all!) of my recipes end up in a bowl. On my blog, I share soups and stews in the fall and winter. Springtime and summers are filled with crunchy fresh salads, delicious homemade jam and great grilling food!
I met Marye about six months ago and we found we have so much in common! Of course we're both food bloggers, but life's journey has taken us down similar paths and we can certainly relate! It's been fun getting to know her and I'm thrilled for the opportunity to share this lovely recipe with you today!
Like Marye, those near and dear to me are diabetic. So most of the jams I make are low sugar and use a pectin designed for low sugar recipes. Sure-Jell in the PINK BOX
If you like this jam, you'll definitely want to try other jam recipes on my site like; Ja Makin' Me Crazy Mango Jam (seriously delicious!) (with a great POP of spice), Christmas in July Pepper Jam (my most popular jam!) or Blueberry Pizzaz Jam and this one is so easy my 10 year old niece made it!
Seriously... you got this!
Sweet spring strawberries make the most delicious jam![/caption]
Strawberry Jam Recipe FAQs
How long has it been since you've made jam? Has it been awhile? If so, now's the time to jump back into jamming and let's start by answering a few questions.
Experience Level: Intermediate - should have experience in the kitchen and be comfortable following detailed instructions.
Are preserves and jam the same thing?
- Pretty much, the names are used interchangeably. In both jam and preserves you'll find pieces of fruit.
Is jelly the same as jam?
- Nope, they are different! As I'd mentioned above jam contains pieces of fruit. Jelly is made from fruit juice.
Ok now that we've covered some of the basics there are a few more things I'd like to clear up.
Helpful hints when making jam –
- Clean the fruit by using 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water, add the fruit and swish around really well.
- Don’t change the amount of sugar the recipe calls for. The sugar not only sweetens the fruit but also preserves it. If you reduce the amount of sugar, you may end up with mold on top of the jam even though you’ve sealed it properly.
- Don’t change the amount of fruit – if you put in too little, it can get so thick, like paste! Too much fruit and it may not set and will be syrupy.
- Although the jars and rings are reusable, the lids are not – you’ll need to purchase new ones
I know you're absolutely going to love this recipe!
Jam making isn't hard but you do have to be precise. When the recipe calls for boiling just one a minute, set a timer. Over processing can make the jam set incorrectly and just as important the longer it's boiled the more flavor is removed from the fruit.
Trust me, This is the closest I've ever gotten to chemistry as I (ahem...) graduated from the school of hard knocks! : D
HOW TO MAKE STRAWBERRY PRESERVES
- Clean and hull the strawberries (do not chop).
- Add the strawberries to a large heavy bottom pan. Using a potato masher, mash the berries well.
- Add the juice and zest of the lime and salt as called for in the recipe.
- Measure 1/4 cup of sugar and mix it with the contents of the Sure-Jell. Sprinkle it into the berry mixture and set it onto the burner on high and bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
- When it comes to a hard boil that you cannot stir down, add the remaining sugar.
- Stirring constantly, return it to a hard boil and boil exactly one minute.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the tequila.
- Immediately ladle into clean, sterilized jars.
See it's not hard to make!
Essential Tools to make Strawberry Jam
- heavy bottom pan
- wooden spoon
- ladle
- canning jars, lids and rings
- hot pan holders
- timer
- funnel
- lifting tongs
Homemade strawberry jam is the BEST hostess gift! It can also be used as a glaze over pork when you're grilling, I use a spoonful in salad dressings and if the worst thing happens and your jam doesn't set? Label it as syrup and no one will be the wiser, trust me - you got this! 😀
More Strawberry Recipes from Restless Chipotle
Looking for more ways to use up those luscious, ripe strawberries? Try one (or more) of these!
- Strawberry and Cream Tart
- Homemade Strawberry Butter
- Strawberry Pavlova
- Strawberry Punch Bowl Cake
- Strawberry Filled Angel Food Cake
Strawberry Jam Recipe
Although this sounds like a fancy, artisan recipe it's pretty straightforward. Follow directions carefully and you'll have gorgeous, ruby red jars of strawberry jam lined up on the counter in no time.
If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars!
Strawberry Jam
Print Add to CollectionIngredients
- 10 cups strawberries , , equals 5 cups crushed
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 lime , , zested and juiced
- 1/4 cup tequila, , use good tequila!
- 4 cups sugar
- 1 1.75 sure-jell pectin, , use the PINK BOX
Instructions
- Clean the strawberries and remove the stems (do not chop).
- Mash the berries with a potato masher. Measure out exactly 5 cups of crushed berries. Add to a large heavy bottom pot.
- Add the juice and zest of the lime and one teaspoon salt
- Measure 1/4 cup of sugar and mix it with the contents of the Sure-Jell. Sprinkle it into the berry mixture and set it on the burner. Turn on high and bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
- When it comes to a hard boil (one that you cannot stir down) add the remaining sugar.
- Return it to a hard boil and boil exactly one minute.
- Remove from the heat. With hot pan holders on immediately stir in 1/4 cup tequila. It will bubble and spit a bit! Continue to stir until it is completely incorporated, about a minute.
- Ladle into clean, sterilized jars.
- Using a paper towel clean the top of the jar off completely.
- Add the lid and screw top. Screw the lid on tightly. Process in a hot water bath for 10 minutes to seal.
- Remove from the hot water bath and place on a heat-proof surface. You'll hear the jars pop and you'll know they are sealed.
Notes
Nutrition
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About Debra
My name is Debra and I send warm greetings from sunny California. I am a serious foodie – I’ve been known as the go-to girl in our family for years, catering weddings and anniversary parties. In the summer I help cook mountains of food for our family reunions. Often times things I create end up in a bowl, hence the name Bowl Me Over! Let's stay connected, you can email me at [email protected] and find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.
Joyce Bolton
Can you use frozen strawberries in margarita jam
Marye
No - they don't work well.
Ilona Campinha
OMG I LOVE this recipe! It’s a twist to regular strawberry jam! I’ve already made 2 batches of it! I love giving jams as gifts...
Deb Clark
Hey Ilona - thank you so much! It warms my heart that you're enjoying this recipe!! My recipe for Christmas in July Pepper Jam is another real favorite for gifts https://bowl-me-over.com/christmas-in-july-pepper-jam/ and this Orange Jelly is absolutely heavenly!! https://bowl-me-over.com/sweet-mandarin-sunshine-jelly/ ! Stop by the blog, I'd love to see you!