Homemade Blueberry Jam for Canning (or Refrigerator!)

This blueberry jam recipe for canning is a flavorful way to preserve fresh blueberries while they’re in season. For a pectin-free refrigerator jam option, scroll to the bottom of this post! 

Homemade strawberry jam is another favorite for filling the pantry with delicious flavors. 

jar of open blueberry jam.

Whether you’ve lucked into some fresh blueberries at the market, or you’re harvesting plenty from your own blueberry bushes, this recipe results in a delicious jam with a lower sugar content than most store bought jams. 

Spread this blueberry jam on toast, use it to top waffles or pancakes, or use it in a peanut butter and jam sandwich.

Homemade Blueberry Jam Recipe

I really want to stress for you that making jam at home is not difficult! If you can follow directions, you can do this. If you don’t want to can the jam for a shelf stable product, you can freeze it. You’ll just need to make sure to allow enough headspace for safely freezing the jars

blueberries and ingredients for making jam.

🍯 Ingredients

Blueberries – Fresh blueberries are the star of this recipe! Start with ripe berries and mash them to make a fruit pulp. You can do this by hand with a potato masher, or give them a quick zip in the food processor. No fresh berries? You can certainly use frozen blueberries. (Have plenty? Make up a batch or two of this canned blueberry pie filling, too!)

Sweetener – I used honey for this recipe, but you can opt to use sugar as well. The quantities differ a bit, so be sure to check the notes in the recipe card below. 

Lemon juice – Use bottled lemon juice to assure that the resulting pH for this recipe falls within safe canning guidelines. 

Ginger – This is optional but highly recommended! The freshly grated ginger gives the blueberry jam a nice zippy, rich flavor. 

Pectin – This recipe is made using Pomona’s Universal Pectin. This is the only pectin I use anymore as it allows me to use much less sweetener. The standard pectin brands use an obscene amount of sugar in my opinion, often requiring equal amounts of sugar and fruit! This product uses a low methoxyl method and calls for using two different ingredients, which are included in the box: pectin (the large packet) and calcium powder (the small packet). The dry pectin is mixed with the sweetener before being added to the fruit. The calcium water is added directly to the fruit.

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🥣 How to Make Blueberry Jam from Scratch

Start by measuring out the berries. You’ll need about seven cups of fresh berries to make enough mashed fruit for this recipe. Mash the berries, then heat in a large saucepan along with the lemon juice and calcium water. 

fresh blueberries in a white bowl with a wooden spoon.

Combine the pectin with the sweetener, making sure it’s thoroughly combined. 

honey in a measuring cup with pectin and a pot of blueberries with honey added.

When the berry mixture is boiling, add the sweetener to the mix, stirring for a minute or two to assure that the pectin is well distributed. Return to a boil and it’s done!

spooning blueberry jam into jars through a funnel and using a tool to check the headspace.

🥘 Canning jam

You’ll need special canning jars, lids, and rings (read more about canning equipment here) to make this homemade jam shelf-stable, but the process isn’t difficult.

Use quarter-pint or half pint jars for this recipe. 

hand placing lid and ring on filled jam jars.

Once the jars are filled, you’ll process them in a water bath. What this means is you’ll put the filled and sealed jars of jam into boiling water and heat them for ten minutes. This assures that the jars will seal well.

You might be able to use a large pot, rather than a special water bath canner

Hot tip: Boil some extra water in a saucepan or electric kettle as you’re working. If you need to top off the water in the canner, you won’t cool down the water too much.

Place hot jars on a countertop lined with a kitchen towel and allow to cool fully. As they cool, you’ll hear the little “tink” sound of the jars sealing. Store any unsealed jars in the fridge and use those first. (This is unusual, but it does happen once in awhile.)

jar of blueberry jam with lid and ring in place.

Remove the ring from each sealed jar, rinse to remove any jam residue, and store (without the ring) in a cool, dry place, such as the pantry.

Here’s a more detailed look at canning jam and jelly.

graphic of blueberry jam canning label.

A jar of blueberry jam makes a great gift. Grab a FREE download of these cute printable canning labels — complete with a gentle reminder to return the jar! 

slice of bread spread with blueberry jam.

★ Did you love this recipe? Be sure to give it a star rating below! ★

jar of open blueberry jam.

Easy Blueberry Jam Recipe for Canning

Yield: 10 quarter-pint jars
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Processing Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes

Fill your pantry with jars of this delicious blueberry jam with ginger. Spread it on toast for a taste of summertime all year round!

Ingredients

  • 4 cups crushed blueberries (about 7 cups fresh berries)
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice (bottled)
  • 2 teaspoons calcium water (from Pomona's Pectin package)
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 2 teaspoons pectin (from Pomona's Pectin package)
  • 1 tablespoon ginger (optional)

Instructions

PREPARE FOR CANNING

  1. Prepare the calcium water: Combine ½ teaspoon calcium powder (from the small packet in the box of Pomona’s pectin) with ½ cup water in a small jar. Screw on a lit and shake until well-combined. You'll have more than you need for this recipe. Store the excess in the refrigerator for use in making additional jam or jelly recipes.
  2. Wash the jars you'll use, making sure each is clean and free of nicks in the rim, which could impede sealing.
  3. Wash the lids and rings in hot soapy water. (If you're using non-Ball brand lids, prepare as suggested by manufacturer.)
  4. Place empty jars in a canning pot or large stock pot with enough water to cover by an inch or two, cover pot, and set on high heat. It can take awhile for the water to heat, so get it started before you begin making the recipe.

MAKE THE BLUEBERRY JAM

  1. Measure the crushed berries, lemon juice, and calcium water into a large saucepan; bring to a boil.
  2. Meanwhile, combine the sweetener with the pectin until it's thoroughly combined.
  3. When the berry mixture comes to a boil, stir in the pectin and sweetener, stirring vigorously for 1 to 2 minutes to dissolve the pectin while bringing the jam back to a boil. Remove from heat when the jam boils.

CANNING THE JAM

  1. Ladle hot jam into quarter-pint, half-pint, or pint sized jars, leaving 1/4" head space. A canning funnel makes this easy.
  2. Wipe jar rims to remove any jam that may have spilled. A clean rim is essential to a good seal.
  3. Place lids centered on the jar rim. Screw bands on finger tight.
  4. Use a jar grabber to gently submerge jars into hot water in the canning pot. Water should cover the top of the jars by an inch. The water will cool somewhat in reaction to the addition of the jars. Return the water to a simmer and then set the timer.
  5. Process for 10 minutes 0-1,000 feet altitude; add an additional minute for every additional 1,000 feet in elevation.
  6. Remove jars from water using the jar lifter and transfer to a solid, towel-covered surface. Listen for the popping sound of the lids sealing (a canner's favorite sound!). Allow to cool for 24 hours.
  7. Check seals. Lids should be solid and pulled down tight. (if they flex and pop, the jar didn’t seal; put unsealed jars in the refrigerator and use those first).
  8. Remove rings and wash outsides of jars. Store in a cool dark place.

Notes

This recipe is made using Pomona’s Universal Pectin. This is the only pectin I use anymore as it allows me to use much less sweetener. The standard pectin brands use an obscene amount of sugar in my opinion, often requiring equal amounts of sugar and fruit! This product uses a low methoxyl method and calls for using two different ingredients, which are included in the box: pectin (the large packet) and calcium powder (the small packet).

If you'd prefer to use sugar, use 3/4 cup to replace the 1/2 cup of honey.

This recipe can be made using half-pint jars if you prefer.

The pH for this recipe (as made above) tests at 3.5.

Boiling lids or heating above 180°F as once recommended can damage the sealing compound.

SOURCE: Adapted from Pomona's Universal Pectin.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 40 Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 38Unsaturated Fat: 0gSodium: 3mgCarbohydrates: 9gSugar: 9g

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🥫 Blueberry jam recipe with no pectin

Not everyone wants to can their jam. This blueberry jam recipe differs from the one above and makes a small batch that can be stored right in the refrigerator. You’ll gobble this up before it has a chance to go south.

Since the recipe below is not a recipe for canning blueberry jam, you can be a bit experimental with the flavors. (It’s important not to alter recipes when preserving food for long-term pantry storage.)

 

This recipe calls for adding cornstarch as a thickener. If you’d prefer not to use it, you can simply eliminate that step and cook the blueberries over low heat for longer. As the liquid evaporates, the jam will naturally thicken.

small jar of homemade blueberry jam, more in background.

Two ways to make this blueberry jam recipe

You can make this refrigerator jam on the stovetop or in your Instant Pot. There are directions below for both; choose the method that works best in your kitchen!

Ingredients

  • 3 cups blueberries
  • 3/4 cup granulated organic cane sugar, or 1/2 cup of honey
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons organic cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons water

STOVE TOP INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. Combine blueberries, sugar, and lemon juice in a large saucepan.
  2. Cook over medium heat, stirring often, for 20-25 minutes or until blueberries are soft.
  3. Whisk cornstarch and water together in a small bowl. Add to cooking blueberries, stirring constantly until mixture is thickened (about 5 minutes).
  4. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
  5. Ladle into a storage container. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

INSTANT POT INSTRUCTIONS:

    1. Combine blueberries, sugar, and lemon juice in pressure cooking pot.
    2. Lock the lid in place and select high pressure and 3 minutes cook time.
    3. When beep sounds, turn off pressure cooker and allow to sit, sealed, for 10 minutes.
    4. After 10 minutes, release any remaining pressure with a quick pressure release.
    5. Whisk cornstarch and water together in a small bowl. Add to blueberries in pressure cooking pot.
    6. Bring to a boil using the sauté function, stirring constantly until mixture is thickened (about 5 minutes). Remove from heat and allow to cool.
    7. Ladle into a storage container. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Originally published in August 2018; this post has been updated to include a recipe suitable for safely canning blueberry jam.

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About the author: Kris Bordessa is an award-winning National Geographic author and a certified Master Food Preserver. Read more about Kris and how she got started with this site here. If you want to send Kris a quick message, you can get in touch here.

15 comments… add one
  • Dorothea Sep 13, 2020 @ 7:04

    I’ve used your recipe a few times this summer, using various summer fruits. I eat it with yogurt or on a sandwich. It’s terrific! Thanks!

    • Kris Bordessa Sep 18, 2020 @ 11:03

      Awesome!

  • Terri Phillips Aug 19, 2020 @ 10:01

    I just made your jam! It is delish!
    Thank you!

  • Joy Aug 9, 2020 @ 15:35

    Can you make this recipe and the use a water bath to seal the jars?

    • Kris Bordessa Aug 11, 2020 @ 7:27

      This is not technically a canning recipe, so no.

  • Cassandra Jul 16, 2020 @ 10:05

    How long is the jam good for?

    • Kris Bordessa Jul 18, 2020 @ 14:18

      It should keep in the fridge for 3-4 weeks.

  • Christina Aug 21, 2019 @ 9:54

    Thank you for this recipe. I had about 13 cups of blueberries from a recent sale.
    My questions are, can you freeze this and also how long is this good for in the fridge?

    • Kris Bordessa Aug 23, 2019 @ 14:35

      It should last at least a month in the fridge. Freeze it, sure. Just be sure to leave enough headroom in the jar.

  • Bobbi Cowley Jul 22, 2019 @ 7:04

    Great way to use fruit on sale when you don’t want a huge amount. by

  • Betty Jul 15, 2019 @ 7:49

    I just made this recipe and it was the first time I used my instant pot mini. Thank you for clear directions! When I hit the quick release there was some blueberry juice spatter so be forewarned.

    I did use the cornstarch and because I also threw in most of the zest from the lemon, I added a tablespoon of honey. The jam seemed to need it after I added the zest. Really good and I am glad I made it! The finished recipe fit into a pint canning jar with the bale and glass lid.

  • Lynette Bryant Aug 17, 2018 @ 14:45

    Kris,
    Could this blueberry jam be made with maple syrup rather than honey?
    Thank you,

    • Kris Bordessa Aug 22, 2018 @ 18:09

      I don’t see why not!

  • Rhonda Macleod Aug 7, 2018 @ 10:45

    I have made similar jam with chia seeds as a thickener instead of cornstarch.

    • Kris Bordessa Aug 7, 2018 @ 17:53

      I’ve seen chia in jams like this, but haven’t tried it.

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