Discover a simple and delicious blueberry jam recipe that doesn’t require pectin. This easy-to-follow small batch jam recipe will help you create a delightful homemade jam that will elevate your morning toast, cake filling or yoghurt parfait. Say hello to a fresh, fruity spread that you can enjoy anytime.
This juicy sweet jam is perfect of using on pancakes, smeared on croissants, in porridge, on toast or even with a spoon. This is an easy no pectin blueberry jam recipe and only used one punnet of blueberries too.
Summer is upon us and I am ready for berry season! My small batch blueberry jam is the perfect way to start the season. It’s a no pectin blueberry jam, as blueberries are high in pectin you need a little less lemon than you would for example in my strawberry jam recipe to help the jam set.
A little lemon will act as the pectin to help the jam thicken. A blueberry jam without pectin gives a softer set but I prefer it. It’s also easier to shop for and you don’t have to have to store the pectin for another day.
Why you’ll love this small batch blueberry jam recipe
It only uses 3 ingredients, blueberries, sugar and a little lemon juice. Even a novice baker would be a pro at making blueberry jam without pectin.
Using lemon juice instead of pectin makes this blueberry jam all-natural, lemon is a natural source of pectin so using just a few tablespoons is enough to enjoy this blueberry jam with a perfect soft set.
You can make this blueberry jam as a small batch recipe or scale it up for a large batch really easily.
Ingredients
For the full recipe and instructions scroll to the bottom of the page for the recipe card.
Blueberries
You can use fresh or frozen blueberries for this simple blueberry jam recipe. For best results have either at room temperature. If starting from frozen, place the blueberries on a low heat so they defrost slowly then continue the recipe as normal.
SUGAR
As blueberries are naturally high in pectin you don’t need fancy jam sugar for blueberry jam. You only need granulated or caster sugar. I tend to use granulated sugar as I prefer the taste but there isn’t a huge difference at all, just use what you have in the cupboard.
Lemon Juice
Adds a little sharpness and helps the blueberry jam to set without the pectin. You can either squeeze a lemon into the recipe or use shop-bought lemon juice – both options work.
How to make no pectin blueberry jam – step by step
Place the blueberries (fresh or frozen) in a large saucepan.
Cook down your blueberries until they become soft, mushy, and red.
You can use a potato masher to make it smoother.
Add your sugar over a low heat and stir gently to combine everything. You can use a potato masher to make it smoother.
This is also where you add the lemon juice, helping your jam to set. Do the crinkle test using a cold plate to see if it’s at the right setting time. (See the recipe at the bottom for all the information on how to do this).
Make sure your jam jars are steralised and still hot. Then pour the finished jam in. Add the lids and leave your no-pectin blueberry jam on the side to cool.
Top Tips
Pick and wash your own blueberries! This is a super fun activity for the whole family. Just be sure to pick ones that are waist height or above for sanitary reasons. You never know what could be going on down there!
Experiment with herbs to boost the flavour of the finished jam. A little rosemary or cinnamon can be a delicious addition.
Sterilise your jars. To sterilise the jars you can either wash them in hot soapy water and then place them in an oven for 20 minutes at 100 degrees fan. Leave the lids to drain after washing. Or wash the jars and lids in a hot dishwasher (steam setting if yours has one) and this allows them to stay warm and dry in the machine until you’re ready to use them.
See here for how to sterilise Jam Jars in the oven or sterilise them in the air fryer.
Blueberry Jam Serving Suggestions
You use blueberry jam without jam sugar in any recipe you would usually use the classic strawberry jam in. I like to use blueberry jam on pastries, especially croissants, or in the middle of a Victoria sponge.
Blueberries with scones have to be my new favourite combination, they’re light and fruity and perfect with an ice-cold glass of lemonade.
Equipment
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- saucepan or jam pan (jam pan would be better for larger batches)
- kitchen scales
- jam jars (depending on the size of berries and how much quantity you want to make you will need jam jars. I would recommend getting a few so you can make jam again and again. It is really addictive).
See here for how to sterilise Jam Jars in the oven or sterilise them in the air fryer.
Blueberry Jam Substitutions and Variations
Blueberry Jam from Frozen Blueberries
Remove the lemon – if you want an even softer set jam, then remove the lemon completely. As blueberries have a higher pectin level the jam will still set. This is a great part of jam making as it’s easy when you’ve forgotten the lemon at the supermarket.
Blueberries also pair well with oregano, rosemary, sage and thyme. A sprig of rosemary in the jam (before spooning it into the jars) would bring a beautiful earthiness to the jam. It’s unusual I know but trust me.
Storing small batch blueberry jam / Making ahead of time options
Blueberry jam can last for 3 weeks in the fridge but you can also freeze your jam for up to 3 months before you are ready to use it. They are best when frozen in a freezer-safe container and not a glass jar.
Just be sure to defrost it thoroughly before using it to pimp your breakfast pastries!
Top Questions for making small batch blueberry jam
How do you thicken jam without pectin?
Can you use frozen blueberries for jam?
What happens if you don’t use pectin in jam?
Are blueberries high in pectin?
FAQS
How do you thicken jam without pectin?
You can thicken jam without pectin but using jam sugar or by adding some lemon juice to your berry jam. Certain berries have naturally high pectin so your jam will still set nicely but soft.
Can you use frozen blueberries for jam?
Yes, using frozen blueberries is a great idea for jam as it makes your freshly picked fruits last longer. The jam can be made from berries that are either frozen or defrosted, if you are using frozen blueberries just be sure to heat them slowly over a low heat.
What happens if you don’t use pectin in jam?
If you don’t use pectin in jam your jam will either not set or may set very softly, which with some berry jams can be your goal. You can always use blueberries or blackberries to a pectin-free jam and top it up with lemon juice, which is an all natural source of pectin.
Are blueberries high in pectin?
Yes, blueberries are quite high in pectin compared to other berries, such as starwberries. They are not as high in pectin as blackberries but you can still easily make a soft set jam from blueberries without adding additional pectin or using jam sugar.
Other Jam Recipes you might like
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Recipe
Easy Blueberry Jam
Ingredients
- 1 punnet blueberries approximately 250g
- 200 g sugar I use granulated
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Place a plate in the fridge to chill. You will use the plate to see how the jam sets later.
- Place the saucepan/jam pan on low heat and add the blueberries.1 punnet blueberries
- As the blueberries are softening weigh out the sugar and add it in.200 g sugar
- Add in the lemon juice and keep stirring.2 tbsp lemon juice
- If you want a smoother jam use a potato masher to break them up. Do this carefully as the jam will be hot.
- When the sugar has dissolved turn up the heat so the jam is lightly bubbling in a rolling boil for 5 minutes and keep stirring.
- Take off the heat and add a few drops to the cool plate. After a minute push the jam with your finger and when it starts to gently wrinkle and hold that wrinkle the jam is done. If it doesn’t wrinkle put the jam back on the heat for another 2 minutes. A gentle wrinkle will give a soft set, for a thicker set get the jam to a stage where the wrinkle is very strong.
- When ready, spoon the jam into warm sterilised jars (see notes for how to sterilise them) and screw the lids on and leave to cool.
Notes
Nutrition
Please note that the nutrition information provided above is approximate and meant as a guideline only.
Great recipe! So good to not use pectin. Thank you
I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Delicious smothered on sourdough toast for breakfast!
Sourdough toast with jam is the best!
Oh yum! Such an easy jam to make !
It’s so good!
Absolutely delicious! I made this with some leftover blueberries that we had hanging around and we spread it on fresh bread this morning. Yum!
Fresh jam on fresh bread is one of the best more delicious things ever.
Homemade jams are always the best and this one looks amazingly delicious. Thanks for sharing
You are most welcome.
Picked my berries @ 6.50 p.m. ….jam made by 7.41 p.m….. looking forward to it for breakfast. So simple….always thought jam making was soooo exhausting with loads of steps/stages. Great!
Thank you so much for telling me. It is wonderful to hear.
Just made 3 pots from berries from my freezer. Lovely. I like it on croissants.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for letting me know, it’s made my day!