Easy 3-Ingredient Strawberry Chia Jam Recipe
This Easy 3-Ingredient Strawberry Chia Jam is a healthy and delicious homemade jam made with fresh strawberries, honey, and chia seeds. It offers a natural sweetness with added fiber, protein, and Omega-3 fats from chia seeds, making it a perfect spread for toast, crackers, or a topping for yogurt and ice cream. The simple stovetop cooking method allows the strawberries to break down and the chia seeds to gel, creating a delightful texture that can be enjoyed chunky or smooth according to your preference.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Jam
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Jam Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh strawberries, washed, hulled, and sliced
- 3 tbsp honey (add 1 more tablespoon for a sweeter jam or use a vegan honey substitute)
- 2 tbsp chia seeds
Instructions
- Heat Strawberries and Honey: Heat a medium saucepan over medium heat and add the sliced strawberries along with the honey. Place the saucepan on the stove and begin heating over medium heat.
- Soften the Strawberries: As the strawberries begin to soften, stir them frequently in their juices combined with the honey to prevent sticking and promote even cooking.
- Mash the Berries: When the berries have softened to the point of falling apart, use a potato masher or fork to further break down the strawberries, helping to release more juice and create jam-like consistency.
- Bring to a Slow Boil: Let the mixture come to a gentle boil while stirring almost continually. Once big bubbles break the surface, proceed to the next step.
- Add Chia Seeds: Stir in the chia seeds, which will act as a natural thickener by absorbing the liquid and adding fiber, protein, and healthy Omega-3 fats.
- Simmer and Thicken: Continue stirring the mixture over low heat for about 15 minutes. This time allows the chia seeds to gel the jam and for flavors to meld well.
- Remove from Heat: Take the pan off the stove once the jam has thickened as desired.
- Optional: Blend for Smooth Texture: If you prefer a smoother jam, transfer the mixture to a blender or use an immersion blender to pulse a few times until the desired consistency is reached.
- Cool and Set: Pour the hot jam into a mason jar, seal tightly, and allow it to cool to room temperature. Then refrigerate for a few hours so the jam sets to the perfect gelatinous texture.
- Serve and Enjoy: Use your strawberry chia jam on toast, gluten-free crackers, scones, yogurt, or ice cream as a flavorful and healthy topping.
Notes
- Adjust sweetness by adding an extra tablespoon of honey or your preferred sweetener if desired.
- For vegan jam, substitute honey with maple syrup or agave nectar.
- Jam will thicken more as it cools due to the chia seeds absorbing moisture.
- Store jam in a sealed jar in the refrigerator and consume within 1-2 weeks for best freshness.
- You can customize the texture by blending more or less depending on your preference for chunky or smooth jam.