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When it comes to quick and easy homemade treats, this small batch Refrigerator Jam takes the cake—or rather, tops it! Made with just fruit and sugar, this jam is as uncomplicated as it gets.

Whether you’re cooking for one or simply want to avoid wastage, this pectin-free recipe delivers a spread that’s flavorful yet simple, perfect for dressing up your morning toast or dolloping on desserts.

Savor this delightful small batch jam with various treats. It pairs wonderfully with a slice of freshly-baked French bread, fluffy Butter Swim Biscuits, light and airy Pancakes, or crisp Waffles. Alternatively, you can mix it into creamy yogurt with crunchy Butter Pecan Granola, use it as a sweet drizzle over a moist White Cake, or as a flavorful addition to buttery Thumbprint Cookies.

Why You’ll Love This Jam Recipe

  • Ease: Made with just sugar and fruit, the ingredients list couldn’t be simpler.
  • Versatility: This jam can be used in a variety of ways, such as on toast, pancakes, waffles, and yogurt.
  • Small Batch: Ideal for single servings, minimizing food waste.
  • No Special Equipment: No canning or pectin required.
  • Taste: A naturally sweet and fruit-forward flavor you won’t get from store-bought jams.

RELATED: 20 Breakfast Recipes For One

What Is Refrigerator Jam?

Refrigerator jam is a simplified jam that doesn’t require any canning. It’s designed to be stored in the fridge and consumed within a short period, making it ideal for small households or those new to jam-making.

Ingredients And Yield

If you have any ingredients leftover from this small batch jam recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.

  • Blueberries or Strawberries
  • Sugar

Before you start, it’s crucial to taste your selected fruit—be it blueberries or strawberries—to gauge their natural sweetness. Fruits can differ significantly in their sugar content, and a tart batch may require a touch more sugar than indicated in the recipe.

This small batch recipe produces approximately 3/4 cup of either blueberry or strawberry jam, filling one small jar perfectly.

Recipe Variations

Your small batch refrigerator jam is already a hit, but if you’re feeling a little experimental, here are some fun variations to try out. Each one brings something new to the table!

  • Mixed Berry Jam: Use a combination of blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries for a multi-berry experience.
  • Spiced Jam: Add a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or cloves for a seasonal flair that’s perfect for autumn or winter.
  • Tropical Twist: Incorporate mango or pineapple chunks for a tropical flavor profile.
  • Citrus Zing: Add a teaspoon of lemon or orange zest to give your jam a refreshing citrus kick.
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How To Make Refrigerator Jam

These step-by-step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make a small batch of refrigerator jam. See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.

  1. Place the blueberries and sugar in a medium-sized saucepan and bring to a simmer. Mash the berries slightly with a potato masher or the bottom of a fork.
a pot filled with blueberries and sugar on the stove.
  1. Begin to stir the berries and sugar together as soon as the berries begin to boil.
softened berries in a pot with a spoon on the side showing how to make homemade jam.
  1. Continue to cook and stir occasionally until the jam begins to thicken. The jam cooks quickly and as it cooks, it thickens naturally. You can see exactly what I mean our recipe video below.
blueberry jam thickening up in a small saucepan.
  1. When the mixture reaches a gel consistency, remove the pan from the heat. When the jam has cooled, pour it into a clean glass jar.

Expert Tips For Making Perfect Small Batch Jam

  • Stick to Berries Rich in Pectin: While you can use a variety of fruits, berries like blueberries and strawberries that are naturally rich in pectin yield the best results.
  • Cook Slowly for Thickness: The combination of fruit and sugar needs a solid 20 to 30 minutes of cooking time to thicken properly. Slow cooking helps evaporate the moisture, aiding in the thickening process.
  • Monitor Thickness According to Fruit: Different fruits have varying water content, affecting the time needed to reach the desired thickness. Start assessing your jam’s consistency around the 20-minute mark.
  • Uniform Fruit Size Matters: To ensure even cooking, make sure your fruit pieces are of similar size. Chop the fruit into halves or quarters before cooking.
  • Soft Texture, Big Flavor: Although jam made without pectin tends to be softer than its store-bought counterpart, its fresh and vibrant flavor more than compensates.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What types of fruits are best for making refrigerator jam?

You can make refrigerator jams with just about any kind of fruit so feel free to use what you have available and whichever fruits are in season. You might also consider adding a hefty pinch of fresh herbs like rosemary or mint or grating fresh ginger and adding it to the fruit as it cooks on the stove.

How long does refrigerator jam last?

Homemade refrigerator jam lasts about 2-3 weeks in the refrigerator.

Do I need pectin to make refrigerator jam?

No, this jam gets its thickness from the natural pectin in the fruit.

Can I double this jam recipe?

Absolutely, just keep the fruit-to-sugar ratio the same.

Strawberry jam spread on a scone that is on a plate next to a jar of jam, a cup of coffee, and a small bowl of strawberries all on a metal tray.

RELATED: 25 Single Serving Summer Recipes

Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients

If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:

If you would like additional information on the cooking and baking dishes I use in our “recipes for one”, please visit our FAQ page. For examples of the dishes used at One Dish Kitchen, please visit our Store page.

If you’ve tried this easy small batch jam recipe or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.

Also, if you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see!


Your Cooking For One Source
Because you’re worth it

Easy Small Batch Refrigerator Jam

4.89 from 26 votes
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Cooling time: 20 minutes
Total: 1 hour
Servings: 6 servings
Easy small batch refrigerator jam made with just two ingredients. Use blueberries or strawberries and sugar in this quick stovetop recipe.

Ingredients 
 

  • 2 cups blueberries (1 pint) or 2 cups chopped strawberries
  • ¼ cup sugar

Instructions 

  • Combine the blueberries (or strawberries) and the sugar in a medium saucepan. Mash berries slightly with a potato masher or the bottom of a fork. Bring mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally.
  • As soon as the berries begin to boil, begin to stir.
  • Continue to cook and stir occasionally until jam begins to thicken. During the last few minutes of cook time, stir vigorously so that the mixture doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan.
    When the mixture reaches a gel consistency, remove pan from the heat. 
  • Pour into a clean glass jar.

Video

Notes

Expert Tips
  • Stick to Berries Rich in Pectin: While you can use a variety of fruits, berries like blueberries and strawberries that are naturally rich in pectin yield the best results.
  • Cook Slowly for Thickness: The combination of fruit and sugar needs a solid 20 to 30 minutes of cooking time to thicken properly. Slow cooking helps evaporate the moisture, aiding in the thickening process.
  • Monitor Thickness According to Fruit: Different fruits have varying water content, affecting the time needed to reach the desired thickness. Start assessing your jam’s consistency around the 20-minute mark.
  • Uniform Fruit Size Matters: To ensure even cooking, make sure your fruit pieces are of similar size. Chop the fruit into halves or quarters before cooking.
  • Soft Texture, Big Flavor: Although jam made without pectin tends to be softer than its store-bought counterpart, its fresh and vibrant flavor more than compensates.

Nutrition

Serving: 1tablespoon, Calories: 40kcal, Carbohydrates: 10g, Potassium: 37mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 10g, Vitamin A: 25IU, Vitamin C: 4.8mg, Calcium: 3mg, Iron: 0.1mg

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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54 Comments

  1. Diabetic so I will try this with monk fruit instead of sugar. It’s a 1:1 exchange so should be easy. I will let you know how it goes.

  2. What size jars do I need for this yummy recipe?
    I have the really small canning jars and small ones and regular size Mason canning jars.
    I would love to use them. Since I don’t can stuff. (arthritis in my hands)

  3. Ideally, I’d like to make this recipe with no sugar, but not sure how that would turn out. I was thinking of at least using half the amount of sugar recommended for this recipe. Do you think that would work? Thank you! ❤️

    1. Hi Susanna, you need sugar to make the jam thicken. You can try using less sugar but the jam will not be as thick.

  4. Great recipe Joanie! I made the jam with strawberries and in the last few minutes I’d cooking down I added some lemon zest. Nice twist of flavor. Can’t wait to try blueberries next!