What is Strawberry Chia Seed Jam?

It’s a quick, low-sugar jam made by cooking fresh strawberries and thickening them with chia seeds instead of pectin or cornstarch. Think regular jam after a wellness retreat.

Does Strawberry Chia Seed Jam need pectin?

No. Chia seeds absorb liquid and form a gel, so they thicken the jam naturally.

Why is my chia seed jam runny?

Give it time. Chia seeds need at least 3 hours in the fridge, and overnight is better. If it’s still loose, stir in 1 to 2 more teaspoons of chia seeds and chill again.

Can I make Strawberry Chia Seed Jam without sugar?

Yes. Ripe, in-season strawberries are often sweet enough on their own. You can also use maple syrup, honey, or a sugar substitute.

Can I use frozen strawberries?

Yes. Thaw them, drain off some of the extra liquid if you like, and cook a few minutes longer.

How long does Strawberry Chia Seed Jam last?

About 1 to 2 weeks in the fridge in a covered jar, or up to 3 months in the freezer.

Can I can chia seed jam for shelf storage?

No. Chia seed jam isn’t tested for water-bath canning. Keep it in the fridge or freezer.

Is Strawberry Chia Seed Jam healthy?

It’s much lower in sugar than traditional jam and adds fiber, plant protein, and omega-3s from the chia seeds. It’s basically jam with a gym membership.

Can I use other fruit?

Yes. Blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, peaches, and mixed berries all work with the same method.

Strawberry Chia Seed Jam

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This easy Strawberry Chia Seed Jam is made with just 4 ingredients: fresh strawberries, bright lemon, optional sugar, and chia seeds that do all the thickening. No pectin, no cornstarch, no canning. Spread it, spoon it, or eat it straight from the jar.

Author: Ellen
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes (includes 30 minutes cooling and 3 hours chilling)
Yield: 1.5 cups 1x
Category: Breakfast, Dressing/Dip/Condiment, Snack
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American
Diet: Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Vegan

Ingredients

Units Scale

1 pound fresh strawberries
1/2 lemon, zested and juiced
1 to 2 tablespoons sugar, optional
3 tablespoons chia seeds

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Instructions

Wash and hull strawberries. Cut into small pieces, depending on your preference. Cut into larger pieces if you would like a more chunky jam. Place them into a medium saucepan.
Add the lemon zest and lemon juice into the saucepan. Cook on medium for 10 minutes, stirring occassionaly. The strawberries will start to release liquid as it cooks.
Taste the cooked strawberries and add sugar to suit your taste. Ripe, in-season fruit may not need any sweetener.
Remove from heat and add the chia seeds. Stir to combine well. Don’t worry if the mixture seems watery. The chia seeds will thicken the mixture up very well into a thick jam consistency. Pour the mixture into jar(s) and cool on the counter for at least 30 minutes. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight for the chia seeds to get soft. Enjoy on toast, on ice cream, with other fruit, yogurt or straight up by itself.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
Calories: 12 kcal
Sugar: 1.5 g (based on adding 1.5 tablespoons of sugar)
Sodium: 0 mg
Fat: 0.5 g
Saturated Fat: 0 g
Unsaturated Fat: 0.5 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 2 g
Fiber: 0.7 g
Protein: 0.3 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg

Find it online: https://moderateposh.com/strawberry-chia-seed-jam/