Jams, jellies and preserves with no added pectin

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When making jams, jellies, and preserves from fruits that contain natural pectin, it’s not necessary to add additional pectin. These products are cooked to the desired consistency.

Basic steps for making fruit spreads without added pectin

1. Assemble all equipment and ingredients according to the recipe.
2. Clean and sterilize canning jars and prepare lids according to manufacturer’s instructions.
3. Select firm, slightly under-ripe fruit (the best source of natural pectin) and prepare according to recipe. Remove pits and stems. Mash fruit with a potato masher (not food processor) and measure fruit accurately.
4. Cook spread according to the directions given in the recipe. Cook fruit spreads until thickened. Use one of the following tests to determine when the jam and jelly are ready. Remember to allow for thickening during cooling.

• Temperature test: Use a jelly or candy thermometer and boil until mixture reaches the temperature of 220⁰F at sea level, or 8⁰F above the boiling point of water for your elevation.
• Refrigerator test: Remove the jam mixture from the heat. Pour a small amount of boiling jam on a cold plate and put it in the freezing compartment of a refrigerator for a few minutes. If the mixture gels, it is ready to fill jars.

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Jam recipes

Berry jams

(7 or 8 half-pint jars)

(Blackberry, Blueberry, Boysenberry, Dewberry, Gooseberry, Loganberry, Raspberry, Youngberry)

• 9 cups crushed berries
• 6 cups sugar

Sterilize canning jars. Combine berries and sugar. Bring slowly to a boil, stirring occasionally until sugar dissolves. Cook rapidly to, or almost to, gelling point, depending upon whether a firm or soft jam is desired. As mixture thickens, stir frequently to prevent sticking. Pour hot jam into hot jars, leaving ¼ inch headspace. Wipe jar rims and adjust lids.

Process using the elevation information below for hot style of pack and half-pints or pints jar size.

• 0 – 1,000 feet = 5 minutes
• 1,001 – 6,000 feet = 10 minutes
• Above 6,000 feet = 15 minutes

After processing, take canner off heat. Remove lid. Wait 5 minutes before removing jars.

NOTE: If seedless jam is preferred, crushed berries may be heated until soft and pressed through a sieve or food mill; then add sugar and proceed as above.

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Grape jam

(about 6 half-pint jars)

• 2 quarts stemmed Concord grapes
• 6 cups sugar

Sterilize canning jars. Separate pulp from skins of grapes. If desired, chop skins in a food blender or chopper. Cook skins gently 15 to 20 minutes, adding only enough water to prevent sticking (about ½ cup). Cook pulp without water until soft; press through a sieve or food mill to remove seeds. Combine pulp, skins and sugar. Bring to gelling point, about 10 minutes. As mixture thickens, stir frequently to prevent sticking. Pour hot jam into hot jars, leaving ¼ inch headspace. Wipe jar rims and adjust lids.

Process using the elevation information below for hot style of pack and half-pints or pints jar size.

• 0 – 1,000 feet = 5 minutes
• 1,001 – 6,000 feet = 10 minutes
• Above 6,000 feet = 15 minutes

After processing, take canner off heat. Remove lid. Wait 5 minutes before removing jars.

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Peach jam

(about 8 half-pint jars)

• 2 quarts crushed, peeled peaches
• ½ cup water
• 6 cups sugar

Sterilize canning jars. Combine peaches and water; cook gently 10 minutes. Add sugar; slowly bring to boiling, stirring occasionally until sugar dissolves. Cook rapidly until thick, about 15-minutes; stir frequently to prevent sticking. Pour hot jam into hot jars, leaving ¼ inch headspace. Wipe jar rims and adjust lids.

Process using the elevation information below for hot style of pack and half-pints or pints jar size.

• 0 – 1,000 feet = 5 minutes
• 1,001 – 6,000 feet = 10 minutes
• Above 6,000 feet = 15 minutes

After processing, take canner off heat. Remove lid. Wait 5 minutes before removing jars.

NOTE: For Spiced peach jam, tie the following ingredients in cheesecloth and add to the jam during cooking:

• 1 teaspoon whole cloves
• 1 stick cinnamon (3-inch piece )
• ½ teaspoon whole allspice

Remove spice bag before pouring jam into hot jars. Process as listed above.

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Strawberry jam

(about 8 half-pint jars)

• 2 quarts crushed strawberries
• 6 cups sugar

Sterilize canning jars. Combine berries and sugar; bring slowly to boiling, stirring occasionally until sugar dissolves. Cook rapidly until thick, about 40 minutes. As mixture thickens, stir frequently to prevent sticking. Pour hot jam into hot jars, leaving ¼-inch headspace. Wipe jar rims and adjust lids.

Process using the elevation information below for hot style of pack and half-pints or pints jar size.

• 0 – 1,000 feet = 5 minutes
• 1,001 – 6,000 feet = 10 minutes
• Above 6,000 feet = 15 minutes

After processing, take canner off heat. Remove lid. Wait 5 minutes before removing jars.

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Jelly recipes

Apple jelly

(4 or 5 half-pint jars)

• 4 cups apple juice (about 3 pounds apples and 3 cups water)
• 2 Tablespoons lemon juice, if desired
• 3 cups sugar

To Prepare Juice: Use method outlined in SP 50-632, Making Berry Syrups At Home.

To make jelly: Sterilize canning jars. Measure apple juice into a saucepot. Add lemon juice and sugar and stir well. Boil over high heat to 8°F. above the boiling point of water, or until jelly mixture sheets from a spoon.

Remove from heat; skim off foam quickly. Pour jelly immediately into hot canning jars, leaving ¼ inch headspace. Wipe jar rims and adjust lids.

Process using the elevation information below for hot style of pack and half-pints or pints jar size.

• 0 – 1,000 feet = 5 minutes
• 1,001 – 6,000 feet = 10 minutes
• Above 6,000 feet = 15 minutes

After processing, take canner off heat. Remove lid. Wait 5 minutes before removing jars.

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Blackberry jelly

(about 4 or 5 half-pint jars)

• 4 cups blackberry juice (about 2½ quart boxes berries and ¾ cup water)
• 3 cups sugar

To Prepare Juice: Use method outlined in SP 50-632, Making Berry Syrups At Home.

To Make Jelly: Sterilize canning jars. Measure juice into a saucepot. Add sugar and stir well. Boil over high heat to 8°F. above the boiling point of water, or until jelly mixture sheets from a spoon. Remove from heat; skim off foam quickly. Pour jelly immediately into hot canning jars, leaving ¼ inch headspace. Wipe jar rims and adjust lids.

Process using the elevation information below for hot style of pack and half-pints or pints jar size.

• 0 – 1,000 feet = 5 minutes
• 1,001 – 6,000 feet = 10 minutes
• Above 6,000 feet = 15 minutes

After processing, take canner off heat. Remove lid. Wait 5 minutes before removing jars.

After processing, take canner off heat. Remove lid. Wait 5 minutes before removing jars.

Strawberry-rhubarb preserves

(about 10 half-pint jars)

• 4 cups sliced rhubarb (½ inch thick)
• 4 cups strawberries
• 7 cups sugar

Wash and cut rhubarb into ½ inch slices. Wash and hull 1 quart strawberries. Measure 4 cups of each into large kettle. Add sugar. Slowly bring to a boil, stirring occasionally until sugar dissolves. When sugar dissolves, start stirring frequently to prevent sticking. Cook rapidly until thick. Remove from heat. Skim off any foam. Pour, boiling hot, into hot jars, leaving ¼ inch headspace. Seal.

Process using the elevation information below for hot style of pack and half-pints or pints jar size.

• 0 – 1,000 feet = 15 minutes
• 1,001 – 6,000 feet = 20 minutes
• Above 6,000 feet = 25 minutes

After processing, take canner off heat. Remove lid. Wait 5 minutes before removing jars.

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Fig preserves

(about 10 half-pint jars)

• 3 quarts figs
• 3 quarts boiling water
• 4 cups sugar
• 1½ quarts water
• 2 lemons, thinly sliced (optional)

Pour boiling water over figs. Let stand 15 minutes. Drain. Rinse figs in cold water. Prepare syrup by mixing sugar, 1½ quarts water and lemon. Boil rapidly 10 minutes. Skim syrup, remove and discard lemon slices. Drop figs into syrup, a few at a time. Cook rapidly until figs are transparent. Remove figs and place in shallow pan. Boil syrup until thick, pour over figs and let stand 6 to 8-hours. Sterilize canning jars. Reheat figs and syrup to boiling. Pour hot preserves into hot jars, leaving ¼ inch headspace. Wipe jar rims and adjust lids.

Process using the elevation information below for hot style of pack and half-pints or pints jar size.

• 0 – 1,000 feet = 5 minutes
• 1,001 – 6,000 feet = 10 minutes
• Above 6,000 feet = 15 minutes

After processing, take canner off heat. Remove lid. Wait 5 minutes before removing jars.

Adapted from So Easy to Preserve, Cooperative Extension Service, The University of Georgia.

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Related articles

• Making Berry Syrups at Home
• Preserving Plums and Prunes

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Source: OSU Master Food Preserver Program