This Easy 3-Ingredient Chia Seed Strawberry Jam is the perfect healthy alternative to conventional jam! It’s made with 3 healthy, natural, whole-food ingredients and it’s quick and easy to make! Watch the VIDEO below to see how easy it is to make, and don’t forget to scroll down to the end of this blog post for the FULL PRINTABLE RECIPE!
*I originally posted this recipe in April 2015. I’ve updated it today with new photos, but no changes to the recipe.
Looking for more delicious strawberry recipes? Before you grab the recipe for this Easy 3-Ingredient Chia Seed Strawberry Jam at the end of this blog post, check out these delicious recipes below!
These Strawberry Swirl Cupcakes are a reader favourite recipe!!
These Strawberry Lemonade Popsicles are one of our favourite summer treats!
Kitchen Products I recommend:
Easy 3-Ingredient Chia Seed Strawberry Jam
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh strawberries, washed, hulled, and sliced
- 3 tbsp honey add 1 more tablespoon if you like your jam very sweet
- 2 tbsp chia seeds
Instructions
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Heat a medium saucepan over medium heat and add the strawberries. Add the honey and place on the stove over medium heat.
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As the strawberries begin to soften over the heat, stir them around in their juices and the honey.
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Once the berries have softened to the point that they're starting to fall apart, use a potato masher or fork to break them up even more.
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Let the mixture come to a slow boil, stirring almost continually. Once you see some big bubbles break the surface, add the chia seeds.
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The chia seeds will help the jam achieve a gelatinous texture while also adding fibre, protein and healthy Omega-3 fats.
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Continue stirring the mixture over low heat for about 15 minutes, and then remove the pan from the stove.
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If you enjoy jam with small chunks of fruit in it, then you're done! Simply pour the mixture into a mason jar and cover it tightly with a lid.
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If you'd prefer jam with a smoother texture, feel free to add the mixture to your blender and pulse it a few times before pouring it into a mason jar. Or, use an immersion blender and pulse only a few times.
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While the jam is still hot it may seem more fluid that you would expect. The chia seeds need a bit of time to do their work, so let the jam cool to room temperature in the jar and then put your jar of jam in the fridge for a few hours and it will achieve the perfect texture.
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Enjoy on toast, gluten-free crackers or scones, over yogurt or even ice cream.
Recipe Notes
While the jam is still hot it may seem more fluid that you would expect. The chia seeds need a bit of time to do their work, so put your jar of jam in the fridge for a few hours and it will achieve the perfect texture. It keeps for a couple weeks in the fridge, but beware: since it doesn't contain any preservatives and hasn't undergone the proper canning process it must be kept refrigerated.
This jam can be canned, but please follow proper canning instructions to ensure food safety.
Anne says
May 7, 2015 at 10:22 pmi love chia seeds! I've never made jam with them though I will have to try it! stopping by from healthy eating habit! Anne@simpelandsavory
Chrissie says
July 5, 2016 at 1:34 amThanks Anne! I hope you give this recipe a try!
Linda says
March 17, 2018 at 6:24 amCan I use raspberries or other fruit? I am not really a strawberry fan.
Chrissie says
March 21, 2018 at 8:06 pmFeel free to use raspberries or blueberries – just adjust the amount of honey as neither of these fruits are quite as sweet as strawberries! 🙂
Karen Serna says
June 6, 2016 at 1:44 amJust made the jam
and it came our fabulous! I thought the honey would overpower the strawberry flavor. That wasn't the case. All you taste is yummy strawberries! Thank you for posting this recipe.
Chrissie says
June 13, 2016 at 6:49 pmSo glad to hear you are enjoying it!!
SuzyQ says
June 30, 2016 at 1:59 amHi! Wondering how much jam this makes? Approximately 2 cups? I am going to be canning another big batch of jam so I would like to process this so it is shelf stable. Thanks!
Chrissie says
July 5, 2016 at 1:35 amIt yields about a cup and a half to 2 cups. I hope you enjoy it!
Erica says
March 24, 2018 at 3:26 pmDid it work to can it?
Chrissie says
March 26, 2018 at 5:43 pmI’ve never canned it, so I can’t comment on that process unfortunately. Sorry!
Lise-Anne says
April 24, 2018 at 4:55 pmI think it’s dangerous to can anything with honey bc of botulism…?
Regardless, going to try this today 🙂
Looks excellent!
Chrissie says
April 30, 2018 at 6:38 amThanks! I wouldn’t suggest canning this recipe as it is a freezer or fridge jam. Hope you like it!
Kathy says
March 22, 2019 at 9:32 pmSo you can freeze this jam? I knoe in fridge it ladts for 2 weeks. How long with it last in freezer?
Chrissie says
March 24, 2019 at 7:50 pmYes, this jam freezes well for up to a couple months.
Anonymous says
October 22, 2016 at 11:05 pmCan i use maple syrup instead of honey
Chrissie says
March 12, 2018 at 9:35 amYes you can, although you made have to add a little more or a little less to your tastes!
Jessica says
March 30, 2017 at 12:17 amHow long does the jam last?
Chrissie says
March 31, 2017 at 9:30 pmThe jam lasts for several days in the fridge, but it’s also possible to freeze it. 🙂
Tracy says
August 6, 2018 at 12:52 amSpecific suggestions for freezing?
Chrissie says
August 14, 2018 at 6:51 amBe sure to freeze in a freezer-safe container and leave lots of room at the top for the jam to expand as it freezes. Thaw in the fridge and enjoy as normal!
Pamela says
April 3, 2017 at 8:18 pmCan this recipe be canned.
Chrissie says
April 5, 2017 at 10:46 amI believe it could be canned, however you’d have to follow proper canning procedures to make sure it stays properly preserved 🙂
Naomi says
March 18, 2018 at 5:16 pmDo you think this would work with frozen berries? I have plenty of those during this off-season.
Chrissie says
March 21, 2018 at 8:07 pmYes it does work with frozen berries, however just be sure to cook off all the extra liquid that is produced with frozen fruit!
Nancy says
March 20, 2018 at 12:37 amdo the Chia seeds make this a very seedy jam or do they soften during the cooking process?
Chrissie says
March 21, 2018 at 8:08 pmThe chia seeds soften quite a lot and they blend in very nicely with the texture of the jam. It doesn’t have a very seedy texture.
Lacy says
March 25, 2018 at 11:25 pmWhat kind of seeds do you get
Chrissie says
March 26, 2018 at 5:42 pmChia seeds are available from your local grocery store with a health section, or from any health food store.
Amanda N says
March 30, 2018 at 3:57 pmCan you do this recipe with grapes?
Chrissie says
April 12, 2018 at 3:07 pmI can’t say as I’ve never tried this. I doubt it, since when making grape jelly you use the juice only and pectin to create the gelatinous texture. It’s probably best to stick to a fruit that you’d use whole in jam, rather than jelly.
Brenda says
April 30, 2018 at 5:11 amI made concord grape jelly once…delicious..but the amount of sugar was staggering..I wish this recipe worked for grapes.
Chrissie says
April 30, 2018 at 6:28 amUnfortunately it doesn’t work for recipes using on the juice from the fruit (to make jelly) – but you can also use other berries in this recipe and it will work great!
Sabina says
June 21, 2018 at 2:20 amI just made jam with blackberries (just the juice), agaive nectar and chia seeds and it worked well. Maybe double the amount of. His seeds?
Linda Ritchie says
April 1, 2018 at 12:22 amhi…I am going to try this for sure….I wondered if you could add cia seeds to rhubarb jam to for thickening…
thanks for you help
Chrissie says
April 1, 2018 at 8:26 pmI can’t speak to how it would affect rhubarb, but I would assume it would react the same way as with the berries. You’d have to adjust the sweetness with more honey, since rhubarb is more sour than berries 🙂
Neza says
April 3, 2018 at 7:48 pmIt’s just a suggestion. Put the honey when the strawberries and chia seeds cool down. It’ s not good to overheat the honey.
Chrissie says
April 12, 2018 at 3:04 pmGreat suggestion! However to achieve the proper texture, it’s best to add the chia seeds in the early stages.
Sandie says
April 4, 2018 at 12:31 amThank you, thank you, thank you for posting this amazingly easy recipe with whole ingredients!!! Made it tonight but switched out the strawberries for raspberries and it is scrumptious 😊!
Chrissie says
April 12, 2018 at 3:04 pmI’m so glad you enjoyed it!! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment! 🙂
Mandy says
April 4, 2018 at 1:39 amWill the heat not affect the health properties of the honey and chia seeds? Can I cook the strawberries and cool it down a bit before adding the honey and seeds?
Chrissie says
April 12, 2018 at 3:03 pmIt’s possible that the heat will, however I have found that not adding the chia seeds in early enough causes them not to create as much of a gelatinous texture as is needed for this recipe. The earlier you add them the more jam-like the consistency is 🙂
Candace says
April 4, 2018 at 4:23 pmI grow and can my strawberries do a single jar isn’t very efficient. It would be helpful to know if this is a recipe that can be processed for use later.
Chrissie says
April 12, 2018 at 3:02 pmThis is a fridge/freezer jam. Of course you can make and freeze a large batch! 🙂
Supino says
April 9, 2018 at 2:37 pmTo preserve the jam would I not need to use sugar as well as honey as when making normal jam? When i process/pasturise my jams they normally have a shelf life of 2years due to the fruit to sugar content.
Chrissie says
April 12, 2018 at 2:53 pmI can’t speak to that as this recipe is a fridge/freezer jam. If you want to can it you’ll probably have to change the recipe like you suggested.
Eva says
April 24, 2018 at 1:57 pmI’m positive I need some of this in my morning oatmeal!!!!! LOL! Can this be frozen too?
Chrissie says
April 30, 2018 at 6:39 amIt can be frozen, absolutely! Enjoy!
Eva says
April 24, 2018 at 2:00 pmOh my … have my brain going now …. bet you could do this with just about any berry too. Blueberries, blackberries, gooseberries, raspberries. Mmmmm. Have you tried with other berries?
Chrissie says
April 30, 2018 at 6:39 amI’ve made it with blueberries with great success! Enjoy!
Brenda says
April 24, 2018 at 8:37 pmIf I use blueberries or blackberries how much sugar would I need?
Chrissie says
April 30, 2018 at 6:37 amIf using other berries I’d add several more tablespoons of honey to taste.
Katie says
May 1, 2018 at 9:21 pmI typically make strawberry freezer jam. I don’t cook it. I have used chia seeds in recipes and smoothies. I hadn’t thought to use them in place of pectin. I wonder if the consistency would be too far off if I didn’t cook it. With freezer jam you just add pureed strawberries to sugar and pectin and stir for three minutes. Then you let it sit for a few minutes (I think 10). I’m not really familiar enough with the chia seeds to know if that would work with them to get the right consistency or if they would need to be cooked. I’ll have to give it a try though. I’ve only been using 1/3 the amount of sugar it calls for in my current recipe and we don’t notice the difference. It keeps in the freezer really well.
Chrissie says
May 10, 2018 at 8:44 amThe chia seeds will help it thicken up even if you don’t cook it, but cooking the berries helps to reduce the water content and concentrate the flavour. I always cook my jam when I make this recipe, so I can’t really comment on how it would turn out without cooking. Good luck!
Misty Wurst says
May 11, 2018 at 1:15 amCould I do this with peaches…has anyone tried?
Chrissie says
May 16, 2018 at 7:39 pmI’ve never tried with peaches, so I can’t comment on exactly how it would work. Sorry!
Judi says
May 29, 2018 at 5:49 pmWondering if one could use stevia & drop the honey in this recipe. Or, at least reduce the amount. I’m sure you could reduce it but not sure about deleting it totally.
Chrissie says
June 2, 2018 at 7:15 pmYes, you can reduce the honey. I’ve never tried adding stevia, but I’m sure it would work since it doesn’t have an effect on the texture.
Virginia says
July 16, 2018 at 2:00 pmHas anyone tried replacing the honey with Agave Syrup? Same ratio?
Chrissie says
July 21, 2018 at 7:53 pmYes, it works roughly the same!
Linda says
August 1, 2018 at 11:36 amI made this recipe last night and doubled it to make a bit more. I only used 3 TBS chia seeds that I ground first. It was perfect. I have tried other recipes but this was hands down the best!
Chrissie says
August 14, 2018 at 6:52 amSo glad you loved it so much! Thanks!!
Tina says
August 3, 2018 at 5:54 pmDoes this recipe come out 0k if i double or triple? I have a lot of strawberries. Cant wait to try this.
Chrissie says
August 14, 2018 at 6:52 amAbsolutely! I almost always double the batch 🙂
Ashly says
August 19, 2018 at 2:04 amWould you have suggestions for making this with a sugar substitute? I’d like to make some for my mom and she’s on the keto diet.
Chrissie says
August 28, 2018 at 5:38 pmA sugar substitute would work as long as it doesn’t alter the texture of the jam. I don’t personally have experience with this, but the honey only lends flavour here and not texture, so replacing it wouldn’t affect the jam too much.
Natalie says
October 26, 2018 at 9:38 amDo you use this jam in your other recipes? Could it work in a jam tart or cake?
Just wondering if it would affect the consistency or structure of the bake. I’m planning a Bakewell Tart and would like to keep the sugar down where possible, but don’t want to lose the structural integrity with sloppy jam!
Chrissie says
October 29, 2018 at 7:49 pmI’m sorry, I can’t say how this would perform in a Bakewell Tart as I’ve never used this jam in a recipe like that. However, it does set up pretty well and isn’t any sloppier than the store-bought jam that’s available. Good luck!
cara says
March 24, 2018 at 8:08 amWhere can we buy chia seeds?
Chrissie says
March 26, 2018 at 5:43 pmAny grocery store with a healthy food section should have them, or at your local health food store!
Amanda N says
March 30, 2018 at 3:57 pmChia seeds are pretty much everywhere- even Wal-Mart. 🙂
Eva says
April 24, 2018 at 1:58 pmI purchase mine at Sams Club or Costco. You can also purchase online via Amazon.
Courtney says
May 24, 2018 at 2:58 pmHow do you freeze this jam? In jars?
Chrissie says
May 28, 2018 at 9:23 amI like to freeze it in those plastic jars you can buy for freezer jam. Stores like WalMart carry them, and probably also most grocery stores – especially during canning season.