This Keto Strawberry Jam is delicious on just about everything. It is really easy to make homemade sugar free strawberry jam. It takes about ten minutes and four ingredients. When fresh strawberries are in season and abundant it is worth it to make your own gluten free strawberry jam. Only 3 net carb per 3 tablespoons!
If you're on the keto diet, finding tasty and healthy alternatives to your favorite meals and snacks can be a challenge. One of the most difficult things to give up is sugar-laden jams and jellies, which are often loaded with carbs and artificial sweeteners. Fortunately, there's a simple solution: make your own sugar-free strawberry jam at home!
This easy recipe uses fresh strawberries, natural sweeteners like stevia or erythritol, and a touch of lemon juice for tartness. It's perfect for spreading on toast or adding to yogurt or oatmeal for a burst of fruity flavor without any extra calories or carbs.
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I have a huge love affair with strawberries. I could eat one of the costco sized containers all by myself. Really. I like them fresh, in desserts, in jams, in salsa, and even roasted. My husband and I just tried making smoked strawberries for the first time as well. Making a low carb strawberry jam without sugar was a necessity! This sugar free keto jam recipe is also low carb, grain-free, dairy-free, and Trim Healthy Mama friendly (as a fuel pull).
Ingredients
Strawberries - Choose brightly colored berries without blemishes.
Sweetener - To make no sugar strawberry jam I do add some sweetener. Most strawberries need a bit to enhance their natural sweetness. I use a blend of granular sweeteners and stevia but you can also use monk fruit or another sweetener of your choice.
Lemon Juice - Lemon juice will add a bit of tartness that balances the sweetness of the jam nicely.
Thickener - You can use either xanthan gum or glucomannan. I do not use pectin in my jam recipes although you can use it if you prefer.
How to Make Keto Strawberry Jam
Making homemade jam is very easy! You need to cook the berries to soften them and release the natural juices, sweeten them, and then thicken it to a jam consistency. This can be made in no time!
Step One: Hull the berries and add to a medium saucepan.
Step Two: Give the strawberries a couple of good smashings with a potato masher. Just to get the juices flowing.
Step Three: Cook until they become liquidy. After cooking and before chilling the jam will look like the photo below.
Step Four: Transfer to glass jars and refrigerate until thick.
Variations
Blueberries & Raspberries - You may sub blueberries or raspberries for the strawberries. You can even use a combination of berries to make a mixed berry jam.
Frozen Strawberries - This recipe does work using frozen strawberries instead of fresh ones if they are not in season. Just make sure whatever berries you choose are flavorful.
Other Fruits - Other fruits such as peaches, plums, and apricots may be a bit too high in carbs for a low carb diet but if you just need a sugar-free jam recipe you can feel free to use any fruit you like.
Flavorings - You can add a couple of drops of vanilla extract to boost the flavor of the jam. Other great choices are lemon zest for a stronger lemon flavor or another citrus zest like orange zest or lime zest. Adding fresh herbs is also a unique variation. Basil goes very well with strawberries as does fresh thyme.
Common Questions
How to prep strawberries for jam
The hardest part of this recipe is hulling the strawberries. I use a tiny paring knife, insert it a bit off-center near the stem, and then turn the berry. The stem and hull come off all as one. The reason I suggest removing the hulls is that they are normally firm and flavorless.
Do I need to cook the jam?
Yes, this is a cooked jam. Just cook the berries over medium heat until they are softened. Smash until no large pieces remain. Add the sweetener, lemon juice, and thickener. Transfer the sugar free strawberry jam into jars. Store in the fridge and enjoy. Serve with low carb bread, keto almond flour chaffles or waffles, yogurt, cottage cheese, coconut flour muffins, keto ice cream, or just about anything.
If you don't want to cook this jam you can puree the ingredients with ground chia seeds instead since they have natural thickening properties.
How to Use Keto Strawberry Jam
I have enjoyed this easy keto strawberry jam with so many keto recipes. Everything from keto bread, waffles, coffee cake, and directly from the jar with a spoon. I still need to try it on top of vanilla ice cream and with shortbread cookies. I also like it with Greek yogurt and cottage cheese.
It's great on my Almond Flour Chaffles! Or on this Paleo And Keto Angel Food Cake. For a really special treat put a little on top of this no-bake strawberry cheesecake or use this to fill some keto pop tarts!
How to Store Low Carb Strawberry Jam
You can refrigerate this for up to 2 months or freeze it like a freezer jam for up to 6 months.
Is Strawberry Jam Sugar Free?
Most store-bought strawberry jams will have added sugar. Some do have added fruit juice instead of added sugar but unfortunately, those are not low carb keto friendly either.
Can I Can Sugar Free Strawberry Jam?
I have not tried canning it so that it is shelf-stable but I have had readers use traditional canning methods successfully. I find that even when making jam in larger batches my kids eat it fast enough there isn't any left to can.
Make sure to check out these tips on washing and storing strawberries. And, I hope you enjoy this low carb sugar free jam!
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📖 Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 pounds fresh strawberries stems and hulls removed
- ¼ cup Joy Filled Eats Sweetener (or see alternatives in recipe notes)
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon glucomannan or xanthan gum
Instructions
- Add strawberries to a small stockpot. Smash a bit with a potato masher to get the juices flowing.
- Cook strawberries over medium-low heat for 10 minutes or until softened. Smash until juicy with small pieces of strawberries.
- Add the other ingredients. Stir well and chill. This will thicken as it cools.
Notes
Nutrition
Originally Published May 17, 2017. Revised and Republished June 28, 2023.
Marlene says
This looks delicious! I just bought a big bag of frozen strawberries. Can I use them instead of fresh? If so, do I need to adjust liquid(s) or thickeners? Thank you.
Taryn says
Yes. No, you don't need to adjust the other ingredients.
Louise says
This jam looks awesome. But I can't have the sugar alcohols because they cause me bloating. So I want to make this just using liquid stevia, but I have no idea how much to use. My husband is now on keto because of a medical issue. Can you make a recommendation for how much Now liquid stevia to use in this recipe? I need to start making this very soon. Thank you so much.
Taryn says
You can just add it to taste. I would start with 3-4 drops.
Louise says
Thank you kindly!!
Carol says
When I made this, the jam looks like your picture after cooking, but it never cleared up and always stays cloudy/frothy. what am I doing wrong?
Taryn says
Which sweetener are you using? Are you whisking it? Cloudy/frothy could be incorporated air.
Melissa says
what are the measurements on your blend of xylitol, erythritol, and stevia? and do you use the 1/4C with your blend as well ?
Taryn says
The words 'Joy Filled Eats Sweetener' are a link to the recipe. And yes, you use 1/4 cup.
Susanna says
Please provide a full length video on how you prep 1 lb strawberries, get everything out, and measure ingredients, all in 5 minutes.
Taryn says
I'm not able to do that. I use a small paring knife and just run it around the stem. I do this for my kids almost daily and really can do a couple pounds in 5 minutes. I'm sorry if you feel the prep time is incorrect. If you aren't used to hulling strawberries it might take closer to 10 minutes. Or just use frozen berries that already have the stems removed.
Marlene says
No need for sarcasm on a recipe site. Just move along…..
Debbie says
How much does this recipe make?
Taryn says
A lot. You start with 2 lbs of strawberries. They cook down a bit but you should still end up with about 24-30 ounces of jam.
Laurie says
4 - 250ml jars
Taryn says
Great! That's even a little more than I thought. It translates to 33 ounces.
Nancy says
Is freezing the only option or can you can this like you would regular sugary jam? Thanks!
Taryn says
I'm not a canning expert myself but some of my readers have canned this successfully!
Kathryn says
I make this all the time. I double or triple and freeze containers. I use whatever frozen berries I have on hand. Thanks for a great recipe!!
karen hanans says
Hi
could you use frozen Strawberries
Taryn says
Yes! They work well. You can use other frozen berries as well.
Lorry Norton says
Doesn't the erythritol crystallize when it cools? Have you ever tried Allulose or Bochasweet?
Taryn says
I have never had it crystallize in this recipe. Since it is combined with stevia you use half the amount you would normally. Allulose does work. I have not tried bochasweet.
Linda Laminack says
I use local raw honey. Awesome. Also to taste
kazy says
I have a question. I've looked at regular non-keto/low carb strawberry jam recipes and the only thing about them that makes them non-keto, is that they use regular sugar. There's no thickener. It's just strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice. So, to me, the only thing I need to do is switch out the sugar with a keto 1:1 replacement granular sugar substitute. So why the xanthan gum in this keto strawberry jam?
Taryn says
I just wanted it a little thicker. You can omit it if you prefer.
Sandy Burton says
I’ve made this recipe twice this year. It’s super-simple, quick, and flavorful. Everyone who has tried it has loved it - including my hubby who doesn’t like strawberries!
Monica Anderson says
Delicious!!! When I do my husbands jam (with sugar) in June, I’m goi g to can a jar of this to see how it turns out. If it good I’ll be stocking my pantry!! Thank you for all you do for us!!! 😁