Keto Strawberry Jam
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.
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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Keto Strawberry Jam
Ingredients
- 2 pounds fresh strawberries stems and hulls removed
- 1/4 cup Joy Filled Eats Sweetener (or see alternatives in recipe notes)
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp 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. If using a thickener sprinkle it over the top.
- Stir well and chill. This will thicken as it cools.
Notes
Nutrition
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Originally Published May 17, 2017. Revised and Republished June 28, 2023.
I don’t use xylitol in my home because of my dogs. Is there a way to make your sweetener with just the other 2 sweetener ingredients, and leave out the xylitol?
Hi Gerri, yes I talk about this on the sweetener page. You can use allulose and/or erythritol plus stevia.
not shelf stable, not canned, just chilled in a jar
That is correct.
For the first time ever, I found a strawberry jam I like. It’s yours, Taryn!
I made your strawberry jam last night, using the Stevia extract powder. I love strawberries but am not usually one who eats strawberry jam. I had bought some strawberries Saturday, though, so I took the plunge and used them for the jam. It turned out GREAT…and I now seem to like strawberry jam! I also used xanthan gum for the thickener and had no problems with it. Thank you for providing recipes that help me through my low-carb, T2 diabetic journey. I definitely appreciate you and your yummy recipes!!
Great timing on seeing this recipe today, as I’m almost out of my store-bought, sugar-free blackberry jam. I just want to be certain that the sweetener used can be granulated or powdered. I’ve started using 100% organic Stevia extract powder and can determine the amount equal to your measurement in the recipe if it’s okay to use in the jam. 🙂 Thank you for your guidance and your delicious recipes!
Stevia extract should work. I’m not sure the exact amount.
Thank you!!!