Made with 4 simple ingredients, this homemade strawberry chia jam is a delicious alternative to store-bought jam. Ready in 20 minutes, you won’t believe just how easy it is to make this recipe. You won’t want to go back to store-bought jam again!
If you have a giant bag of chia seeds that need to be used (outside of chia puddings and overnight oats!), then you need to make this strawberry chia jam recipe! It’s so quick and easy!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- You only need four ingredients! I love recipes like this strawberry chia jam that doesn’t require a ton of ingredients as it means I usually have everything on hand, ready to go!
- This chia jam recipe only uses a couple tablespoons of maple syrup. The jam is thickened by chia seeds instead of a ton of sugar!
- It comes together pretty quickly. You can make this chia jam is around 20 minutes!
Ingredients You’ll Need
strawberries — you can use fresh or frozen strawberries. I prefer fresh strawberries when they’re in season. Did you know that strawberries essentially stop ripening once picked? So you want to buy the reddest strawberries you can find, for the sweetest jam.
chia seeds — chia seeds is what helps this strawberry jam thicken up. Chia seeds come in both black and white seeds, but there is no difference in nutritional content. They’re also an excellent source of plant-based protein!
lemon — just a squeeze of lemon juice to add some brightness to the jam. I highly recommend using freshly squeezed lemon juice and not bottled lemon juice. Bottled lemon juices tend to have a slight bitter aftertaste to them.
maple syrup — I add a couple splashes of maple syrup for some extra sweetness. If your strawberries are super sweet, you can use less maple syrup. If your strawberries aren’t super sweet, I would add more maple syrup. It can be a little tricky if you’re using fresh strawberries out of season.
How to Make Homemade Strawberry Chia Jam
- Add the strawberries to a small saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the strawberries begins to break down and bubble. Use a spoon or potato masher to mash the strawberries to your desired consistency.
- Stir in the chia seeds and lemon juice until combined. (Taste and add 1 or 2 tablespoons of maple syrup if needed.)
- Remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes before stirring again. Serve immediately, or transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 3 months.
Recipe Tips and Notes
- You can puree the strawberries for a smoother jam! Use an immersion blender to puree the strawberries after they’ve been cooked down instead of mashing them.
- If you have the time, letting the chia jam cool before using will yield a thicker jam. It also gives the flavor time to meld together!
- You can use fresh or frozen fruit! Frozen strawberries are cheaper and more convenient and the flavor is more consistent.
- Instead of maple syrup, you can also use honey or brown sugar.
- If you want to double of triple the recipe, keep the ratio of 2 cups of fruit to 2 tablespoons of chia seeds.
- You can add a splash of vanilla extract to add some extra flavor to the jam.
- If the jam is too thick after it sets, you can add a little water to loosen it up. Alternatively, if it’s too runny, just add a bit more chia seeds and let it sit for longer for the chia seeds to gel up.
Make Ahead Tips
- Meal prep: once cooled, store in an airtight container for up to a week in the fridge.
- Freezer: allow the strawberry jam with chia seeds to cool before transferring them into an airtight container before storing in the freezer. Store for up to 3 months.
What to Serve with Homemade Strawberry Chia Jam
This chia jam is very versatile and you can use it in so many ways! Here are a few recipes that will pair well with this recipe.
- Cheesecake Overnight Oats
- Strawberry Chia Pudding
- Strawberry Shortcake Overnight Oats
- Strawberry with Chocolate Oatmeal Bake
- Pancakes with Protein Powder
- 4 Ingredient Pancakes
- Oven Baked Sheet Pan Pancakes
- Chia Yogurt Bowls
- Greek Yogurt Peanut Butter Bowls
- Peanut Butter and Jelly Overnight Oats
Strawberry Chia Jam Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups strawberries, washed and trimmed
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 to 2 tablespoons maple syrup
Instructions
- Add the strawberries to a small saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the strawberries begins to break down and bubble. Use a spoon or potato masher to mash the strawberries to your desired consistency.
- Stir in the chia seeds and lemon juice until combined. Taste and add 1 or 2 tablespoons of maple syrup as if needed.
- Remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes before stirring again. Serve immediately, or transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 3 months.
Nutrition Per Serving
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