Vegan Strawberry Jam (No Sugar, Without Pectin)

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

This refreshing vegan strawberry jam tastes delicious (just as good as store-bought jam) and is made without pectin! You can make this fresh strawberry jam with no sugar or low sugar (refined sugar-free) using just a few ingredients!

For more jam recipes, check out our homemade cherry jam recipe.

homemade strawberry jam served in a jar with a tempting spoonful of jam, fresh strawberries in the background.

If you love jam on toast, muffins, scones, doughnuts or even swirled through your morning oats… this easy strawberry jam recipe is the one. And the best part? No refined sugar, no pectin, and totally vegan.

This was the first jam recipe that made me realise the beauty of making my own jam from scratch. If it’s your first time making jam, this is the perfect place to start.

After a lot of testing and tweaking, this one finally nailed it – juicy, glossy, and full of fresh strawberry flavor. It's simple and the perfect way to celebrate strawberry season!

After plenty of testing and tweaking, this one finally nailed it. It’s simple, foolproof, and a delicious way to make the most of strawberry season. Whether you're new to jam-making or just want a lighter, healthier version, this one’s a keeper.

Jump to:

Why You'll Love this Strawberry Jam
Ingredients You'll Need
Variations and Substitutions
How to make Strawberry Jam
Expert Tips for the Best Strawberry Jam
Tips to Sterilise Jars
How to Serve
Recipe FAQs
Suggested Naturally Sweetened Dessert Recipes
Vegan Strawberry Jam (No Sugar, Without Pectin)

Why You'll Love this Strawberry Jam

Delicious flavor, perfect texture – Bursting with real and fresh strawberry flavour, this jam has that sweet-tart balance just right. The right balance of fruit and sweetness and natural flavors of summer and spring!
Incredibly easy – Just a handful of ingredients and a super simple method. Blitz, simmer, and let it do its thing while you multitask. Another good reason to make homemade jam!
No added pectin, no refined sugar – A great way to make naturally sweetened jam with whole ingredients. This is a nice twist on old-fashioned jams – but without the loads of sugar or need for pectin.

Birds Eye view of strawberry jam served in a jar on a wooden board and white worktop, strawberries in the background.

Ingredients You'll Need

Fresh (or frozen) strawberries: you can use either fresh or frozen strawberries in this jam, look for organic strawberries if possible.
Lemon juice: you can use fresh lemon juice or bottled lemon juice in this recipe. Lemon juice (and the citric acid in lemon juice) acts as a natural preservative and keeps your jam fresh and also gives the jam a nice tangy and slightly tart taste.
Water: this is used to blend the strawberries into a mixture which is then boiled into a jam.
Maple syrup (optional): This is optional but recommended for extra sweetness to make a refined sugar-free version of strawberry jam! If you are using maple syrup go for grade A refined sugar-free maple syrup. Note: you only need a small quantity as strawberries have a natural sweetness.

Variations and Substitutions

Lime: for a tangier jam, substitute lemon with lime - giving you a lime and strawberry jam.
Optional add-ins: add lemon zest or orange peel for texture and tanginess. Ensure you use unwaxed lemons or oranges.
Summer fruits: substitute with other summer fruits or ripe berries like blueberries, raspberries or blackberries. Note: this will adjust the taste and flavor of the overall jam.

How to make Strawberry Jam

Blitz strawberries into a mixture and heat in pan. If using frozen strawberries, rinse the strawberries in a colander with hot water first to remove any ice on the strawberries. In a food processor or blender, puree the strawberries with water to form a strawberry slushy mixture. Transfer into a medium saucepan and heat on medium-high heat.
Stir and allow mixture to come to a boil once. Stir the mixture and allow it to come to boil once (this should take approximately 10 minutes)
Lower heat and allow mixture to simmer again. Lower heat and allow it to simmer on low-medium heat for another 30-40 minutes, stir intermittently. You’ll see it reduce in volume and start to bubble.
Heat on high heat. After that, put on high heat for 5 minutes and stir, to thicken
Add maple syrup and lemon juice. Add maple syrup and lemon juice and continue boiling on medium-high heat for 2 minutes.
Transfer onto a medium or small plate and let the jam cool. Transfer onto a dry, cold or frozen plate and allow to cool to room temperature. Once cooled, transfer into a dry (sterilised) airtight jar and refrigerate.

numbered collage showing steps to make vegan strawberry jam without sugar and without using pectin.

Expert Tips for the Best Strawberry Jam

Adjust according to taste: strawberries vary in their level of sweetness, so taste and adjust the amount of maple syrup according to your preference.
Use the high-quality strawberries: if using fresh strawberries, select perfectly ripe strawberries (without bruises) for the best flavor. If you are using frozen strawberries, when rinsing them make sure all the strawberries are fresh and have no bruises.
Select air-tight jars or glass containers which have been sterilised: use an airtight container or jar which has been sterilised to prevent contamination and keep the jam as fresh as possible.
Allow the jam to simmer: this cook time is important to ensure a nice thick jam (this also maintains the flavor of the strawberries). For a thicker jam, you can use a potato masher to mash the strawberries instead of blending them (only if you are using fresh strawberries).

SAVE this recipe! 📩

We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!

homemade strawberry jam served in a jar with a spoon of jam lifted from jar, fresh strawberries in the background.

Tips to Sterilise Jars

You can then sterilise your jar(s) using an oven, microwave, stovetop or in the dishwasher. Remove any labels on the jar and lid before following these steps:

1. Oven

Start by washing your jar and lid with hot soapy water.
Do not dry the jars – instead place the lid and jar upside down onto a baking tray.
Transfer the tray into a preheated oven (at 160-180 degrees C) and heat for 15-20 minutes.

2. Microwave

This is appropriate for glass jars which do not have metal lids. Metal lids are not safe to place in the microwave oven).
Wash your jar and lid with soap and water. Shake off any excess water (without using a towel to dry the jars). Place the jar in the microwave and heat in 30 second increments until completely dry.

3. Boiling water/stovetop

If you want to avoid using the oven or microwave you can sterilise with boiling water.
After washing your jar and lid with soap and water, place your jar and lid in a deep saucepan of hot water and bring to boil, cover for 10-15 minutes.
Place jar and lid upside down onto a clean kitchen towel to completely dry before filling with jam.

4. Dishwasher

You can also place your jar and lid in the dishwasher (hottest cycle) to sterilise them.
Once the cycle is finished, place the jar and lid upside down onto a clean kitchen/paper towel to completely dry before filling with jam.

spoon of fresh vegan strawberry jam lifted from jar, fresh strawberries in the background.

How to Serve

This strawberry jam pairs well with lemon and dark chocolate treats. Enjoy this with your favorite refined sugar-free desserts and snacks including our almond flour lemon drizzle cake and homemade healthy chocolates.
Serve on cakes, biscuits/cookies, breakfast air fryer granola or cupcakes!
You can also use this strawberry jam as a healthy spread for your toast.

Recipe FAQs

How to store this fresh strawberry jam?

This homemade jam can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days. Transfer the jam into a sterile jar and only refrigerate once completely cooled. (See above for sterilization tips).

Suggested Naturally Sweetened Dessert Recipes