This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
If there’s one thing I never get tired of making when strawberries are in season (or I have a bag of frozen ones to use up), it’s this easy Strawberry Chia Jam. It’s fresh, naturally thickened, a little tangy, and ridiculously simple.
Whether you’re spooning it over pancakes, swirling it into yogurt, or just spreading it on toast, this is the kind of homemade jam that makes you feel like you’ve got your life together, even if it only took 10 minutes which is even easier than my homemade strawberry jam.
Why I Love This Recipe
- Fast and fuss-free: No pectin, no long simmering, no canning. Just real food, one pan, and about 10 minutes.
- Healthier than store-bought: It’s naturally sweetened, and the chia seeds add a little nutritional boost.
- Small-batch friendly: Makes just enough to enjoy for the week, perfect for avoiding waste.
- Versatile and Customizable: Works with fresh or frozen berries, and you can play with flavors if you’re feeling adventurous.
Ingredients For My Strawberry Chia Jam
You only need a few simple ingredients, and they’re all easy to find or swap if needed.
Strawberries – Fresh strawberries are best when they’re in season, but frozen strawberries work like a charm. Want to mix it up? Try raspberries, blueberries, or even pitted cherries.
Chia Seeds – These little guys do all the heavy lifting to thicken the jam naturally. No chia seeds? Ground flaxseeds could work in a pinch, but the texture will be slightly different.
Lemon Juice & Zest – Lemon brightens up the jam and balances the sweetness. No lemon? Try a splash of orange juice or even lime for a twist.
Maple Syrup or Honey – Totally optional, but a drizzle can mellow out too tart berries. Use whatever you have, agave, date syrup, or even a spoonful of coconut sugar.
How to Make Strawberry Chia Jam
- Cook the strawberries. Toss them in a saucepan over medium-high heat and let them break down. Give them a mash with the back of a spoon or a potato masher if you like a smoother texture.
- Add the good stuff. Stir in the chia seeds, lemon juice, and zest. Sweeten to taste with your choice of syrup if needed.
- Let it thicken. Take it off the heat and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. The chia seeds will soak up the liquid and give you that jammy consistency.
- Cool and store. Once it’s cooled completely, transfer to a sealed container and store it in the fridge.
How to Store Leftovers
Your Strawberry Chia Jam will stay fresh in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. I like to use a small mason jar or glass container with a tight lid.
Want to keep it longer? Freeze it! Spoon it into freezer-safe containers and thaw in the fridge overnight when you’re ready to use it.
For batch freezing soups, stews, stocks and broths, we love using silicone Souper Cubes for mess free meal prep.
This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission.
Kellie’s Tips for the best chia jam
Mash it: If you want a chunkier jam, go easy on the mash. Prefer smooth? Give it a quick blitz with an immersion blender.
Taste as you go: Depending on your berries, you might not even need sweetener. Always give it a taste before adding.
Let it cool completely: The jam will thicken as it cools, don’t judge the texture too soon. If after an hour, it’s still a little runnier than you like, add a sprinkle more chia seeds.
Double the batch: It’s easy to scale up if you want to prep more jam for later.
Recipes to Serve with Strawberry Chia Jam
This jam plays well with so many dishes. Here are a few of my faves:
- Buttermilk Biscuits – Classic combo, never gets old.
- Greek Yogurt Parfaits – Layer with granola for a healthy breakfast.
- Pancakes or Waffles – The perfect topper.
- Peanut Butter Sandwiches – A grown-up PB&J you’ll actually crave.
- Charcuterie boards – Serve alongside brie or goat cheese for a sweet contrast.
More Easy Condiment Ideas
Looking to stock your fridge with homemade condiments? Try these next:
For more easy jam recipe, visit us on Facebook!
Strawberry Chia Jam Recipe
Equipment
- saucepan
- chef's knife
- cutting board
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, stemmed and roughly chopped or frozen thawed strawberries
- 1 Tablespoon chia seeds
- ½ Tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 tablespoon lemon zest
- Maple syrup or honey, to taste, optional
Instructions
- Add strawberries to a saucepan over medium-high heat and cook until the berries start to break down and the mixture is bubbling. You can use the back of a spoon or potato masher to mash the berries until your desired consistency is achieved.
- Stir in the chia seeds, lemon zest and lemon juice. Add sweetener, to taste, if using.
- Remove from heat, allow the mixture to cool and thicken, approximately 15 to 20 minutes.
- Cool completely before transferring to sealed container and storing the jam in your refrigerator.
- The jam will keep for up to 1 week.
Notes
- Use any berry you like, this recipe is super adaptable.
- Add more chia seeds if the jam isn’t thick enough for your liking.
- For a smoother consistency, blend with an immersion blender before cooling.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
