How to make strawberry key lime jam

Strawberry key lime jam is a citrusy twist on the classic. Key limes add a bit more floral flavor and are slightly less acidic than regular grocery store limes. For another unique and delicious jam recipe, try this easy loquat jam.

Strawberries and limes are good together, just try this strawberry limeade for a refreshing summer sip.

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Strawberry Key Lime Jam

Strawberry jam with lime is sweet and bright with a bit of citrus. I had fresh juice left from making a key lime pie, so I wanted to incorporate it into this jam.

Strawberry jam is excellent as is, but with the addition of lime, it becomes something really special.

If you don’t have key limes, you can substitute regular Persian limes from the grocery store.

How to can strawberry jam

If you are new to canning, it can be a little daunting. But, with a bit of practice, you’ll be a jam-making pro in no time.

The first step is to sterilize jam jars and lids. Submerge them in simmering water and let them stay in the water until the jam is almost ready. You want the jars to be hot when the jam goes in.

Next, make sure all of your ingredients are measured out and your tools are handy. You don’t want to have to look for a spoon in the middle of making jam.

It takes awhile for the big canning pot of water to come to a boil, so I usually put that on as soon as my jam starts boiling. It’s all about timing.

The first photo is the jam when it first went into the pot. The second is at the end of cooking time. Do you see how much deeper in color and thicker the jam has become?

Once the jam has been tested for gel stage (we’ll get to that in a second!), it’s time to put the jam into the jars.

Time to put the jam in jars

Using canning tongs, remove the jars from the hot water and place them on a kitchen towel. Place a funnel inside of the jar and ladle your jam into the jar, leaving 1/4″ of space at the top of the jar.

This last bit is important because a proper seal may not form if you don’t leave any room at the top of the jar.

The rings go on and tightened to “fingertip tight”, which means that you stop when you feel just a bit of resistance. If the lids are screwed on too tight, the air bubbles will not be able to escape.

The seals will form as the jam cools. You’ll hear that glorious “ping” sound and you’ll know the lid is sealed properly.

Testing jam for gel stage

Once your jam has cooked down and is thickened, test it for the gel stage. To do this, you’ll put a teaspoon or two of jam on a plate that you’ve put in the freezer.

Put a spoonful of strawberry key lime jam on the dish and put it back into the freezer for one minute. I swipe my finger through it to see if it runs back together. If it doesn’t come back together, I know the jam is ready.

If you have a bit of jam leftover, or you plan to keep a jar in the fridge for eating right now, you can use a plastic, leakproof storage lid.

And, why wouldn’t you want to celebrate your hard work by digging into this gorgeous jam?

Tools for making jam

Below is a list of helpful equipment for making homemade jam. Some of it is canning specific, but some of it is not and you probably have most of it already.

• half pint jars
• new lids and rings (reused lids increase the chances of a bad seal)
• long handled wooden spoon or non-reactive spoon
• a large stock pot with rack
• canning tongs (jar lifter)
• canning funnel
• potato masher
• oven mitts
• non-reactive ladle
• Flour sack towels – Mine are from ACS Home and Work. Tell Ted I sent you 🙂

More jam recipes

Here are a few more recipes that we love. Homemade jam makes a great gift to share with friends and neighbors, so keep a few in the pantry to give away!

• Blueberry bourbon jam
• Fig jam with vanilla
• Strawberry loquat jam
• Peach pepper jam
• Blackberry blueberry freezer jam
• Loquat cardamom jam

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Originally published 3/28/14, most recent update 3/29/21