3-Minute Microwave Jam is an amazingly fresh and vibrant jam is made in just minutes in the microwave, without any of the muss and fuss associated with traditional jam making ~ score!
can you really make jam in the microwave?
I was noodling around in the kitchen the other day with berries and the microwave. I was trying to develop a microwave berry crisp when I accidentally discovered this amazing jam. I guess technically I didn’t discover it, because when I Googled it, there were plenty of others who got there first. BUT it is new to me, and maybe to you too! I made a little pot of jam, with no sugar at all, from a cup of mixed berries, in the microwave, in 3 minutes. And it’s pure fruit heaven. Because the jam is flash-cooked, it tastes wonderfully fresh. And it’s instant gratification, which is always good.
what you’ll need
- small berries like raspberries, black raspberries, blueberries, gooseberries, or small blackberries
- cornstarch
- sugar or sugar substitute, optional
yes you can add sugar or your favorite sugar substitute
If a no sugar jam is too tart for your taste, add a tablespoon of sugar.
If you want to make a lower carb jam, use your favorite sugar substitute.
how to make small batch jam in the microwave
- Put berries and cornstarch into a large microwave safe bowl and toss together. Sugar can be added, but is optional.
- Cover the bowl with a microwave safe plate that fits securely on top.
- Microwave of full power for 3 minutes.
- Carefully remove the bowl and stir the jam. If it is very watery, give it another 30 seconds to a minute in the microwave.
- Transfer the jam to a jar and let cool before refrigerating. The jam will thicken as it chills.
- Enjoy!
This easy jam recipe needs no sugar!
The reason there is so much sugar in traditional jams and jellies is that sugar is a preservative, and functions to help the pectin form a gel. But for this kind of quick, small batch jam, there’s no need for it. Your reward is an eye-opening fresh fruit flavor that you will not believe. Of course you can always add it if you like, but it’s nice to know you don’t have to.
Experiment with different types of berries for this microwave jam
This works really well with berries because they break down so quickly, and the nice thing is that you can make this with just a handful. There’s no need for peeling, chopping, or pitting. I used raspberries and blueberries, but any small berry combination will do. This is a perfect use for a handful of wild-picked berries!
do berries have pectin?
With the exception of blackberries and gooseberries, berries tend to be low in pectin, but as long as you cook them down to remove moisture, they can be made into an instant jam like this.
tips and troubleshooting for microwave jam
- Be sure to use a large, microwave safe bowl, and a microwave safe plate that fits securely over the top.
- Use oven mitts and be careful ~ it gets super hot!
- This particular technique was developed for berries only. Other types of fruit like apples and stone fruit won’t work in the same way.
- Small soft berries like raspberries or black raspberries work best.
- Berries differ in their moisture content. If your jam is very watery after 3 minutes, give it another 30 seconds (or up to 2 minutes) longer. Stir again and remember it will thicken as it chills.
- When using large berries like blackberries make sure to cut them in half, and mash them down with the back of a spoon after cooking. My blackberry jam took 2 minutes longer to cook, and I mashed them after 3 minutes.
- Don’t be tempted to do a larger batch. The jam boils up considerably during microwaving and if you use more it can boil over and make a mess.
- Can you do this in a saucepan on the stove? Yes! In that case you can safely double or triple the amount as long as you use a big enough saucepan, and allow extra time.
how long will microwave jam last?
This will last up to a week, refrigerated. For longer storage, freeze your jam.
The microwave is an amazing tool
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- Instant Microwave Macaroni and Cheese
- Easy Microwave Peanut Brittle
caution!
This recipe is not a suitable project for children. The jam, bowl, and plate get very hot in the microwave. Use oven mitts and be careful when removing it from the microwave.
3-Minute Microwave Jam
Equipment
- microwave oven, mine is 1000 watt
Ingredients
- 1 cup small berries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, or a mix rinsed
- 1/4 tsp corn starch
- 1 Tbsp confectioner's sugar, or any sweetener of your choice, optional
Instructions
- Put the berries in a large glass bowl. If you are using blackberries and they are large, cut them in half. Toss the berries with the cornstarch and sugar if you are using.
- Cover the bowl with a microwave safe dinner plate, and microwave for 3 minutes. Give it a stir. If your jam is still very runny, pop it back into the microwave for 30 second intervals. Note: Be careful, it will get quite hot so use caution, and oven mitts.
- Spoon the jam into a clean jar and let cool Store in the refrigerator, the jam will firm up as it cools.
- Use or freeze the jam within one week.
Notes
- You can also use the hot jam, right out of the microwave, as a dessert sauce over cake or ice cream.
Nutrition
Is there a way to make marmalade like this please?
I don’t think this would work for marmalade Sarah, but you might experiment!
How long would this last in the fridge?
I’d say about a week or so, Becky.
Didn’t have any cornstarch so used a teeeny bit of bread flour… (Now i read the comments after the fact I read I could have just done it a little longer for them to thicken anyways so next time I will try that way… I tested it on 100g of frozen (defrosted) mixed fruit… Next time will do more cos I am pretty sure I will eat all this today 🙂
This Jam is soooo YUMMY!!! I shall make this all the time now! Just have to make a Marmalade now to have everything yummilicious 🙂 Thank You
This stuff has so many uses
Compote for on Ice cream
A spoonful in hot water for a lovely drink
jam on toast etc
I could also make a flan to use it on top of……..
Yum!
Can you freeze the jam or just refrigerate it?
You can definitely freeze it, just leave enough headspace in your container to allow for expansion.
running out back to pick berries now!! Can’t wait
Can strawberries be used? How long will this keep in the refridgerator? Thanks!
If you want to try with strawberries, they should be nice and ripe, and you’d have to chop them up first. The jam won’t keep nearly as long as store bought versions, plan on consuming within a few days to a week.
A little tart for us but a great idea I’m going to try rhubarb next, add a little honey. I’m going to put my jar of raspberry jam back in the micro with a touch of honey also hope it doesn’t get too thick a great idea thanks
I want to try this with rhubarb, too, great idea! I’m guessing it will take a little longer and need a little water to get it started…also some sugar for sure.
Holy Moley! Just like eating smashed reaspberries! Thank you.
Lol, glad you liked it 🙂
I puree the fruit in a blender or small chopper, first. My favorite is Mango: (1 cup puree, 1 teaspoon corn starch, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, pinch of cinnamon, and a pinch of nutmeg). I also have a fig tree and make fig jam. I puree the whole fig, skin and all.
Have you ever tried this method with pears? We were just gifted two 5 gal. buckets & I wanted to make pear jam & butter.
If your pears are really ripe and juicy it should work, cut them in a small dice. But this method is really for tiny batches, for a regular size batch of jam, I would do it in a saucepan on the stove.
What can I use instead of cornstarch? I’m diabetic and starches send my blood sugar sky high.
You don’t absolutely need the cornstarch, just microwave the fruit a little longer to thicken.