Vegan Strawberry Jam

This vegan strawberry jam may be the easiest recipe you'll ever make. With just three ingredientsโ€”frozen strawberries, chia seeds, and sugarโ€”you can whip up the most delicious, thick, and flavorful topping in minutes.
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A jar of vegan strawberry jam next to a bagel smeared with strawberry jam.
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We love making this strawberry jam on weekends and serving it up with these vegan waffles. But it’s so versatile that I started making bigger batches and storing it in little jars in the fridge to have on hand as a topping for all sorts of things!

Spread it on toast, spoon it over vegan pancakes, dish it up on some ice cream, or mix it in with yogurtโ€”you can use this strawberry jam in so many ways. How about heating and drizzling over a slice of dairy-free sponge cake?

Strawberry lovers, don’t miss out on these refreshing drink recipes like this strawberry peach spritzer, fresh strawberry juice, almond milk strawberry smoothie, and strawberry mint lemonade!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Only 3 Ingredients. Simple, wholesome, and delicious.
  • No Pectin Needed. Chia seeds naturally thicken the jam.
  • Quick & Easy. Ready in about 15 minutes.
  • Customizable. Adjust sweetness to your liking.
  • Healthier Than Store-Bought. No artificial additives or excess sugar.

Key Ingredients and Substitutions

Here’s a quick rundown of everything you’ll need:

Ingredients for strawberry chia jam in individual bowls with labels.
  • Chia SeedsChia seeds naturally thicken the jam without needing pectin, while adding a little boost of fiber and texture. If you prefer a smoother jam, grind the chia seeds first or use a little less. Ground flaxseed (another egg substitute) can also work, but the jam may be a bit softer.
  • Granulated Sugar – You can adjust the amount to suit your taste, especially if your berries are already very sweet. Cane sugar works as an easy swap, or you can use maple syrup or agave nectar for a refined sugar-free option, though the texture may be slightly softer.
  • Frozen Strawberries – Give the jam its sweet, fruity flavor and vibrant color. There’s no need to thaw them first since they’ll soften as they cook. Fresh strawberries work just as well when they’re in season, but you may need to cook them a little longer. Swap for your favorite berry of choice.

Frozen vs. Fresh Strawberries

If you have fresh strawberries on hand, you’re welcome to use them in place of frozen strawberries in this recipe. We chose frozen for several reasons:

  • Less expensive
  • Available all year long
  • Picked when they’re perfectly ripe
  • Easy to store long term

How To Make

Nothing compares to fresh, homemade strawberry jam! The smell as the strawberries soften on the stove is mouthwatering. Follow these simple steps:

Vegan strawberry jam simmering in a pot with a wooden spoon scooping some up.

Step 1: Simmer Ingredients – In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine all the ingredients and simmer gently, uncovered, for 10-15 minutes, stirring frequently.

Step 2: Mash Strawberries – As the strawberries soften, use a fork or potato masher to mash them to your desired level of chunkiness.

Finally, Step 3: Cool and Add to a Jar – Once done, remove the saucepan from the heat and transfer the strawberry chia jam to an airtight glass container, such as a small mason jar, for storage in the refrigerator. Alternatively, you can serve the jam immediately over waffles or pancakes.

    Vegan strawberry jam in a jar with a spoon, next to a jar of chia seeds and a biscuit smeared with jam.

    Pro Tips for the Best Vegan Strawberry Jam

    • For a Smoother Texture: Blend the jam after cooking.
    • Adjust the Sweetness: Add more or less sugar based on your preference.
    • Use Fresh Strawberries: If using fresh strawberries, add a splash of water while cooking to help them break down.
    • Enhance the Flavor: A little lemon juice or vanilla extract can add a nice depth of flavor.

    Serving Tips and Suggestions

    This jam is incredibly versatile! Here are some delicious ways to enjoy it:

    How to Store

    This vegan strawberry jam can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 7 days.

    For longer storage, freeze small portions for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before using.

    FAQs

    Can you use chia seeds instead of pectin?

    Yes, chia seeds can be used as a natural thickening agent in place of pectin in certain recipes, particularly for making jams and jellies. Chia seeds contain soluble fiber, which forms a gel-like consistency when mixed with liquids, similar to the effect of pectin.

    How do you fix runny jam with chia seeds?

    If your jam is runny, add 1-2 tablespoons of chia seeds to it and mix well. Let the jam sit for 30 minutes to an hour. You can also heat the jam gently on the stovetop to speed up the thickening process. If it’s still too runny you can add more chia seeds and repeat until desired thickness is achieved.

    Can I use a different sweetener?

    Yes! You can swap the sugar for maple or agave syrup or try coconut sugar or date syrup. Note that different sweeteners will impart a slightly different flavor into the jam.

    What are the health benefits of chia seed jam?

    Chia seeds are teeny tiny, but they’re packed with nutrientsโ€”including vegan essentials like Omega-3 fatty acids, iron, and calcium. They are also high in fiber and protein and antioxidants, and many other nutrients to keep your body healthy and happy.ย 

    Strawberry chia jam in a jar next to a jar of chia seeds.

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    3-Ingredient Vegan Strawberry Jam

    5 from 3 votes
    This vegan strawberry chia jam is so simple and is made in minutes. It's delicious on toast, waffles, ice cream, and beyond. It's made with frozen strawberries so you can make it any time of the year!
    A jar of vegan strawberry jam next to a bagel smeared with strawberry jam.
    Prep Time 5 minutes
    Cook Time 10 minutes
    Total Time 15 minutes
    Servings 6

    Ingredients

    • 1 12-ounce bag frozen strawberries
    • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
    • 2 tablespoons chia seeds

    Instructions

    • In a small pot over medium heat, add all the ingredients and boil gently, uncovered, for 10-15 minutes, stirring regularly. As the strawberries soften, using a fork or potato masher, mash them to to achieve your preferred amount of โ€œchunkiness.โ€
    • Remove from heat and store in an air-tight glass container (such as a small mason jar) in the refrigerator, or serve immediately atop waffles or pancakes.

    Notes

    Storage
    • Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 7 days.
    • Freezer: Freeze in small portions for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before using.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 53kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 103mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 9IU | Vitamin C: 33mg | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 1mg
    Course โ€” Breakfast, Sauce, Spread
    Cuisine โ€” American
    Love this Recipe? Leave a Rating!And follow @Vegan on Instagram for more.
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    5 from 3 votes

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    Recipe Rating




    9 comments
    1. Do you use water when you boil it? I just put in the 3 ingredients and everything burned ๐Ÿ™

      • Hi Debra! We haven’t had to use water in this jam recipeโ€”we’re so sorry that yours burned! Ugh. It only needs to boil for few minutes until it’s done. Sometimes, if the bottom of the pan is too thin, the jam could get burned more quickly. Were you able to stir constantly? That’s helps to keep the ingredients from burning. We hope you’ll give it another try! Here’s a video tutorial just in case it helps: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/oQNqmgzeZhY Good luck!

    2. 5 stars
      Best jam ever!!! We make this recipe all the time!

    3. Looks and sounds delicious but I stopped eating sugar as well as animals and their secretions so what can you suggest as an alternative to granulated sugar?

      • Do you use coconut sugar? That could work! I imagine maple syrup or agave nectar could work too. You can even just leave out the sugar altogether, you just may need to adjust the strawberries-to-chia-seed ration a tiny bitโ€”and of course it won’t be as sweet. But strawberries are delicious nonetheless! -Michelle ๐Ÿ™‚

      • I agree N03L! We DON’T do SUGAR either… Could we use STEVIA? or another alternative sweetener?
        Hope someone has IDEAS!!! I wanna MAKE THIS! ๐Ÿ™‚

        • Hi Chari! I don’t have enough experience with Stevia to know if it would work well in this, but you can certainly substitute coconut sugar, and maple syrup or agave nectar would probably work fine too (although I haven’t tested it yet). If you try it with stevia, please do report back and let us know how it went! – Michelle

    4. Beatriz Buono-Core says:

      5 stars
      This recipe is amazing! My kids are jam obsessed and this is a great way to reduce the cost of buying it regularly and adding some healthy omega 3’s into their diet. Plus, it’s yum! Thank you, Michelle! ๐Ÿ™‚

    5. 5 stars
      Dying to hear what you think of this recipe!! I love it. Nothing beats the flavor of strawberries. Yum yum yum.

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