Easy Strawberry Jalapeño Jam Recipe – Sweet & Spicy Homemade Favorite

This Easy Strawberry Jalapeño Jam is the perfect balance of sweet strawberries and spicy jalapeños, creating a bold homemade jam that’s both vibrant and unforgettable. If you’ve been searching for a strawberry jalapeño jam recipe that delivers bright fruit flavor with a gentle heat kick, this one is it. Made with fresh diced strawberries, jalapeños with seeds for spiciness, fruit pectin, apple cider vinegar, and sugar, this sweet and spicy jam comes together in just 35 minutes. It’s ideal for home canners, food lovers who enjoy a little heat, and anyone looking to elevate their preserves game. The texture is thick and glossy, the flavor is layered and dynamic, and the aroma while simmering is absolutely irresistible.

Introduction

There’s something undeniably exciting about a jam that surprises you. At first glance, it looks like a classic strawberry preserve—bright red, glossy, and sweet-smelling. But one taste of this Strawberry Jalapeño Jam tells a different story. Beneath that familiar sweetness lies a subtle, building warmth from fresh jalapeños that transforms every spoonful into something bold and memorable.

This recipe captures the best of both worlds. The strawberries break down into a luscious base, while diced jalapeños add gentle heat and a slight vegetal brightness. The result is a jam that feels sophisticated yet comforting, perfect for adventurous eaters and traditionalists alike.

Whether you’re stocking your pantry, gifting homemade preserves, or experimenting with new flavors, this strawberry jalapeño jam recipe stands out from ordinary fruit spreads. It’s vibrant, balanced, and wonderfully versatile.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Sweet and Spicy Balance – Juicy strawberries meet jalapeño heat in perfect harmony.
• Quick to Make – Ready in just 35 minutes from start to finish.
• Glossy, Thick Texture – Fruit pectin ensures a beautifully set jam.
• Beginner-Friendly – Simple stovetop method with clear steps.
• Vegetarian-Friendly – No animal products required.
• Perfect for Gifting – Stunning color and unique flavor make it memorable.

Ingredients Breakdown

Yield: Approximately 5 pint jars

Ingredients (1x Scale)

• 4 cups diced strawberries
• 1 cup diced jalapeños (with seeds for spiciness)
• 1.75 oz box fruit pectin
• ½ cup apple cider vinegar
• 4 cups sugar

Ingredient Notes

Strawberries provide natural sweetness, vibrant color, and body. Dicing them helps them break down evenly.

Jalapeños (with seeds) bring controlled heat and a slightly grassy freshness that balances the sugar.

Fruit Pectin (1.75 oz box) ensures the jam sets properly, giving it that classic spoonable consistency.

Apple Cider Vinegar adds brightness and helps balance sweetness while supporting proper acidity.

Sugar (4 cups) is essential not just for sweetness, but for preservation and proper jam structure.

Tools & Equipment Needed

• Large heavy-bottomed pot
• Wooden spoon or sturdy spatula
• Potato masher or spoon for smashing
• Measuring cups
• Pint-size jars (approximately 5)
• Funnel (optional but helpful)
• Clean towels
• Ladle

Ensure jars are sterilized before filling.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Combine the Base Ingredients

Place 4 cups diced strawberries, 1 cup diced jalapeños (with seeds), and 1.75 oz fruit pectin into a large pot.

Smash the mixture together using a spoon or masher until the strawberries break down and the pectin dissolves evenly throughout the fruit.

2. Add Vinegar

Stir in ½ cup apple cider vinegar, mixing thoroughly to combine.

3. Bring to a Boil

Place the pot over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Watch for a steady, active boil across the surface.

4. Add Sugar Gradually

Once the mixture reaches a steady boil, stir in 4 cups sugar, adding one cup at a time.

Continue stirring as each cup dissolves fully before adding the next.

After all sugar has been incorporated, allow the mixture to boil for exactly 1 minute.

5. Remove from Heat

After boiling for 1 minute, remove the pot from heat immediately to prevent overcooking.

6. Fill the Jars

Carefully pour the hot jam into pint-size jars. Using a funnel helps avoid spills.

7. Cool Completely

Allow the jam to cool completely before placing lids on the jars.

Tips & Variations

• Heat Level Control: Adjust the number of jalapeño seeds according to your heat preference.
• Vegetarian: This recipe is fully vegetarian as written.
• Gluten-Free: Naturally gluten-free.
• Lower Heat Option: Remove some or all jalapeño seeds for a milder flavor.
• Fruit Variation: Substitute a portion of strawberries with additional diced strawberries from the same batch size for subtle texture differences.
• Seasonal Twist: Use peak-season strawberries for the most vibrant flavor.

Flavor Profile

This strawberry jalapeño jam recipe offers a layered tasting experience. First comes the bright sweetness of strawberries—jammy, lush, and deeply fruity. Then, just as the sweetness settles, the jalapeño heat gently emerges. It doesn’t overwhelm; instead, it builds slowly, warming the palate and enhancing the fruit’s complexity.

The apple cider vinegar adds a subtle tang that keeps the jam from tasting overly sweet. The texture is thick, glossy, and spreadable, with tiny flecks of green jalapeño adding visual contrast.

Nutritional Overview

Serving Size: 1 tablespoon

• Calories: 50
• Sugar: 12g
• Sodium: 0mg
• Fat: 0g
• Saturated Fat: 0g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 13g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 0g
• Cholesterol: 0mg

This jam is vegetarian and gluten-free.

Make-Ahead & Meal Prep Tips

• Strawberries and jalapeños can be diced ahead of time and refrigerated for up to 24 hours.
• Store finished jam in sterilized jars.
• Once opened, refrigerate and use within a reasonable timeframe.
• Keep jars sealed tightly to preserve freshness.

FAQs

Can I reduce the sugar?
The full 4 cups of sugar are necessary for proper set and preservation.

Why is pectin important?
Pectin ensures the jam thickens properly.

How spicy is it?
With seeds included, it has noticeable but balanced heat.

Can I double the recipe?
Follow exact ratios carefully if scaling.

How do I know it’s done boiling?
Maintain a steady rolling boil and time exactly 1 minute after adding sugar.

Cooking Timeline

Prep Time	Cook Time	Total Time	Servings
15 minutes	20 minutes	35 minutes	~5 pint jars

Serving Suggestions

Spread over cream cheese for a sweet-spicy appetizer. Use as a glaze for grilled meats. Add to sandwiches for a flavor boost. Spoon over warm biscuits for a bold twist.

Recipe Variations

1. Extra Spicy Version – Increase jalapeño seeds within the same 1 cup measurement.
2. Smooth Texture – Blend slightly before boiling.
3. Chunky Style – Lightly mash strawberries for larger pieces.
4. Gift Jars – Add decorative labels for presentation.

Ingredient Spotlight

Strawberries

Choose bright red, fragrant berries with no soft spots. Store refrigerated and wash just before dicing.

Jalapeños

Look for firm, glossy peppers. Store in the refrigerator crisper drawer. Seeds control heat intensity.

Pro Cooking Tips

• Stir consistently to prevent scorching.
• Smash strawberries thoroughly to help pectin activate.
• Measure sugar precisely.
• Use a wide pot for faster evaporation and better consistency.

Storage & Freezing Guide

Store sealed jars in a cool, dark place.

Once opened, refrigerate.

Freezing is possible in freezer-safe jars, leaving headspace for expansion.

Do not freeze in glass jars without proper freezer rating.

Nutrition Estimate Table (Per Serving)

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	50
Sugar	12g
Carbohydrates	13g
Fat	0g
Protein	0g
Sodium	0mg

Dietary Notes: Vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free.

Expanded Conclusion

This Easy Strawberry Jalapeño Jam proves that homemade preserves can be both classic and adventurous. The sweetness of strawberries and the lively kick of jalapeños create something unforgettable—bold, balanced, and beautifully textured.

If you’ve never tried making strawberry jalapeño jam before, this recipe is the perfect place to start. It’s approachable, rewarding, and delivers flavor that feels truly special. Save it, share it, and keep it in your seasonal rotation whenever strawberries are at their peak.

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