Description
This easy homemade grape jam uses just grapes, sugar, and lemon juice—no pectin or peeling required! A simple and delicious 3-ingredient recipe perfect for canning or fridge storage.
Ingredients
- 4 pounds seedless grapes, washed and stems removed
- ½ cup water
- 2½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
Instructions
- Place grapes in a large saucepan with water. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until grapes soften and start to burst.
- Mash the grapes with a potato masher or spoon to release juices.
- Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve or food mill into a bowl, pressing to extract as much liquid and pulp as possible. Discard remaining solids.
- Return strained grape pulp and juice to the saucepan.
- Stir in sugar and lemon juice until fully dissolved.
- Bring the mixture to a steady boil over medium-high heat, stirring frequently.
- Continue boiling for 30–45 minutes, stirring regularly, until the jam thickens. It’s ready when a spoonful on a chilled plate holds its shape and wrinkles slightly when pushed.
- Remove from heat and skim any foam from the surface.
- Pour hot jam into sterilized jars, leaving ¼ inch headspace. Wipe rims clean and secure with lids and bands.
- Process jars in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes (adjust for altitude if necessary).
- Remove jars and let cool at room temperature. Check seals—lids should not flex when pressed.
- Store sealed jars in a cool, dark place for up to 1 year. Refrigerate any unsealed jars and use within 3 weeks.
Notes
- No pectin needed — the natural pectin in grapes and lemon juice thickens the jam.
- Use ripe, sweet grapes for best results.
- For a smoother texture, strain the jam well after cooking.
- Adjust sugar slightly to taste, but reducing it too much may affect shelf stability.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Preserves
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
- Calories: 40
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
