Hello World KitchenBeta
A quick, 15-minute sugar-free jam that uses the natural gelling power of chia seeds instead of pectin. Perfect for keto diets, it bursts with sweet and tart berry flavor without any added sugar.
Ingredients
Main
- 2 cups Mixed berries (strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries) — Fresh or frozen. If using fresh strawberries, hull and chop them.
- 2 tablespoons Chia seeds — Whole or ground (ground chia yields a smoother texture)
- 1.5 tablespoons Monk fruit sweetener or Stevia blend — Granulated or powdered, adjust to desired sweetness
- 1 tablespoon Lemon juice — Freshly squeezed
- 0.5 teaspoon Vanilla extract (optional) — For depth of flavor
Instructions
-
Place the berries in a small saucepan over medium heat. If using fresh berries, add 1 tablespoon of water to help them break down. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the fruit begins to soften and release its juices.
~5 minFrozen berries will release more water naturally, so no extra water is needed. -
Using a potato masher or the back of a fork, mash the berries to your preferred consistency. Leave it slightly chunky for a rustic texture, or mash thoroughly for a smoother jam.
~2 minFor an entirely smooth jam, you can blend the berry mixture with an immersion blender before adding the chia seeds. -
Stir in the monk fruit sweetener (or stevia) and lemon juice. Let the mixture simmer for 1 more minute, then remove the saucepan from the heat.
~1 minTaste the mixture carefully (it will be hot!) and add more sweetener if your berries were particularly tart. -
Stir in the chia seeds and vanilla extract until well combined. Let the jam sit in the pan for 5 minutes. The chia seeds will absorb the liquid and thicken the mixture into a gel-like consistency.
~5 minIf the jam seems too thin after 5 minutes, stir in an additional 1/2 teaspoon of chia seeds. -
Transfer the jam to a clean glass jar and let it cool completely to room temperature before sealing and storing.
~2 minThe jam will continue to thicken as it cools in the fridge.
Nutrition
Equipment
- Small saucepan
- Potato masher or fork
- Measuring spoons
- Glass jar with tight-fitting lid
Tips & Storage
- Chia seeds are hydrophylic, meaning they absorb up to 10-12 times their weight in liquid. This is what creates the 'jammy' texture without needing high sugar or commercial pectin.
- If you dislike the texture of chia seeds, blend them in a spice grinder before adding them to the hot berries.
- This recipe is versatile; try substituting the mixed berries for purely raspberries, strawberries, or even blueberries depending on what is in season.
- Storage: Store in an airtight glass jar in the refrigerator for up to 1 week, or freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before using.
Tags
🤖 This recipe was created with AI assistance. If you spot a mistake or something that doesn't look right, please report it.