Thick, rich and sweet with the season’s freshest berries, this homemade mixed berry jam beats store-bought jam hands down. Plus, it’s filled with chia seeds for extra fibre and nutrients! All you need is 4 simple ingredients and 40 minutes to make this delicious homemade jam! Totally gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan too!
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Jump to:
- Season’s Freshest Berries
- Homemade Jams are My Jam
- Delicious Homemade Mixed Berry Jam
- What Are Chia Seeds?
- Why This Recipe Works:
- Ingredients You’ll Need:
- Recipe Notes/Substitutions:
- How to Make Mixed Berry Jam (Step by Step):
- Dish by Dish Tips/Tricks:
- Recipe FAQs:
- What to Eat this Mixed Berry Jam With:
- Other Homemade Jam Recipes You’ll Love:
- Homemade Mixed Berry Jam Recipe (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
Season’s Freshest Berries
One of the things I love most about spring and summer is the abundance all types of berries, and in particular strawberries and blueberries.
I almost always cannot get my hands on enough berries to eat – whether fresh, or baked in strawberry crumble bars, cooked in a mixed berry crumble, studded in strawberry muffins or blueberry muffins.
Homemade Jams are My Jam
The summer is ripe with these beautiful berries perfect for jamming (you can easily get pounds of fruit and different types of berries at the farmers market or local farms).
Given how much I love all things homemade (from homemade bread, to nut milks, to homemade flours), I am also naturally a big fan of homemade jams and marmalades.
Some of our favorites include this easy apricot jam, this delicious plum jam, and this sweet and tart kumquat marmalade.
Delicious Homemade Mixed Berry Jam
This mixed berry chia jam is probably one of the best recipes I have in my arsenal.
It’s so ridiculously simple and tastes as beautiful as the fresh, juicy berries of the season (a great way to use up that summer fruit!). Plus, it tastes great slathered with peanut butter in peanut butter and jelly sandwiches or spooned over ice cream or yogurt. YUM!
Or, you can also use this delicious homemade jam recipe to make thumbprint cookies..!
What Are Chia Seeds?
If you’ve never eaten chia seeds before, it’s time to incorporate them in your diet!
While tiny in size, these oval and grey seeds are rich in nutrients, and are a good source of antioxidants, minerals, fiber and omega-3 fatty acids.
They’re great for sprinkling over Greek yogurt, overnight oats, or salads. You can also mix them in bread dough to make multi-seed bread, or eaten as chocolate chia pudding or mango chia seed pudding.
An important characteristic of these minuscule seeds are their ability to absorb liquids are create a jelly-like consistency. This is great as adding a few tablespoons of chia seeds to cooked fruit can transform the fruit into a delicious jam with the gel-like texture regular jam has.
Why This Recipe Works:
- Simple Ingredients: You literally need just 3 ingredients to make this easy mixed berry jam. And hey, you might already have all of them on hand! If not, they are easily accessible at the grocery store (nothing fancy required).
- Super Easy: Don’t worry even if it’s your first time making your own jam! Making this homemade mixed berry jam recipe is literally a matter of simmering the chunks of fruit and sugar together over medium heat until the berries are soft before adding in the chia seeds.
- Totally Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free and Vegan: Best of all, this healthy jam is 100% gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan, which means that those with Celiac disease or gluten or lactose intolerances can enjoy them too!
- No Pectin Needed: Since blueberries and strawberries have natural pectin (the jelling agent that is required to thicken jams and jellies), we don’t need to add pectin to this homemade jam!
Ingredients You’ll Need:
Here’s a visual overview of the ingredients required for this mixed berry jam recipe.
(For exact measurements, please scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.)
Recipe Notes/Substitutions:
- Berries: Use the best berries you can find. I like using a mix of fresh strawberries and blueberries for this delicious mixed berry chia seed jam, and you can also add in another type of berry to make a triple berry jam. (You can use any combination of berries you have on hand).
- Sugar: I used white sugar, but you can also use light brown sugar if you prefer. If you are diabetic or insulin-resistant, I highly recommend using granulated monkfruit sweetener (a 1:1 sugar substitute that is zero glycemic index and will not raise your blood sugar).
- Chia Seeds: Chia seeds add fiber to the simple jam recipe. I would not leave out or substitute the chia seeds if possible, but if you don’t like chia seeds, feel free to leave them out.
How to Make Mixed Berry Jam (Step by Step):
1. Combine Berries and Sugar:
Combine the fresh fruit and sugar in a large skillet or medium saucepan over medium heat.
2. Simmer
Mix well to combine and let the mixture simmer for the next 30 minutes, stirring occasionally as the jam cooks so the mixture doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pot or pan.
3. Mash Berry Mixture
When berries have started to break down, use a fork or potato masher to mash them even further.
4. Add Chia Seeds and Mix
Once the mixture has achieved a thick, jam-like consistency, add in the chia seeds and mix for another 30 seconds.
5. Let Jam Cool and Thicken
Remove saucepan from heat and allow jam to cool down at room temperature. The jam will thicken as it cools.
6. Transfer to Jar
When jam has cooled, transfer to sterilized glass mason jars and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Dish by Dish Tips/Tricks:
- Use Whichever Berries You Have: While I used an equal mixture of fresh strawberries and blueberries in this recipe, feel free to go ahead and use different type of berries! Blackberries and raspberries will work beautifully too!
- Chia Seeds Create Gelling Effect: As the chia seeds absorb liquid from the fruit mixture, they will start to swell and create a gel-like texture, which is what we look for in traditional jam. The addition of chia seeds is fundamental here, so make sure you don’t leave out the chia seeds!
- For Thicker Jam: If you prefer your fruit jam to have a thicker consistency, simply let it cook for a little longer time so more of the liquid evaporates.
- For Smoother Jam: I like having chunks of fruit in my jam, but if you like a smoother consistency, you can blend the jam with a high-speed blender, an immersion blender or a food processor until it reaches the desired texture.
Recipe FAQs:
When the mixed berry chia seed jam has cooled, transfer to a sterilized glass jar or an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
While I prefer using fresh berries if they’re in season, it’s also possible to substitute the fresh berries with the same amount of frozen berries if that’s easier for you. Simply heat the frozen berries in the skillet until they are thawed before adding in the sugar and simmering as the recipe indicates.
What to Eat this Mixed Berry Jam With:
- Soft, Fluffy Gluten-Free Bread (Dairy-Free)
- Buckwheat Bread (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
- Brown Rice Bread (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
- Millet Bread (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
- Sorghum Bread (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
- No-Knead Artisan Bread (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
Other Homemade Jam Recipes You’ll Love:
P.S. If you try this recipe, I’d love for you to leave a star rating below, and/or a review in the comment section further down the page. I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to check out my entire Recipe Index for all the recipes on the blog. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram! Sign up for my Email List to get fresh recipes in your inbox each week!
PrintHomemade Mixed Berry Jam Recipe (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
- Total Time: 40 mins
- Yield: 1 jar 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Thick, rich and sweet with the season’s best berries, this easy mixed berry jam beats store-bought jam hands down. Plus, it’s filled with chia seeds for extra fibre and nutrients! All you need is 4 ingredients and 40 minutes to make this delicious homemade jam! Totally gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan too!
Ingredients
- 2 cups chopped strawberries
- 2 cups blueberries
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 3 tablespoons chia seeds
Instructions
- Combine Berries and Sugar: Combine berries and sugar in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Simmer: Mix well to combine and let the mixture simmer for the next 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Mash Berry Mixture: When berries have started to break down, use a fork or potato masher to mash them even further.
- Add Chia Seeds and Mix: Once the mixture has achieved a thick, jam-like consistency, add in the chia seeds and mix for another 30 seconds.
- Let Jam Cool and Thicken: Remove saucepan from heat and allow jam to cool down. The jam will thicken as it cools.
- Transfer to Jar: When jam has cooled, transfer to a sterilized glass jar and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
Berries: I like using a mix of fresh strawberries and blueberries for this delicious mixed berry chia seed jam, but honestly you can use any fresh berries on hand.
Sugar: I used white sugar, but you can also use light brown sugar if you prefer. If you are diabetic or insulin-resistant, I highly recommend using granulated monkfruit sweetener (a 1:1 sugar substitute that is zero glycemic index and will not raise your blood sugar).
Chia Seeds: Chia seeds add fiber to the recipe. I would not leave out or substitute the chia seeds if possible, but if you don’t like chia seeds, feel free to leave them out.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Category: Jam
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Katie A Gray says
I’m so happy I stumbled across your website as I am gluten and dairy free. I started making chia seed jam on a whim a decade ago before I had heard anything about it simply because I wanted something less sweet, and I’m thrilled to find actual recipes like this one. I just have to ask, where did you get your jam jars? I think I like this type of lid better than what I have now which is a screw top plastic thing or the old metal canning lids.
Felicia Lim says
Hi Katie! So happy to have you here too! 🙂 My husband is Celiac but it was only about 1 year ago that he needed to go dairy-free, so we’ve been practicing quite a bit 😉
I bought the jam jars in Buenos Aires, Argentina where I currently live – although I’m pretty sure you should be able to find it on Amazon since it literally has everything!! (I wish we had Amazon here in BA!)
jin says
hello flea!
this jam looks incredible, adding chia seeds to it is a brilliant idea! do you think honey will be a good substitute for the sugar?
xx
me
felicia | Dish by Dish says
Babe!!! Miss you!! How are you enjoying your month off? Definitely honey will be a perfect substitute, but use half the amount of honey (i.e. 3-4 tablespoons instead of the 7 tablespoons indicated in the recipe!) xoxo.
Matt says
As a teacher, I love reading posts like this. Also, the jam looks mighty good too!
felicia | Dish by Dish says
Thank you so much Matt!! And know that as a teacher, you will impact many of your students’ lives greatly!! It’s an admirable profession!
Robyn @ Simply Fresh Dinners says
I loved this post, Felicia, and it’s a pleasure reading about the joy that writing brings to your life. I have such great admiration for writers and the work and patience it requires – not to mention the skill!
This post s beautiful in it’s imagery, sentiment and passion. Thank you!
felicia | Dish by Dish says
Hi Robyn! Thanks for stopping by sweetie! Hope you’ve been well 🙂 And thank you so much for your kind words. Writing is definitely something I have a lifetime to work on, but it’s also something I enjoy tremendously, so I’m glad I’ve found my passion early on. Sending love, Felicia
Grace Lim says
Hey Felicia, I remembered those days of your English tuition where your English tuitor would remarked on your writing assignments with very encouraging comments to spur you on to write more during your leisure. Tom, whom you mentioned in your blog was exceptionally encouraging in his assessments of your work. Thank God for him.
It is truly a great treat for me in reading your recount of how you started your writing career – everything started off in humble beginnings and as you pursue it with passion, this beginning will bring you to heights you have never thought that you would scale when you first started. This is a very interesting fact that should inspire and assure those of us who are beginning to start something that our hearts snug us on. I would say to all of us : ” Be brave and take the first step, then step by step, the journey begins ….. and who knows where this journey will take us?””
Thanks Felicia for sharing your wonderful writing journey with all of us.
Love you always 🙂
Mum
felicia | Dish by Dish says
Thank you for always reading and being my number one fan mummy! I love you!