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Huckleberry Jam

Prep Time:

5 Minutes

Cook Time:

30 Minutes

Serves:

16

Level:

Beginner

About the Recipe

This pressure cooker jam takes 15 minutes and you can use any fruit you want in your Instant Pot or Ninja Foodi. If you’re wondering how to make homemade jam with no pectin quickly I have the answer for you!

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs fruit we used 1.5 lbs. huckleberries, .5 lbs strawberries

  • 1 c sugar

  • 1 tsp vanilla optional

  • 3 tbsp cornstarch

  • 2 tbsp water

Preparation


I have always made jams, but never tried it in my instant pot! My Instant Pot is just an amazing thing and figured I could probably make some easy pressure cooker jam with fresh huckleberries I bought. It came out delicious!



Jam in Instant Pot


You can make this as an easy Ninja foodi well, or in a Crockpot Express. They all work the same with high pressure. After you’re done you can enjoy it in the next few weeks.

You cannot use this machine for InstaPot canning as stated by the manufacturer but we will show you how to do that the old fashioned way. Fresh is always best though and it never lasts long in our house enjoyed for breakfast or dessert. 

For reference, this is the pressure cooker I have (a 6 quart) and use for all recipe creations.

You can use any fresh or frozen berries. I opt for quick versions though and you must too. 😉

I had about 1.5 lbs. which didn’t look like quite enough fruit when I put it into my pressure cooker, so I added 3/4 of a container of fresh strawberries from our garden too. So the total was 2 lbs. of fresh fruit and the combination turned out to be great.


Can you peel plums to make jam?


Yes! If that is your favorite fruit then by all means remove those skins and use those. I have had people comment to me that this fruit works rather well and is delicious.


Ninja Foodi Jam


When it is summertime we are all about fruit because it’s so fresh and inexpensive when it’s in season. There are tons of farms out here so we schedule trips to pick fresh peaches, blackberries and anything else we can get our hands on.

If you have a backyard garden I suggest planting strawberries and trying to make homemade jam this year. It is SO simple and I guarantee you won’t buy a jar at the store after you try it. I would involve your kids in the process too, I assure you they’ll love it.


Can you make jam from canned fruit?


You can if that is really all you have. You’ll just need to drain the liquid out of the can first. It won’t have the same consistency, it will be smoother without the chunks of fruit you see here. It will be more like jelly versus jam.


Fruit releases a lot of juice so liquid really isn’t necessary. Then you just add a bit of cornstarch and water at the end to thicken it up. 


  • The combination of huckleberries and strawberries worked well too. It brought some added sweetness to the typically slightly sourness of fresh huckleberries. Sugar was also needed to sweeten it up.


If I were to use something like peaches I would add less sugar. Closer to 3/4 of a cup instead of 1 but that is personal preference.


Here are a few questions and answers you might have right about now, let us know below if you have others we can help with…


How long does homemade jam last?


We usually only have it for 1-2 weeks or freeze some for later.If you do not can properly and just save it in jars inside your refrigerator it should last up to three months.


Can you use a pressure cooker for canning?


Nope! It is not recommended by Instant Pot to do this because it doesn’t reach the optimal temperature to kill all bacteria and store on the shelf safely.


InstaPot Canning


You may have heard some people online stating that they do this, it is not advised. You need to ensure that the temp. inside the device reaches a very high heat in order to kill all the bacteria that may be present and seal well. It is stated on their website that even under high pressure it will not quite get to that point.


Pressure cooker jam with fruit


Here are a few things you’re going to need in order to get started on this;


  1. Small mason jars – these mason jars for jam are perfect for yourself and to tie a ribbon around and use as gifts


  2. Fresh fruit – 2 lbs. made 4 jars for us.


  3. Sugar

  4. Cornstarch

  5. Water

    1. Vanilla extract & lemon juice – I think both are a good addition to any fruit jam but that is personal preference

  6. It’s a fun mason jar gift idea. 


Why do you add lemon juice to jam?


I like the flavor in small doses. Another reason is that it prevents the growth of bacteria if you’re canning your homemade jam. Then make this homemade bread recipe and serve them together.


How to Make Jam in Instant Pot


Basic steps to follow are:


Add fruit into Instant Pot or Ninja Foodi with sugar and vanilla. Close and lock the lid. Set to high pressure cook time for 1 minute! Allow to naturally release steam for 10 minutes and then open the valve to release the pressure remaining. Remove the lid and set aside.


  • In a small bowl add cornstarch and water, stir to combine. A whisk works well to get it nice and smooth. I do not add fruit pectin to this, cornstarch is easier and I always have it on hand..


Set pot to saute and once bubbling add slurry for 2-3 minutes to thicken and then turn off. Take the inner pot out of the machine and put on a cooling rack or pour jam into mason jars immediately so it doesn’t continue to cook. Allow to cool before storing in the fridge. Could last longer too.


Entire process including cool time should take about 30 minutes.


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