Spread it, drizzle it, spoon it. Florida strawberry season is in full swing, awash in the brilliant crimson of juicy, ripe berries. What better way to celebrate it than with this easy homemade Strawberry Chia Jam?

Whether it's savory jam such as Bourbon Bacon Jam, or this bright and cheery seasonal treat, making jams and preserves at home is easy and rewarding. Unlike storebought varieties, you can control all of the ingredients, allowing the natural flavors to shine.

Ingredients

When you start with season's peak produce, it doesn't take much to allow these jeweled berries to dazzle. With just a handful of ingredients, Strawberry Chia Jam is as easy to shop for as it is to make.

Strawberries - Fresh is best! Pick berries that are ripe, juicy, and sweet. Because of the berries' natural sugars, there is only a splash of honey in this recipe to amplify their flavor.
Lemon Juice - Adds brightness to this jam. The acid pairs well with the sweetness of strawberries.
Lemon Zest - The citrus oils in the zest add a different layer of flavor than the juice of a lemon. Adds a sunny, fresh note of flavor.
Honey - Enhances the natural sweetness of the strawberries without overpowering them.
Chia Seeds - This nutrient rich superfood adds a slightly nutty flavor to the strawberry jam while giving it fiber and helping to naturally thicken it. When chia seeds are added to liquid they develop a slightly gel-like texture while still giving a little crunch.

How to Make Strawberry Chia Jam

Once you discover how easy it is to make jam at home, you will have fun experimenting with different flavor combinations. This is an easy recipe to double and triple so make extra! It will keep in the refrigerator!

Time needed: 30 minutes.

Sweet yet tart strawberries are the star of this gorgeous crimson homemade jam.

Mise en Place
Cut the stems off of your strawberries and halve the smaller ones and quarter the larger berries, creating fairly equal sized slices.
Heat
Add the strawberries, lemon juice and zest, and honey to a saucepan over medium heat. Stir occasionally, allowing it to come to a simmer. Let it simmer until the strawberries begin to break down and release their juices.
Simmer
Once the strawberries are starting to break down stir in the chia seeds. Continue to stir until the jam has thickened and reached your desired consistency.
Cool
Allow the strawberry jam to cool before transferring it to a jar.

Variations

Try swapping out the strawberries in this jam recipe for a different berry. Blueberries pair well with lemon as well as blackberries. You may need to adjust the amount of honey accordingly.

Substitutions

To make this strawberry jam recipe vegan friendly, swap out the honey in this recipe for agave syrup or maple syrup.

Storage

This recipe for strawberry jam is the perfect make ahead dish. It will keep for up to a month in the refrigerator if kept in an airtight container.

How to Serve Strawberry Chia Jam

This sweet yet tangy jam is the perfect smear, topper, spread, and drizzle for everything from breakfast to dessert. Here are just a few ideas on how to serve it up.

Toast
Pancakes/Waffles
Greek Yogurt - Stir or top your favorite yogurt with this fruity jam. Toss in some granola and create a parfait!
Smoothie
Vinaigrette Dressing - Add a tablespoon or two when whisking or shaking up a homemade vinaigrette for a fruity dressing ideal for topping a strawberry spinach salad.
Ice Cream/Frozen Yogurt - Skip the chocolate. Top your favorite cold treat with this fresh strawberry jam.
Cheese Board/Charcuterie - Whether you're looking for something to spread over brie or serve next to your favorite salami and cheeses, this berry jam is an ideal companion to join your next charcuterie and cheese board.

Top Tip for Strawberry Chia Jam

Strawberries are at their sweetest when they are perfectly ripe but depending on whether or not they're in season will affect the flavor. Taste your strawberries before adding them to your pan, and then taste them as they break down while cooking. You may want to add an extra little drizzle of honey.