Microwave Berry Jam Recipes

MICROWAVE BERRY JAM

Steps:

• 1) Combine all of the ingredients in a large microwave-safe bowl. Make sure the bowl is large enough; the berries/sugar shouldn't fill more than 1/3 of the bowl, as they'll bubble up quite a bit as they cook.
• 2) Cook the berries for 5 minutes in the microwave.
• 3) Remove the bowl from the microwave, stir the berries, and cook for another 5 minutes.
• 4) Remove the bowl from the microwave, and stir thoroughly. If the mixture hasn't become sauce-like and slightly syrupy, cook for an additional 5 minutes.
• 5) Stir to combine any liquid, and refrigerate. The jam will thicken as it cools.

SUPER EASY MICROWAVE STRAWBERRY JAM

Steps:

• Place strawberries in a large microwave-safe bowl; add sugar and stir until evenly coated.
• Heat strawberries in microwave for 2 minutes; gently stir and continue cooking in microwave, stirring every 2 minutes, until thick and glossy, 6 to 10 minutes. Refrigerate jam until chilled, at least 30 minutes.

BERRY JAM

Steps:

• Toss berries and sugar together in a large, heavy-bottomed pot. Let sit for at least 15 minutes and up to overnight, periodically tossing to coat and to dissolve the sugar. (This will help coax the juices out of the fruit.)
• Place a small plate in the refrigerator to chill. (You'll use this later.)
• Bring the fruit to a strong simmer over medium heat until the berries burst and the juices start to boil, about 15 minutes. If using a vanilla bean as an add-in, put it in the pot at this point.
• Increase the heat to medium-high. Cook the jam, at first stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon or spatula, then more frequently as the juices thicken. Cook until most of the liquid has evaporated and the fruit has begun to break down, 40 to 50 minutes. How much it breaks down will depend on its type and ripeness: For example, strawberries are likely to retain more of their shape, while raspberries will break down almost entirely.
• As the jam cooks, the liquid will reduce, the sugars thicken and the natural pectins activate. You'll notice the liquid go from a rapid, rolling boil with smaller bubbles to a slow, thick, tarlike boil with larger bubbles: This is the stage at which it's most important to stir constantly along the bottom of the pot to prevent scorching and sticking. (Sugar is heavier than water and will concentrate there, increasing the chance that the fruit will burn.) It's also the stage at which splattering may occur, so take care in stirring.
• Once the jam reaches a slow, thick boil, add lemon juice and continue to cook, stirring constantly until the jam returns to its earlier consistency, about another 5 minutes. To test the consistency, spoon a bit of jam onto the chilled plate, return it to the refrigerator and chill for 2 minutes. Drag your finger through it: It should hold its shape on either side without appearing watery or runny. If it's not there yet, cook a few minutes more. (Note: Some fruit, like strawberries, contain more water and less natural pectin than say, a raspberry. This means the jam will never be quite as thick or gelled, but it will still be delicious).
• Remove from heat, and incorporate any of the add-ins listed (see notes). Pick out vanilla bean if you added it earlier. Divide jam between several 8-ounce canning jars, leaving 1/4-inch head space, and seal immediately. Can the jams (see our How to Make Jam guide for more instruction), or store in the refrigerator, using them within a couple of weeks.

MICROWAVE BLUEBERRY JAM

Steps:

• Puree blueberries in blender or food processor.
• Place in a 12-cup microwave-safe dish with sugar and cinnamon.
• Stir.
• Microwave on High, uncovered, for 8-10 minutes -- until mixture comes to a full roiling boil and boils for one full minute.
• Stir well once during cooking.
• Remove from microwave and pour into sterilized jars.
• Cover and refrigerate.
• Keeps well for at least two weeks.