Use a mix of whatever berries you have on hand to make this easy, fast, and delicious jam! You can use raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, or blueberries in a mix to make this mixed berry jam.
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The beauty of this recipe is the naturally occurring acid that’s present in berries. This acid makes berries foolproof for beginners and makes it nearly impossible for you to make a mistake. You can download the Acid & Canning Chart for free below and it lists the pH values of all the things you might preserve in jars so you can see exactly how acid the fruit in your berry basket might be.
You’ll see which fruit is safely more acid than the magic 4.6 number (a LOWER number means it is of greater acid level) and which is higher. Those that are higher can be safely canned with the addition of an acidifying ingredient like lemon or citric acid; that’s why cucumbers can be pickled into pickles with vinegar!
Mixed Berry Jam Recipe
You will need
5 cups berries
3-4 cups sugar depending on the desired set (more for firmer jam)
1 lemon, squeezed, for taste
2 boxes pectin (liquid or powdered)
1. Prepare your water bath canning pot or your steam canner. Fill the water bath canning pot with water, add 5 half pint jars, and bring to a boil OR fill the steam canner to fill line and turn on low with the 5 half-pint jars nearby on a towel-covered countertop.
2. Combine berries and lemon juice and simmer together in a preserving pan (a heavy-bottomed, wide pan) and mash with a potato masher or wooden spoon for 5 minutes.
3. Optional: Remove from heat and ladle into a food mill. Process jam through for a super smooth jam.
4. Return berries to a boil, add sugar, and whisk in pectin, a little at a time, quickly.
5. Ladle into jars one at a time, apply lids and rings, and either submerge into the boiling water of the boiling water bath with a jar lifter OR set gently on the rack of the steam canner.
6. Process for 10 minutes PLUS 5 minutes for every 1000 ft above sea level. Remove from heat, rest jars carefully on a towel-covered countertop. Label cooled jars and store for up to 1 year.
Download the printable Mixed Berry Recipe Here!
If you are LOVING the idea of canning, but need a little extra instruction, I have a beginner friendly resource that is low-commitment, printable, and will help you dive in today! The Canning Jump Start Guide shares 4 of my easiest, most foolproof recipes, my no-frills equipment lists for both traditional water bath AND steam canning (steam canning is the fastest way to can, my friends and you’ll want to learn it ASAP!), a season planner, a pantry checklist so you’ll never be without the few super-important items when you bring home a bushel of apples or flat of tomatoes, and a visual guide that SHOWS you how to set up your stove so you can SEE how canning might look in action. It also includes a visual guide for adjusting processing time for your altitude so you can easily add time and not have to think about it again! If you are new to canning or need a refresher, the Canning Jump Start Guide will help you preserve fresh, wholesome produce to give to loved ones and serve your family. Did I mention it is just $5?!
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