12 Easy Jam and Jelly Recipes for Beginners (Quick & Simple)

Jams and Jellies are some of my favorite homemade gifts to give away all times of the year. If you’re new to making preserves, check out these 12 Easy Jam and Jelly Recipes for Beginners to get started. If you’re a veteran jelly-maker here’s a chance to try out some new recipes! Some of these recipes don’t require a canner at all and you can just pop them into the fridge. Enjoy!

This post contains affiliate links. This will not cost you anything but will help us offset the cost of running the blog. We only share products we use and would recommend to a friend. Thank you for your support! Click ‘HERE’ for more info.

Make Anytime Recipes

These 12 easy jam and jelly recipes for beginners are a great way to start preserving fresh fruit all year long. These recipes can be made anytime because they have easy-to-find ingredients at the grocery store so even in the winter months when your farmer’s markets or gardens are slow, you’ll be able to make some delicious jellies and jams. You can use fresh or frozen fruits and veggies that you can find all year round.

Cran-Raspberry Jam

Unlike many other cran-raspberry jam recipes I’ve seen, this recipe is made with cranberry juice and not fresh/frozen cranberries. I really wanted to have cranberry tartness in my raspberry jam so I made this! I used frozen raspberries but you can use fresh as well. Whatever is easier for you during the season you’re making this delicious jam.

Get the Recipe

Apple Jelly

Apple jelly was so fun to make using organic apple juice. Here’s a secret, you can make jelly all year long by making it with store-bought juice! This is how I make my grape jelly all year long. I love making my own jelly from juice because it allows me to avoid any preservatives or extra ingredients that may be added to store-bought jellies. It also allows me to control the amount of sugar in each of my jellies.

Grab the Apple Jelly Recipe

Christmas Jam

You don’t have to wait until Christmas time to make this Cranberry Strawberry Jam! It boasts warm spicy and unique flavor that you can enjoy throughout the fall and winter (or if you’re feeling frisky, you can even enjoy it in the spring and summer 😮) I love to make this and gift it away at Christmas time though because it is fun and festive. During the holiday season it is easier to find fresh cranberries too.

Try this Not-Just-For-Christmas Jam

Fennel Tomato Jam

This fennel tomato jam is going to be your new favorite spread for grilled cheese, BLTs, and for a new spin on the classic caprese salads. I can taste the fresh summery tomato flavor already. Because it is packed with natural preservatives, this will last in the fridge for about 3 weeks or you can water bath can it for long-term storage.

A New Caprese Jam

Caramel Apple Jam

If you love fall spices you will love this recipe! I can already smell it just by looking at the picture. Unlike apple jelly, this jam has pieces of apple you bite into with every bite. It would be the perfect fall topping for pancakes or french toast in the morning. Give this recipe a try if you have some extra apples on hand. It would make such a sweet gift too.

Grab this Delicious Jam

Balsamic Blueberry Jam

This recipe mixes the unique flavors of balsamic and blueberries to create an amazing breakfast spread. It uses arrowroot powder as a thickener and doesn’t require a canner to make. Perfect for you if you’re looking to try a new jam recipe but don’t want to dive into canning just yet.

Try this Balsamic Jam

Honey Strawberry Jam

This delicious honey-sweetened strawberry jam uses Pomona’s Pectin to ensure a proper set in a short time. Honey gives this fruit jam such a good flavor without the added processed sugar. This recipe would be great with other types of berries as well and you can make it all summer long as different fruits ripen.

Get this Honey Sweetened Jam

Raspberry Chia Seed Jam

If you’re looking to ditch the sugar but still want to have a delicious jam on your morning toast, this is the recipe for you. It combines the amazing flavors of raspberry with chia seeds that will give it a jam-like texture. This is also great for kids who want to enjoy a sweet treat without it being loaded with sugar. Plus, chia seeds are high in fiber and rich in nutrients. What a great added benefit to a jam.

Grab this Quick Sugar Free Jam

Local & Seasonal Jam and Jelly Recipes

These jam and jelly recipes are on the seasonal side of our 12 easy jam and jelly recipes for beginners. They’re a great way to preserve seasonal fruits for enjoyment all year. If you were lucky enough to throw some of these precious ingredients in the freezer then you can totally make these anytime. Unfortunately, I haven’t found any of these main ingredients in grocery store freezer sections in the winter months so your best bet it to get them while they’re in season.

easy jam and jelly recipes for beginners, lilac jelly

Lilac Flower Jelly

Lilac jelly was so fun to make in the spring. It is a very mild and sweet jelly made from foraged flowers from your yard! My niece and nephew especially enjoy this jelly on crackers. It would also be great on an English muffin. How fun is it to be able to make something so sweet out of a flower that we enjoy so much in the springtime?

Get the Lilac Recipe

Thimbleberry Jam

Thimbleberry Jam is like a delicacy in some places and if you don’t live in those places it is likely that you’ve never even heard of it! My husband’s family has a house in Upper Michigan that they visit throughout the year and during a couple of weeks in late July/early August they pick thimbleberries. I was lucky enough to join in on this tradition and use their easy, lower-sugar recipe! If you have a chance to grab some thimbleberries I hope you’ll try it.

Try this Unique Jam

Black Raspberry Jam

If you ask my husband, thimbleberries are the king of berries. I have to respectfully disagree because black raspberries are the obvious best of the best. I grew up picking and eating handfuls of black raspberries every summer and it is one of my favorite memories. Black raspberry jam is so delicious and I LOVE being able to nibble on it in the dead of winter as a reminder that spring and summer will be here soon.

Get my Fav Recipe

Refrigerator Huckleberry Jam

This chia seed huckleberry recipe can be made in under 30 minutes! It is going to be delicious on your pancakes, waffles, toast, or English muffins in the morning and on crackers as an afternoon snack. Packed with sweetness and nutrients this is sure to become a favorite if you can get your hands on some huckleberries.

Grab this No Canning Recipe

How to Rebatch Jelly that Didn’t Set

Now that you’ve made a list of all the easy jam and jelly recipes for beginners that you want to try, let’s go over what you would do if your jelly doesn’t quite turn out. It happens to us all. One moment, you’re excited that you’re making homemade jelly, and the next, you realize your jelly is like soup. Have no fear; you can reset your jelly in a few easy steps. I have experienced this a few times, and rebatching was a breeze. You do have to add a bit more sugar, but it’s all worth it to have the perfect consistency of jelly. Check out how to rebatch your jelly here. This is for recipes that involve pectin and canning.

Thanks for checking out my easy jam and jelly recipes for beginners! I hope you got some great ideas and enjoy for of your new jams and jellies soon. Let us know in the comments which ones you are excited to try.