This Quick and Easy Homemade Peach Jam is perfect when you have an overabundance of Freestone peaches in the summertime.
A couple of weeks ago, when I hit up the farmers market, I bought a big box of fresh peaches. Peach season is in full swing, and I wanted to make some peach ice cream with fresh fruit, not frozen.
I looked through some recipes and found one for a quick and easy homemade fresh peach jam, so I decided to make that instead.
This jam does not require pectin or a long drawn-out process of water bathing or anything. Many people refer to it as freezer jam, because once it is done, you can store them in containers in the freezer- if you make a big batch. It is a very easy recipe to make.
This is a small batch jam recipe -- only one jar. It's perfect to use up those last few peaches that are happening to get too ripe too quickly.
This is the same peach jam I used to make my Peach Drop Danish Cookies last week.
The Best Way to Make This Easy Peach Jam Recipe
For starters, you need three simple ingredients -- 3 peaches, 1 lemon, and ¾ cups of granulated sugar (more if you like it sweeter). You can use a different amount of sugar if you don't want it as sweet. However, you may need to use fruit pectin if you use less sugar.
of course, you can use a sugar substitute if you are trying to watch your sugar intake. Simply choose one that offers the same ratio as regular sugar. You can usually find those on the same aisle in the grocery store.
Wash the peaches in cold water, and then peel them with a paring knife. If you want the peach skin to come off easier, just boil them in water for a couple of minutes. Remove them with a slotted spoon and place them in an ice water bath. The skin then just peels off with little to no effort.
Once you get that done, slice the peaches, remove the pits, dice them up, and place them in a large bowl. Add the sugar and the juice of one lemon. Mix well and then add to a large pot.
The fresh lemon juice is a natural pectin and will help your jam jell like it is supposed to. This is one of my favorite ways to firm up my jam and jelly recipes.
Turn your stove on to medium-high heat and start cooking those beautiful peaches until the come to a full boil. When they start getting soft, you can take your potato masher and start mashing them to release their juices and help the fruit break down. A lot of older people call these peach preserves, but I have always called it peach jam.
Just keep mashing and stirring. After probably about 20 minutes or so, your mixture will start looking like this. If you don't want big chunks, simply use an immersion blender to puree it more.
After about 30 minutes, take a small spoonful and put it on a plate that you had resting in the freezer. Put it back in the freezer for a minute and pull it back out. Run your finger down the middle and see if the jam stays put. If it does, your jam is finished and ready to be enjoyed.
If it seems a bit runny, for best results, then you need to boil it just a little bit longer.
Seriously -- nothing tastes better than hot jam on a buttery biscuit!
Here is a list of canning supplies you will need
- Canning Pot
- jam jars
- food processor or immersion blender
- liquid pectin if you want to use less sugar
How to Store Your Homemade Peach Jam
Once it is done, remove the juicy peach mixture from the stove and place it in clean sterilized canning jars. You should have hot jars. It does best in hot jars. Fill them almost full and leave ¼ inch headspace at the top. Use a skewer to get all the air bubbles out.
Let it cool to room temperature and then put the lids on. From there, store them in the fridge, give jars of peach jam to friends, or put them in storage containers and place them in the freezer.
I use this peach jam to put inside my delicious Baked Hand Peach Pie.
However, if you want to keep it longer on a shelf, simply grab a water bath canner and let it water bath on medium heat for 20 minutes on the stove. Use a jar lifter to remove them from the water bath canner and place jars on the countertop to cool for the next 12-24 hours. Then, just store the jars in a cool dark place like the pantry until ready to use.
How I Like to Serve My Jars of Jam
Not only is my jam great for serving on biscuits, but sometimes I like to take some and grind it up smaller using the immersion blender. Then, I take it and serve it over some warm cream cheese.
Then, I toast up some English muffins and spread the cream cheese and peach jam right over top. It is SO good this time of year. It makes the perfect breakfast with delicious jam! This is literally my favorite fruit ever.
Looking for Other Jam recipes? Check these out
- Green Pepper Jelly
- Red Pepper Jelly
- 20 Minute Pumpkin Butter
- Super Easy Freezer Strawberry Jam
- Homemade Blackberry Jam
- Peach Jam
- Bacon Jam
Now you know how easy it is to make a delicious homemade jam with fresh summer peaches! Jam making is one of those things that just make me feel like a great cook, especially when I am enjoying this jam in the middle of winter!
What flavor will you make this month?
If you need more ideas of what to do with overripe peaches, click the link.
Check out the recipe card below for a printable version of this recipe.
Quick and Easy Homemade Peach Jam
This quick and easy homemade peach jam is the way to go to use those late summer peaches.
Ingredients
- 3 to 4 medium peaches, peeled, pitted, and cut into chunks
- ¾ cup sugar, remember, you can start with less sugar and add more if needed
- Juice from one lemon, Lemon juice is naturally high in pectin and will help the jam set.
Instructions
- Add peaches and lemon juice to medium sauce pan. Bring to boil over med high heat, using a spatula or masher to crush peaches to desired consistency.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add sugar. Bring peaches back to a boil, stirring frequently.
- Continue to boil and stir, until peaches reduce and reach desired consistency. (Anywhere from 15 to 25 minutes – jam should stick to spoon when lifted and turned sideways.)
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
3Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 401Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 85mgCarbohydrates: 103gFiber: 5gSugar: 82gProtein: 2g
This is such a great recipe! I live in Georgia, land of fresh peaches, so I can't wait to fill up my pantry with this!
@Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle, does it have to be frozen?
No you do not have to freeze it. You can leave it in the fridge.
Yum! I've never made my own jam before. I need to try it out one day. I bet it's even better than the jarred!
This sounds delicious. I've never made jam before but it doesn't seem too hard from this recipe.
I can't believe it takes only 3 ingredients! Definitely going to try this.
Whoa! My mom used to make jam but it was so involved and took so long. This is totally something I could do! Thank you for sharing 🙂
You are welcome. Yes -- from start to finish-- it takes about 40 minutes.
@Jennifer Sikora, does it have to be frozen?
No you do not have to freeze it. You can leave it in the fridge.
I love fresh jam on toast or scones! I can't believe this jam recipe only has 3 ingredients! Perfect 🙂
I have a bunch of peaches in my fridge that are about to go bad! I think I may try this tommorrow! it looks so delicious and I love that I have all the ingredients in my house! Although I must admit i'm curious about the peach ice cream! I hope you share it soon!
We can't get enough of fresh peaches right now! I would love to try this recipe, it would be fun to capture the essence of summer 🙂
Peach jam is my kids' favorite. I love that this has only 3 ingredients. I had no idea this is so easy to make. Thanks!
Yes. You can also change out the fruit too and make your favorite kind!
Oh wow! I never thought that I can make homemade peach jam in 3 ingredients this is amazing. I would love to try it.
It is so easy and simple! I really want to try it. Best to gift it to friends.
It would make a great gift to give to a friend. I love making a pot of soup with homemade jam and a loaf of bread and delivering to friends and family.
Oh my goodness! I would love to make it for my mom! I'm pretty sure she would love it.
She would totally love this jam.
I've never made peach jam in my life. I assume it's just like making other fruit jams and I'm excited to give it a try! Peach is one of my favorite fruits!
Yes. It is the same concept. You can totally do it!
Yum, I bet this is delicious. It has been so long since I have had homemade peach jam. My grandparents used to make it with all of their leftover peaches. They had several peach trees in their yard.
That is something I want in my yard are some fruit trees!
I don't know that I have ever had peach jam, but I love peaches. And the final color of that jam is amazing.
It is so good on a loaf of homemade bread.
I've never made jam before but this peach jam sounds amazing!! I would love to make this!!
You should try it. It is SO easy to do.
I think jam is one of the more difficult things to make, so finicky. I'll give your recipe a whirl and see if I can get it right this time.
Jam is not hard to make. The hardest part is having patience while it cooks down. 🙂 Give it a try and let me know how it turned out!
I love peaches! Never tried making jams, but I think I will soon especially now that I know it's so quick and easy to make.
It's not as hard as you think it is.
Woah! Why did I always assumed that making peach jam was hard? Totally want to try making my own now.
It is the easiest thing to do. Seriously -- you should try it!
This seems like such a simple recipe! I have been interested in making my own jams since I bought all of these containers and mason jars and now I see how easy it can be so thanks for the easy tutorial.
You are most welcome. It really is easy. My favorite resource is the Ball Canning Book you can find here: http://amzn.to/2veH9q0
Can this jam be canned; if so, what is the process?
You will have to refer to the Ball Canning Book to know that. I only make easy jams and have not ever made jam to can for long periods.
I think maybe I can do this. Can you use bottled lemon juice?
Yes you can use bottled lemon juice.
Do you have to freeze it?
No you do not have to freeze it. You can leave it in the fridge.
I used this recipe to use up my leftover peaches and strawberries, and I erased the “jam” on my shopping list! Amazing.
Great site!!!
Need your opinion on simple ratio of approximate sugar to fruit
For jam/preserves
- I will often have just 3-5 different
Ripening fruit ?
There used to be a commercial
Jingle “a cup (fruit) to a cup (sugar)” ??
Thank you-
Always use a ratio of at least 1:1 or better still 1:1½ – fruit:sugar. To make the perfect jam you need to add at least equally quantities in weight of sugar to the fruit as it cooks, so it will set correctly.
Does it have to be kept on the frig? What is the shelf-life?
Yes it has to be kept in the fridge because it is a water bath jam. You can keep it in the freezer also. Shelf life is about a month in the fridge.
When you a stir it… do you stir It for the whole 20 minutes or so it’s boiling?
I just stir it occasionally.
What do you mean when you say: Yield: 60. Thank you
It has 60 servings in it -- meaning you should be able to use a jar of the jelly at least 60 times.
Is the calorie count truly 401 calories? How much does this recipe make?
In the post I share how much it makes. I think it was like 3 half pints?? That calorie counter can sometimes be off so I am not sure.
Easiest jam ever! I had smaller peaches so I doubled up, using eight smalls. I followed this recipe to a T and it turned out perfect!
So glad to hear you liked them. It is definitely a delicious jam recipe.
How should this be stored? Will it freeze? Are jars best? What about zip lock freezer bags?
You can freeze it if you want. It will last for 6-8 months if you do this. If you want to use right away without water bath canning it, you can place it in a jar and put it in the fridge. It will last 2 weeks in the fridge.