This Pioneer Woman Strawberry Rhubarb Freezer Jam is an easy and quick recipe, which is made with fresh strawberries and rhubarb. It’s a no-fuss way to capture summer in a jar, ready in about 13 minutes plus cooling time.
Jump to RecipePioneer Woman Strawberry Rhubarb Freezer Jam Recipe Ingredients
- 4 cups fresh strawberries, washed and tops removed
- 1 cup fresh rhubarb, chopped
- 1 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
How To Make Pioneer Woman Strawberry Rhubarb Freezer Jam Recipe
- Combine Ingredients: In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, combine the strawberries, chopped rhubarb, granulated sugar, and lemon juice.
- Bring to a Boil: Place the pot over high heat and bring the mixture to a rolling boil, stirring frequently.
- Mash and Cook: As the mixture heats up, use a potato masher to break down the fruit to your desired consistency. Continue to stir constantly—about every 30 seconds—to prevent scorching.
- Check for Set Point: Boil the jam until it reaches 220°F on a candy thermometer. This is the gel stage where the jam will set properly upon cooling.
- Jar the Jam: Once the jam reaches the correct temperature, remove the pot from the heat. Carefully ladle the hot jam into clean jars or freezer-safe containers, leaving about ½-inch of headspace at the top.
- Cool and Store: Let the jars cool completely at room temperature. The jam will continue to thicken as it cools. Once cooled, seal the jars and store them in the refrigerator or freezer.

Recipe Tips
- How do I know when the jam is set without a thermometer? You can use the “plate test.” Before you start cooking, place a small plate in the freezer. When you think the jam is ready, spoon a small amount onto the cold plate and return it to the freezer for one minute. If the jam wrinkles when you push it with your finger, it’s ready.
- Why do I need to stir constantly? The high sugar content in jam can cause it to scorch easily on the bottom of the pot. Stirring constantly ensures even heating and prevents burning.
- Can I use frozen fruit? Yes, you can use frozen strawberries and rhubarb. There’s no need to thaw them first; just place them in the pot and proceed with the recipe. The initial cooking time to bring it to a boil may be slightly longer.
- Why is my jam runny? Runny jam is usually the result of not cooking it long enough to reach the gel stage (220°F). It’s important to let it boil until it reaches the correct temperature to ensure it sets properly.
What To Serve With Strawberry Rhubarb Freezer Jam
This sweet and tangy jam is a classic for a reason. It’s perfect for:
- Spreading on toast, English muffins, or warm biscuits
- A topping for scones with clotted cream
- Swirling into plain yogurt or oatmeal
- A filling for cakes or thumbprint cookies
How To Store Strawberry Rhubarb Freezer Jam
Refrigerator: Store the jam in sealed jars in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. Freezer: For long-term storage, this jam freezes beautifully. Store in freezer-safe jars or containers, leaving ½-inch of headspace, for up to 1 year. Thaw in the refrigerator before using.
Strawberry Rhubarb Freezer Jam Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 86 kcal
- Protein: 0.5g
- Fat: 0.2g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Sodium: 1mg
- Sugar: 20g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Does this recipe use pectin?
No, this is a no-pectin recipe. The jam sets by cooking down the natural pectin found in the fruit along with the sugar and lemon juice until it reaches the gel point.
Can I reduce the amount of sugar?
The sugar in this recipe is crucial not only for sweetness but also for helping the jam to set and acting as a preservative. Significantly reducing the sugar will likely result in a runny, unset jam that will not keep as long.
Why is lemon juice added to the jam?
Lemon juice serves two purposes: it adds a bit of brightness to the flavor and, more importantly, its acidity helps the natural pectin in the fruit to set properly.
Pioneer Woman Strawberry Rhubarb Freezer Jam Recipe
Course: DessertCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy16
servings5
minutes8
minutes86
kcalA fast, no-fuss way to capture the taste of summer in a jar. This cooked freezer jam is made with fresh strawberries, tangy rhubarb, and sugar.
Ingredients
4 cups fresh strawberries, washed and tops removed
1 cup fresh rhubarb, chopped
1 1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Directions
- Combine strawberries, rhubarb, sugar, and lemon juice in a large pot.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, mashing the fruit with a potato masher as it cooks.
- Stir constantly and boil until the jam reaches 220°F on a candy thermometer.
- Remove the pot from the heat.
- Ladle the hot jam into clean jars, leaving ½-inch of headspace.
- Let the jam cool completely at room temperature, then store it in the refrigerator or freezer.
Notes
- Use Ripe Fruit: For the best and sweetest flavor, use fresh, ripe strawberries and rhubarb.
- Stir Constantly: It is essential to stir the jam constantly while it boils to prevent it from scorching on the bottom of the pot.
- Cool to Thicken: The jam will appear thin when it’s hot but will thicken to its final consistency as it cools completely.
- Freezer Jam: This jam is not shelf-stable and must be stored in the refrigerator or freezer.