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Easy Small Batch Peach Jam Recipe No Pectin Perfect for Beginners

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A simple, rustic peach jam recipe that captures the texture of soft peach chunks in thick syrup without using pectin. Perfect for beginners and small batches.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups fresh ripe peaches, peeled and chopped (about 67 medium peaches)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar (200 grams)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (from about 1 medium lemon)
  • 1/4 cup water (60 ml)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the peaches: Wash and peel the peaches by scoring a small β€œX” at the bottom and blanching in boiling water for 30 seconds, then transfer to ice water. Peel off skins, pit, and chop into roughly 1/2-inch pieces to yield about 4 cups.
  2. Combine ingredients: In a medium saucepan, combine chopped peaches, sugar, lemon juice, and water. Stir to coat the fruit evenly with sugar.
  3. Cook the jam: Place the pan over medium heat and bring to a gentle boil. Stir frequently to prevent sticking. Mash peaches slightly with a spoon or spatula to create a mix of soft chunks and syrup.
  4. Simmer and thicken: Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 30-40 minutes, stirring every few minutes until the mixture thickens and reduces in volume. It should coat the back of a spoon and hold a slight ridge when tested.
  5. Test for doneness: Place a small spoonful on a chilled plate and let cool for a minute. If it wrinkles when pushed gently and does not flood back together, the jam is set.
  6. Jar and cool: Pour hot jam into sterilized jars leaving a small gap at the top. Let cool to room temperature, then seal and refrigerate. Keeps up to 3 weeks in the fridge.

Notes

Use ripe peaches for best natural pectin and flavor. Slow simmering is key to achieving the right texture without burning. Test jam set with the cold plate method. Can be made in a slow cooker on low for 3-4 hours as a variation. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks or freeze for longer storage.

Nutrition

Keywords: peach jam, small batch jam, no pectin jam, homemade preserves, beginner jam recipe, fresh peach jam