If you have fresh blueberries, making homemade blueberry jam is one of the best ways to preserve their sweet summer flavor.

This blueberry jam is rich, fruity, and perfect for toast, biscuits, yogurt, desserts, and gifting. It’s also an easy beginner-friendly water bath canning recipe.

Looking for more blueberry ideas? See all my blueberry recipes, drinks, and growing tips here.

Love homemade preserves? Browse all of my jams and jellies recipes here.

If you’re new to canning, start with my Water Bath Canning for Beginners guide before getting started.

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Why You’ll Love This Blueberry Jam

• Easy beginner-friendly recipe
• Great way to preserve fresh blueberries
• Sweet, flavorful, and spreadable
• Perfect for toast, biscuits, and desserts
• Great homemade gift idea

Ingredients for Blueberry Jam

• 4 1/2 cups prepared blueberries (about 4 pints fresh berries)
• 2 tablespoons fresh or bottled lemon juice
• 7 cups granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon butter (optional, helps reduce foam)
• 2 pouches liquid fruit pectin
• 1 tablespoon fresh grated lemon rind (optional)

How to Make Blueberry Jam

Step 1: Prepare Jars

Wash jars, lids, and rings and keep hot until ready to fill.

Need tools? See my favorite canning supplies for beginners here.

Step 2: Prepare the Blueberries

Wash berries and remove stems.

Mash blueberries in batches with a potato masher until crushed.

Measure 4 1/2 cups crushed berries into a large saucepan.

Step 3: Cook the Jam

Add:

• Lemon juice
• Sugar
• Butter (optional)

Bring mixture to a full rolling boil, stirring constantly.

Stir in liquid pectin.

Return to a full rolling boil and boil 1 minute, stirring constantly.

Remove from heat and skim foam if needed.

Stir in lemon rind if using.

Wondering how pectin works? Read my guide: All About Pectin for Homemade Jam.

How to Can Blueberry Jam

Step 1: Fill the Jars

Ladle hot jam into prepared jars.

Leave 1/8 inch headspace.

Not sure how to measure? Read: How to Measure Headspace for Canning.

Wipe rims clean.

Apply lids and rings finger tight.

Step 2: Process in Water Bath

Place jars in boiling water canner.

Water should cover jars by 1–2 inches.

Bring to a gentle boil and process for 10 minutes.

Step 3: Cool and Check Seals

Remove jars and cool undisturbed for 12 hours.

After cooling:

Read: How to Test Canning Jar Seals (3 Easy Methods)

Any unsealed jars should be refrigerated and used first.

Yield and Storage

• Makes about 4 pints or 8 half-pints
• Store sealed jars in a cool, dark place for 1 year
• Refrigerate after opening

Tips for Best Blueberry Jam

• Use ripe blueberries for best flavor
• Mash berries well for even texture
• Keep jars hot before filling
• Measure ingredients accurately
• Do not double batch unless recipe is tested for it

Ways to Use Blueberry Jam

Blueberry jam is delicious:

• On toast or English muffins
• Swirled into yogurt or oatmeal
• Spread on biscuits or scones
• Spoon over cheesecake or ice cream
• In thumbprint cookies

More Jam Recipes to Try

If you enjoyed this recipe, you might also like:

• Blueberry Lavender Jam
• Spiced Blueberry Jam
• Strawberry Rhubarb Jam
• Raspberry Apricot Jam
• Strawberry Mango Jam

You can also browse all of my jams and jellies recipes here.

FAQs

Can I use frozen blueberries?

Yes. Thaw first and include all juices.

Why didn’t my jam set?

It may need more cooling time, or pectin measurements may have been off.

Can I reduce the sugar?

Only use tested low-sugar recipes when altering sugar amounts.

Scroll down to the recipe card below for the full printable recipe.

Blueberry Jam Recipe

Ingredients:

• 4 1/2 cups prepared blueberries (approx. 4 pints)
• 2 Tbsp. fresh or bottled lemon juice
• 7 cups sugar, measured into separate bowl
• 1/2 tsp. butter or margarine
• 2 pouches CERTO Fruit Pectin
• 1 tablespoon fresh grated lemon rind (optional)

This recipe will make approximately 4 pints or 8 half pints of blueberry jam.

Related Article: Optimizing Soil pH for Blueberries: A Guide for Successful Growth

Wash and sterilize your jars, lids, and screw bands. The easiest way to do this is to run them through the sanitize cycle in the dishwasher and remove them from the dishwasher to use when they are still hot.

Place your boiling water canner on the stove to start heating up while you get the fruit ready for the jars.

Rinse the berries and remove any stems. Place a layer of blueberries in a bowl and mash with a potato masher.

Related Recipe: 6 Easy and Delicious Blueberry Recipes to Try Today!

Add another layer of blueberries and continue mashing until all blueberries are crushed. Measure 4 1/2 cups of crushed fruit into a large saucepan.

Stir in lemon juice. Stir in sugar. Adding butter or margarine is optional but will help reduce foaming. Bring blueberry mixture to a full rolling boil (a boil that won’t stop when you stir it), stirring constantly.

Stir in both pouches of liquid pectin, return to a full rolling boil, and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and remove any foam with a metal spoon.

If you would like to add a little extra lemon flavor to your jam, at this point you can stir in 1 tbsp. of fresh grated lemon rind.

Canning Directions

Quickly ladle fruit into prepared canning jars, within 1/8 inch from the tops of the jars. Wipe the rims of the jars with a damp cloth. Place canning lids and screw bands on the jars.

Place jars on elevated rack in boiling water canner. Water must cover jars by 1 to 2 inches. Cover, and bring water to a gentle boil. Process jars for 10 minutes.

Remove jars from canner and place upright on a towel on the kitchen counter to cool completely. Do not disturb the jars for at least 12 hours. After jars are cool, check seals by pressing middle of lid with finger.

If lid springs back the lid is not sealed. Unsealed jars can be placed in refrigerator to be eaten in the next couple weeks. Sealed jars can be stored for at least 1 year.

My boys really liked the blueberry jam. I have to be honest and say that they liked my strawberry rhubarb jam even better, but this one is a close second!

Related Recipes

• Blueberry Lavender Jam
• Spiced Blueberry Jam
• Rose Petal Jam
• Raspberry Apricot Jam
• Strawberry Mango Jam

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