How to Make Sugar Free Marionberry Jam

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Ever wanted to get into making your own preserves? It’s honestly not that hard! This guide will teach you how to make Sugar Free Marionberry Jam from scratch? Why? Because honestly – making it yourself just makes it taste so much better.

What You’ll Need to make this Sugar Free Berry Jam

1. 4+ 8 Oz Ball Mason Jars

This is what you’ll be putting your jam in! I don’t recommend using knockoff brands. With things that you consume – it’s better to go with brands that you trust. And Ball has been a staple in natural living homes for generations. The best thing is that the jars themselves can be used over and over again! The only thing that needs to be replaced (If you choose to preserve them so that your jam lasts longer) is the lids. I prefer 8oz jars over 12oz because honestly – I just don’t eat that much jam. So I prefer the quantities to be smaller. If you opt for bigger mason jars – you’ll just need to adjust the recipe accordingly.

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2. Honey. I personally used Nature Nate’s 100% Pure and Organic Honey. This is such a healthier option instead of using white, refined sugar (which most jam recipes call for)

Honey is anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial. It also contains pectin so you don’t have to use any in this recipe. It doesn’t get much better than that. Plus it adds a complexity to the flavor

3. Lemon

Lemon will help cut through the sweetness and balance the flavors of this jam. While some people don’t use lemon in their recipes, I always add just a little.

4. Berries!

This recipe is interchangeable and super flexible to accomodate what you’re craving. Anything in the blackberry or raspberry family will be a delicious option. I’m in Oregon and we are known for our marionberries – so that’s what I used personally.

Can I use frozen berries to make this jam?

Yes, you totally can! I went berry picking last week and had 12 pints that needed to be preserved ASAP so that’s why I used fresh berries. Honestly, even if your local supermarket has a great deal on berries that will be totally fine, too. Just make sure that the frozen berries are drained of any liquid that would mess with the measurements of the recipe.

Why Sugar Free Jam over traditional Marionberry Jam

For me, I am trying to limit the amount of sugar that I take in. Sugar has been shown to exacerbate a variety of health issues, and with my chronic health conditions it’s easier to just try to avoid when possible. One of the wonderful things about cooking from scratch is that you can control the quantities of the “bad” stuff in what you make. And this is one of the perfect scenarios to play around with different options. I opt for honey in this recipe, but you can easily use maple syrup or agave syrup in the recipe in lieu of honey.

10 Things to Use Your Marionberry Jam With:

Spread on Toast or Bagels:

• Use marionberry jam as a classic spread on your morning toast or bagel. The sweet and tart flavor will add a delightful twist to your breakfast.

Peanut Butter and Marionberry Jam Sandwich:

• Create a classic sandwich by combining peanut butter and marionberry jam. The nutty and fruity combination is a crowd-pleaser.

Marinades and Glazes:

• Mix marionberry jam with other ingredients like balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, and garlic to create a flavorful marinade or glaze for meats such as chicken, pork, or even grilled vegetables.

Yogurt Parfait:

• Layer marionberry jam with Greek yogurt and granola to make a delicious and visually appealing parfait. This makes for a healthy and satisfying dessert or snack.

Cheese Pairing:

• Serve marionberry jam alongside a cheese platter. The sweetness of the jam complements the savory flavors of cheeses, especially brie or goat cheese.

Ice Cream Topping:

• Warm up marionberry jam slightly and drizzle it over vanilla ice cream for a simple and delightful dessert.

Stir into Oatmeal or Porridge:

• Add a spoonful of marionberry jam to your morning oatmeal or porridge for a burst of fruity flavor. It’s an easy way to elevate a simple breakfast.

Bake into Thumbprint Cookies:

• Make thumbprint cookies by creating an indentation in each cookie and filling it with marionberry jam before baking. This adds a sweet and tangy center to the cookies.

Salad Dressing:

• Create a unique salad dressing by combining marionberry jam with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, and a pinch of salt. It works well with green salads or as a glaze for grilled chicken salads.

Cocktail Mixer:

• Mix marionberry jam into cocktails to add a fruity twist. It can be a great addition to drinks like a marionberry jam mojito or a berry-infused martini.

Ingredients for this Sugar Free Marionberry Jam

• 1 Pint (16 Oz) Marionberries

• 1/4 Cup of Honey

• 1 Lemon

Directions for this Sugar Free Jam

1. Using a potato masher mash all of the berries in a bowl and mix in the honey.
2. Using a (preferably) non-stick pan, put the berry and honey mixture on medium-high for 10 minutes until it starts bubbling and foaming. You’ll want to stir until it reaches a gel like consistency.
3. Using a funnel to prevent mess, spoon into your jars leaving 1/4 – 1/2 inch of space. This is particularly important if you plan on preserving/canning for later.
4. Put in the fridge and enjoy within two weeks! Since it’s fresh without preservatives – it won’t last as long as store bought jam. That being said, you can rest knowing that it’s all natural and delicious.
5. Enjoy your freshly made jam!

If you want to Preserve Marionberry Jam

Click here to learn how to steam can your marionberry jam