Name: Blueberry Chia Jam
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Ingredients: 2 cups blueberries (fresh or frozen); 1/3 cup sugar (Use more or less depending on sweetness level); 1 tbs lemon juice; 2 tbs chia seeds

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This healthy blueberry chia jam recipe is made with just a handful of ingredients, and can be whipped up in just a few minutes. Store your homemade jam in the fridge or freezer to enjoy those fresh flavors of summer all winter long.

jar of blueberry chia jam on a wood table surrounded by fresh blueberries, chia seeds, and lemon slices.

Blueberry picking is a summer event in this house. My daughter has been asking to go on her birthday every year since she turned 3, which also usually happens to be opening weekend for blueberry season.

The excitement usually wanes after the third or fourth trip to the blueberry farm. Our goal is to usually pick about 80 pounds of fruit each year. But with these little mouths getting bigger, and adding a third baby to the crew… the goal will be even more this year.

One of the things I love about where we live is there are a ton of u-pick farms. That is an easy way to “homestead” without land (find my post on creating a 1/4 acre homestead).

You don’t need a hundred acres to provide for your family. Find local farms in the area. U-pick is usually cheaper since you are doing the work.

This easy blueberry chia jam recipe is our go to. Super delicious and easy. The kids love to spread it on just about everything.

knife scooping out blueberry jam out of a small mason jar. The jar is surrounded by blueberries, lemons, chia seeds, and a plate with toast

Recipe Highlights:

Easy: This easy jam recipe couldn’t be simpler. Add to a pot and simmer down. Store in a jar in the fridge or freezer.

Healthy: There is no denying that blueberries are healthy. And this is a healthy jam recipe. No weird ingredients. No high fructose corn syrup. Makes this registered dietitian happy. Real food, real easy.

Delicious: A tasty, slightly tangy, sweet spread. It is way better than store-bought jams.

Preservation: This is a great way to preserve fresh blueberries all winter long. You can find here how to freeze blueberries.

Vegan and gluten free

Tips:

Fresh or frozen blueberries can be used.
Use as much or as little sweetener as you would like. If you have more tart berries, you may need more. Or skip it out together to make this recipe sugar free.
You can create other fruit jams with this recipe. Substitute the blueberries for strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, or any combination.
For a smoother jam, mash well with a potato masher. This will help break down the more.
Double or triple the recipe to make a big batch.

The links in this post contain affiliate links and I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on my link. See the full disclosure here.

toast smothered with blueberry chia jam with a knife laying on the toast on a white plate. Blueberries and more jam surround the plate

Health Benefits Of Blueberries

From helping to reduce inflammation and improve the look and texture of our skin, to boosting heart health and helping fight off diseases like cancer and diabetes, blueberries offer a plethora of health benefits.

Their deep color comes from antioxidants that fight free radicals, reducing the risk for illness and helping us to stay healthy.

Studies have even shown that blueberry consumption can help to improve cognitive health, with those who ate blueberries regularly performing better on tests that measured memory, learning, and motor skills. (source)

overhead photo of blueberries in a measuring up, sugar in a measuring up, sliced lemons, and a jar of chia seeds on a cutting board

Ingredients:

Blueberries: If you are into foraging you could even use wild blueberries.

Sugar: (optional) If you are wanting to make a sugar free jam, just skip the sugar. Or add another type of sweetener to taste. You could also substitute with maple syrup or honey, but you will need to either add more chia seeds or cook down the jam more.

Lemon juice- Adding a little bit of lemon juice gives this delicious jam a bright refreshing flavor.

Lemon zest (optional)

Chia seeds – This adds thickness without having to cook down the fresh berries for a long time. It is also a wholesome alternative to pectin.

Tools you may need:

Saucepan

Liquid measuring cup, dry measuring cup, measuring spoons.

Colander

Mason Jar or an airtight container

Potato masher

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jar of blueberry freezer jam on a wood table surrounded by blueberries, sliced lemons and a plate with toast

How To Make Blueberry Chia Seed Jam

Place blueberries in a colander and rise with cool water. Set aside to dry a bit.

sugar being added to fresh blueberries in a saucepan

In a medium saucepan, add blueberries, sugar, and lemon juice.

Place the saucepan over medium heat and simmer until the sugar has dissolved. Or mash blueberries first before simmering (it really doesn’t matter ha).

mashing blueberries and sugar in a saucepan

With a potato masher, mash down the blueberries.

Simmer for about 5 minutes until jam has slightly thickened.

sprinkling chia seeds into a pot of blueberry jam

Take off the heat and stir in two tablespoons of chia seeds.

Allow to cool at room temperature until the perfect consistency is reached. If after it has cooled the jam is not thick enough, bring it back to heat and add a half of a tablespoon at a time until the desired consistency is reached.

Pour into clean jars. If you are planning to make this into a freezer jam, make sure to leave a 1/2 inch headspace to allow for expansion.

jar of blueberry freezer jam on a wood table with fresh blueberries and sliced lemons surrounding the jar. A plate of toast smothered in jam is in the background

Storage:

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 10 days. Or store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Make sure to leave enough room for the jam to expand so the jar doesn’t break.

How To Serve:

Peanut butter and jelly
Stir into overnight oats or your morning oatmeal
Smother jam over a slice of toast
Top pancakes or waffles
Add to yogurt
Blend with a smoothie
Stir into ice cream to make blueberry ice cream.

jar of blueberry chia jam in a small mason jar surrounded by fresh blueberries. A plate with toast with jam and a knife in the background

FAQ:

Why put chia seeds in jam?

These tiny seeds are not only incredibly healthy and packed with nutrition, but they also have the uncanny ability to absorb an incredible amount of liquid – up to ten times their weight in water.

When it comes to making jams, jellies, and preserves, this is where the magic of chia seeds really shines. Not only do these little seeds make a delicious and healthful substitute for pectin, but they also make it possible to reduce the amount of sugar and sweeteners used in the recipe since chia seeds act as a thickening agent that keeps the jelly or preserve firm.

How long does chia jam last in the fridge?

It will last up to 10 days in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

Is chia seed jelly good for you?

Yes. Chia seeds contain fiber, healthy omega-3 fats, b vitamins, and more. If the

Can you can homemade blueberry chia jam?

No. Chia seeds are not approved for canning and so it would not be safe to can this recipe.

Can I use chia instead of pectin?

Yes. Since chia seeds can absorb a lot of liquid, they work as an amazing substitute for pectin/

Are chia seeds high in pectin?

They do not contain any pectin. They work as a pectin substitute because they absorb 10-12x their size in liquid.

Find More Delicious Ways To Preserve:

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