Frugal Foodie Mama: Strawberry-Raspberry Lime Chia Jam

This easy to make & low-sugar Strawberry-Raspberry Lime Chia Jam is the perfect combination of fresh strawberries, sweet raspberries, and tart lime...

I want to preface today's recipe post with the fact that I do not make homemade jam on the regular. I can probably count on one hand just how many times I have whipped up a batch of homemade jam in my whole entire lifetime. ;) But after seeing recipes for super simple chia jams popping up everywhere, I finally decided to give it a whirl and see what all the fuss was about. I am no stranger to chia seeds.

In fact, I have several recipes on the blog already that feature chia seeds as one of the main ingredients. Chia seeds are amazing at absorbing liquids so it totally makes sense to use them in homemade jams as a thickening agent. And it doesn't hurt that they happen to provide a nice little nutritional boost as well.

I think there are like a million recipes out there for simple strawberry or raspberry chia jams, but I wanted to create my own version that would really capture the flavors of summer. I think I achieved just that in this super simple jam with the combination of fresh strawberries, sweet raspberries, and tart lime. And since we are using naturally sweet, in-season berries & chia seeds to thicken it up this jam, you hardly need to add any kind of sweetener to this making it lower in calories and sugar than your traditional berry jams... :)

Strawberry-Raspberry Lime Chia Jam

by Frugal Foodie Mama

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 5-10 minutes

Ingredients (Almost 1 pint)

1 cup of strawberries, hulled & chopped
1 cup of raspberries
Juice & zest from half of a fresh lime
2 tbsp sugar (could also use honey, maple syrup, or a sugar substitute)
2 tbsp of chia seeds (can add more, if needed)

Instructions

Add the strawberries & raspberries to a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat until the berries start to break down and become slightly syrupy, about 5-10 minutes. Using a potato masher or the back of a spoon, mash the berries to your desired consistency.

Remove from the heat and then stir in the sugar, lime zest, and lime juice. Stir in the chia seeds. Let it stand 5 minutes. If it isn't the consistency that you would like, add more chia seeds one teaspoon at a time.

Allow to cool to room temperature. Then transfer to a jar or small storage container with a lid. Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. The jam will become slightly thicker as it chills. Alternatively, you can transfer the finished jam to a freezer safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Simply thaw the jam in the fridge before using.

Enjoy!

Adapted from THIS RECIPE from the kitchn.

Though I personally adore the combo of juicy strawberries and fresh raspberries in this chia jam, you could totally use all strawberries or all raspberries with the lime instead if you prefer.

And can we talk about just how little sugar I used in this recipe, folks? Just TWO tablespoons. For the entire pint jar. And guess what? It was just the perfect sweetness for me. Not overly sugary or syrupy. Just a fresh, spreadable jam brimming with the flavors of sweet strawberries and raspberries and a hint of lime tartness.

I found myself spreading this Strawberry-Raspberry Lime Chia Jam on everything- English muffins, toast, waffles. It was also tasty mixed into vanilla yogurt. But I certainly wasn't above just simply enjoying it by the spoonful straight from the jar. ;)

Have you made chia jam before?

If so, what are your favorite fruits to use in it?

Looking for even more perfect for summer strawberry recipes?