Make my Instant Pot Strawberry Jam with just 3 simple ingredients—strawberries, sugar and lemon juice (no pectin, no cornstarch). Made entirely in the Instant Pot, it comes together in under an hour and tastes so much better than store-bought!
This is the kind of small batch jam I love to make when strawberries are in season—or even when I’ve got a bag of frozen berries to use up. The recipe makes about 1⅓ cups (11 oz) of jam. It’s bright, naturally sweet, and honestly, once you try it, you’ll wonder why you ever bought jam from the store again.
This strawberry jam is also vegan and gluten-free, just like my Instant Pot loquat jam.
Jump to:
- Why use an Instant Pot to Make Strawberry Jam?
- Why This Recipe Works
- 📋Ingredients
- 👩🍳Sandhya's Expert Recipe Tips
- 🔪How to Make Instant Pot Strawberry Jam?
- Storing the Instant Pot Jam in the Fridge
- Freezing Instant Pot Jam
- 🍽 How to Use this Strawberry Jam
- Recipe FAQ's
- More Easy Instant Pot Recipes You'll Love
- Instant Pot Strawberry Jam (No Pectin, No Cornstarch!)
Why use an Instant Pot to Make Strawberry Jam?
And it’s probably obvious, but this Instant Pot strawberry jam is unbelievably effortless to make—and yes, it actually works! If you’ve ever felt like jam-making on the stovetop is too much fuss, let me show you how simple it can be. Just strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice, and the Instant Pot does most of the work for you.
You might also like: Instant Pot Apple Butter, Garlic Noodles, and Instant Pot Pop Corn—all made right in the Instant Pot!
Why This Recipe Works
- Only 3 simple ingredients — you probably already have them at home.
- The jam naturally thickens with lemon juice and a quick boil.
- Perfect for small batch jam — no need to make dozens of jars; make just what you’ll enjoy.
- No preservatives — so you know exactly what’s in your jam.
- Makes a great homemade gift — easily double or triple the recipe to share with friends and family.
- Keeps fresh in the fridge for up to 3 weeks — enjoy your fresh jam without waste.
📋Ingredients
Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
- Fresh strawberries or frozen strawberries both works. I used fresh here, but see my frozen fruit tips below.
- Granulated sugar: That's what I have in my pantry. I found ½ cup was just right for us.
- Lemon juice: It helps the jam set and adds brightness.
With the same set of ingredients plus a little water, I make Fresh homemade Strawberry Juice too!
👩🍳Sandhya's Expert Recipe Tips
- Using frozen strawberries? Just add 1 extra minute to the pressure cook time.
- Like your jam chunky? Skip the blending and mash it lightly with a potato masher instead.
- Want it sweeter? Taste the strawberries first—if they’re super sweet like ours, keep the sugar as is. If not, add a little more sugar to your liking.
- Want it thicker? Let the jam reduce longer on sauté mode. We did 12–15 minutes and it worked perfectly.
- If you don’t have fresh lemon juice, no worries—you can use the same amount of store-bought bottled lemon juice, and it works just fine.
- Planning to make a bigger batch? You can double or triple this recipe, but don’t go over the Instant Pot’s max fill line.
- Important: Allow the pressure to release naturally. Don’t be tempted to quick-release the vent—strawberry jam can splatter everywhere and create a huge mess. Many readers have shared this experience!
🔪How to Make Instant Pot Strawberry Jam?
Detailed steps and recipe video in the recipe card 🎥 below.
Step 1. Macerate Strawberries Wash, hull, and slice strawberries. Then combine strawberries and sugar in the Instant Pot and let sit for 30 minutes to release strawberry juices.
Then add lemon juice.
Step 2. Pressure Cook Seal the lid, and pressure cook (or Manual button) on HIGH for 1 minute. Allow pressure to release naturally (15–18 mins).
Don't try to Quick Release - read my tips!
Step 3. — Blend using an immersion blender for a smoother jam or mash using a potato masher for a chunkier strawberry jam.
It totally depends on your preferred texture.
Step 4. Press Sauté and boil for 12–15 minutes until thick, stirring occasionally and skimming foam.
Instant pot strawberry jam ready to be stored.
Tip - Remember to stir in- between to prevent scorching!
As they cool the jam will cool down.
Don't have Instant Pot, make my stove top Strawberry Jam recipe.
Storing the Instant Pot Jam in the Fridge
Ladle the strawberry jam made in instant pot into airtight jars. Let it cool down completely before sealing the jars. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. I prefer Ball or Kilner mason jars - they are great for storage.
Freezing Instant Pot Jam
You can freeze Instant Pot strawberry jam for up to 1 year in freezer-safe containers. Once thawed, store it in the fridge and use within 2–3 weeks. Just stir well after defrosting to restore the texture.
🍽 How to Use this Strawberry Jam
This homemade 3 ingredient jam is delicious. I love to
- Drizzle over American Pancakes or Classic Belgian Waffles
- Swirl into vegan yogurt
- Layer into strawberry shortcake overnight oats or chia pudding for breakfast
- Use as a layer for Christmas Trifle or No Bake Strawberry Cheesecake dessert.
Recipe FAQ's
You totally can! The only difference is that the Instant Pot will take a bit longer to come to pressure, but that’s it. Just pressure cook for 2 minutes instead of 1. Everything else stays the same.
You can, but the jam may be less sweet and thinner. Start with ⅓ cup and adjust to taste.
Absolutely! You can, just like we do with our strawberry jam and loquat jam in the Instant Pot pressure cooker.
It’s because you need to boil it a bit longer on sauté mode and do the plate test. Natural thickening varies depending on how juicy your berries are.
Adding a cornstarch slurry thickens the jam quickly, which reduces the cooking time. Mix 1 tablespoon corn starch with 2 tablespoon of water and then add to the strawberry jam on saute mode. Keep stirring gently until the jam thickens, which should happen within a few minutes.
More Easy Instant Pot Recipes You'll Love
⭐⭐Did you make this No Pectin Instant Pot Strawberry Jam? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!
Instant Pot Strawberry Jam (No Pectin, No Cornstarch!)
Print Pin RateEquipment
- Instant Pot 6 Qt
Ingredients
- 1 lb strawberries
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- WASH & HULL - Wash, hull, and slice strawberries.
- MARINATE - Add the quartered strawberries and sugar to the inner pot of the instant pot. Stir to combine. Seal the pot with the instant pot lid. Allow them to sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes, until the strawberries are juicy.
- PRESSURE COOK HIGH - Open the Instant Pot, add the fresh lemon juice. Stir. Close and secure the lid to the locked position. Check to make sure the vent is turned to SEAL. Press Pressure Cook and set the timer for 1 minute, adjust time using the up or down arrow. Pressure Cook HIGH for 1 minute.
- When the timer has finished, allow the pressure to release naturally for about 15 -18 minutes. Turn the seal to VENT and remove the instant pot lid. Press 'CANCEL' to turn off the keep warm mode.
- MASH - Blend the jam using an immersion blender or potato masher.
- SAUTE - Press SAUTE and allow the mixture to boil for 12- 15 minutes or until the jam has reached a gel consistency. Skim off the foam.
- TEST IF THE JAM IS READY - Place 2 small plates in the freezer before you start cooking your jam about 15 minutes. To test your jam, place a drop of the jam on the chilled plate and keep it in the fridge for 30 seconds. After 30 seconds, run your finger through the drop to see if it forms a crinkle and tacky. Then it's ready!If you don't see a crinkle, allow the jam to boil for another 1 -2 minutes and retest.
- STORE - Ladle the jam into sterilised container leaving ¼ inch headspace. Let it cool down completely before sealing the jars. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.
Video
Notes
Top Tips
- Using frozen strawberries? Add 1 extra minute to pressure cook time.
- Like chunky jam? Skip blending—just mash with a potato masher.
- Need it sweeter? Taste first and adjust sugar if needed.
- Want it thicker? Simmer on Sauté for 12–15 mins until it reduces.
- No fresh lemon juice? Bottled lemon juice works fine too.
- Making a bigger batch? You can double or triple—just don’t exceed the Instant Pot max fill line.
Don’t be tempted to quick-release the vent—strawberry jam can splatter everywhere and create a huge mess. Many readers have shared this experience in comments!
Bhpmke says
Could you use other fruits instead of strawberries? Also do you think it would work to use grapes as a sweetener instead of sugar, as in commercial no sugar added jams?
Sandhya's Kitchen says
Hi there, I don't think so. As sugar helps in setting the jam.
You can make this Jam with any fruit! It works great with Pluots, Berries, Guava - anything.
Caron says
Hello Sandhya! Looks easy to do! I think I’ll add chia seeds to thicken it up.
Sandhya's Kitchen says
Absolutely.. Chia is great too!
roy says
I appreciate the time you’ve taken out to show me the ropes and ensure that I have the required knowledge to do a great job with strawberry jam. Thank you.
Hqketodiet says
wow its amazing and easy method i'll try
Sandhya Hariharan says
Thank you 🙂
Amy says
How does this recipe hold up when stored in the freezer?
Sandhya Hariharan says
Although, I haven't frozen this particular jam, I can say that this jam should hold good for a year in the freezer. Simply defrost it like usual and enjoy the jam. Remember to leave at least 1/2" head space while sealing the jam container.
Claudia says
Very easy! I also boiled the jam for 18 minutes.
In the recipe it says to let the pressure out naturally. Well, we turned the vent button and strawberry went every where.
Sandhya Hariharan says
Heyy Claudia, Thank you so much for letting me. I am so glad to know your jam turned out awesome 🙂
Oh so funny!! Natural Pressure Release is fuss free!
Christopher Davenport says
I did the same thing!! Strawberries everywhere even on the ceiling Ha Ha!
Sandhya Hariharan says
Oh dear.. I can imagine the post clean up. Hope your strawberry jam turned out well though! I highly recommend NPR. Also if ever you want to do a quick pressure release, place a cloth on the vent and then turn it.
Candace says
Made this tonight using blueberries. Boiled a little longer than recommended and think I “over-boiled” a little, but otherwise looks great. Cooking now. Excited to try with strawberries! Just had blueberries on hand.
Sandhya Hariharan says
Thats fabulous... I am so glad you tried them with Blueberries and it worked. Don't forget to tag us and share your pictures too!
Patty at Spoonabilities says
I love this idea of using my instapot to make jam. This recipe is on my list - for sure!
Carlee says
This was a super easy to follow recipe. I always have strawberries in the freezer so this was insanely simple for me to whip up quickly.
I did end up boiling in sauté for closer to 15 minutes because I wanted a thicker consistency and I ended up loving how it turned out. It did cook down a lot that way though. I think after 7 minutes it would have been PERFECT on pancakes!
I can’t wait to use this recipe for company! It’s an easy way to impress! .
Irina says
I am used to making jams following old methods, but your recipe gives me the inspiration to try my instant pot for making a strawberry jam. Love the idea!
Sandhya Hariharan says
Yay, you are going to love this Irina. Instant Pot Jams are a lot quicker than old school method. I am recent convert too:)
Maggie says
It seems so much easier than the non-IP method I’ve been using. I make sour cherry jam. I assume it’s the same steps, as I use frozen cherries.? Thanks for this great recipe.
Carrie Robinson says
What a genius idea to make jam in the instant pot! It looks perfect. 🙂
David Stephens says
This looks super tasty, definitely going to make this! Oh, and your photos are beautiful!
Sandhya's Kitchen says
Thanks much. Pressure Cooker Jams are easy and super tasty. What I particularly enjoy is the handsfree time.
Sally says
Strawberries are just about in season where I live. Saving this recipe to use my newish instant pot - I bet it will be so much quicker than how I normally make it on the stove top. Thanks for the great, detailed instructions!
Sandhya's Kitchen says
Instant Pot is my to go method to make Quick, Easy and fuss-free jam. You can use this instructions to make Blueberry Jam, Raspberry Jam or even Pineaaple.
Linda says
Can I use a sugar substitute?
Sandhya Hariharan says
Yes, you can use Monk Sweetener or Stevia.