This super easy homemade cranberry jam recipe is ready in just under 15 minutes. Yes, less than 15 min! It is made with 1 or 2 cups of cranberries and a couple more, straightforward ingredients. A truly versatile cranberry preserve that is also nutritionally rich and a true immune system booster and you do not need to add pectin.
Here is my comeback recipe after a good few months of not finding the time to post a new recipe. As some of you know, I was pretty caught up with the complete re-make from scratch of my kitchen. It is all done and ready now and I am super happy.
I am sure it will all feel amazing soon once I get a grip on where everything is. It was me that arranged it, haha, but ... you know what I mean, right? A new kitchen and an older brain .... hmmm, such a combo!
I cannot believe that my last post was also a jam recipe, it was an autumn elderberry jam which is absolutely amazing too. My next jam recipe will be a kumquat jam recipe which I absolutely love so, stay tuned.
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💭 Why this jam recipe works?
- because cranberries are in season around holiday times so it is fun to make around the Christmas holidays. However, cranberries can be purchased frozen and made into a jam all throughout the year.
- I do make it in small batches a few times throughout the year (max 1kg/2.2lb of fruit) because I do like it freshly made but also because I add significantly less sugar so it will not last as much as the one that has a 1:1 ratio of fruit : sugar.
- it is the perfect recipe if you are looking for fresh, quick, and delish cranberry recipes, this is one to make. It only requires 2-5 ingredients but in principle is fruit simmered with sugar.
- this cranberry jam recipe has that perfectly balanced flavors and tartness/ sweetness making it the perfect topping for these mini pancakes cereal or any breakfast you may think of including Dutch baby pancakes.
- no fancy equipment is needed to make this cranberry jam recipe
- it cooks realy fast no pectin is needed for this jam recipe as cranberries are naturally high in pectin.
If you like making homemade jams, have you ever thried making a chilli jam? Check out this wonderful chili and ginger jam recipe which pairs really well with Goats Cheese Tartlets if onion chutney isn't your thing.
🥘 What you need
Here are the 5 ingredients you will need for this recipe.
- Fresh cranberries ( frozen or dried can also be used).
- Cane sugar - it is not as sweet as the caster sugar but add more if needed.
- Lemon rind - orange zest can also work really well in this recipe.
- Cinnamon - I used sticks but ground cinnamon can also be used.
- Rose water (this is optional) - this can be subbed by water or orange juice
See the recipe card for exact quantities and some useful notes and tips.
🔪 How to make this recipe?
1) Gather all ingredients - the cranberries should be washed and ready.
2) Place a pan on medium fire and add all ingredients.
3) Cook and stir occasionally, keep an eye on it, and please don't go away or far from it.
4) - Once reached the right consistency, the jam is ready to be stored.
Cranberry jam is super quick and easy to make. Anyone can give this a go. If you have that extra bag or bags of cranberries left over from Thanksgiving or the Christmas period, this is what you should do rather than waste them.
❓FAQs
They are made the same way except that cranberry jam has a lot more sugar added so it is sweeter and may contain extra ingredients such as spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, allspice) or orange juice or rind/zest. Cranberry sauce is usually more savory and thicker and has a lot less sugar added and is generally served with meat. Cranberry preserve is sweeter and can be used as a topping on almost any breakfast you may think of.
Cranberries are naturally rich in pectin and the jam will not require any pectin to be added. The cooking time is what determines the consistency of the jam/sauce. The more you cook it the thicker the jam will get.
Yes, absolutely but I would say to make sure the berries are not covered in a lot of ice as that means extra water added to the jam resulting in a cooking time increase and also overcooking the berries.
If you are freezing the berries make sure they dried properly after washing those before transferring these to the freezer.
In the fridge/refrigeratir will last up to a month but can also be frozen for a good 6-8 months.
👪 How do I use cranberry jam?
Cranberry jam can make a superb addition to many dishes.
This delicious cranberry preserve makes the perfect accompaniment to all your favorite treats - starting with a
- morning toast,
- waffles and going all the way to
- an evening cheese board. This scrumptious jam will add a hint of flavor that pairs wonderfully with any dish and not to mention the vibrant color! Simply wonderful.
- This Jam And Fresh Fruit Tartlets is a wonderful recipe you could use for this cranberry preserve.
- it works well as a cheesecake topping.
🤹♂️ Variations
Cranberry jam is pretty versatile despite asking for just 4-5 ingredients at one time, but here are some ideas and what I do sometimes for variety.
- Make it spicy - add some chili flakes while cooking to bring heat into the dish;
- Make it exotic - add ginger, fresh turmeric, black pepper, and/or pineapple chunks;
- Add nuts or seeds - add walnuts, whole almonds or chia, and sunflower seeds - these can be added right at the end (1 minute before taking it off the heat)
- Add coconut for extra flavor - desiccated coconut is the best option - just a couple of tablespoons for a different level.
📦 Storage
The jam will last up to 8 months if sealed properly in sterilized jars but if you are making just a small batch for immediate use, keep it in a jar or in an airtight container refrigerated and use it as many times as it lasts. It will last up to 1 month refrigerated.
📍Cook's tips
Keep a good eye on this jam while making it and make sure you allocate time to actually be stirring in, almost constantly, as this will ready super quickly. Cranberries are rich in pectin and the jam reaches the right consistency in no time.
If you decide to make a bigger batch, use a big enough pot with a large surface (bottom area) so the fruits don't overcook. The moisture will evaporate quicker allowing the fruits to cook for less hence more nutrition and vitamins preserved.
Feel free to double or treble this recipe for this wonderful berry jam.
📌 Recipes this cranberry preserve would go well with
- Apple bake oats
- Brussels Sprouts, Cranberries, And Bacon Salad
- Waffle, Quail Eggs, Bacon , And Maple Syrup Lush Breakfast
- Homemade Burgers With Mint And Cumin Yoghurt Sauce
- Delicious Giant Lamb Burger
- Carrot and Butternut Squash Pancakes
⭐ Other jam recipes you might consider making
- Perfect quince jam40 Minutes
- Homemade Horseradish and Roasted Beetroot Relish55 Minutes
- Chilli, Ginger And Lemon Rind Jam20 Minutes
- Raw Sauerkraut with Turmeric72 Hours 15 Minutes
📋 Cranberry Jam - 15 minute
Equipment
- pan
- wooden spatula
- jar or jars
Ingredients
- 500 g fresh cranberries (5 cups)
- 150 g cane sugar (¾ cup) add 200 g if you like it sweet
- 1 large cinnamon stick
- 2 tablespoons rose water optional - alternatively plain water
- 1 tablespoon orange and lemon zest
Instructions
- Wash and get the cranberries ready - ideally wash ahead of time so these are nice and dry when making the jam. No worries if they are wet.
- Put the ingredients (cranberries, cane sugar a tiny pinch of salt, rose water, orange zest or peel and the cinnamon stick in a large enough pan over a low heat.
- Simmer for 12-13 minutes until the cranberries have softened and have a thick texture.
- While still cooking or wright after cooking has been finalised and you have turned the heat off, spoon the jam into a 400g sterilised jar and seal. See in this quince jam recipe under the FAQs how to sterilise preserve jars.
Notes
- If the cranberries are wet, add less water or rose water. Alternatively, they may need extra cooking for a couple of minutes.
- Cranberry jam should be stored in an airtight container or a sterilised jar or jars if you are making more of it and for a longer period.
- It can be kept for up to 3 months in the fridge in an airtight container.
- Feel free to double, triple or quadruple this recipe if you'd like to make more and give as gifts, it really makes a wonderful gift to take to family or friends.
Lucy says
This cranberry jam is a real hit and so easy and quick to make. It has such a delicious range of flavours with the orange and lemon zest, cinnamon and rose water, thank you.
Gloria says
Homemade jam is the best. I love cranberries. This is a great food gift too.
Elizabeth says
So easy and delicious! Thanks for the recipe!
Stephanie says
Such a delicious and quick to make cranberry jam. Great on scones, pancakes or anything!