Blueberry Vanilla Jam Recipe
This Blueberry Vanilla Jam recipe is a delightful blend of fresh blueberries, sugar, and fragrant vanilla, enhanced with a touch of lemon juice and balsamic vinegar for balanced flavor. Perfect for spreading on toast or adding to desserts, this homemade jam is thick, rich, and bursting with natural sweetness. Prepared on the stovetop and simmered to perfection, it yields about 3 cups of luscious jam in 45 minutes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 3 cups 1x
- Category: Condiment
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Fruit and Flavorings
- 2 dry pints blueberries (20 oz/567 grams/roughly 4 cups)
- 1/2 vanilla bean (split and scraped)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional, to add at the end if not using vanilla bean)
Sweeteners and Acids
- 16 oz sugar (454 grams/2 slightly generous cups)
- 1.5 oz lemon juice (freshly squeezed, 43 grams/3 Tablespoons)
- 0.5 oz balsamic vinegar (14 ml/1 Tablespoon)
Instructions
- Prepare Blueberries: Wash and rinse the blueberries thoroughly to remove any dirt or impurities before cooking.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the blueberries, sugar, lemon juice, and balsamic vinegar to start the jam base.
- Add Vanilla Bean: If using a vanilla bean, split it lengthwise, scrape out the seeds, and add both the seeds and the pod to the saucepan for infused flavor.
- Rest Mixture: Stir everything together and let it sit for about 10 minutes. This allows the sugar to begin drawing out juice from the berries, aiding in the jam’s formation.
- Boil the Mixture: Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a rolling boil, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Simmer: Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring frequently, for about 20-25 minutes until the jam thickens. Skim off any foam that rises to the surface for clarity.
- Remove Vanilla Pod or Add Extract: Remove the vanilla bean pod. If you are not using a vanilla bean, stir in the vanilla extract now to preserve its delicate flavor.
- Test for Set: Place a small spoonful of jam onto a chilled plate. If it wrinkles when pushed with a finger, it is ready. Otherwise, continue to cook for a few more minutes and test again.
- Jar the Jam: Carefully ladle the hot jam into sterilized jars, leaving about 1/4 inch headspace. Seal the jars immediately to preserve freshness and shelf life.
Notes
- Using a heavy-bottomed saucepan ensures even heat distribution preventing burning.
- Letting the mixture sit before boiling helps release natural juices and dissolve sugar.
- Skimming foam improves the jam’s texture and appearance.
- Always test the jam’s set to avoid overcooking or undercooking.
- Sterilize jars thoroughly to ensure safe preservation and longer shelf life.
- Optional vanilla extract can be substituted if vanilla bean is unavailable.
Keywords: Blueberry jam recipe, vanilla blueberry jam, homemade jam, stovetop blueberry jam, blueberry preserves
Find it online: https://tastybella.com/blueberry-vanilla-jam-recipe/
