A delicious, low sugar Blueberry Rhubarb Jam made with fresh berries, tart rhubarb, lemon juice, and a touch of honey.
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Have you ever bought rhubarb just because it’s pretty? But then you get home and realize you got way too much?!
Don’t get me wrong, I love rhubarb. But since it has such a strong, tart taste, most recipes only call for 1-2 stalks worth of this pretty vegetable.
So, if you find yourself with extra rhubarb on hand, this Blueberry Rhubarb Jam is for you! It’s a unique twist on rhubarb jam that doesn’t need any pectin, and has far less sugar than most jam varieties.
AND it’s equal parts tart and sweet…just the way I like it! I also just noticed that we can call this Bluebarb Jam for short…LOL. Another reason to make it!
Ingredients in Blueberry Rhubarb Jam
I absolutely love fresh berries on their own, but I like them in homemade jam even more! Slowly cooking berries to make jam amplifies their natural sweetness and extends their shelf life. It’s a win-win.
To make this jam, you’ll need:
- Fresh blueberries (but you can also use frozen ones)
- Fresh rhubarb
- Lemon juice
- Honey
- A little bit of water
How to Make Jam Without Pectin
As you can see, there’s no pectin in this jam. Pectin is a naturally occurring starch found in fruits. It’s typically extracted from fruits and sold as a stand-alone food product that helps thicken jams and jellies.
While using pectin can speed up the process of making jam, you don’t need to use it! Instead, you can capitalize on the natural pectin found in berries to make a thick jam, by following these simple tips:
- Add an acid: Acid, such as lemon juice, reacts with the fruit to draw out its natural pectin (1).
- Add some sugar: Sugar can help absorb water, which in turn promotes thickness.
- Maintain a low, slow boil: Making a jam without pectin requires some patience. You need to heat your jam ingredients over a low boil until the jam begins to set, which can take anywhere from 30-75 minutes, depending on the acid and pectin content of your fruit. The jam will be looser than store-bought jam, but you’ll know it’s done once it starts moving with your spoon as you stir it.
Tips for Storing and Using
This jam needs to be stored in the fridge (in a glass mason jar) or freezer (in freezer-friendly containers). It should last for a long time (a few months), as long as it is tightly sealed.
Here are some ways you can use this Blueberry Rhubarb Jam:
- On toast or in a PB & J sandwich
- On muffins, biscuits, scones, etc.
- Mixed into hot oatmeal
- Spread onto salmon or chicken before grilling or baking it
- Spooned into yogurt
- **To make my delicious Blueberry Rhubarb Bars!!!**
Looking for more rhubarb recipes?! Check out my Sweet Strawberry Rhubarb Salsa and Strawberry Rhubarb Baked Oatmeal Muffins. If you make this recipe, be sure to let me know in the comments below.
I’d love to hear how you like this recipe! Rate/review using the stars on the recipe card or in the comments, and follow the Veg World on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Looking for something totally different? Browse the recipe library.
Blueberry Rhubarb Jam
Ingredients
- 1 cup rhubarb - sliced, from about 1-2 stalks
- 2 cups blueberries - fresh or frozen
- 1 lemon - juiced, about 2-3 tbsp
- ¼ cup honey
- 3 tablespoon water
Instructions
- Combine the rhubarb, blueberries, lemon juice, honey, and water in a saucepan over high heat. Bring to a boil, stir, and then reduce heat to low.
- Maintain a gentle boil/simmer for approximately 60-75 minutes, or until the jam has set. Stir the jam occasionally and test its thickness by seeing if it coats the back of a spoon and/or moves with your spoon as your stir it.
- Once the jam has set, remove from heat and transfer to an airtight container to store in the fridge or freezer.
Notes
- Enjoy on toast, biscuits, muffins, or scones; brushed onto salmon or chicken; mixed into yogurt or oatmeal; or as the filling in my Blueberry Rhubarb Bars.
Nutrition
Happy Monday! – Lizzie
Kara
I love this recipe! It’s one of those recipes that you typically have most of the ingredients on hand (if you cook/bake a lot). This is super easy and simple, and it tastes delicious! I inherited many rhubarb plants but don’t like the amount of sugar in most jam recipes. Thank you for the alternative use with honey! Can blueberries be easily swapped for other fruit?
Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN
Hi Kara! Thanks for your comment. It’s great to hear that you love this recipe. I believe certain fruits, such as strawberries, blackberries, or cherries, could be substituted for the blueberries. However, I have never tried it. Let me know if you have luck with other fruits!
Mary
I am very pleased with how the jam came out. Loved using a good honey in place of sugar. Looking forward to making more and using it for the bars. Thank you!
Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN
Hi Mary, I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed the recipe and will be making the bars too! Thanks for leaving a review!
Linda
Can you substitute sugar for the honey, and if so, what amount would you require?
Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN
Hi Linda, yes you can sub sugar for the honey. I’d recommend using about 1/3 cup sugar. Let me know how it works for you!
Ally
Hello.
Can I can this jam to make it shelf stable?
Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN
Hi Ally, I have never done that with this recipe so unfortunately I am not sure!
Heidi
Can the ratio of rhubarb to blueberry be altered – so I could add more rhubarb? Also, can I double or triple this recipe?
Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN
Hi Heidi, you can definitely double or triple the recipe. I’d recommend using a larger saucepan and planning for a longer cook time if you double it. In terms of using more rhubarb, I’m not sure that would work. The recipe relies on the natural pectin in blueberries to thicken up, so if you put in too much rhubarb and not enough berries, the jam might not set. Hope that helps!