One Jar Strawberry Rhubarb Jam is a “small batch” recipe (no pectin/no canning). Make 1 pint or 2 half-pint jars of yummy jam in a saucepan!

Today I want to share a recipe for a small batch of strawberry rhubarb jam that tastes fabulous. This jam requires no special canning experience or equipment, because it’s made in a large saucepan (instead of using a water bath canner).
How’s that for a simple way to make only a jar or two of delicious homemade jam? I made this recipe because I’d picked a small amount of strawberries and rhubarb from our backyard garden and wanted to make a little bit of jam!
This jam does not need pectin to thicken it, because the cooking process used will achieve that on its own! That’s why I made this particular recipe, because I was out of pectin!
When done, the amount of jam produced is enough to fill a one-pint jar (2 cups) or you two smaller half-pint jars (1 cup each). Here’s how to make it.
Scroll Down For A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of The Page
Cooking The Strawberry Rhubarb Jam
NOTE: Before you begin cooking, place two small plates in your freezer (they will be needed later to test the jam for readiness). Don’t skip this step!
Measure sliced strawberries and rhubarb into a large saucepan (I use my Dutch Oven). Add granulated sugar, fresh lemon juice and a pinch of salt.
Stir these ingredients until they have been fully combined. Turn the heat on to Medium High heat and cook this for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Now turn the heat down to Medium Low and simmer the jam, stirring it often until the strawberries and rhubarb begin to break down a bit.
I use a potato masher to “help” break down the fruit slightly. You will want to have some nice chunks of fruit, so don’t go crazy with the masher… ha ha!
Continue Cooking The Jam
Simmer the jam for about 15 minutes, stirring it often. The fruit will continue to break down, and the jam will continue to thicken as it cooks. Just keep stirring!
After the jam has cooked for the 15 minutes, test the jam to see if it is ready by performing the PLATE TEST (see below). This simple test will show you if the jam is ready or if it needs to cook a bit more.
Since there is no pectin used in one jar strawberry rhubarb jam, this is the best way to know if the correct thickness for the jam has been achieved.
When done cooking the jam, move the pan off of the heat source. The mixture might look like it still has too much liquid, but as it cools the jam mixture will thicken even more.
How To Know If The Jam Is Ready- The Plate Test!
Make sure you have removed the pan from the heat source. To test the jam to see if it is ready, remove one of the chilled plates from your freezer.
Place a small spoonful of the jam onto the COLD plate (photo on the left below). Run a finger down through the jam. If a clear trail is left and the jam holds its shape (photo on the right below), it is ready!
If it is NOT ready (“finger path” fills in with liquid or runs because of too much liquid), put the pan back on the Medium Low heat and simmer the jam a couple minutes more. Try plate test again using the second chilled plate from the freezer.
When The Jam Is Ready
When done, let the jam sit (still in the pan) and off of the heat for about 5 minutes to cool slightly. Transfer the jam into 1 pint-sized jar (holds 2 cups) or into 2 half-pint jars (each holds 1 cup).
Let the jam cool completely before you put a lid on the jar(s). This typically takes between 35-45 minutes on average and is inactive prep time.
Attach a lid (or the flat lids and screw bands if using) and refrigerate the jam until it has fully chilled. As the jam is refrigerated it will thicken a bit more, resulting in a fabulous, dense jam ready to be enjoyed.
NOTE: If you decide to can this jam (for long time storage) rather than eating it right away, you can find my canning notes at the bottom of the printable recipe card below).
Serve The One Jar Strawberry Rhubarb Jam
One Jar Strawberry Rhubarb Jam tastes amazing on toast, English muffins, biscuits, etc. It is even delicious used as a topping for pancakes and PB & J sandwiches, if desired.
Open your jar of jam and spread it on your choice of toast, etc. and enjoy its sweet and tangy flavor. It tastes wonderful, and because of that I am confident you’ll love it, too!
I hope you have the opportunity to make this delicious jam! Enjoy the convenience of making a jar of homemade jam without any special canning equipment or pectin!
However, if you already enjoy canning your jam using a traditional canning recipe, please check out my other recipe for Strawberry Rhubarb Jam (yields 9 half-pint jars using pectin, water bath canner, etc.).
Thank you for stopping by, and I invite you to come back again soon for more family-friendly recipes. Take care, may God bless you, and have a wonderful day.
Looking For More JAM Recipes?
You can find ALL of my recipes in the Recipe Index, which is located at the top of the page. I have LOTS of jam recipes to choose from, including:
Want More Recipes? Get My FREE Newsletter!
I publish a newsletter 2 times per month (1st and 15th) with lots of recipes, tips, etc.
Would you like to join our growing list of subscribers?
There is a Newsletter subscription box on the top right (or bottom) of each blog post, depending on the device you use.
You can submit your e-mail address there, to be added to my mailing list.
Find Me On Social Media:
Facebook page: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Pinterest: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Instagram: jbatthegratefulgirlcooks
Original recipe source: Afton, at Simple Small-Batch Strawberry Rhubarb Jam – The Reader’s Kitchen
↓↓ PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW ↓↓

One Jar Strawberry Rhubarb Jam is a "small batch" recipe (no pectin/no canning). Make 1 pint or 2 half-pint jars of yummy jam in a saucepan!
- 2 cups sliced strawberries
- 1½ cups sliced rhubarb
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 pinch table salt
NOTE: Before beginning, place two small plates in your freezer (needed later to test jam for readiness). Don't skip this step!
Measure strawberries, rhubarb, sugar, lemon juice and salt into a large saucepan. Stir until they are fully combined. Cook this mixture for 3-5 minutes on Medium High heat, stirring occasionally.
Turn the heat down to Medium Low and cook (simmer) the jam, stirring often until strawberries and rhubarb begin to break down and soften. Use a potato masher to "help" break down the fruit slightly if desired. Simmer the jam for about 15 minutes, stirring often. The fruit will continue to break down, and the jam will continue to thicken as it cooks. Just keep stirring!
After the jam has cooked for 15 minutes, test the jam to see if it is done by performing the PLATE TEST (see below). This simple test will show you if the jam is ready or if it needs to cook a bit more.
Take pan off the heat. Remove one chilled plate from the freezer. Place a small spoonful of jam onto the COLD plate. Run a finger through the jam. If a clear trail is left and the jam holds its shape, it is ready! NOTE: If it is NOT ready (still too much liquid), put the pan back on Medium Low heat; simmer it for 2 more minutes, then try again using the second cold plate from the freezer.
When done, let the jam rest (still in the pan and off the heat) for 5 minutes to cool slightly. Transfer jam into 1 pint-sized jar (holds 2 cups) or into 2 half-pint jars (each holds one cup). Let the jam cool completely before covering the jar. Attach a lid (or flat lids/screw bands if using). Refrigerate jam until fully chilled. Serve and enjoy!
CANNING INSTRUCTIONS: Use bottled lemon juice instead of fresh lemon juice. Leave 1/8-inch headspace in each jar. Follow manufacturers water bath canning instructions for your individual canner. Process pint jars for 15 minutes. Process half-pint jars for 10 minutes.



































































































































