I’m obsessed with homemade jams and jellies, especially homemade plum jam! I love that I have control over the ingredients, the fruit quality, and the sugar levels. Once you discover the ease of making your own, store-bought options just can’t compete. 

Plum jam is my personal favorite, with its perfect balance of sweet and tart. But the possibilities are endless! You can make jams and jellies from almost any fruit. I discovered this recipe when I had bought a large bag of plum on a whim from Costco one day and my family just wasnt into them. I hate food waste so I thought, what the heck, why not try out jam. And boy was I surprised at how delicious it was! The jar was gone within a week.

Whether you have a surplus from your garden or buy in bulk, homemade jams are a fantastic way to preserve the flavors of the season. Plus, they make great gifts for friends and family.

So, why not give it a try? You’ll wonder why you didn’t start sooner.

Why You Will Love This Plum Jam Recipe

Easy preservation method:  It is the tastiest way to preserve this stone fruit and enjoy it for months to come! I never thought of plums as a fruit for jam, but oh my gosh is this delicious! 

Control over what you are consuming. There are no unwanted ingredients like preservative or excessive sugar. You are a part of the process every step of the way. I like knowing what my family and I are consuming. 

Versatile Delicacy: Plum jam is incredibly versatile. It can be enjoyed on toast, scones, or pancakes for a classic breakfast treat. You can also use it to elevate desserts like cakes, tarts, and ice cream. Or you can be like me and eat it with a spoon! 

A Touch of Elegance: The vibrant color and unique flavor of plum jam add a touch of elegance to any dish. It’s a perfect way to impress your guests and elevate your culinary creations.

Tips for the Best Plum Jam

• Choose ripe plums: Ripe plums will be soft and easy to pit.
• Test sugar slowly : You can always add more but you cant take away
• Don’t forget the lemon juice: If you skip on this ingredient you will likely have a very flat tasting jam
• Add spices: For extra flavor, consider adding a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or cloves.Use pectin: If you want to speed up the thickening process, you can add pectin to the jam. Follow the instructions on the pectin package.

How to Serve Plum Jam

Toast and Bread: Spread it on toast, bagels, or crackers. Check out my Farmhouse Sandwhich Loaf.

Yogurt and Oatmeal: Add a spoonful to your morning bowl of yogurt or oatmeal.

Baking: Use it as a filling for tarts, pies, or scones.

Meat Glazes: Create a delicious glaze for grilled meats or roasted poultry.

How to Store Plum Jam

Refrigerator: You can store this jam in the fridge for 3-4 weeks. Homemade Jam doesn’t have artificial flavors and preservatives so you won’t be able to enjoy an extended shelf life. I choose smaller jars that my family tends to go through quickly so we always have fresh jam in the fridge. Freezer: I make this as freezer jam and store in my deep freezer for up to 1 year. I just pull out a jar and place it in the fridge when we are running low.

How To Make Plum Jam

Ingredients

• 3.5 pounds ripe plums, pitted and quartered
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Prepare the Plums: Wash the plums and remove the pits. Cut them into halves or quarters.
2. Combine Ingredients: In a large pot, combine the plums, sugar, & lemon juice.
3. Simmer and Cook: Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, for 30-45 minutes, or until the jam thickens and reaches the desired consistency. You can test for doneness by dropping a spoonful of jam onto a cold plate. If it wrinkles slightly when pushed with a finger, it’s ready.
4. Storage: If you’re not canning, let the jam cool completely before transferring it to airtight containers. I use mason Jars that are on the smaller side, and store in the freezer.