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This homemade pineapple jam is sticky, fruity, and sweet, with an intense pineapple flavor. Perfect for spreading on toast, topping ice cream, or incorporating into baked goods! With just 2 main ingredients and no pectin or gelatin required, it’s an easy recipe perfect for anyone who is a pineapple lover. The best part? If you have leftover pineapple chunks or tidbits from other recipes, these preserves are a great way to use them up!

a mason jar with homemade pineapple jam inside on a small pate.
homemade pineapple jam

Why You’ll Love This Homemade Pineapple Jam

This guide on how to make pineapple jam will show you how to make your own fruit preserves at home! It’s a straightforward process, so if it’s your first time making homemade jam, no worries! 

Here are a few reasons you’ll love this recipe: 

  • Use Up Leftover Fruit: Fresh, canned, or frozen pineapple all work well.
  • Sweetness Control: Control the sugar content to your liking. You can even use brown sugar for a richer taste.
  • Optional Flavor Twists: Spice up your jam with lemon juice or flavorings like cinnamon or nutmeg.
  • Creative Ways to Use it: Perfect for jelly sandwiches or as a sweet and fruity jam layer in cakes.

Why This Recipe Works

You may be wondering- why are pectin and gelatin sometimes used to make jam? And why can this pineapple jam be made without pectin?

Pectin and Gelatin in Jam: Pectin is a natural substance found in fruits that helps jam to set and gain a jelly-like consistency. Some fruits, like apples and citrus, have high pectin levels, while others have less.

Gelatin, an animal-derived product, can also be used to thicken jams. Both substances help shorten cooking time and ensure a consistent texture.

Pineapple Jam Without Pectin: Pineapple contains a lot of natural pectin, especially near the core of the fruit. As pineapple jam is cooked down over medium heat, the natural pectin is released, and the jam naturally thickens without the need for additional pectin or gelatin.

This allows for an easy way to create a homemade jam that retains more of the fresh pineapple flavor. The sugar content and the longer cooking time also play a crucial role in reaching the desired jelly-like consistency without additional thickeners.

ingredients like crushed pineapple and sugar on a marble counter.
ingredients

Ingredients

This recipe is great if you have leftover pineapple on hand from baking or making smoothies. You really only need 2 simple ingredients for the homemade jam. 

Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Pineapple: Fresh, frozen or canned.
  • Sugar: Adjust to taste; you can also use part white sugar and brown sugar.
  • Pineapple Juice: If using canned pineapple, reserve the juice!

Substitutions & Add ins

Want to make some tweaks? Here’s are some options and tips:

  • Sugar: If you’d like to make jelly with less sugar, feel free to use Swerve granulated sweetener or stevia. Just note: if using less sugar, you may need to cook the jam longer and it may have a looser consistency.
  • Lime Juice or Lemon Juice: Citrus helps preserve the jam and can add a tangy twist.
  • Ground Cinnamon or Nutmeg: Spice it up with these warming flavors.
  • Vanilla Extract: For extra flavor, add in about 1/2 tsp to 1 tsp of pure vanilla extract after the jam simmers.

Helpful Equipment

  • Food Processor, Immersion Blender or Potato Masher: To break down the pineapple.
  • Large Pot: For cooking the jam.
  • Hot Sterilized Jars: To store the jam.

Step By Step Instructions

Exact quantities are in the recipe card below!

ingredients like crushed pineapple and sugar in a small white pot.
the crushed pineapple and sugar

STEP 1: Prep the pineapple!

  • For fresh pineapple: Cut into chunks and blend until crushed but textured.
  • For canned pineapple: Open the can. If using large chunks, blend in the food processor until it they are a crushed consistency.
  • For frozen pineapple: Thaw and blend until crushed.

STEP 2:  In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine pineapple, sugar, and pineapple juice from the can or from blending. Bring to a full rolling boil.

STEP 3: Reduce to medium low heat and cook for 30-40 minutes until it reaches a jelly-like consistency. Be sure to stir often so it doesn’t burn!

STEP 4: Add optional flavors like lemon juice, vanilla or cinnamon. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly. 

STEP 5: Transfer to hot sterilized jars, leaving some space at the top.

the pineapple jam simmering in a small white pot.
simmering the jam to reduce it

Serving

Serve your homemade pineapple jam on toast or pancakes. Or use it in baked goods as a cake filling.

Here are some of my favorite ways to enjoy it:

  • Toast Topper: Transform ordinary toast into a tropical breakfast!
  • Cake Filling: Layer it in cakes or fill cupcakes for a fruity surprise.
  • Pancake & Waffle Topper: Dollop a bit of this on pancakes or waffles.
  • Dessert Sauce: A unique sauce for ice creams, tarts or pastries.
  • Gift Idea: Package in a pretty jar as a sweet homemade gift.

Storage

Store your pineapple preserves in the refrigerator in clean jars.

It will keep fresh for a few weeks or longer if properly stored.

Helpful Tips

Here are some tips to make your pineapple jam making experience a breeze:

  • Texture Matters: Blend or crush the pineapple to your preferred texture.
  • Consistency: Increase the cooking time to reach your desired thickness. The time will vary based on the amount of liquid in the pineapple.
  • Stirring: Stir occasionally over medium-high heat to prevent sticking at the bottom of the pan.
  • Sweetness: Feel free to adjust the sugar content- just note that reducing the sugar content may result in a thinner, less jam-like consistency.
a small white plate with a slice of toast with pineapple preserves and a slab of butter on top.
pineapple jam on toast

FAQ

Can I use any type of pineapple to make jam?

Yes, you can use fresh, canned, or frozen pineapple, and the recipe details each preparation method.

How long does the pineapple jelly last?

If stored in the fridge in a clean, sterilized jar, it should last for a few weeks or longer.

What’s the difference between jam, jelly, and preserves?

Jam: Jam is made from crushed or chopped fruit cooked with sugar. It has a thick but not firm texture and often contains seeds and pieces of fruit. Homemade fruit jam like pineapple jam maintains some of the fruit’s natural texture.

Jelly: Jelly is made from fruit juice, sugar, and sometimes added pectin. It has a clear and firm texture without any seeds or fruit pieces. Jelly has a more uniform consistency compared to jam.

Preserves: Preserves contain whole fruit or large pieces of fruit suspended in a syrupy base. The fruit in preserves is often cooked only enough to soften it and allow it to absorb sugar, retaining a more natural fruit flavor.


Did you make this Homemade Pineapple Jam?
⭐️ I’d love to know! Leave a star rating and comment below! ⭐️
a mason jar with homemade pineapple jam inside.

Pineapple Jam {Homemade Preserves}

Yield: 8 oz
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes

This homemade pineapple jam is sticky, fruity, and sweet, with an intense pineapple flavor. Perfect for spreading on toast, topping ice cream, or incorporating into pineapple tarts. With just 2 main ingredients and no pectin or gelatin required, it's an easy recipe perfect for pineapple lovers.

The best part? If you have leftover pineapple chunks or tidbits, these preserves are a great way to use them up!

Ingredients

  • 2 cups (about 16 oz) pineapple, fresh, canned, or frozen
  • 1 cup granulated white sugar

Optional

  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, or vanilla extract

Instructions

For fresh pineapple:

  1. Cut the fresh pineapple into chunks and place them in a blender or food processor. Pulse until the pineapple is crushed but not completely pureed. You want to leave some texture.

For canned crushed pineapple or tidbits:

  1. Open the can and be sure to reserve the juice.

For frozen pineapple chunks:

  1. Allow the pineapple chunks to thaw completely before using. After thawing, place the pineapple in a blender or food processor and pulse until crushed but not completely pureed.

Make the Pineapple Jam:

  1. Pour the crushed pineapple + juice into a large pot. Add the sugar and the lemon juice (if using) to the pot and mix well.
  2. Heat the pot over medium heat until it starts to boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer.
  3. Stir the mixture occasionally to prevent it from sticking to the pot. The mixture start to thicken as it cooks. This process will take about 30-40 minutes, depending on the heat and the amount of water content in your pineapple. 
  4. Once the jam has reached the desired consistency, remove it from the heat and let it cool. Mix in any optional flavors like vanilla extract or cinnamon.
  5. Transfer the cooled jam into a clean, sterilized jar. Store the jam in the refrigerator. It should last for a few weeks.

Notes

  • Don't want to use as much sugar? You can adjust the amount to taste. Just note, the jam may not thicken as much.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 16 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 50Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 0mgCarbohydrates: 0gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 0g

Nutritional info is an estimate.

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