There’s something truly special about homemade jam, and this peach jam is no exception. Made with just a few ingredients, it captures the sweet, sunny flavor of ripe peaches in every jar. Whether you spread it on your morning toast, swirl it into yogurt, or give it as a thoughtful homemade gift, this peach jam brings the taste of summer into your kitchen year-round.
The beauty of this jam lies in its simplicity. Start with fresh, ripe peaches, about four to five medium-sized peaches should do the trick. Peel and chop them into small pieces, discarding the pits. You’ll need around 4 cups of chopped peaches to yield a few jars of jam.
Combine the peaches in a large pot with sugar, lemon juice, and a small amount of pectin. The lemon juice not only adds a bit of brightness but helps the jam set as it cooks. If you’ve never made jam before, don’t worry, the pectin will naturally thicken the mixture into a spreadable consistency as it simmers.
Cook the peach mixture over medium heat, stirring frequently to prevent burning. As the peaches break down and the mixture thickens, you’ll notice the color change from vibrant orange to a rich golden hue. This process usually takes about 30 minutes, depending on the moisture content of your peaches. To test for the jam’s consistency, place a small spoonful on a chilled plate and run your finger through it, if it wrinkles and holds its shape, it’s ready.
Once the jam has thickened, carefully ladle it into sterilized jars while it’s still hot. Seal them tightly, and allow them to cool to room temperature. If you plan to store your jam for an extended period, you can process the jars in a hot water bath for added shelf stability.
This homemade peach jam is sweet, smooth, and packed with the flavor of fresh peaches. It’s perfect for spreading on toast, mixing into desserts, or even using as a glaze for meats. Best of all, it’s a wonderful way to preserve the best of summer for months to come!
Ingredients
- 4 cups peaches peeled, pitted, and mashed
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice freshly squeezed
- 1 packet pectin optional, for thicker jam
Instructions
- In a large pot, combine the mashed peaches, sugar, and lemon juice. Stir well to combine.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
- Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium and let it simmer for about 25-30 minutes or until the mixture has thickened to your desired consistency, stirring occasionally.
- If using pectin, stir it in during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
- Remove from heat and carefully pour the hot jam into sterilized jars, leaving about 1/4 inch of headspace. Seal the jars with lids.
- Let the jars cool to room temperature before storing them in the refrigerator or processing them in a water bath for longer storage.
Nutrition
This jam is absolutely delicious! I made it with my grandma and it turned out perfect! 5 stars!
Peach jam = love ❤️
I tried making this yesterday and it was too runny for me. Not sure what went wrong, maybe I needed more pectin? Anyway, I give it a 3.
Great recipe! Just used frozen peaches I had at home, still turned out really good! Yum!
your recipe is a bit confusing, I thought peach jam needed peach juice, not just mashed peaches? Also, why does it need lemon juice? I don’t get it. 2 stars.
What? No juice? That sounds wrong! I always thought jams needed liquid. Plus, lemon juice? Sounds weird to me. I’ll stick to my way of making it. 1 star.
I think you’re misunderstanding the recipe a bit. The lemon juice helps to balance the sweetness and preserve the flavor. Peach juice isn’t necessary if you’re using ripe peaches! Just give it a try, I promise it’s worth it!
This jam is AMAZING! I made it yesterday and my family can’t get enough. Sooo sweet and peachy!
Making peach jam is a waste of time. Just buy it from the store, it’s cheaper. Plus, you dont need to deal with all that mess.
But store bought tastes like nothing compared to homemade! Plus, it’s a fun project if you like cooking.
I think making it yourself is better… you know exactly what’s in it. And it’s fresh. But yeah, it can be messy.
good jam but my kids don’t like peaches. they prefer it with strawberries! so i guess it’s not for everyone.
Yum! Just made this with fresh peaches from the farmer’s market. I used agave instead of sugar tho. Very tasty!
I followed the recipe but mine turned out way too runny. What did I do wrong? Should I add more sugar?