Homemade Apricot Jam Recipe Easy Sweet Tangy Spread in 5 Steps
A quick and easy homemade apricot jam recipe that balances the natural sweetness of apricots with a subtle tang, perfect for breakfast spreads and desserts.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: About 4 cups (approximately 16 servings of 1 tablespoon each) 1x
- Category: Preserves
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 pounds fresh apricots, ripe but firm, pitted and chopped
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice (from 1 large lemon)
- Lemon zest from 1 lemon (optional)
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Prepare the apricots: Wash, pit, and chop about 3 pounds of fresh apricots into small chunks. No need to peel unless you want an ultra-smooth jam.
- Combine apricots, sugar, lemon juice, zest, and salt in a large pot. Stir gently to coat the fruit evenly. Let sit for 10-15 minutes to draw out juices.
- Cook the jam over medium heat, bringing it to a gentle boil while stirring frequently. Reduce to a simmer and cook uncovered for 20-25 minutes, stirring often until thickened.
- Adjust texture if needed: if too thick, stir in a tablespoon of water and cook a few more minutes; if too thin, continue simmering until spreadable consistency is reached.
- Remove from heat and ladle hot jam into sterilized jars, leaving 1/4 inch headspace. Seal jars while warm and let cool to room temperature. Store in fridge up to one month or freeze for longer.
Notes
Use ripe but firm apricots for best texture. Stir frequently to prevent burning. Lemon zest adds extra aroma and flavor. Test jam setting with cold plate test. Adjust sweetness after cooking if needed. For less sweet jam, reduce sugar by up to 1/4 cup but texture may vary.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
- Calories: 50
- Sugar: 12
- Sodium: 5
- Carbohydrates: 13
- Fiber: 0.5
Keywords: apricot jam, homemade jam, easy jam recipe, sweet and tangy jam, fruit preserves, breakfast spread