Watermelon Jam Recipe That Always Works
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This watermelon jam is so simple to make, tastes amazing and turns out perfect every time! This is the only watermelon jam recipe you’ll ever need!
If you are a beginner who wants a foolproof method of making watermelon jam, look no further! This is the easiest watermelon jam recipe on the Internet and it turns out perfect every time!
Since watermelon is naturally very watery, turning it into jam is not very straight-forward. If you take another type of jam recipe (for example, strawberry jam, peach jam, etc.) and just change the fruit to watermelon, it won’t work :) After all, you want to end up with watermelon jam, not watermelon syrup. My recipe produces a real thick watermelon jam that’s gorgeous red in color and tastes like extremely concentrated sweet watermelon! It’s super easy to follow and only uses 4 ingredients!
With this homemade watermelon jam, you’ll be tasting *summer* long after the summer is over! Preserving the summer watermelon flavor has never been easier when you have this simple jam recipe on your hands :) And if you are looking for another awesome way to preserve watermelons, check out my pickled watermelon slices recipe – it’s pretty unique in a sense that it pickles the actual watermelon, not just the rind!
Making watermelon jam is super easy. All you need to do is puree the watermelon flesh in a blender or food processor, then put it in a pot, add sugar, lemon juice and pectin, then boil for 20 minutes and you are done!
Watermelon Jam - Easy and Foolproof!
Ingredients
- 2 cups pureed watermelon
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 cups white sugar
- 6 tbsp 2 packages powdered pectin (labeled as "low sugar" or "no sugar needed")
Instructions
- Put pureed watermelon, lemon juice and sugar in a pot. Bring to a rolling boil, then reduce heat to simmer.
- Add the pectin and whisk it with a handheld whisk or a fork immediately, so it dissolves without clumping.
- Bring the watermelon jam to a boil again, then reduce heat to simmer and simmer, stirring every minute, for 20 minutes.
- Pour the watermelon jar into a mason jar. This watermelon jam will set completely once it's cooled.
- This watermelon jam can be canned, or you can simply store it in a refrigerator (it will stay fresh in a refrigerator for up to 1 month).
Notes
Nutrition
If you like watermelon jam, you will also love these easy recipes:
Homemade Pineapple Jam – it’s like a sunshine in a bottle! So sweet and concentrated pineapple flavor!
Watermelon Gazpacho – refreshing blender soup made with watermelon and veggies, so healthy and delicious!
Fresh Fig Jam – when fresh figs are in season, make this homemade fig jam out of them – it’s amazing!
Watermelon Popsicles – sweet treat that’s actually good for you! This recipe is only using 1 ingredient – real fresh watermelon!
Watermelon Bread – made with fresh watermelon, this bread is simply amazing! And the raisins look like watermelon seeds :)
Can I use liquid pectin? If so how much?
Yes. 2 tbsp of powdered pectin equals 1 packet of liquid pectin, so you need 3 packets for this recipe.
Do you process the jam after it is in jars if so how long
For canning? Standard 10 minute water bath.
Ok so I did this recipe and it only made 4 1/2 pints. What’d I do wrong?? It’s taste really good and I believe it’s going to set up.
Nothing wrong, I never measured exactly how much it yields but that sounds about right
What can I use to thicken watermelon jam, if I can’t find pectin
I noticed that you add sugar first and then boil and add pectin. This is the reverse of what I’ve always done but would like to stay true to this recipe. Is that correct? Thank you in advance.
I’ve always added sugar first, not sure if the order matters.
Can I double this recipe and it turn out ok,
Yes, just double all the ingredients, cooking time remains the same.
I tripled the recipe as I had a 50lb Watermelon & it all turned out great!
Can I use the original pectin? The one that is not for recipes with less or no sugar?
I only made it with the low-sugar one, so not sure. My guess is that it will probably work. Let us know how it turns out!
Can i use frozen watermelon for this recipe or does it have to be fresh?
frozen should work too!
Can you freeze this jam instead of canning?
Yes you can freeze it
Do you sell your jams and jelly ? I usually buy from a gal from Texas. Excellent jams but I thought if you’re local I’d buy from you..
Thank you for your interest! I don’t sell any food I make, I just publish recipes :)
I made this, however it set super quickly. If I tried it again I would only use one packet of sure gel. I didn’t boil it the whole 20 minutes it was setting up so thick. Anymore and I could have made fruit leather with it, lol
I just made this jam with the yellow watermelons we grew this year. It tastes marvelous! I used liquid pectin (certo), 3 pouches like you suggested above, and got a good product. I tried again with Sure-Jell regular, not low sugar, because I didn’t have any, and used 1 box. I didn’t cook but about 3 minutes because it seems I remember that this type will disintegrate if overcooked. Anyway, I think it will still turn out okay even if it is a soft jelly.
I cut my watermelon too soon and it was not quite ripe. Would this recipe taste ok using the fruit from this watermelon? Another recipe I was looking at also suggested using pineapple with the watermelon. Any suggestions or comments?
I think it would taste just fine with slightly unripe watermelon. The sugar will sweeten it. I haven’t tried using the pineapple in this jam (I have a different recipe for pineapple jam though)
Oh my goodness, I just made 2 batch, so far ? of your watermelon jam and it turned out amazing! My hubby wanted to eat it right out of the pan. Watermelon bread is next. Ty for your recipes!!!
What if i wanted to add salt to this for salted watermelon jam? I found a salted cantaloupe jam and thought I would use the same amount of salt. Any suggestions?
I think that should work
Regina. I found the salted cantaloupe recipe and wondered exactly the same thing myself. That being the case, I’m making a batch of watermelon jam right now and i’m going to give that a shot and see how it turns out. If it’s anything even close to the success of the cantaloupe jam, I’m most likely gonna be hooked for life…
I made this and it is great! It only makes 2 pints or jelly jars a batch. I could not find low sugar or no sugar pectin at my store so just used regular pectin and worked out fine. Definitely will make again; made 2 batches the first go around.
I made my very first batch of watermelon jam using this recipe last may and i was a fan in an instant. Thanks for posting this, Melanie! I’ve now gotten a little more confident and started tweaking it just slightly but I’m staying true to the original you posted here and all credit i give goes to you. You’ve taken something I thought was impossible and made it simple enough even for a man to understand it and get it right first time out of the gate… Thank you again, so very much!!
I have been making this jam for years, we love it.
This year I had a hard time finding pectin. Someone said I could use corn starch. Is this true? If so how much?
I read you can use corn starch or gelatin. I would Google it.
Wonderful recipe. Tastes just like jolly rancher candy. Planning on sharing this with a little neighbor boy who loves watermelon. Thanks for the recipe!
Hi Melanie: I have a bunch of left-over melon — watermelon, honey dew and cantelope. Can I use your recipe and mix the three types? Thanks so much. ml
yes, I think it will work