Easy Grape Jam
I can’t tell you how excited I am about this Easy Grape Jam recipe that I developed this week. My local supermarket was selling boxes of multi-coloured grapes this week and obviously bought in too many so I found myself picking up a couple of boxes reduced to 90 p each from £3 (which was already a bargain for a kilo of grapes). When I got home I washed one of the boxes of grapes and soon realised that we wouldn’t be able to eat them all before they started to perish. So what was I going to do with the rest? Well hello, Crazy Jam Lady here, of course I decided to make jam, it’s what gluts of fruit were made for!
So I started researching recipes for grape jam and the majority were American. Some suggested peeling the grapes, “hello, I don’t do faff” I thought to myself, peeling near on 2 boxes of grapes would have taken an age! Then there was a more sensible solution I came across where you used a stick blender to pulverise the skins so no need to peel, that sounded far more sensible I thought. I didn’t find one recipe that told me all I needed to know, many used pectin and none said how long to boil the jam for, it was either “use a jam thermometer” or “boil until it looks right” and many recipes added water which I decided wasn’t necessary as grapes are basically water in a skin!
So I plotted out my recipe and used my Simple Blueberry Jam recipe as a guide because blueberries and grapes are quite similar after all, grapes just have tougher skins which is why the blending is necessary. Well blow me down the recipe worked to perfection! I’d also bought 3 Mason jars I’d found going cheap (79 p each can you believe) and the Easy Grape Jam filled the 3 jars exactly, I couldn’t believe it! It was like this jam was just meant to be.
I waited until the next day to try the jam and having heard so much about peanut butter and jelly I decided to give the family a cracker each with peanut butter and my Easy Grape Jam. They all loved it and hubby who had doubted that grape jam was even a thing was gushing with compliments – I do love it when I’m right about something, don’t you! He kept saying he’d never had grape jam before and how wonderful it was. Well I’ve never had it either and I have to say it is fabulous!
As I realise this recipe will have wider global appeal I did think about converting it to cup measurements as I’ve been getting quite a few requests from across the pond for these lately. However on testing out an online conversion chart which said 100g of whole grapes was equal to 1 cup I found that it was in fact 142 g and I’m sure depending on the size of the grapes one could get many differing results. So don’t think me mean when I don’t rush off to do the conversion for you, I just don’t want to be responsible for misinformation which could lead to inaccurate results. Not all cooking is a precise science but jam making really is. So instead I have converted the recipe to pounds and ounces and suggest if you want to achieve perfect results then a set of electronic scales really is the way forward.
- 1.7 kg / 3 lb 12 oz seedless grapes (I used equal quantities or red, black & green grapes)
- 1 kg / 2 lb 3 oz granulated sugar
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- Place grapes, sugar and lemon juice into a preserving pan or similar.
- Using a gentle heat dissolve the sugar slowly, stirring frequently.
- As the mixture heats up break up some of the grapes with your wooden spoon or use a potato masher in order the release the grapes’ juices.
- Once all the sugar has dissolved fully (around 20 minutes) take the mixture off the heat and use a stick blender to blend the grapes to a juice like consistency.
- Put pan back on the heat, bring to a rolling boil and then time for 25 minutes, stirring continuously. (You could start with 23 minutes as depending on freshness and variety of grapes the setting time can vary a little).
- Take the pan off the heat and test for set by placing a few drops of the jam on a chilled saucer and place in fridge for a minute.
- The jam should form a crinkle when you push your finger through it.
- If not then boil for another 2 minutes and re-test until set is achieved.
- Pot up in hot jars and place lids on immediately.
- Store in a cool dry place and once opened keep in fridge.
Put 2 - 3 saucers in the freezer.
Sterilise 3 x 0.5 ltr jars by washing in hot soapy water (or take straight from dishwasher), fill with boiling water, empty and then place in oven for 20 minutes at 140°C where you leave them until the jam is ready. Washed lids should be sterilised with boiling water and then left to drain.
I really hope you try my Easy Grape Jam recipe as I’m sure you’ll be blown away by it just like we were! For more grape recipe inspiration you might also like the following:
Pork in Grapes
Chicken Fiesta
Coronation Chicken Salad
Chicken Salad for One
Grape & Red Onion Chicken Drumsticks
Seared Paprika Salmon with Rosemary Grapes
Grilled Pork Chops with Orange & Grape Salsa
Spinach, Grape & Blue Cheese Salad
Fried Halloumi Salad with Baked Pomegranate Grapes
Roasted Cauliflower Salad with Lentils & Grapes
Red Grape & Rosemary Focaccia
Fat Free Greek Yogurt Fruit Brulee
Frozen Grapes on a Stick (Easiest-Ever Grape Popsicles)
2 Ingredient Instant Frozen Yogurt(vegan)
Lemon Panna Cotta with Grapes 2 Ways
Why not pin for later?
10 comments
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Kate - gluten free alchemist
26/09/2017 at 9:29 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Love the idea of grape jam…. what a perfect use for a huge cheap stash! Bookmarked x
Camilla
26/09/2017 at 11:11 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Thanks Kate, it’s so delicious:-)
Rhonda Ramey
19/09/2017 at 2:29 am (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Just found your site! Looks really delish & easy! If you process in a water bath, how long ? Thanks:)
Camilla
19/09/2017 at 11:22 am (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Hi Rhonda, I’m afraid I know zero about water baths as it’s not something we have in the UK. Is it not a standard amount of time for every jam?
Jenn
07/09/2017 at 5:18 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Wow, I’m so impressed this doesn’t have any gelatin or gelling agents. Looks fabulous!! And thanks for the shout out for my Roasted Cauliflower Salad too!
Camilla
08/09/2017 at 12:38 am (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Thanks Jenn and a pleasure, your salad look awesome-)
Bex Salmon
07/09/2017 at 9:25 am (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Oh I think even I can do this. I’m so excited to try it. Genius and reads as as easy as the title suggests. *rushes to grocers*
Camilla
07/09/2017 at 10:54 am (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Aaw, thank you Bex and I love your Snoopy avatar. Do let me know how you get on:-)
Bell
06/09/2017 at 1:31 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
Made this last night.. Nice and easy. Followed the instructions. Perfect. Enjoyed it on toast this morning with peanut butter. Will so be making it again.
Camilla
06/09/2017 at 1:35 pm (UTC 1) Link to this comment
So glad you enjoyed it, we are all hooked to as it’s such a new flavour for us:-)