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Homemade thimbleberry jam in glass jars with fresh thimbleberries scattered around wooden cutting board

How to Make Thimbleberry Jam: From Wild Berries to Pantry Gold


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  • Total Time: 45-50 minutes
  • Yield: 3-4 half-pint jars 1x

Description

A rare and exclusive preserve made with wild thimbleberries, offering a unique balance of tartness and sweetness, crafted with traditional techniques.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups fresh thimbleberries (approx. 1.5 cups when mashed, or ¾ pound fruit)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar (or ¾ cup honey/maple syrup)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (or lime juice)

Instructions

  1. Prepare canner and sterilize jars if planning to can.
  2. Mash thimbleberries with sugar and lemon juice, let macerate 10 minutes.
  3. Transfer mixture to heavy pot, bring to hard boil, stirring continuously.
  4. Cook until gel point at 220°F (adjust for altitude). Test using frozen plate method.
  5. Remove from heat, ladle into jars, leaving ¼ inch headspace.
  6. Optional: Process jars in boiling water bath for 10 minutes (15 minutes above 6,000 ft). Cool and store.

Notes

Thimbleberries contain natural pectin, so no added thickeners are required. Avoid overcooking to preserve flavor and texture.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
  • Category: Preserves & Jams
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
  • Calories: 60
  • Sugar: 13g
  • Sodium: 0mg
  • Fat: 0.2g
  • Saturated Fat: 0g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 0.2g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 15g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 0.3g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg