Since I learned to make jam several years ago, I have always wanted to make watermelon jam.
I’ve never eaten watermelon jam, mind you, but I have had a twenty-five year love affair with watermelon-flavored Bubblicious (bubble gum), and so I have been thinking that watermelon jam would be simply delightful.
I’m going to give away the ending of my story and say that watermelon jam is simply delightful. It has all of the flavor of my beloved gum, and it doesn’t irritate my TMJ.
There were no instructions for watermelon jam in the box of pectin, so we made it up as we went along. We had one medium-sized watermelon, and it made two batches of jam with enough watermelon chunks leftover for us to have as an after dinner snack.
How to Make Watermelon Jam
Ingredients:
- 8 cups of watermelon, black seeds removed, separated from rinds, and cut into chunks
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 2 boxes of No Sugar Needed Pectin (if you only add 1 box of pectin, you will end up with something akin to watermelon syrup)
- 4 cups sugar
How to make watermelon jam:
- Puree the watermelon chunks in a blender. Depending on the size of your blender, you may have to work in two batches, but the finished amount of puree should be roughly 4 cups.
- Pour the watermelon puree into a large pot. Add lemon juice.
- In a small metal bowl, whisk both boxes of pectin together with 1/2 cup of the sugar. This will prevent the pectin from clumping later on.
- Whisk the pectin/sugar mixture into the watermelon puree.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Stir almost constantly to prevent the bottom of the mixture from burning.
- You will add the rest of the sugar when the mixture is boiling so hard that you can’t stir the bubbles away. Whisk the sugar in.
- Return the mixture to a hard boil, and cook for one minute.
- After one minute, remove the jam from heat.
What next?
You have three choices:
- Can the jam. This is my favorite option. It’s simple, as long as you have the right tools. More on that below.
- Freeze the jam up to one year. Use jars especially for keeping in the freezer, and wait to fill them until the jam mixture has cooled.
- Eat the jam. This is a good option, except that this particular recipe makes about 10 cups of jam. It will only keep a few weeks in the refrigerator, so… unless you’re going to give it all away really quickly, this isn’t a great option.
Canning Homemade Watermelon Jam
- Preheat 10 half-pint jars and 10 jar lids. We do this by running the jars through the dishwasher and boiling the lids on the stove.
- Heat a very large pot of water for canning. Preferably, this is a 20-quart or bigger pot filled about halfway with water and heated on high til the water boils.
- Get out a jar, make sure it is both clean and dry, and fill it with jam using a metal ladle and a funnel, leaving about 1/4 inch of empty space at the top.
- Wipe the top of the jar with a clean paper towel to make sure it’s clean and dry. Place a lid on top of the jar.
- Screw a lid ring on firmly.
- Repeat until all jars are full. If you have a partial jar, you should put it in the refrigerator and eat it in the next couple of weeks. Don’t can a partial jar.
- Place all of the jars into the very large pot of boiling water. Boil them for 10 minutes. (If you are above sea level, times will vary. Consult the instructions inside the box of pectin to be sure.)
- While the jars are boiling, set a dry towel on the counter (or in some other place where they can sit undisturbed for at least 24 hours). When the time is up, use tongs to remove the jars and set them in the middle of the towel. When all of the jars are out of the water bath, bring the ends of the towel up and lay it over top of the jars. This will help them to cool slowly. Honestly, I don’t know why that’s important, but my mom told me to do it.
So I do it. - Once the jars are cooled, check to make sure they sealed. Just like the jars in the store, the lids should all be sucked down and shouldn’t give when you press on them. You’ll most likely hear this happening as the jars cool; I always listen and keep count. Because I’m a canning dork.
When we started canning, I think we spent around $100 at Walmart for all of the canning supplies that we needed. I’ve also seen them at Lowe’s and Home Depot for similar prices. At the same time, there’s nothing wrong with freezer jam, aside from it being a little less convenient than shelf-stable jam.
My Last Word on Homemade Watermelon Jam
This jam was so good that it will be in our rotation every year from now on. I have eaten it several times since we made it, on toast, on bread, and on crackers. I could eat it every day. It’s just that good.
© 2010 – 2018, Tara Ziegmont. All rights reserved.
Anonymous says
Oh Tara, that sounds absolutely amazing. Watermelon gum and candy has always been a favorite. I would drive my parents crazy with Jolly Ranchers. We are going to have to try this. Thank you so much 🙂
Amyerno says
I need to try this! I love all things watermelon! (except maybe Bubbalicious!) I have zero canning know-how, so maybe this is dumb question, but why is tha pectin “no sugar needed” but the jam has sugar in the recipe?
Amanda says
So I know what I have to buy when we go to the store this week!!! YUM! I’m a jam fruit, and love to do anything that I can get my hands on. Although I’ll only try the flavors I KNOW my kids will love. And they love watermellon, and so I know they’ll love this.
Anonymous says
You are very welcome! I totally forgot about Jolly Ranchers. This isn’t as puckeringly tart as those, but the flavor is similar.
dkiehl says
Thanks for the great recipe. I wanted a more robust watermelon jam s I made some small changes. After using my immersion blender I strained the liquid. Put the liquid into my pot & reduced the liquid by 2/3 – 1/2. You will know it is reduced enough when you taste it. I then put the strained watermelon into my dehydrator on the frut roll up tray. I also sliced a whole watermelon into eight triangular cuts from stem to bottom ( lengthwise ) removed the rind and then sliced it into 3/8 inches thick and put those into my dehydrator. When they were dry (fruit roll up tray will only be partially dry but the wedges must be dry. Get the reduced juice boiling again & tear up the dried wedges, throw all of the watermelon into the reduced liquid. I added a total of 1/4 cup sugar & 1/2 cup lemon juice. would ladel some into a shot glass and pop it into the freezer until cool enough to taste. When it was perfect taste & the dehydrated watermelon was soft I added the pectin. the 4.7 plastic bottle ( I ussed the regular pectin not reduced sugar) and cooked it ( rolling boil per the instructions above ) and canned per above. Made 10 pints. This jam will knock your sox off
Sharon @ UnfinishedMom says
My husband loves it when I make watermelon jam. He’s been asking for it all summer long. I found instructions a few years ago, (http://www.pickyourown.org/watermelonjelly.htm). I think the recipe I used called for squishing up the watermelon more – it was more like jelly than jam, though it did have some pulp in it. Anyway, we heartily agree – it’s delicious!
Anonymous says
Not dumb. 🙂
Regular pectin requires two or three times more sugar. I don’t know why they call it “no sugar needed” except that it is possible to make jam with it using Splenda rather than sugar. The watermelon has a lot of liquid and not so much sugar, so you have to add some to make it set up properly.
Anonymous says
Yes! I’ve never found watermelon jam in the store, which is what was really pushing me to try it. I adore peach and cherry jams, but they are so very expensive at the grocery store. We make those two (except when I miss cherry season, like THIS YEAR!), too.
Anonymous says
I’ve used the instructions at PickYourOwn.org for a lot of things. They are great! It looks like the proportions are pretty similar between their instructions and mine. I should’ve checked there first. I might not have had to use 2 boxes of pectin. 🙂
Karen says
This looks great and I a friend brought us over watermelon yesterday! How perfect. I am glad you enjoyed your jam. Have a blessed day.
Jen says
Great Post! Visiting from Homemaker Monday. I’m hosting Canning Week on my blog and would love to have you join us! We also have a linky party going with a contest and some great giveaways!
Jen @ messhalltobistro.blogspot.com
Olivia says
Yum! I love anything watermelon!
suchakingdom.blogspot.com
[email protected] says
I’ve never had watermelon jam – what a lovely idea! It looks and sounds delicious.
Jen @ BigBinder says
Looks wonderful!! I’ve never had it either and I’m glad you went step by step! I can, but just the regular berry jams. Nothing fancy like a watermelon – just one more way to preserve the yumminess of summer! Thanks for linking up to Recipe Roundtable!
Alicia's Homemaking says
Never in a million years would I have thought of this. Cool!
Anonymous says
You’re welcome. 🙂 If you can do berry jam, you can do watermelon. It was exactly the same process just with different ingredients.
kathie says
yum!!!!
Laura says
Why has no one made watermelon jam? HUTZAH for making it first!
Thanks for linking up to Just Another Meatless Monday, see you next week! ohh you should try pomona pectin for low sugar jelly and jam-it’s great
Carol @ simple_catholic says
Wow! I’ve never heard of watermelon jam before. Sounds interesting, though.
Bree says
Oh my goodness! You seriously made my night last night when this popped up in my reader!
Question: how many jars did you produce with this recipe?
Anonymous says
We filled 7 half-pint jars from each recipe.
Kristy says
Oh my goodness, this sounds wonderful!!!
Kristy says
Oh my goodness, this sounds wonderful!!!
Chaya says
I am truly impressed with this jam. This is something, I have never done, and probably should..
Chaya says
I am truly impressed with this jam. This is something, I have never done, and probably should..
Chaya says
Thanks for linking this to My Meatless Mondays. Any other good ideas, please do share. I know you have good ideas. Your blog speaks for you.
Chaya says
Thanks for linking this to My Meatless Mondays. Any other good ideas, please do share. I know you have good ideas. Your blog speaks for you.
Happier Than A Pig In Mud says
This is an interesting new flavor for jam! Some watermelons are so big that it would be nice to have another idea for how to use it up!
Amanda {Enchanting Havoc} says
I may have just fallen completely in love with you…. I FLIPPING LOVE WATERMELLON ANYTHING! And jam… I’m doing this… I’m going to the grocery store buying a watermellon and making this… THANK YOU!
Danelle says
I’m always amazed at the yummy things people do with watermelon. Sound delicious!
Large Pot says
I’m so love this blog, already bookmarked it! Thanks.
Homemade canning says
Everything that touches the cucumbers must be sterilized. The jars, lids and all utensils used, must be sterilized. This may be accomplished by submerging in a boiling water bath for a minimum of 10 minutes.
Sandra says
I tried this recipe yesterday and it turned out beautifully! It actually tastes like watermelon. Thanks for the recipe!
Brittany says
Just finished making this and it’s AMAZING!!! Thank you so much for the recipe. : )
P.S.
I accidentally used regular pectin instead of the ‘No Sugar Added’. I don’t know if that makes mine more or less sweet, but I’d make it the same way next time.
yasoobalhayat says
Thank you so much.
Chuck says
Question, I already have regular sure-jel on hand, can I use it instead of the no sugar added pectin?
This looks and sounds amazing, gotta try it. I have watermelon in my garden.
Tara Ziegmont says
I don’t see why not. You’ll just need a lot more sugar.
Rena says
I tried this recipe and it was very thin. Maybe because I didn’t have any (store-bought) pectin, but I used orange peels bc I read that the white pith of orange/citrus peels can be used as a substitute. Anyway, I added a bit of cornstarch after while to try and thicken it up at least a little bit. Maybe we can use it as a syrup over ice-cream! But it still needs to cool down so I’ll see how it is. I really liked the idea of watermelon jam, though!
Tara Ziegmont says
I think you really need commercial pectin and a lot of it to make this work.
Rena says
My problem is that I can’t get it here, I live in Brazil. Today I’m making some pectin from apples and lemon. It might be a no-no but I’m going to try kind of redoing some of my “jam” with this new pectin and see what happens! I love the flavor of my watermelon “syrup” though. It’d be great for ice-cream or pancakes!
Tara Ziegmont says
I’m glad you like it! It does taste amazing, so even if it doesn’t work out for your toast, it sounds like it won’t go to waste. 🙂
Rena says
My pectin worked out great! I added about 3 Tbl, boiled it quite a bit longer and the consistency was just right. So there you go, make your own pectin if you live where you can’t buy any (or don’t want to go out to buy).
Helen says
We just bought some watermelon jam from a local farm. Everyone loved it! Funny, the jar looks exactly like the ones pictured here…
Tara Ziegmont says
Maybe they used my recipe!
Beth says
I do not have any more half pint jars on hand. What would be the difference in processing time if I use pint instead? Do you think it would set the same? I’m very new to canning, sorry for the basic question. Also, how much more sugar do you recommend if using regular Sure Jell?
Shelly Becker says
I have made this jam several times now. It’s super!! I sell a lot of this jam. Easy recipie and directions.
Tara Ziegmont says
So glad to hear!
Beverly says
Awesome recipe! Thank you so much. I just made it and it came out wonderful. I will defiantly be making this again
Tina says
I made this recipe tonight and it is delicious! It set up a little on the stiff side though. I’m wondering if anyone has tried it using only one box of pectin instead of the two? Would love to hear how it came out if so!
Amanda McConnell says
I just made this this morning. It is still watery. Did I do something wrong? I could I pour it back in the pain and try cooking it longer?
Tara Ziegmont says
You can but I would probably try adding more pectin.
BlingRunner says
I just tried watermelon preserves in Indonesia. Oh my was that good. So I wanted to try at home and found your recipe. The jam is cooling and I’m just about to start the canning process. It is YUMMMMM!!!! Thanks.
Wes says
Just made it this afternoon and followed the recipe to a T. I believe that the pectin called for is too much. The bit that was left and didn’t go into a jar set up like mortar!! I used Ball brand pectin and a seedless watermelon. The flavor is great as well as the texture. The next time I make it, I’m going to try using half the pectin. Other than that, thank you for the recipe!!!!
John says
I was wondering if you have ever tested the pH of the watermelon jam. I have recently started looking up information about low sugar pectin recipes and it indicates that acidity is critical in preventing botulism. Your recipe does add a fair amount of lemon juice, but I was wondering if the pH was low enough. Thanks.
Tara Ziegmont says
Nope, never tested it.
stan gardner says
how long have you stored this ?
Tara Ziegmont says
We’ve kept it up to a couple of years, but I don’t know how long you could keep it.
Misi says
I tried this and loved it. I also played a little and made Watermelon-Blackberry, which has gotten rave reviews! 🙂 Thank you
Kathryn Hughes says
Made this today. Followed directions. I am disappointed in it. Put some in the frig. It is very thick. Not sweet enough for my taste either. The consistency is too thick for jam.
Tara Ziegmont says
I’m surprised it’s too thick. Perhaps you cooked it too long. Most people have the opposite problem, that it is too thin even after boiling.
Kathy Lowrance says
I just made a batch of this jam and it is syrup!!! followed directions and ingredient measurements as written! waste of my time, pectin, sugar unless you can tell me how to make it into jam! should have stayed with the other recipe I found that makes jam a bit hard to spread but at least it set up
Tara Ziegmont says
I’m sorry to hear that it didn’t work out for you. If you have syrup, your only option that I know of is to add more pectin and the appropriate amount of sugar. Other people have said that my recipe made their jam too thick, so I think it depends on something beyond the actual recipe. Good luck!
Kwandew says
Made this the other day, turned ot really runny, so we remade it by adding more pectin,sugar and lemonjuice…it is still runny! Should I redoit and add more pectin and all
Tara Ziegmont says
I would add more pectin.
Reed says
Made this yesterday and followed the recipe. Turned out perfectly and it tastes divine.
Tara Ziegmont says
Thanks for letting me know!