Homemade Blueberry Preserves are sweet, flavorful and so easy to make. It's the perfect topping for scones, biscuits and waffles. With a handful of blueberries and a few pantry staples (no pectin required!), you’ll have delicious preserves in just 30 minutes.
Since creating my sourdough starter and learning how to make sourdough bread at home, I’ve been passionate about making everything from scratch. In the last 4 years, I’ve learned how to make fresh tomato sauce, fresh fruit syrups and even homemade cultured butter.
Out of everything, I probably make these preserves the most. I love that I can make it at the last minute and have a delicious topping for my breakfast even if I don’t have any store bought jam or jelly.
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No pectin needed!
Blueberries are naturally high in pectin, a starch that is used to thicken jams and jellies. These preserves don’t need to be as thick as jam, so we won’t be using it for this recipe. If I want a thicker consistency, I use cornstarch since I always have it in my pantry. If using, dissolve the cornstarch in water first and make sure your blueberry mixture is simmering or you’ll end up with clumps of cornstarch in your preserves.
If you love homemade fruit spreads, try my recipes for Raspberry Preserves and Cranberry Jam.
Small batch
This recipe makes a small batch, about 8 oz, so I don’t usually bother canning. This is enough to have for breakfast with a little bit leftover to enjoy for up to a week. You will have to refrigerate any leftovers.
Use these preserves to make my Homemade Sourdough Pop Tarts or Sourdough Blueberry Turnovers.
What you need
- Fresh or frozen blueberries
- Sugar
- Water
- Lemon juice
- Cornstarch (optional)
Step-by-step instructions
- Combine blueberries, sugar, lemon juice and water in a small saucepan
- Bring mixture to a boil, turn down the heat to medium low and let simmer until blueberries have broken down
- Dissolve cornstarch in a little bit of water and stir it into the preserves
- Continue to simmer until preserves reach your desired consistency
Recipe FAQs
What is the difference between blueberry jam and blueberry preserve?
Preserves have larger pieces of fruit while jam is made with mashed fruit and is usually thicker.
Since these preserves are not canned they only last about a week and need to be refrigerated. To preserve the shelf life, you'd have to can your preserves.
If your preserves are too watery, just let it simmer at a higher temperature for a few minutes longer. If it's still too thin, add a little bit more dissolved cornstarch.
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Easy Blueberry Preserves (no pectin)
Equipment
- small saucepan
- 8 oz. glass jar
- spatula
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Ingredients
- 150 grams fresh or frozen blueberries
- 50 grams granulated sugar
- 7 grams lemon juice
- 56 grams water plus more if needed
- ½ teaspoon cornstarch optional
Click US Customary to view volume measurements
Instructions
- Combine blueberries, sugar, lemon juice and water in a small saucepan, bring the mixture to a boil.
- Turn the heat down to medium low and let the mixture simmer for 15 minutes or until the blueberries have completely broken down.
- Dissolve the cornstarch in about 1 tablespoon of water. With the mixture on a low simmer, add the dissolved cornstarch into the saucepan.
- Continue cooking until the preserves reach your desired consistency, about 5 to 10 minutes.
- Serve warm on top of biscuits, scones or waffles.
- Store any leftovers in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Tips
These recipes were developed and tested using grams for precise measurements. To increase your chances of success, I recommend investing in a kitchen scale. I've included rough volume estimates (in tablespoons and cups), but they might not be totally accurate.
Remember all ovens are unique, these recipes were tested in my oven which runs cooler than others. You might need to lower the temperature if your bake appears to be browning too quickly. Monitor your bake closely and make adjustments if needed.
Nutrition
Nutrition info provided are estimates.
Kimberly
My toddler is on a pb&j kick and loves blueberries so this was perfect for us. I used a little less sugar and added a spoonful of chia seeds. So yummy!
Hannah Dela Cruz
Oooh! I love the addition of chia seeds! Thanks for trying out the recipe.
Wendy
How can I freeze this jam (method) please.
Hannah Dela Cruz
Just freeze in a freezer safe container (not glass), let it defrost in the refrigerator when ready to use.
Brenda
I want to make several jars. Can I use canner and can the jars?
Hannah Dela Cruz
Absolutely! This recipe doubles nicely and you can definitely can them.
Sonia
I want to try this! Can I use honey or maple syrup instead of sugar? How much? Thank you!
Hannah Dela Cruz
Not sure that it would work! Cane sugar is really preferable here. But you can probably make a good blueberry syrup with honey but it might taste a little different! Try subbing it 1:1 in the recipe.
Colleen Kunze
Thank you for posting this recipe. I had two cups of fresh blueberries that no one in my household seemed to want. I made your recipe exactly as written and it is delicious. We have used it on waffles and as a topping for overnight oats (husband who is iffy on overnight oats proclaimed that he will eat them every day if I continue to top them with this recipe).
Hannah Dela Cruz
So happy you loved the recipe!
Joella M Ferrer
I made it and love it! I Added lemon zest for a more vibrant citrus flavor! Thank you
Hannah @ Make It Dough
Love the addition Joella! So happy you loved the recipe. This is favorite of mine as well.