Sugar-Free Strawberry Jam – Low-Carb, Fruity, and Actually Spreadable

Jam on keto? Yep, and not the fake syrupy kind either. This one’s thick, fruity, and naturally sweet—no pectin, no sugar, and no chia goo blobs. I tested this when strawberries were out of season, and even then, it came out shockingly good. It’s my go-to for almond flour biscuits, Greek yogurt bowls, or just licking off a spoon when I want something sweet but clean.

💡 What Makes This Feel Like Real Food

Unlike most sugar-free jams that rely on gelatin or weird thickeners, this one uses ground chia seeds—not whole—so the texture stays silky. No slime. You simmer the berries down to concentrate flavor, and if your strawberries aren’t sweet, a spoonful of erythritol brings it all together. Add lemon juice only if you’re planning to store it longer—otherwise, it’s fridge-ready and simple.

🧾 Ingredients That Kept It Keto

• Strawberries (400g / 14 oz) – The hero here. Fresh or frozen works, just dice them small so they break down evenly.
• Water (2 tbsp) – Just enough to get things bubbling without thinning it out too much.
• Ground Chia Seeds (1 tsp) – Thickens the jam without weird texture. I blitz mine in a food processor until powdered.
• Lemon Juice (1 tsp, optional) – Helps preserve if you’re storing it more than a week.
• Powdered Sweetener (1 tbsp, optional) – Use if your berries are tart. Erythritol or allulose both work. Skip it if your strawberries are sweet enough.

🔁 Low-Carb Substitutions That Hold Up

Want to Swap This?	Try This Instead	Notes
Strawberries	Raspberries or blueberries	Berries vary in carbs—adjust net carbs per spoon.
Ground chia seeds	Whole chia seeds	Texture gets gloopy—grind them for smoothness.
Powdered erythritol	Allulose	Slightly less crystallization when chilled.
Lemon juice (preserving)	Omit entirely	Fine if eating within 1 week.

⚠️ What Went Sideways (And Why)

What Went Wrong	Why It Happens	How to Fix It
Jam was too thin	Didn’t cook long enough	Simmer low and slow until halved in volume.
Weird chia seed texture	Used whole seeds	Grind them first for better consistency.
Over-sweetened	Added sweetener before tasting	Wait until the end to adjust sweetness.

👩‍🍳 How I Make It

1. Dice the strawberries and toss them in a saucepan with water.
2. Bring to a boil with the lid on, then reduce to a simmer. Let it bubble gently for 15 minutes.
3. Mash the strawberries with a fork or potato masher.
4. Keep simmering on low for another 30 minutes, stirring often, until reduced by half.
5. Taste. If it’s too tart, add 1 tbsp powdered sweetener and stir in.
6. Stir in ground chia seeds and let cool. Transfer to a sterilized jar and refrigerate.

🧠 My Go-To Low-Carb Hacks

• I grind a big batch of chia seeds ahead of time—makes it easy to thicken sauces and jams anytime.
• Let the jam cool before judging the texture—it thickens up more in the fridge.
• Use small, ripe strawberries if you can. They’re sweeter and cook down faster.

🧊 Storage + Tracking Tips

• Fridge: Keeps up to 1 week in a sealed jar.
• Freezer: Freeze in small jars or silicone trays. Thaw overnight in fridge.
• Portioning: I track this in tablespoons (14g = 1 serving). Super macro-friendly at just 10 calories and 2.2g total carbs per spoon.

❓ What I Googled Before Making This

Do strawberries work on keto?
Yes—moderately. 1 cup of strawberries has about 8–9g net carbs. This recipe breaks down to under 2g net carbs per tablespoon.

Do I need to use pectin?
Nope. Chia seeds (especially ground) do the job naturally, and better for low-carb lifestyles.

Can I make this with frozen berries?
Yes, just simmer a little longer to account for extra water.

📊 Full Nutrition Facts – Per 1 Tablespoon (14g serving)

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	10 kcal
Total Fat	0.3g
• Saturated Fat	0g
Cholesterol	0mg
Sodium	0mg
Total Carbohydrate	2.2g
• Fiber	0.9g
• Sugars	1.4g (naturally from strawberries)
Net Carbs	1.3g
Protein	0.3g
Vitamin C	High (thanks, strawberries)
Iron	Trace

Check out More Recipes:

• Sugar-Free Jam – Low-Carb, Sweet, and Perfect for Spreading (or Topping)
• Low Carb Keto Strawberry Ice Cream (Sugar-Free)
• Sugar-Free Apple Crisp – Cozy, Crisp, and Keto-Aware (But Still Real Apples)