Apricot Jam
Making homemade apricot jam isn’t just about preserving a fruit; it’s about capturing the essence of summer in a jar. Each spoonful bursts with the sweet and tangy flavors of ripe apricots, reminiscent of lazy afternoons spent enjoying the sunshine. Unlike store-bought jams, which often contain preservatives and artificial flavors, your homemade version is simple, delicious, and bursting with freshness. Once you open a jar and experience that first taste, you’ll find it surpasses any supermarket variety you’ve had before.

I first tried my hand at making apricot jam in the comfort of my grandmother’s kitchen. I’ll never forget how the kitchen filled with the warm, sweet aroma as the apricots transformed into a glossy jam. It’s a special recipe that I love to share with friends and family. With just a handful of ingredients and a little love, you can create a treat that’s perfect for breakfast on toast, added to yogurts, or even used in desserts. Let’s dive into this delightful recipe—your taste buds will thank you!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple & Quick: This jam takes just 10 minutes of prep time and cooks in only 30 minutes, making it a fast and enjoyable project.
- Irresistible Flavor: The natural sweetness of ripe apricots combined with a hint of lime juice brings an explosion of flavor that you can’t resist.
- Eye-Catching Appeal: The bright orange color of the jam is not only beautiful but also adds a pop of color to your breakfast table.
- Flexible Serving: Perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, you can pair it with savory dishes, spread it on toast, or even use it as a filling for pastries.
- Diet-Friendly Options: Enjoy it guilt-free as a vegan and vegetarian-friendly option!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 6 cups ripe apricots: Choose fresh, ripe apricots for the best flavor; you’ll want them clean and chopped into small pieces.
- 4 ½ cups sugar: This granulated sugar nicely balances the tartness of the fruit, allowing the natural flavors to shine through.
- 1 box low sugar Sure-Jell (the pink box): This helps with the gelling process, ensuring your jam has the right texture.
- 2 tablespoons lime juice: Adds a refreshing twist and brightens the flavor of the apricots.
- ¼ teaspoon salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the jam.
- 1 tablespoon Fruit Fresh (optional): This can help preserve color and freshness, but you can omit it if you don’t have it on hand.
How to Make Apricot Jam
- Prep the Apricots: Start by cleaning and chopping the ripe apricots into small pieces. Make sure to measure out exactly 6 cups for accurate results.
- Sterilize Jars: Fill a large pan with water and add jars, rings, and lids. Bring the water to a boil and keep it boiling for three minutes to sterilize all components. After that, remove from heat, leaving the jars soaking in hot water as you prepare the jam.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large pot, combine the chopped apricots, lime juice, salt, and Fruit Fresh (if using). Stir to mix everything well.
- Mix Sure-Jell: In a separate bowl, measure out ¼ cup of sugar and mix it with the Sure-Jell. Gradually sprinkle this mixture into the apricot mixture while mixing with a wooden spoon.
- Bring to Boil: Turn the stove on high, and continuously stir the apricot mixture until it reaches a full rolling boil—meaning the bubbles do not stop when you stir.
- Add Remaining Sugar: Once it’s bubbling away, quickly stir in the remaining sugar.
- Boil for One Minute: Keep stirring and return the mixture to a full rolling boil, maintaining this for exactly one minute. A timer will help ensure precision.
- Ladle into Jars: After boiling, carefully ladle the apricot jam into the sterilized hot jars. Fill them up to about ¼ inch from the top.
- Seal the Jars: Using a damp cloth, wipe the rims of the jars to remove any jam residue for a proper seal. Place the lids on each jar, screwing the bands tightly.
- Process the Jars: Finally, process the jars in a boiling water bath for about 10 minutes to seal them properly. This recipe makes enough for six 8-ounce jars or three pint jars.
Storing & Reheating
Once your apricot jam is sealed, let it cool at room temperature. Store the jars at room temperature for up to a year if they remain sealed. Once opened, refrigerate and consume within three weeks. For longer storage, this jam can be frozen for up to three months. When reheating, simply warm it gently on the stove until it is spreadable, but keep in mind that the texture might slightly change. A quick stir can often refresh the consistency.
Chef’s Helpful Tips
- Make sure to use ripe apricots for optimal flavor; unripe ones will yield tart results.
- If the jam isn’t setting properly, it might need a bit more cooking time, so keep an eye on the boil.
- Clean jar rims thoroughly to ensure a good seal—any residue can prevent proper sealing.
- Feel free to experiment with flavors by adding a splash of vanilla or a hint of cinnamon or ginger.
- If you want a smoother texture, puree the apricots before starting the recipe for a lovely spreadable jam.
Sharing a jar of apricot jam with friends can brighten anyone’s day. Whether you spread it on warm toast or swirl it into desserts, the happiness it brings is undeniable.

Recipe FAQs
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Apricot Jam
This apricot jam boasts an irresistible flavor that comes from ripe apricots and a touch of lime juice. It’s easy to prepare and perfect for breakfast spreads, desserts, and more!
- Prep Time 10 minutes
- Cook Time 30 minutes
- Yield Makes 6 eight ounce jars, 3 pint jars 1x
Ingredients
- 6 cups ripe apricots cleaned and chopped into small pieces
- 4 ½ cups sugar
- 1 box low sugar sure jell (be sure to use the pink box)
- 2 tablespoon lime juice
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon fruit fresh (optional)
Instructions
- Chop the apricots into small pieces and measure exactly 6 cups.
- Sterilize jars, rings, and lids by placing them in a pan, covering with water, and boiling for three minutes. Remove from heat, keeping them in hot water.
- In a large pot, combine chopped apricots, lime juice, salt, and fruit fresh (if using). Mix well.
- In a separate bowl, mix ¼ cup of sugar with the contents of the Sure-Jell. Sprinkle this into the apricot mixture and stir well. Place on high heat and bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
- Once it reaches a full rolling boil (that can't be stirred down), add the remaining sugar.
- Continue stirring and bring back to a hard boil, cooking for exactly one minute (use a timer).
- Remove from heat and ladle the apricot mixture into the sterilized jars.
- Clean the rims of the jars with a damp cloth to ensure a good seal, place the lids on securely, and process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes to seal.
Notes
Using ripe apricots ensures the best flavor.
Ensure jars and lids are properly sterilized for long-lasting preservation.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
- Calories: 50
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Nutritional information is an estimate. The nutritional values for your final dish may vary based on measuring differences and products used.




