Chia Jam: Strawberry Rhubarb edtion
3 Cups
Total time: 45 min
Adapted from Bakerita*
This naturally sweetened jam comes together in one pot with just five ingredients — no pectin, no refined sugar, no fuss. Sweetened only with maple syrup and thickened the easy way with chia seeds, it's the perfect way to capture that fleeting moments when strawberry season and rhubarb season overlap and bottle it up for the months ahead.
Ingredients
12 oz. fresh rhubarb, cubed (about 3 cups)
12 oz. fresh strawberries, quartered (about 2½ cups sliced)
⅓ cup pure maple syrup
3 tablespoons chia seeds (more seeds will make it thicker)
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Optional* 1 tsp sea moss powder or gel — for an extra mineral boost and an even silkier set
Instructions
Simmer the fruit: In a medium saucepan, combine the rhubarb, strawberries, and maple syrup. Cover and bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently. After about 5 minutes, once the fruit starts releasing its juices, use a potato masher or fork to lightly mash the strawberries and rhubarb. You can use an emersion blender for a smoother consistency if desired.
Cook down: Continue cooking uncovered, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching, for 20–35 minutes, or until thickened and free of big fruit chunks. The jam will continue to set and thicken as it cools, so don't let it reduce too far on the stove.
Add the thickeners: Turn off the heat and stir in the chia seeds, lemon juice, and optional sea moss.
Cool & jar: Let the jam cool completely before transferring to clean jars. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, or freeze for up to 3 months.
Notes
This is a refrigerator jam, not a canning recipe — the acidity levels aren't balanced for shelf-stable canning, so keep it chilled or in the freezer.
Swapping in other berries: this method works beautifully with blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, or even sliced peaches in place of the strawberries, using the same 12 oz. weight. Lower-pectin fruits like peaches benefit from an extra splash of lemon juice to help the set; juicier berries like raspberries may need an extra minute or two of cook time to thicken fully.
Sea moss gel or powder adds a subtle mineral note along with a boost of trace nutrients — start with the optional teaspoon and add more next batch if you like the texture it brings.
