HOMEMADE Watermelon Jam with no pectin! This easy to make jam recipe uses fresh watermelon juice to make a healthy jam. No pectin is needed for this recipe, just throw it in the refrigerator when it’s done! This is one of the best fruit jams, I love eating it on toast!
What can I make with watermelons?
This year we grew a bunch of watermelons in the garden. If you’re looking for a good container fruit to grow, watermelon is the direction you should go in. On each plant we usually get 3-4 watermelons which quickly adds up when you have a few plants!
By the way did you know that watermelon is a fruit and a vegetable? It is a fruit because it grows from a seed. It’s a vegetable because it is harvested and cleared from the field like other vegetables and because it is a member of the same family as pumpkins. I had no idea!
Watermelon Jam Recipe
First, you’ll need watermelon juice which is easy to make. Remove the seeds from your watermelon and then throw watermelon chunks in a blender or food processor. Blend until it turns into watermelon juice!
I love making homemade jam with blueberries so I decided this time to make a watermelon jam recipe. And because I think all jam tastes and smells better with a bit of cinnamon we’ll throw some of that in to make it extra special. This recipe calls for 16 cups of watermelon juice (watermelon is 92% juice) but if you don’t have that much just scale down the recipe.
Start with a big pot of your watermelon juice.
Bring it to a boil on the stove. Reduce heat to medium high.
And then continue to lightly boil for the next 2-3 hours. You will see the watermelon start to break down and thicken to a dark jam color. This is mine after 3 hours.
I’ll let the jam sit for a few minutes to thicken up completely and then I’ll quickly get it in mason jars, You can see how thick the jam got here.
I bet noone will believe you when you tell them this jam is watermelon jam!
Watermelon Jam without pectin!
Now throw in a mason jar and into the fridge it goes. No pectin is required for this watermelon jam!
When it’s ready to spread on a bagel or toast, smear a bit all over and enjoy your homemade jam!
Hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
More Jam Recipes
Looking for more jam recipes? Try my other favorites:
Pin for later:
Looking for more watermelon recipes? Try my watermelon soup!
Watermelon Jam
PrintIngredients
- 16 cups watermelon juice seeds out
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons cinnamon
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients in large pot. Bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to medium high. Keep a eye on this so it doesn’t boil over. Skim foam as it rises. Check and stir every 15 minutes.
- Continue to boil for 2-3 hours (mine took 3 hours). Depending if you reduce the recipe yours might done faster, so keep checking to make sure it doesn’t burn.
- Let sit for 5 minutes. Immediately place in mason jar. The jam hardens quickly so if you let it sit for longer it will be tough getting it out of the pot.
- Place in refrigerator and enjoy!
Dwight David says
Can honey be substituted? I have alpha gal syndrome (from a tick bite) and sugar reacts in my body like food poisoning.
Helen Lynn says
Sounds delicious. How long does it keep in the refrigerator?
Pamela says
Hey Helen, I’ve easily kept this in my fridge for 2 months with no problem!
Candy Goodreau says
Can you can this recipe by using a water bath
Pamela says
Hey Candy, I’ve had previous readers that have canned this with a water bath, but I’ve never personally tried. Enjoy the jam!
TRACEY says
I believe if you want to water bath can you will need to increase the lemon juice a bit.
Rohan Singh says
This is my 2nd time on your blog :), I was searching for watermelon jam recipe (similar kind of question) and I come to here, when I see Blog name on the 3rd in the list I clicked and come to here.
Watermelon is one of my favourite and really awesome recipe, I will try it for sure. thanks and have a good day :).
Susan says
I had never heard of watermelon jam but it must taste wonderful! Great idea, Pamela!
Lindsey @ American Heritage Cooking says
I have never even *heard* of watermelon jam!!! But it is such a genius idea! Watermelons all year round!
denise@magnoliaverandah says
I have never even considered watermelon jam. But why the hell not!
Pamela says
Hah, that’s the spirit!
Carol at Wild Goose Mama says
I don’t know what surprised more—that you managed to grow watermelons or the that you can make jam out of watermelon juice. What an amazing person you are!
JElli says
What a fun idea! Never heard of watermelon before, though I know my great-grandma used to pickle the rinds.
Pamela says
I love that idea, I’m always looking for ways to use the entire watermelon.
Mick Emery says
Watermelon Rinds Original Recipe Yield 4 pints
Â
Ingredients
3 quarts water
3/4 cup salt
4 quarts watermelon rind, white part only, cut into 1-inch cubes
2 tablespoons whole cloves
1/2 teaspoon mustard seed
10 (3 inch) cinnamon sticks, broken into pieces
1 quart apple cider vinegar
2 cups white sugar
4 drops green food coloring (optional)
Directions
1. In a glass bowl, stir together the water and salt until the salt has dissolved. Add the watermelon rinds and any additional water needed to cover them. Cover the bowl and refrigerate overnight.
2. Drain the watermelon rinds from the salted water, and place into a large saucepan or Dutch oven. Cover with fresh water, then place over high heat and bring to a boil. Boil rinds for 30 minutes, then drain and set aside.
3. Meanwhile, tie the cloves, mustard seed, and cinnamon sticks in a piece of cheesecloth. Place into a large saucepan or Dutch oven along with the vinegar and sugar. Bring to a boil over high heat, then remove from the heat and let stand for 15 minutes. Stir in the drained watermelon rind, then return to the stove over high heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium and simmer until the rind is transparent and the syrup is slightly thickened, 45 to 50 minutes. Remove and discard the spices after 40 minutes. Stir in the food coloring if desired.
4. Ladle into hot sterilized 1 pint jars, leaving 1/2 inch head space. Seal jars with new lids and rings, making sure you have cleaned the jar’s rims of any residue. Process jars under 1 inch of water in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes. Let cool overnight, then press down on the lids to make sure they are sealed before storing. Store any unsealed jars in the refrigerator and enjoy those first.
Jersey Girl Cooks says
Such a great idea! But then again all your recipes rock!
grace says
this marks the first time i’ve seen watermelon jam or even pondered its existence! what a great idea and what a beautiful product!
Emma @ Bake Then Eat says
OMG Why is this not a thing? Pure amazingness in a jar. Watermelon jam must taste amazing! Seriously you should market this I know I would buy it 😀
Abbe @ This is How I Cook says
I have never heard of watermelon jam. Now I want watermelon jam. And a slice of watermelon!
Mary Frances says
What an interesting concept, new to me! I also didn’t realize watermelons are in the same family as pumpkins, although that makes sense. Very cool!
byeGeorge says
Looks and reads delicious…I’d be calling this ‘Watermelon Butter’…byeGeorge
Shashi at RunninSrilankan says
Pamela!!! Wow!!! Watermelon jam?!?!?! My mind is blown!!!! I never knew it was possible and I simply love your simple 4 ingredient recipe! I’m going watermelon hunting today! Thanks so much for this!
Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says
Wow! This is indeed a perfect way to use watermelon juice, Pamela! Such an amazing recipe. Can’t wait to try my own watermelon jam. 🙂
Heather @ Sweet Precision says
My mind is completely blown with this recipe! I absolutely love watermelon and I never even though of making jam out of it?! This is why I love getting inspiration from other bloggers 🙂 Definitely bookmarking this and adding it to my list of things I want to try out!
handmade by amalia says
I have never heard of watermelon jam and would love to try it. I’ll have to pin and wait because watermelon season is already over here. But I’m just about to make some pear jam and your cinnamon idea sounds perfect. I’ll add a bit to the pears.
Amalia
xo
Pamela says
Pears and cinnamon are the perfect combo, you’re going to love it! Enjoy Amalia!
Ashley says
Holy cow this is super cool! Watermelon jam?? I’ll take a jar please!!
Juliana says
This is totally new to me…watermelon jam…yes, this jam would make a nice gift!
Have a wonderful week ahead Pamela 🙂