Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Jam

Easy pressure cooker jam with no pectin takes 15 minutes to make. Use any fresh or frozen fruit you want in your Instant Pot or Ninja Foodi. Homemade jelly or huckleberry jam is a family favorite spread for toast at breakfast time.

How to Make Jam in Instant Pot

You can make this as an easy Ninja Foodi recipe as well, or in a Crockpot Express. They all work the same with high pressure. After you’re done you can enjoy it in the next few weeks we share how to can jam below so it lasts so much longer too.

You cannot use this machine for InstaPot canning as stated by the manufacturer but we will show you how to do that the old fashioned way. Fresh is always best though and it never lasts long in our house enjoyed for breakfast or dessert.

If you want to make this same homemade jam on your stovetop, we used fresh huckleberries. You can use any fresh or frozen berries to make either of these. I opt for quick versions though and you must too. 😉 I bought a bunch since they’re only in season once a year here in Idaho. I started by making this huckleberry cobbler.

You can use any berries or even peppers you might have but this is what I used this time. Later on I made green pepper jelly <—-using this recipe but the instructions here for a pressure cooker vs. stovetop.

Ninja Foodi Jam

With this pot you will use the lid that is not attached. I suppose you could make Instant Pot jam with frozen berries but I haven’t tried that yet. If I did I probably wouldn’t adjust the time since fruit cooks so fast this way. When I try that I will update this to let you know how that turns out. Or if you use frozen let me know below so I can share that info. 😉

Can you peel plums to make jam?

Yes! If that is your favorite fruit then by all means remove those skins and use those. I have had people comment to me that this fruit works rather well and delicious.

Pressure Cooker Jam with Fruit Ingredients

1. Small mason jars – these mason jars for jam are perfect for yourself and to tie a ribbon around and use as gifts
2. Fresh fruit – 2 lbs. made 4 jars for us, the 3 shown in the pic at the top and one other one not shown.
   • I have also made pumpkin jam without pectin with this vegetable
3. Sugar
4. Cornstarch
5. Water
6. Vanilla extract & lemon juice – I think both are a good addition to any fruit jam but that is personal preference

Why do you add lemon juice to jam?

I like the flavor in small doses. Another reason is that it prevents the growth of bacteria if you’re canning your homemade jam. Then make this homemade bread recipe or rolls and serve them together.

Can you make jam from canned fruit?

You can if that is really all you have. You’ll just need to drain the liquid out of the can first. It won’t have the same consistency, it will be smoother without the chunks of fruit you see here. It will be more like jelly versus jam.

When it is summertime we are all about fruit because it’s so fresh and inexpensive when it’s in season. There are tons of farms out here so we get on their email list and schedule trips up to pick fresh peaches, blackberries and anything else we can get our hands on.

If you have a backyard garden I suggest planting strawberries and trying to make homemade jam this year. It is SO simple and I guarantee you won’t buy a jar at the store after you try it. I would involve your kids in the process too, I assure you they’ll love it.

Fruit releases a lot of juice so liquid really isn’t necessary. Then you just add a bit of cornstarch and water at the end to thicken it up. The combination of huckleberries and strawberries worked well too. It brought some added sweetness to the typically slightly sourness of fresh huckleberries. Sugar was also needed to sweeten it up.

If I were to use something like peaches I would add less sugar. Closer to 3/4 of a cup instead of 1 but that is personal preference. Use this guide to make your own Instant Pot strawberry jam recipe or whatever flavor you prefer and sweeten to your liking. 😉

InstaPot Canning

You may have heard some people online stating that they do this, it is not advised. You need to ensure that the temp. inside the device reaches a very high heat in order to kill all the bacteria that may be present and seal well. It is stated on their website that even under high pressure it will not quite get to that point.

How to Make Jam in Instant Pot

1. Add fruit into Instant Pot or Ninja Foodi with sugar and vanilla.
2. Close and lock the lid.
3. Set to high pressure cook time for 1 minutes!
4. Allow to naturally release steam for 10 minutes and then open valve to release the pressure remaining. Remove the lid and set aside.
5. In a small bowl add cornstarch and water, stir to combine. A whisk works well to get it nice and smooth. I do not add fruit pectin to this, cornstarch is easier and I always have it on hand.
6. Set pot to saute and once bubbling add slurry for 2-3 minutes to thicken and then turn off.
7. Take inner pot out of machine and put on cooling rack or pour jam into mason jars immediately so it doesn’t continue to cook.
8. Allow to cool before storing in the fridge. Could can to last longer too. Entire process including cool time should take about 30 minutes. Find more InstaPot recipes here.