A few weeks ago I made the most divine cream scones slathered with homemade balsamic strawberry jam. With the abundance of local strawberries I’ve become addicted to the small addition of balsamic vinegar to sauce and jam. This week my local grocer was selling 1/2 flats of Sakuma Strawberries from Skagit county for $5.99!!! I bought 4.
For those of you who think adding vinegar to fruit is weird, I can only encourage you to try it before passing judgment. The balsamic vinegar truly enhances the flavor and color of the strawberries in the most wonderful way.
To make both the sauce and jam, you use the same process except for jam, the cooking time is slightly longer. Both recipes require no pectin and is surprisingly very easy with only 3 ingredients (strawberries, sugar, and balsamic vinegar). The sauce is wonderful over vanilla ice cream, yogurt, and oatmeal. The jam makes an excellent spread for toast and scones. Either way both recipes are a win-win recipe for you. Enjoy!
Easy Balsamic Strawberry Sauce Recipe
Ingredients:
2 cups of chopped strawberries
1 cup of sugar
2 Tbl. of balsamic vinegar
Directions:
Cook strawberries, sugar, and balsamic vinegar in a medium pan on med-high heat for about 10 minutes stirring occasionally. I usually eye-ball the thickness of the sauce to determine when it is done. When the sauce is the consistency of maple syrup on the back of your spoon, remove from heat and allow to cool. Serve warm or cool. Enjoy!
Easy Balsamic Strawberry Jam Recipe
Ingredients:
2 cups of chopped strawberries
1 cup of sugar
2 Tbl. of balsamic vinegar
Directions:
Cook strawberries, sugar, and balsamic vinegar in a medium pan on med heat for about 20 minutes stirring occasionally. I usually eye-ball the thickness of the sauce to determine when it is done. When the jam mixture has reduced to the consistency of thick honey or 220 degrees F. remove from heat and allow to cool. Enjoy!
*How about using some homemade strawberry sauce or jam with on strawberry shortcakes?
*Looking for a cherry jam recipe? Find Alice’s homemade cherry recipe post here.
Teresa says
Oh my, this looks delicious! Do you think this sauce would pair well with chicken (with feta and fresh basil) or would it be too sweet for that?
Debra says
Is there a way to preserve this jam/sauce recipe via canning method? I would love to add this spectacular recipe to my pantry.
charm says
The recipe is amazing (if a little to sweet for me; easily rectified though) and the balsamic vinegar really does pack a punch and bring out the strawberry flavour more. I made it along with your cream scones and the resulting strawberry shortcake was wonderful. Thanks loads!!
pita bread says
I love fresh strawberries with balsamic vinegar, but never thought of making a jam like that. I can already see myself eating it with a spoon, lol.
Ashley says
Can you freeze this jam?? As in can you make it a freezer jam without adding pectin? New to jams…thanks.
Rhea says
Holy cow. I just made the sauce and spooned some over ice cream. Insanely good!!! Who knew just adding a little balsamic could turn something already delicious to extraordinary.
Mary says
Alice I made the strawberry and balsamic vinegar jam and it’s delicious, I’m make lots more to use next year for my daughter’s bridal shower as a gift to the guest.
now I’m looking for a orange and lemon jam would you have a great receipe?
Thanks again,
stephchows says
HI! Seriously beautiful pictures! I’m hosting a jam exchange this month and was wondering if you’d like to join in?? I’m trying to gather a whole bunch of people and all it takes is being willing to mail 2 jars of jam to someone. All the info to sign up is here: http://stephchows.blogspot.com/2009/07/jam-exchange.html
Hope you can join in!
jamieofalltrades says
Yes! I really want to make this!
Kamran Siddiqi says
This Jam was off-the-hook good! I made it with the cream scones (which were also AMAZING) and it was as if I were in heaven. The recipe was super easy to follow, and I even took a couple great photos while making the jam.
Also, I would recommend using a good quality balsamic vinegar just because it makes all the difference (I don’t know what it is). I did a test between using a cheaper bottle of balsamic vinegar compared to using a good quality balsamic vinegar (which was just a few dollars extra) and you could taste the difference. Or maybe it was just me…
Out of 5 stars, I would definitely give it a 10 because it was that good. This is a must try recipe!
Michelle says
Mmm. Looks delicious. Your photos make me wish I had some right now.
Alice says
Thanks everyone, I hope you have a chance to make this when local strawberries are still in season!
Lori Lynn says
Strawberry + Balsamic = great pairing
Your jam sounds excellent.
LL
Kevin says
That sauce covered vanilla ice cream looks so good! I am going to have to try a pectin-free jam sometime.
Debbie says
These pictures make me want to lick my computer screen. (Did I just say that out loud?) I love strawberries anyway – and with balsamic vinegar they only get better. These recipes are fantastic – and I’m now adding strawberries to my grocery list so I can make the sauce! I hope there’s enough to share with my family! lol
Peabody says
Looks wonderful. Would love that over yogurt.
Susan from Food Blogga says
I love to make jam like this too. I never have pectin in the cupboard, but I have found that it still comes delicious!
Hummingbird Appetite says
I’ll definitely have to try this!
Zenchef says
I love strawberries & balsamic over a simple panna cotta. Mmmm.. It’s a match made in heaven.
Once or twice, on special occasions, i even used a 50 years old balsamic and THAT was better than.. err.. nevermind! 🙂 Very old balsamic becomes very sweet and syrupy and the flavor is so complex. Hard to describe but incredible.
Nice work Alice. You’re hired! hehe.
Madeline says
Beautiful photos Alice! I just happen to have a whole bunch of strawberries waiting to be made into jam. I was going to go for strawberry rhubarb but I think you just changed my mind 🙂
Nutmeg Nanny says
Delicious! I love the strawberry balsamic combination and I can only imagine how great it taste in jelly form. I love how you spooned it over ice cream too….yum!
Danica says
Wow – how good does that Jam look. I LOVE the idea of using Balsamic in it too!
jenn says
Mmmm… pass me some crusty bread and I’d be happy all day. I love the flavors of strawberry and balsamic vinegar. I never thought to put the two together. I’v’e got to try this out when I next get some strawberries.
Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction says
Looks fantastic! I have been meaning to make something with Balsamic vinegar and strawberries ever since I bought the Rubio Balsamic in Boston. This sounds delicious!
Kamran Siddiqi says
Hi Alice! You’ve done it again. You have me drooling over your posts. You have two great and simple recipes that I am definitely making. Whether it’s for my ice cream, or for a cake that I am planning to make, these great recipes will definitely be put to use.
Great post!