Blueberry Thyme Jam

Follow our step-by-step guide on how to make Blueberry Thyme Jam.

1. Step 1

   To start your canning adventure, set up your workspace by placing six empty half-pint jars in a large pot filled with water.

2. Step 2

   Cover the pot and bring it to a lively boil.

3. Step 3

   Once it’s bubbling away, lower the heat to keep the jars warm while you prepare your delicious jam.

4. Step 4

   In a spacious, nonreactive 8-quart pot, combine your crushed blueberries with the bright zest and juice of a lemon.

5. Step 5

   In a small bowl, mix together the sugar and pectin, then stir this sweet blend into the blueberry mixture until everything is well incorporated.

6. Step 6

   Now, turn up the heat and bring your mixture to a vigorous boil.

7. Step 7

   Once it’s bubbling energetically, reduce the heat to medium-high and cook, stirring often, until the volume decreases by at least one-third—this should take about 20 to 25 minutes.

8. Step 8

   Don’t forget to add the fresh thyme leaves after about 18 minutes of cooking for that extra burst of flavor! When your jam reaches the perfect consistency, carefully take one jar out of the canning pot at a time.

9. Step 9

   Using a wide-mouth funnel, ladle the hot jam into the jar, leaving about half an inch of space at the top.

10. Step 10

    To ensure a smooth finish, use a clean wooden chopstick to gently remove any air bubbles, then check the headspace again and add more jam if needed.

11. Step 11

    Wipe the rims of the jars with a clean cloth, place the lids and bands on top (but don’t screw them on too tightly), and return the jars to the canning pot.

12. Step 12

    Cover the pot and bring the water back to a rolling boil.

13. Step 13

    Process the jars for 10 minutes to seal in all that fruity goodness.

14. Step 14

    After the time is up, turn off the heat, remove the lid, and let the jars sit in the cooling water for about 5 minutes—this helps create a good vacuum seal.

15. Step 15

    Once they’ve cooled a bit, transfer the jars to a folded kitchen towel or a wooden cutting board to cool completely.

16. Step 16

    After they’ve cooled down, check the seals; any jars that haven’t sealed properly should be refrigerated and enjoyed soon.

17. Step 17

    Store your sealed jars in a cool, dark place, and they’ll stay fresh and delicious for at least a year.

18. Step 18

    Enjoy the satisfaction of your homemade blueberry jam, perfect for spreading on toast or adding to your favorite recipes!.