Easy 2-Ingredient Pineapple Jam Recipe: Sweet, Tart & Ready in 20 Minutes!
Experience the delightful taste of a homemade jam that is both bright and sunny, perfectly balancing sweet and tart notes with juicy bits of real pineapple in every spoonful. If you’ve ever felt intimidated by making jam, this incredibly simple pineapple jam recipe is the ideal place to begin your culinary journey. Requiring just 20 minutes of your time and only 2 readily available ingredients, it’s practically foolproof and guarantees a delicious outcome every single time. Get ready to transform your breakfast or snack time with this effortlessly charming fruit spread.
Are you searching for a little burst of joy to kickstart your day? Our homemade pineapple jam is guaranteed to brighten your morning with its vibrant flavor. Imagine spreading this golden, tropical sunshine onto your warm, crusty toast – it’s an instant mood lifter, bringing the essence of a tropical getaway right to your kitchen table.
A few years ago, I was fortunate enough to inherit all of my grandmother’s cherished canning supplies. This inheritance sparked a vibrant phase of jam, jelly, and canning adventures in my kitchen. I embarked on a canning bonanza, enthusiastically making and preserving everything I could lay my hands on: fresh garden salsa, crisp pickles, an adventurous cherry habanero jam, fiery hot pepper jelly, smooth peach butter, comforting apple butter, delightful pumpkin butter, classic applesauce, tangy gooseberry jam, exotic banana jam, and shimmering kiwi jelly. The sheer volume of homemade jams and jellies was astounding!
However, during this extensive preserving process, I quickly came to realize two significant lessons:
- The cost of canning can quickly add up, especially if you don’t have your own garden to supply fresh produce. Sourcing all the ingredients, plus investing in new jars, lids, and seals just to get started, can be surprisingly expensive.
- I discovered that my pantry space simply wasn’t designed to accommodate such a vast quantity of jam and jelly! Despite my best efforts, I ended up gifting the majority of my delicious creations to friends and family. (And, as an interesting side note, most people kept the jars, reiterating the first point about the cost of supplies!)
While I continue to thoroughly enjoy the process of making jam and jelly, my approach has evolved. I’ve shifted away from the traditional, large-batch recipes designed to feed an army, moving towards more practical, smaller-batch recipes like this one. This change allows for fresh, homemade goodness without the overwhelming commitment of time, space, and resources that comes with extensive canning.
This fantastic pineapple jam recipe is a true game-changer. It takes just 20 minutes to prepare and yields one convenient jar of delicious jam. I absolutely adore this small-batch approach because it makes homemade jam incredibly accessible. Whether you’re cooking for one, an empty-nester, a busy college student, or simply someone who appreciates fresh flavors without excess, one jar of jam is the perfect amount. There’s no need for any special canning equipment, and the cost to make it is typically less than a dollar. This efficiency means you couldn’t even make a trip to the grocery store to buy jam that quickly or that cheaply!
Quick & Easy 2-Ingredient Pineapple Jam
Print
Rate
SaveSaved!
Ingredients for Your Easy Jam
- 1 8 ounce can crushed pineapple (undrained, with its natural juice for flavor and liquid)
- 3/4 cup granulated white sugar (adjust to your preferred sweetness)
Simple Steps to Delicious Pineapple Jam
-
In a small, heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the crushed pineapple (including all its juice) and the granulated white sugar. Stir gently to mix. Bring the mixture to a full, rolling boil over medium-high heat.
-
Once boiling, reduce the heat slightly to maintain a vigorous simmer, and continue to boil for approximately 20 minutes. Be sure to stir frequently to prevent sticking and burning, especially as the jam thickens. The jam is ready when it has reached a thick, spreadable consistency.
-
Carefully pour the hot jam into a clean, sterilized 8-ounce glass jar. Allow it to cool completely at room temperature before covering tightly and storing it in the refrigerator. Enjoy your fresh, homemade pineapple jam!
Nutrition Information (Estimated)
Beyond spreading it on toast, I particularly love using this homemade pineapple jam as a delightful filling to make these pretty pineapple cookies! The vibrant flavor truly shines in baked goods.
Pin this Quick & Easy Pineapple Jam recipe for later!
Why Choose Homemade Pineapple Jam?
There’s a unique satisfaction that comes with making your own food, and jam is no exception. Beyond the sheer ease and speed of this two-ingredient recipe, homemade pineapple jam offers several advantages over its store-bought counterparts. You gain complete control over the quality of ingredients, ensuring no artificial flavors, colors, or unnecessary preservatives are added. Plus, the fresh, bright taste of homemade jam simply cannot be replicated by mass-produced options. It’s an authentic flavor experience that celebrates the natural sweetness and tang of pineapple, giving you a product that feels both wholesome and indulgent.
Tips for Making the Best 2-Ingredient Pineapple Jam
- Choose Quality Pineapple: While canned crushed pineapple is the hero of this recipe, ensure it’s a good quality brand. The flavor of the pineapple is paramount, so start with the best you can find.
- Stir Consistently: Jam can easily stick to the bottom of the saucepan and burn, especially as it thickens. Stirring frequently, almost constantly towards the end, prevents this and ensures even cooking.
- Don’t Overcook: Overcooking can lead to a jam that is too stiff or overly caramelized. Keep an eye on the consistency; it should be thick but still spreadable. Remember, it will continue to thicken slightly as it cools.
- Adjust Sweetness: The 3/4 cup of sugar is a good starting point, but feel free to adjust to your taste. If your crushed pineapple is naturally very sweet, you might use a little less sugar. If you prefer a tarter jam, you could add a tiny splash of lemon juice at the end of cooking for an extra bright note.
- Jar Sterilization: For best results and safe storage, always use a clean, sterilized jar. You can sterilize jars by running them through a dishwasher’s hot cycle or by boiling them in water for at least 10 minutes. This helps prevent spoilage and ensures your jam stays fresh longer in the refrigerator.
Creative Ways to Enjoy Your Homemade Pineapple Jam
While this delightful jam is utterly perfect slathered on classic toast or warm scones, its vibrant tropical flavor makes it incredibly versatile for various culinary applications. Don’t limit yourself to just breakfast!
- Breakfast & Brunch: Aside from toast, try it on pancakes, waffles, French toast, or stirred into oatmeal and yogurt for a burst of tropical flavor.
- Baking & Desserts: Use it as a filling for tarts, cakes, thumbprint cookies (like the pineapple cookies mentioned!), or turnovers. It can also be warmed slightly and drizzled over vanilla ice cream or pound cake.
- Savory Pairings: Pineapple jam pairs surprisingly well with savory dishes. Consider serving it alongside roasted pork, chicken, or duck as a sweet and tangy glaze. It can also elevate a cheese board, offering a fruity contrast to sharp cheeses.
- Beverages & Cocktails: Stir a spoonful into sparkling water or iced tea for a refreshing drink. For a grown-up treat, use it as a mixer in tropical cocktails.
- Marinades & Glazes: Whisk it into a quick marinade for grilled shrimp or chicken, or brush it onto baked ham for a beautiful, flavorful glaze.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2-Ingredient Pineapple Jam
Here are some common questions about making this super simple pineapple jam:
Can I use fresh pineapple instead of canned?
Yes, you absolutely can! If using fresh pineapple, you’ll need to finely crush about 1 cup of fresh pineapple. You might also need to add a tablespoon or two of water or pineapple juice (if available) to ensure enough liquid for the sugar to dissolve and cook down, as fresh pineapple can vary in moisture content. The cooking time might vary slightly.
How do I know when the jam is set and ready?
The easiest way to tell if your jam is set is the “spoon test” or “plate test.” Dip a cold spoon into the jam, lift it, and watch how it drips. If it forms a sheet or a couple of heavy drips that cling to the spoon, it’s likely ready. For the plate test, place a small plate in the freezer for a few minutes. Spoon a small amount of hot jam onto the cold plate, wait 30 seconds, then push it with your finger. If it wrinkles, it’s ready. If it’s too runny, continue to boil for a few more minutes, stirring, and retest.
How long does this pineapple jam last?
Since this is a small-batch, refrigerator jam and not processed using traditional canning methods, it should be stored in the refrigerator. It will typically last for about 2-3 weeks in an airtight, clean jar in the fridge. For longer storage, you can freeze it in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months.
Can I reduce the amount of sugar in the recipe?
Sugar is crucial in jam-making for both sweetness and its role in setting the jam (pectin needs sugar to gel) and preserving it. While you can slightly reduce the sugar for taste, be aware that significantly reducing it might result in a thinner consistency and a shorter shelf life. This recipe is designed to be quick and easy, relying on the sugar to help it thicken without added pectin. If you reduce the sugar too much, you might end up with more of a pineapple sauce than a jam.
What if my jam is too thick or too thin?
If your jam appears too thick after cooling, you can gently reheat it with a tablespoon or two of water or pineapple juice to thin it out to your desired consistency. If it’s too thin, return it to the saucepan and continue to boil and stir for an additional 5-10 minutes, performing the “plate test” periodically until it reaches the desired thickness.
Ready to Make Your Own?
This 2-ingredient, 20-minute pineapple jam recipe is a testament to how simple and rewarding homemade food can be. It’s perfect for gifting, for a special breakfast treat, or just to keep on hand for whenever you need a little taste of the tropics. Don’t hesitate to give this incredibly easy and delicious recipe a try. You’ll be amazed at how quickly you can create something so flavorful and impressive!