Ingredients
3 lbs (about 7–8) very ripe peaches, peeled, pitted, and roughly chopped (about 8 cups fruit)
3 tbsp fresh lemon juice (divided)
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
5 cups sugar*
1/2 tsp lemon zest
1/2 tsp freshly grated ginger
3 tbsp powdered pectin (about half of a 1.75 oz packet)
3 jalapeño peppers**
*Adjust sugar depending on sweetness of peaches. Less sugar shortens shelf life if canning.
**Leave seeds/membranes in peppers for more heat, or remove for a milder jam.
Instructions
- Place a small plate in the freezer for testing jam consistency later.
- If canning, sterilize jars and lids in boiling water, then keep hot until ready to fill.
- Peel peaches: blanch in boiling water for 30 seconds, transfer to cool water, slip skins off, then pit and chop. Place fruit in a large non-reactive pot.
- Add 2 tbsp lemon juice, vinegar, sugar, zest, ginger, and pectin to peaches. Stir and let sit 10–15 minutes.
- Finely chop jalapeños in a food processor (remove seeds for less heat). Add to pot.
- Heat mixture over high heat, mashing peaches with a potato masher. For smoother jam, puree before heating.
- Bring to a full boil. Cook 5–10 minutes, stirring and skimming foam. Test consistency by placing a spoonful on chilled plate. Cook longer if needed.
- When set, remove from heat and stir in remaining 1 tbsp lemon juice.
- Ladle hot jam into jars, leaving 1/2-inch headspace. Wipe rims, seal with lids.
- (Optional canning) Process jars in boiling water bath for 6–8 minutes. Let cool undisturbed until sealed.
Notes
- Jam will taste spicier when hot; it mellows after 24–48 hours.
- Adjust heat by leaving more or fewer jalapeño seeds/membranes.
- If using very sweet peaches, reduce sugar slightly. If using tart or underripe peaches, keep full sugar amount.
- If jam is too loose, cook longer or use more pectin.
- Non-canned jam keeps in fridge for a couple months; canned jam lasts up to 1 year.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Preserves & Jam
- Method: Stovetop, Canning optional
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tbsp
- Calories: 48
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 1 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: undefined
- Trans Fat: undefined
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 0.2 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg