We recently moved into our new home, and it has an apricot tree in the backyard. But we didn’t realize that we would get a bountiful harvest of ripened apricots in just two weeks. Since then, we have been enjoying the fresh, light, and juicy apricots. But, when you have too many apricots sitting on your kitchen counter, the best thing you can make with them is apricot jam. Also, this jam is vegan and gluten-free. So here I am sharing the apricot freezer jam I made with those fresh, ripe apricots using my instant pot (pressure cooker). I also made apricot chutney and shared many apricots with friends and neighbors. I usually make jam in the Instant Pot, and I have been enjoying it so far. It is so easy to make without any fuss. I have used only 3 ingredients to make this homemade apricot jam. I did not use pectin or cornstarch to thicken the jam. It is not that I don’t want to use pectin. However, this apricot jam doesn’t require it as it thickens very well.
Apricot Jam vs Preserve
Both jam and preserve are made with fruits, and that’s the only thing they share in common. They have a whole lot of differences in the way they are prepared, stored, and used.
Preserve refers to fruit/veggies that are prepped for long-term storage, whereas jams have a shorter shelf life Jams are made of fruit pulp, and preserves contain huge chunks of fruits The fruit pieces in the preserve are tender and soft, whereas jams are pure pulp Jams are popularly used as a spread, but preserves are typically not due to the presence of chunks.
Ingredients
This homemade apricot jam requires only three ingredients that are easily available:
Fresh, juicy apricots- Have a mix of fresh apricots that are ripe but not too ripe. You will know the ripeness when you feel the apricot. Also, have some unripe apricots in the mix as well, as they will be a little acidic and have pectin; therefore, you don’t need the additional pectin. Sugar– Sugar adds the right amount of sweetness to the apricot jam. It also is a preservative that extends the shelf-life of the jam. Other sugar alternatives could work, too. However, I have only tried making the jam with sugar. Lemon- Lemon helps you tighten the texture of the jam by releasing the right amount of acids, and it balances the sweetness of the sugar. It also prevents the growth of bacteria and keep the jam fresh longer.
To peel or not to peel
I usually use the whole fruit with the peel intact. I personally like leaving the peel on as it comes from the backyard. So, there is no worry about pesticides. Also, the peel adds more vitamins and pectin to the jam and it is less work for me too. But if you want to remove the peel, then boil a large pot of water.
Blanch the apricots in boiling water for just a minute. Then, remove them using a strainer and transfer the apricots to a bowl of cold water. This is called shocking them and helps to remove the peel. Wait for a couple of minutes, and when the apricots are cool to the touch, you can easily peel off the skin.
How to Make?
If you have not peeled the apricots, start the jam preparations by rinsing the apricots well under running water. Pat them dry. Now, cut the apricots in half to remove the seed. If the apricots are big, you can cut them into quarters or even smaller pieces. I had about 6 cups of apricots. Then, add all the apricots to the Instant Pot. Then add sugar and lemon juice to them and stir well. Then, close the Instant Pot lid and let the mixture sit for about 30 minutes. It will help release the juices from the apricots. After 30 minutes, open the lid and stir the apricots well once. They would have released a lot of their juices, and there would be enough liquid in the pot. Now, it is time to make the jam.
Start the Instant Pot and close the lid again in the sealing position. Set the pot to cook on high pressure for 2 minutes. After the cooking time is completed, let the pressure release naturally for 15 minutes. Then, release the pressure manually and open the lid. The apricots may seem watery, but we will sauté and thicken the jam. Use a potato masher to purée the apricots if you are making it as a preserve. If you want to make a jam, you can use a hand blender to make it completely smooth. As I wanted to make jam, I used a hand blender. Again, start the Instant Pot on sauté mode and let it cook for about 5 minutes while stirring frequently. You will see the jam thickening as you stir. Remember, the jam will also thicken as it cools down. Once you get the desired consistency, press cancel and turn off the instant pot.
Let the jam sit in the instant pot and reach room temperature before you transfer it to a jar. After you have transferred it to the jar, refrigerate and enjoy.
How to serve?
Here are some ideas to enjoy this homemade apricot jam:
Spread it generously on top of toasted bread or bagel. Add it as a topping on yogurts, ice cream, or custard. Enjoy it with whipped cream on top of waffles or pancakes. Add it as your cake topping or layers. You can even add it to a flatbread (roti or pita) and make an apricot wrap.
Common Questions
If you liked this 3-ingredient jam recipe, don’t forget to check out my strawberry jam recipe!
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