Simple Homemade Plum Jam

Name: Simple Homemade Plum Jam
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 cups pitted and chopped fresh plums; 2 cups granulated sugar; 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

A naturally sweet and glossy plum jam that comes together with just three simple ingredients.

By Recipes By Nani· 🌍 American· July 23, 2026

recipesbynani.com

Prep

15 minutes

Cook

40 minutes

Total

55 minutes

Serves

There is something so special about capturing the flavor of summer in a jar. This plum jam is one of my absolute favorites because it relies on the natural pectin in the fruit rather than any additives from a box. It is the perfect project for a lazy afternoon when you have a bowl of ripe plums sitting on your counter.

Since you do not need to peel the plums, this recipe comes together much faster than you might expect. I love spreading this over warm buttered toast or stirring a spoonful into my morning yogurt. It feels like a little taste of sunshine even in the middle of winter.

🧺 Ingredients

4 cups pitted and chopped fresh plums
2 cups granulated sugar
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

👩‍🍳Instructions

1
Place a small saucer in the freezer so it is ready for testing your jam later.
2
Combine the chopped plums, sugar, and lemon juice in a large heavy bottomed pot.
3
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat while stirring frequently to dissolve the sugar.
4
Reduce the heat and let the jam simmer gently for about 30 to 40 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
5
Once the jam has thickened and looks glossy, take your saucer out of the freezer and drop a small amount of jam onto it.
6
Push the jam with your finger. If it wrinkles and stays in place rather than running like water, it is finished.
7
Remove the pot from the heat and let it cool slightly before carefully pouring the jam into clean jars.
8
Allow the jars to cool completely at room temperature before storing them in the refrigerator.

💡 Tips

Store your jam in the refrigerator for up to three weeks. You can also process the jars in a water bath if you want to keep them on your pantry shelf for longer. This jam tastes even better after it has had a night to set in the fridge.

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