Jams and jellies aren’t just for toast anymore. With flavors that range from sweet to spicy, and even a little unexpected, these spreads bring some fun to your pantry. Whether you’re adding them to cheese boards, sandwiches, or desserts, there’s a lot more to explore beyond the basic jar of store-bought jelly. These recipes take simple ingredients and turn them into something that’s perfect for mixing things up in the kitchen.
Chinese 5 Spice Plum Jam
Plum jam with a fun kick! The Chinese five spice and rosemary make this one great to spread on crackers with cheese. It’s the perfect combo for summer snacking.
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Jalapeño Mango Jam
Sweet and spicy all in one. This jalapeño mango jam is great for those who want a little adventure with their spread. Perfect with cheese, crackers, or even yogurt!
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Cranberry Ginger Jam
Cranberry jam gets an upgrade with ginger and orange. It’s vibrant, tangy, and perfect for adding some flair to your toast or savory dishes.
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Persimmon Jam
No sugar, no pectin, no problem! This persimmon jam is an easy winter treat, perfect for toast or stirring into yogurt. Makes a great holiday gift too.
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The Best Strawberry Freezer Jam
This strawberry freezer jam is insanely easy. Just 5 ingredients and no cooking! You’ll have a fresh batch ready in 10 minutes, and it lasts a year in the freezer.
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Easy Peach Jam with Maple Syrup
Peach jam sweetened with maple syrup that’s great to enjoy all year long. Super fresh, super simple, and perfect for canning or freezing.
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Slow Cooker Blueberry Butter
Set it and forget it with this slow cooker blueberry butter. A perfect spread that’s slow-cooked to a rich, thick texture with just the right amount of sweetness.
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Raspberry Jam
Classic raspberry jam that’s easy to make with ripe berries at their peak. Spread it on anything, and it’ll remind you of summer long after the season’s over.
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Quick Chia Seed Jam
Super simple chia seed jam made with just three ingredients. It’s sugar-free and ready in no time, perfect for spreading on toast or mixing into oatmeal.
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Sugar-Free Strawberry Rhubarb Jam
This sugar-free strawberry rhubarb jam is just as great as the original. Spread it on anything for a punch of flavor without the extra sugar.
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Mango Jam
This mango jam is all about tropical flavor, made with only mangoes, sugar, and lime. It’s thickened naturally through cooking—no pectin needed.
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Marionberry Jam Recipe
Marionberry jam that’s sweet, smooth, and perfect for preserving all those berries. Great for spreading on toast or dolloping on desserts.
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Slow Cooker Maple Onion Jam
Maple onion jam made easy in the slow cooker. Sweet, savory, and versatile—perfect for sandwiches or as a DIY gift that anyone would love to get.
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Blueberry Rhubarb Jam
Blueberries and rhubarb come together in this no-pectin jam. It’s got just four ingredients and makes a perfect way to keep the flavors of summer around all year.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry Rhubarb Jam
Jalapeño Plum Jelly Recipe
Sweet and spicy jalapeño plum jelly that’s great for everything from crackers to chicken sandwiches. Late summer peppers never tasted this good!
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Huckleberry Sauce
This huckleberry sauce brings out the best in wild berries. Great for spooning over pancakes, spreading on toast, or even drizzling over ice cream for a fun treat.
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Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce
Cranberry sauce in no time, thanks to the Instant Pot. Ready in just minutes and perfect for Thanksgiving turkey or any holiday spread.
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Romanian Pear and Lavender Jam Recipe
Pear and lavender make a surprisingly great combo in this jam. It’s like a modern take on grandma’s recipe, perfect for spreading on toast or gifting to friends.
Get the Recipe: Romanian Pear and Lavender Jam Recipe
Romanian Sugar-Free Plum Jam Recipe
A family classic—this sugar-free plum jam is great for everything from sandwiches to cakes. It’s the perfect way to keep autumn’s bounty around all winter long.
Get the Recipe: Romanian Sugar-Free Plum Jam Recipe
Homemade Lighter Blackberry Curd
This lighter blackberry curd is sweetened with honey and uses less butter for a healthier option. Great for spreading on scones or using as a cake filling.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Lighter Blackberry Curd
Cinnamon Eggplant Jam
Cinnamon eggplant jam? Yep! It’s a fun Middle Eastern spread that makes your whole house smell like the holidays. Perfect for toast or gifting.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Eggplant Jam
Easy Instant Pot Cherry Jam
This Instant Pot cherry jam is a time-saver. Made with everyday ingredients and chia seeds instead of pectin, it’s a perfect spread for toast or desserts.
Get the Recipe: Easy Instant Pot Cherry Jam
Smoked Onion Jam Recipe
Smoked onion jam adds a great depth of flavor to burgers, sandwiches, or appetizers. Perfect for anyone looking to add something different to their next BBQ.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Onion Jam Recipe
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
