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Easy Fresh Peach Jam with Vanilla Bean

easy fresh peach jam - featured image

A simple, small-batch peach jam recipe infused with vanilla bean, no pectin needed, perfect for capturing summer’s sweetness with minimal fuss.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups (600g) fresh peaches, peeled, pitted, and chopped
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
  • 1 whole vanilla bean, split lengthwise
  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) water

Instructions

  1. Wash and peel about 3 cups (600g) of peaches by scoring the skin, dipping in boiling water for 30 seconds, then plunging into ice water. Pit and chop into roughly 1/2-inch pieces.
  2. Split the vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape out the seeds. Reserve both seeds and pod.
  3. In a medium saucepan, combine chopped peaches, granulated sugar, water, lemon juice, vanilla seeds, and the scraped pod. Stir gently.
  4. Place the pan over medium heat and bring to a gentle boil, stirring frequently. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered, stirring every few minutes to prevent sticking, for about 25-30 minutes until peaches break down.
  5. Test the jam consistency by placing a spoonful on a chilled plate; if it wrinkles when pushed with a finger, it is ready. If not, continue simmering and testing every 5 minutes.
  6. Remove and discard the vanilla pod once the jam reaches the right thickness.
  7. Spoon the hot jam into sterilized jars, leaving about 1/4 inch headspace. Let cool at room temperature before sealing and refrigerating.

Notes

Use firm, ripe peaches for best texture and natural pectin. Lemon juice is essential for balancing sweetness and aiding thickening. Stir frequently to prevent burning. The jam thickens as it cools. For a smoother texture, pulse briefly in a blender after cooking. Variations include adding fresh herbs, berries, or spices. Frozen peaches can be used if thawed and drained well.

Nutrition

Keywords: peach jam, vanilla bean jam, small batch jam, homemade preserves, no pectin jam, fresh peach jam, easy jam recipe, summer jam