Delicious homemade rhubarb jam is a perfect way to use up your spring rhubarb. This jam is so tasty on toast or a sandwich.
Made with just three ingredients: fresh rhubarb and sugar and a bit of fresh-squeezed lemon juice! That's it! No added pectin or other ingredients.
Homemade rhubarb jam
Rhubarb is tart and it lends itself to a variety of dishes. Rhubarb jam is a perfect jam with a bit of tart and a bit of sweetness. This jam is delicious on toast, English muffins, or on a peanut butter sandwich.
Rhubarb is in full season for us right now. I've been making lots of rhubarb recipes lately; rhubarb muffins, rhubarb bread, rhubarb crisp, rhubarb sauce, and my latest is this rhubarb jam.
Three reasons to make this jam:
- Bright, Tangy Flavor
This jam highlights the natural tartness of rhubarb, making it a great addition to toast, muffins, or your favorite baked goods. - A Taste of the Season
Preserve rhubarb’s unique flavor so you can enjoy it long after its growing season ends. - Straightforward and Satisfying
With just a few simple steps, this recipe makes it easy to create a homemade jam that’s versatile and delicious.
Reader Review
I've made this several times and it turns out great every time. Very easy too. I usually leave the cut rhubarb and sugar in the refrigerator overnight. Thanks for the great recipe.
You'll also want to try this strawberry rhubarb jam.
This jam is only made with fresh rhubarb, sugar, and a bit of fresh lemon juice. That's it! There's no added pectin, water or other ingredients.
The trick to making this jam is macerating the rhubarb. Macerating is simply mixing the rhubarb with sugar and allowing the water to be extracted from the rhubarb.
To make rhubarb jam
- Cut up rhubarb into small pieces and place in a bowl
- Add sugar and stir
- Cover for at least 8 hours or overnight
- Add freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Place rhubarb and all juices into a large pot
- Cook over medium-high heat until the mixture begins to boil
- Lower to medium-low heat for about 20 minutes, stirring often
- Continue cooking over low heat until mixture begins to thicken
- Remove from heat and place in a glass container
Testing to see if the jam is done
There are a few different ways to determine if your jam is done. I usually use at least two methods to determine if my jam is fully set.
- Test the temperature of boiling jam using a jelly or candy thermometer.
- The temperature test is the most reliable. However, the exact temperature will vary, depending on your altitude. You will deduct 2° for every thousand feet above sea level. Jam sets at 220° at sea level. I'm at about 2000 feet above sea level and my jam sets between 216° - 218°
- I usually watch my jam with a thermometer and when it starts getting close to 215° I begin doing a sheeting test and then the plate test. I don't like to rely on just one method.
- The spoon test relies on watching the sheeting or drops as they come off the spoon while it is cooking. When the jam first starts boiling it comes off in drops or thin streams.
- When the jam has set, the jam will come off the spoon in more of a sheet.
- Test jam on a plate - scoop out a tablespoonful of jam onto a plate. Allow to cool for a minute and then run the back of a spoon through jam. If the jam stays separated, it is done.
- Tilt the jam - the jam should only have a slight slide
Recipe tips
- Allow enough time for the rhubarb to release all of its juices
- Use all of the juice along with the rhubarb for the jam
- Use a nonreactive pot for cooking the jam. A stainless steel or ceramic-coated pot will work well.
- Keep a close eye the jam while it cooks. Stir the jam often to avoid burning.
The color of rhubarb jam
The color of rhubarb jam varies, depending on your rhubarb. The rhubarb from my garden tends to be more green than red, but my mother-in-law's rhubarb is very, very red. When I use her rhubarb in this jam, my jam also turns out really red.
It can also a light color with a pinkish hue. Sometimes it even turns a drab greenish brown color. Adding a bit of fresh squeezed lemon juice helps keep the color bright.
No matter the color, the taste is always the same. The color of rhubarb does not change the taste. Adding a bit of freshly squeezed lemon juice helps preserve the color.
Recipe Faqs
This batch of jam does not make a large amount. It yields approximately two cups of cooked jam. Since this doesn't make a large amount, I store the jam in the refrigerator. It will last for up to one month in the refrigerator.
If you are making a larger batch and need a way to store it for a longer period, you can freeze the jam or can it into jars and process in a hot water bath.
The color of rhubarb varies from deep red to bright green. Some stalks are both red and green. The taste does not vary with the color.
The color of the rhubarb will affect the color of the jam, but the taste will remain the same.
More delicious homemade jam recipes
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop
Be certain to check out all my homemade jam recipes!
Listen to this recipe in my podcast episode, Making Rhubarb Jam!
Rhubarb Jam Recipe
Equipment
- Stainless Steel Pot
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
Ingredients
- 6 cups rhubarb (chopped)
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice (fresh squeezed)
Instructions
- Place the rhubarb in a large glass bowl. Add sugar and stir to distribute. Cover and let sit for at least 8 hours stirring once or twice to redistribute sugar.6 cups rhubarb, 2 cups sugar
- Place rhubarb and its juice into a nonreactive pot.
- Add lemon juice.1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- Cook over medium high heat until mixture comes to a simmer, about 20 minutes. Stir often.
- Reduce heat to low and continue cooking for another 10 minutes. Stir often to avoid burning.
- Remove jam from heat and allow it to cool for 10 minutes. Transfer jam to a glass canning jar or other storage container. Cover and refrigerate.
Notes
- Allow enough time for the rhubarb to release all of its juices
- Use all of the juice along with the rhubarb for the jam
- Use a non reactive pot for cooking the jam. A stainless steel or ceramic coated pot will work well.
- Keep a close eye the jam while it cooks. Stir the jam often to avoid burning.
- Cooking time will vary depending on your fruit, the pan you are using and your burner.
-
-
There are a few different ways to determine if your jam is done. I usually use at least two methods to determine if my jam is fully set.
-
- Test the temperature of boiling jam using a jelly or candy thermometer.
-
- The temperature test is the most reliable. However, the exact temperature will vary, depending on your altitude. You will deduct 2° for every thousand feet above sea level. Jam sets at 220° at sea level. I'm at about 2000 feet above sea level and my jam sets between 216° - 218°
-
- I usually watch my jam with a thermometer and when it starts getting close to 215° I begin doing a sheeting test and then the plate test. I don't like to rely on just one method.
-
- The spoon test relies on watching the sheeting or drops as they come off the spoon while it is cooking. When the jam first starts boiling it comes off in drops or thin streams.
-
- When the jam has set, the jam will come off the spoon in more of a sheet.
-
- Test jam on a plate - scoop out a tablespoonful of jam onto a plate. Allow to cool for a minute and then run the back of a spoon through jam. If the jam stays separated, it is done.
-
- Tilt the jam - the jam should only have a slight slide
-
-
There are a few different ways to determine if your jam is done. I usually use at least two methods to determine if my jam is fully set.
Nutritional Disclaimer:
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. To obtain the most precise nutritional information in a provided recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the exact ingredients you are using when preparing the recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Deborah March says
Wonderful, simple recipe! I tripled it, with excellent results, four times, so now I have 24 jars of jam to share with friends and family. 🙂 This is definitely my new "go-to" rhubarb jam recipe. Thanks so much!
Kathy says
Thank you so much!!! 🙂
Heidi says
Made this last night. Licked the spoon after filling a jar with it and yummm. Super excited to share it with family this weekend. What is the refrigerated shel life?
Kathy says
Yay!!! So glad you enjoy it. It should last for up to a month stored in the refrigerator. You can also freeze it if you need it to last longer!
Heidi says
Thank you, Kathy!
Karen says
I’m making your jam this week for the first time. The reviews are great so I feel good about being successful in my attempt. Is your rhubarb jam a freezer jam or jam that can be canned and stored?
Kathy says
Hi Karen,
This makes a small batch of jam -only 2 cups. You can store it in your refrigerator or freezer. It can also be canned using a water bath canner.
Let me know how it turns out!
Kathy 🙂
Marlene says
Can the 8 hour timeframe be reduced to 6 hours? Will that change the structure of the jam?
Kathy says
Six hours should be okay. Stir the rhubarb a few extra times and make certain the rhubarb has released a lot of the juice.
Becky McGeorge says
I love rhubarb and am excited to make your jam after reading the comments! I am using frozen rhubarb. Do I need to adjust anything? Thanks!
Kathy says
Using frozen jam isn't a problem. There shouldn't be any adjustments. Don't thaw the rhubarb before using. Just add frozen.
Enjoy 🙂
Nancy says
This jam is amazing. Followed the recipe exactly. Unfortunately, I live in Florida, so I have to hope I can find rhubarb in our grocery stores. I found some today and made this jam. It is so good—not too sweet, set up nicely and has the robust taste of rhubarb. I wish I could grow rhubarb in Florida so I could make more without it costing an arm and a leg. I can tell you I won’t be sharing this jam anytime soon. Lucky for me my husband doesn’t like rhubarb.
Kathy says
Thank you!!! I hope you find an easier way to get rhubarb! Keep those jars hidden!
Kathy 🙂
Vonda clement says
Can you water bath this jelly
Kathy says
Yes! Totally works fine to add to jars and water bath. Check out this post for Blackberry Jam for processing directions. The rhubarb jam will be processed in the same manner.
Valerie says
mine turned green colour, but still a wonderful taste! I am use to the strawberry rhubarb jam my mother is making, and was a little skeptical about using rhubarb alone, but I was proved wrong:-) Now, I just need to make a good loaf of dried fruits and nuts bread to go with it!
Kathy says
Hi Valerie,
Rhubarb varies in color. Some is mostly green with a tinge of red and some is all red. My rhubarb at home produces a mostly green jam, while the rhubarb I get from my mother in law is a deep red color. Both taste the same. Glad you enjoy!
Thank,
Kathy 🙂
Meredith says
The best rhubarb jam recipe I've ever used! I make up a large batch and freeze most of it and take it out as I need it. I made enough to last probably for 8 months and after 3 months I'm having to remake it, that is how much my adult children love it! Might as well just put it on the table and stick a spoon in it! Thank you for the great recipe
Kathy says
I love it!!! It's the best compliment when whatever you make disappears so quickly and they keep coming back for more! Thanks for your lovely comment.
Kathy 🙂
Meredith says
Since rhubarb Is not in season in December I used frozen rhubarb that I had bought in the grocery store, which was hard enough to find, but I found it! I usually use fresh rhubarb but the Frozen turned out just as well as the fresh! Thank you again kathy, exceptional rhubarb recipe and the directions are spot on!
Rose Rockvoy says
I made this a triple batch for a guy that loves rhubarb jam but I added 1 pk strawberry jello to it for the red color since mine was brown/green color. Perfect product.
Kathy says
Thank you! 🙂
Julie says
This was my first time making jam of any kind. It was delicious! Mine is a horrible green/brown color, but it tastes good. When I make this again, I am going to add some cinnamon.
Kathy says
Good for you!!! 🙂 Rhubarb varies in color and often it's more green than red resulting in that drab color. The taste is still amazing though!
Terri says
I'm macerating my rhubarb for my second (doubled) batch! And this one uses my daughter's rhubarb, which is much more red than mine. I'm excited to share the jam with her.
Kathy says
The color of rhubarb varies plant by plant. Mine is a bit more greenish while my mother-in-law's plants are very red.
Enjoy 🙂
Kelly Schlegel says
Can this jam have a hot water bath for extended preservation? My son loves rhubarb and is out of the area, I would like to take it to him in 6 weeks.
Kathy says
Hi Kelly,
Yes, you can preserve this jam with by using a hot water bath. I have steps to preserve jam in this Blackberry Jam recipe. I hope your son enjoys it! 🙂
Kathy
Kelly Schlegel says
Made this recipe for my Military Son, he loves Rhubarb. I admit I tried it and it is wonderful!
Kathy says
You always have to give it a try! I'm so glad your son will get to enjoy this when you go to visit! What a lovely treat to bring him! Please thank him for his service to our country! 🙂
Rickey says
Thanks for this excellent recipe! It looks greenish brown but tastes fabulous.
Kathy says
Hi Rickey,
The color of the rhubarb stalks will determine the color of the jam. My rhubarb sauce recipe I also have is much more on the greenish side. This jam is from stalks from my mother-in-law and they turn the jam the lovely red. The color is still the same though! Thanks so much for your comment! 🙂
Kathy
Heather says
At what point is the lemon juice added?
Kathy says
Hi Heather,
Add the lemon juice after you have let the rhubarb sit to let all the juices form and just before you begin to heat the jam. It looks like I included this step in the directions in the post but not in the recipe card itself. Thanks for letting me know - I'll add it now!
Kathy 🙂
Steve P says
110 - 115 degrees? Did you mean 210-215 degrees F?
Kathy says
Oh my goodness! Yes!!! I will correct that right away. Thank you so much for catching that! 🙂
David @ Spiced says
I love homemade jam! I haven't made any in ages, though, and this recipe is totally making me want to hit the kitchen. I've never made (or had) rhubarb jam, but it sounds awesome. (Thanks for the macerating tip there!) Robbie loves to spread jam on his bread, and we've been baking bread like crazy lately. Now it's time to make some jam I think! 🙂
Alex says
I just love homemade jam so much - I cannot wait to try this recipe!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
With our weather, our rhubarb is always a little later to the party. When it is ready to harvest, this would be a delicious use for it! Perfect on my morning toast with butter!
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
Nothing better than homemade jam during the summer Kathy! And I love rhubarb!
Kathy says
Thanks, Mary Ann!