Description
This homemade grape jelly recipe transforms fresh red grapes into a delightful, smooth jelly perfect for spreading on toast or using in desserts. Using fresh grapes cooked gently and combined with jam sugar and lemon juice, this jelly offers a natural fruity flavor with a balanced sweetness and a hint of tartness.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 1kg red grapes, preferably with seeds (stripped from the stalks)
- 450g jam sugar (with added pectin)
- Juice of 1 lemon
Instructions
- Cook the grapes: Place the grapes in a large saucepan over low heat, cover, and let them gently cook for 5 minutes until the juices start to run from the grapes.
- Mash the grapes: Use a potato masher or fork to crush the grapes, then continue cooking for about 10 more minutes, mashing occasionally until the grapes are falling apart and very soft.
- Strain the juice: Line a sieve with a clean tea towel or kitchen cloth and set it over a bowl. Pour the cooked grape mixture into the cloth and allow it to drip through for at least 1 hour or preferably overnight to extract the juice.
- Measure and combine: Measure out approximately 600ml of grape juice into a pan. Add the 450g of jam sugar and juice of 1 lemon to the pan.
- Cook the jelly: Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over high heat, skimming off any scum that forms. Continue boiling until the temperature reaches 105°C on a sugar thermometer, or perform a wrinkle test by placing a small plate in the freezer, dropping some jelly on it, and checking if it wrinkles after 1 minute.
- Jar the jelly: Pour the hot jelly into sterilized jars while still boiling hot. Seal the jars and allow them to cool. The unopened jelly will keep for up to 3 months.
Notes
- Using grapes with seeds adds extra natural pectin, aiding the jelly’s set.
- Letting the grape mixture drain overnight yields clearer juice and a better set jelly.
- Jam sugar already contains pectin, which removes the need for additional gelling agents.
- Ensure jars are fully sterilized to prevent spoilage and extend shelf life.
- The wrinkle test is a traditional method to check jelly readiness if you don’t have a sugar thermometer.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Preserves
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: grape jelly, homemade jelly, grape preserves, jam sugar, fruit jelly, easy jelly recipe
