Homemade Honey Strawberry Preserves
These homemade honey strawberry preserves are rich, sweet, and bursting with fresh strawberry flavor with warm notes of vanilla bean paste. This easy small-batch preserves recipe is perfect for brunch or desserts.
Equipment
- Heavy-bottomed saucepan
- wooden spoon
- Potato masher
- Half-pint jars
- Jar funnel
- Candy thermometer (optional)
Ingredients
- 4 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and chopped
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 teaspoon vanilla bean paste (or 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract)
- 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine strawberries, sugar, honey, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Stir well and let sit for 30 minutes to release the strawberry juices.
- Transfer the strawberry mixture to a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Stir in the vanilla bean paste, balsamic vinegar, and salt.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring often.
- Reduce heat slightly and simmer for 30-45 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent sticking.
- Mash some of the strawberries with the back of a spoon or a potato masher while leaving some chunks for texture.
- Place a small plate in the freezer for a few minutes. Spoon a little preserves onto the cold plate. If it wrinkles slightly when pushed, it’s ready.
- Carefully spoon hot preserves into sterilized jars, leaving about ¼ inch headspace.
- Store in the refrigerator or process in a water bath for shelf-stable preserves.
Notes
- The preserves thicken more as they cool.
- Vanilla extract creates a smoother flavor while vanilla bean paste adds richness and texture.
- These preserves are incredible layered into cakes or spooned over ice cream.
- For deeper flavor, let the strawberries macerate overnight in the refrigerator before cooking.