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Healthy Cranberry Strawberry Chia Jam

Cranberry Strawberry Chia Jam is the perfect, hearty combination of tangy and sweet. Don’t just save it for your Thanksgiving table – this cranberry jam recipe is great year round. 

cranberry chia jam recipe in mason jar

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Confession – I don’t cook with cranberries much. I would say I save them exclusively for the month of November, even though I know several cranberry recipes that are healthy and easy. 

That’s when they are in season and when I see them in grocery stores.

Then, I start thinking about healthy fresh cranberry recipes. and making these roasted brussels sprouts and carrots over and over again. 

It’s similar to my relationship with pumpkin puree – I should stock up in the off-season to make my pumpkin apple pie baked oatmeal, pumpkin chili and flourless pumpkin cookies, but I just don’t tend to think about it then.

fresh cranberries in green coliander

But, if I’m being honest, I don’t think cranberries get enough credit. They are pretty darn good, once you get past their tartness and this cranberry jam recipe will make you a believer. 

When you boil them down though (like we’re doing today!), they get a little sweeter and this homemade cranberry jam recipe comes to life.

It’s the perfect blend of cranberry jam and strawberry jam and it’s healthy and tasty. 

Ingredients For Healthy Strawberry Chia Jam

Whether you call this a homemade cranberry jam or strawberry jam recipe, here’s what you need.

  • a bag of fresh or frozen cranberries 
  • pint of strawberries
  • maple syrup or honey
  • chia seeds
  • lemon juice
  • water

You can control the sweetness by testing out how much maple syrup or honey you’d like to add so it can be a healthy low sugar cranberry jam recipe if you want it to. 

clear bowl with mashed strawberry chia jam and mixer

How To Make Cranberry Jam

I’m going to walk you through my simple steps for this cranberry chia jam so you can make this as a snack or for your next Thanksgiving gathering. No need to buy canned cranberry sauce, just make your own chia cranberry sauce instead!

  1. Wash your cranberries and strawberries.
  2. Combine cranberries, strawberries, maple syrup, chia seeds, and lemon juice in saucepan over medium-high heat. Add any water to cover the berries.
  3. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries begin to pop and burst. Then, let the sauce sit and thicken!

The chia seeds help thicken the sauce a little, plus they’re adding some omega 3’s (great for heart health).

It’s kinda fun to hear the cranberries popping once they heat up.

They don’t all have to pop for your sauce to be done. To be honest, I think it’s pretty tasty to have true cranberries mixed in with your strawberry chia jam sauce. 

saucepan with cranberries, strawberries, chia seeds and water

How to Serve Chia Fruit Spread

The addition of chia seeds adds so much texture goodness and nutrition to this strawberry chia seed jam recipe.

It’s almost like a chia jelly, and goes great on crackers, fruit, chocolate and more. It’s a great holiday snack for kids because of this.

Chia seeds are a fabulous way to add some extra fiber, Vitamin C, and heart healthy omega 3’s.

Therefore, you can use it just like you would jelly. Here are some of my favorite ways to use it.

  • Make a peanut butter and chia jelly sandwich – delicious!
  • Hot oatmeal or baked oatmeal topping, or even a way to season high protein overnight oats
  • Layer it on yogurt parfaits
  • Add it to smoothies (some of my favorite greek yogurt smoothie recipes)
  • Add it to toast! I find that when combined with something creamy and high protein (yogurt, ricotta cheese, cottage cheese), it’s a match made in heaven – it’s among the best toast topping ideas!
  • Pancake or waffle topper
  • Water it down as a salad dressing

So many options to think beyond the box with this cranberry chia jam. 

white bowl with oatmeal topped with homemade strawberry chia jam

It just adds a whole new element to my morning oats, even this strawberry baked oatmeal. It’s extra cozy and the texture is hard to beat. 

I like the clumps, but it’s a personal preference. Whether you like the clumps or not, this recipe will not disappoint.

Other Holiday Recipes

mason jar with cranberry strawberry chia jam and fresh cranberries alongside

Please share and tell me what you think if you make this.

Want More Easy Chia Seed Recipes?

You’ll love this cherry chia pudding and this tropical banana chia pudding. Both are easy make ahead oatmeal options.

If you’re into baking, give this Banana chia seed bread with blueberries a try. It’s a tasty twist on banana bread!

Cranberry Strawberry Chia Sauce | Thanksgiving Side
Yield: 6

Cranberry Strawberry Chia Jam

mason jar with cranberry strawberry chia jam and fresh cranberries alongside

This Cranberry Strawberry Chia Jam is the perfect, hearty combination of tangy and sweet. Don't just save it for your Thanksgiving table - this cranberry jam recipe is great all year round. 

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 12 oz. bag fresh or frozen cranberries (about 3.5 cups)
  • 1 pint strawberries
  • 1/2 cup maple syrup or honey
  • 3 Tbsp. chia seeds
  • 1 Tbsp. lemon juice
  • ½ cup water (optional)

Instructions

  1. Wash cranberries and wash and slice strawberries.
  2. Combine cranberries, strawberries, maple syrup, chia seeds, and lemon juice in saucepan over medium-high heat. Add water if needed (just to cover the berries).
  3. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries begin to pop and burst. The sauce will begin to thicken after 15-20 minutes.
  4. Let sauce cool before serving & enjoy!

Notes

You can store in the fridge for up to a week!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 155Total Fat: 2gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 7mgCarbohydrates: 35gFiber: 5gSugar: 25gProtein: 2g

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What’s your favorite way to use fresh cranberries?

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  1. This look so good! I honestly never eat cranberries either. It’s just not a food that I think about buying or eating since they can be so tart.

  2. I’m a big fan of stuffing and corn casserole! This recipe is so creative! I don’t think much about cranberries either but they’re so good!

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