This juicy, fibre-rich strawberry chia jam tastes like candy thanks to a hint of balsamic! Make it with fresh or frozen strawberries in less than 10 minutes.

hand spreading chia jam on toast
Balsamic is the not-so-secret ingredient that makes this easy, flavourful strawberry chia seed jam taste like (not too sweet) candy!

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As you might expect, this plant-based dietitian is absolutely in love with chia seeds. I pop these tiny little gems into any recipe I can, for their protein and soothing soluble fiber.

And this juicy strawberry chia jam is a super simple way to include more of this nutrient-dense seed in your life. At its core, chia jam is really just 2 ingredients – chia seeds and fruit – in a specific ratio of 1 tablespoon of chia to 1 cup of fruit.

Buuuut…I’m not typically someone who leaves well enough alone, And it’s even more delicious to get creative with your flavourings to make something truly crave worthy. So, to make this strawberry chia jam a treat, I’ve added a little splash of balsamic vinegar as well as some vanilla and maple syrup. 

If you’re wondering – um, VINEGAR?!? – strawberry and balsamic is kind of a classic flavour pairing at this point but I promise you…this chia jam doesn’t taste like vinegar AT ALL! Instead, the acidity and syrupy sweetness of balsamic makes this strawberry chia jam taste more like CANDY. It’s magic.

I’ve been known to slather this all over my whole grain rhubarb scones with a little plant-based butter for a wholesome treat!

Speaking of magic, if you are a flavour seeker like me, you might want to check out my book, Plant Magic!

How to make this extra special strawberry chia seed jam

You can make basic chia jam, or you can take 30 seconds more to really build the flavour! I’ve made A LOT of homemade chia jam, and these basic tips will help you make any chia jam even more delicious.

strawberries in bowl with chia seeds
Summer fresh strawberries make this a treat, but you can use frozen too. Use a bit of extra sweetener to balance out less flavourful, less sweet fruit.

Make this – or any chia jam – your own with my 10 minute method.

  • Don’t love the texture of chia? You can totally use ground chia…it will gel even faster than whole chia.
  • Pick your sweetener I like maple syrup here but you can absolutely use any sweetener you like, from cane sugar to monk fruit! If using a dry sweetener, you might like 1-2 tablespoons of water to keep the jam from gelling too firm. Start low, taste and adjust up as needed based on how sweet your fruit is.
  • Use an acid to your advantage. Balsamic gives a rich, jammy, acidic note that adds a candy-like flavour to this chia jam which I think makes it really special!! Want an alternative? 1-2 teaspoons of fresh lemon juice will also liven up the flavour and lime will go nicely with some fruits, like mango.
hand mashing strawberries in pot
Something I do differently is to mash my fruit immediately! The jam cooks quicker, preserving nutrients like vitamin C.
hand adding chia seeds to pot
If the fruit mixture looks a bit dry, you could add a tablespoon of water too.

An important shopping note: Chia seeds are a traditional staple food hailing back to the Mayan and Aztec civilizations and are still widely consumed in the countries where they are grown, including Mexico. For this reason, I really think it’s important to choose a brand of chia that is farmer-focused and pays direct trade or “fair trade” benefits to support the farmers who export this incredible food to us.

hand stirring chia jam
You can use chia seed jam while it is still warm if you want a looser, compote-style spread for use with pancakes, waffles or yogurt.
pouring chia jam into a jar
Or, you can let it come to room temperature and then refrigerate for up to 7-10 days.

Yep, it’s that ridiculously easy! Why wouldn’t you try it?!?

More wonderful easy recipes with chia seeds

hand spreading chia jam on toast

Quick Strawberry Balsamic Chia Seed Jam

12 servings
Prep Time: 3 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 8 minutes
This juicy, fibre-rich strawberry chia jam tastes like candy thanks to a hint of balsamic! Make it with fresh or frozen strawberries in less than 10 minutes.
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Ingredients

  • 2 cups strawberries, fresh or frozen
  • 2 tablespoons chia seeds, whole or ground
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup, or more, to taste, if berries aren't sweet
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla
  • tiny pinch salt
Imperial – Metric

Instructions 

  • Place strawberries in a small sauce pan with salt over medium heat. Using a potato masher or fork, mash the fruit as it heats. When it is heated to fully steaming and looks all juicy and mashed, remove from heat.
  • Mix in balsamic, maple syrup and vanilla, then stir in chia seeds. Let cool for 5 minutes, taste and adjust sweetness if necessary then pour into a jam jar.
  • Enjoy immediately, or let cool to room temperature and refrigerate for up to 10 days.
Cuisine: American
Course: Breakfast, Sauces
Author: Desiree Nielsen, RD

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