Ingredients

Scale

Here’s a breakdown of what goes into this sweet, smoky jam and why each ingredient matters.

For the Jam

4 cups fresh sweet cherries, pitted and halved — The star of the recipe, providing juicy, natural sweetness and vibrant color.
2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, finely minced — Adds smoky, spicy depth that balances the sweetness of the cherries.
1 tbsp adobo sauce — Reinforces the smoky, tangy flavor of the chipotle peppers throughout the jam.
3½ cups granulated sugar — Provides the sweetness essential to the jam’s texture and helps it set properly with the pectin.
¼ cup honey — Adds a rich, floral sweetness alongside the granulated sugar.
¼ cup fresh lime juice — Adds bright acidity that balances the sweetness and helps activate the pectin.
1 tbsp lime zest — Contributes fresh, aromatic citrus flavor throughout the jam.
1 packet (1.75 oz) powdered fruit pectin — Helps the jam set to the proper thick, spreadable consistency.
¼ tsp kosher salt — Enhances all the other flavors in the jam.
½ tsp smoked paprika (optional, for deeper smoky flavor) — Reinforces the smokiness from the chipotle peppers.
1 tsp vanilla extract (optional) — Adds a subtle, rounded sweetness to the finished jam.

Instructions

This recipe follows a classic jam-making process. Here’s exactly how to make it from start to finish.

Step 1: Prep the Cherries

Wash, pit, and halve the cherries, collecting any juices released during the process.

Step 2: Mash the Cherries

Place the cherries and their juices into a large heavy-bottomed saucepan or Dutch oven and gently mash about half of the fruit with a potato masher, leaving some larger pieces intact for texture.

Step 3: Add the Remaining Ingredients

Stir in the minced chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, honey, lime juice, lime zest, kosher salt, and smoked paprika if using.

Step 4: Cook the Cherries

Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the cherries soften and release their juices, about 6–8 minutes.

Step 5: Prepare the Pectin

In a small bowl, whisk the powdered fruit pectin with ¼ cup of the granulated sugar to help prevent lumps from forming when added to the hot mixture.

Step 6: Add the Pectin

Stir the pectin mixture into the cherry mixture and bring everything to a full rolling boil.

Step 7: Add the Remaining Sugar

Add the remaining granulated sugar all at once, stirring constantly until completely dissolved.

Step 8: Boil to Set

Continue boiling vigorously for 1–2 minutes, stirring continuously. This step is essential for activating the pectin and achieving the proper jam consistency.

Step 9: Remove from Heat

Remove the jam from the heat and skim off any foam from the surface if desired.

Step 10: Add Vanilla

Stir in the vanilla extract, if using, once the jam is off the heat.

Step 11: Adjust the Texture

For a smoother jam, pulse a few times with an immersion blender. For a chunkier, preserve-style jam, simply leave some cherry pieces intact.

Step 12: Jar the Jam

Ladle the hot jam into clean, sterilized half-pint jars, leaving about ¼ inch of headspace at the top of each jar.

Step 13: Cool or Process

For refrigerator jam, allow the jars to cool completely before sealing and refrigerating. For shelf-stable storage, process the sealed jars in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes (adjusting for altitude if necessary), then cool completely before storing.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes

Nutrition

Serving Size: About 48 tablespoons (approximately 6 half-pint jars)
Calories: 50 per tablespoon