Preserving the flavors of summer is easier than you might think, and these jams, pickles, and preserves are the perfect way to do it. With just a few simple ingredients, you can enjoy the taste of ripe fruits and fresh vegetables long after the season has passed. Whether you’re new to preserving or looking for new ideas, these recipes have you covered. Get ready to keep summer in your pantry all year round.
The Easiest 3-Ingredient Blueberry Refrigerator Jam
This blueberry refrigerator jam is made with just three ingredients and takes about 20 minutes to prepare. It’s sweet, fruity, and perfect for spreading on toast or stirring into yogurt. The combination of blueberries, sugar, and lemon juice brings out a deep, rich flavor. It’s a simple way to capture the essence of summer berries without the need for canning.
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Mexican Quick Pickles
These Mexican quick pickles come together in about 30 minutes, offering a crisp and tangy flavor. They’re made with a mix of fall vegetables like carrots and radishes, marinated in vinegar, sugar, and spices. The pickles add a punch of acidity to salads or sandwiches. This recipe is ideal for when you need a fast, flavorful condiment.
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Tunisian Quince Preserves
These Tunisian quince preserves are a delightful mix of sweet and tart, made in about an hour. The main ingredients are quince, sugar, and lemon juice, which create a fragrant and thick preserve. This spread is perfect for pairing with cheeses or slathering on bread. It’s a traditional way to enjoy quince throughout the year.
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Pepita Salsa Macha
This pepita salsa macha is a spicy and nutty sauce that takes about 20 minutes to make. It’s crafted from pumpkin seeds, dried chilies, and garlic, blended with olive oil. The result is a rich, smoky flavor with a satisfying crunch. Use it to top tacos, grilled meats, or roasted vegetables for a bold kick.
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Chunky Canned Italian Tomato Sauce
This chunky Italian tomato sauce is made with ripe tomatoes, garlic, and basil, ready in about an hour. It has a thick, hearty texture perfect for pasta or as a base for other dishes. The flavors are robust and comforting, ideal for capturing summer’s tomato bounty. Canning this sauce lets you enjoy fresh, homemade flavors year-round.
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Tangy Kumquat Jam
This tangy kumquat jam combines the unique flavor of kumquats with sugar and water, ready in about 45 minutes. The small citrus fruits give the jam a bright, zesty taste with a hint of bitterness. It’s perfect for spreading on toast or serving with cheese. This recipe is a vibrant way to preserve the sunny taste of kumquats.
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Homemade Date Syrup (Silan)
This homemade date syrup, or silan, takes about 45 minutes to prepare and is made from just dates and water. It’s thick, sweet, and has a rich caramel-like flavor. Perfect as a natural sweetener for baking, drizzling over pancakes, or mixing into drinks. This syrup is a versatile and healthier alternative to refined sugars.
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Homemade Kosher Dill Pickles
These homemade kosher dill pickles take about 10 minutes to prepare, but need a few days to ferment. They’re made with cucumbers, garlic, and dill, creating a classic, tangy flavor with a crunchy texture. The pickles are perfect for sandwiches, burgers, or snacking straight from the jar. Fermenting them at home ensures they’re fresh and full of flavor.
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Homemade Tomato Sauce for Canning (Sugo)
This homemade tomato sugo is a rich and savory sauce made with tomatoes, onions, and garlic, ready in about an hour. It’s smooth and perfect for pasta or pizza, preserving the flavors of summer tomatoes. Canning this sauce allows you to enjoy a taste of summer all year long. The sauce is versatile and can be used in countless dishes.
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Greek-Style Marinated Cheese Curds
These Greek-style marinated cheese curds are ready in about 10 minutes, though they develop more flavor after marinating. Made with fresh cheese curds, olive oil, and herbs, they offer a tangy and savory bite. The marination process infuses the curds with a Mediterranean flair. They’re perfect for salads, antipasto platters, or snacking on their own.
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Quick Pickled Jalapeno Peppers
These quick pickled jalapeno peppers take just 15 minutes to prepare and are made with jalapenos, vinegar, and spices. They offer a spicy, tangy kick to tacos, sandwiches, or nachos. The pickles retain a crisp texture and vibrant green color. This quick recipe is perfect for when you need a fast, flavorful garnish.
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Beatrice’s Icelandic Pickled Beets
These Icelandic pickled beets are made in about 30 minutes and combine beets, vinegar, and sugar for a sweet and tangy flavor. The deep color and earthy taste make them a great side dish or salad topping. The pickling process preserves the beets’ natural sweetness. These beets are a tasty way to enjoy a classic Icelandic treat.
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Spicy Garlic Dill Pickles
These spicy garlic dill pickles are ready in about 10 minutes, but need a few days to develop their full flavor. Made with cucumbers, garlic, and hot peppers, they offer a zesty, spicy crunch. The pickles are perfect for adding heat to sandwiches or as a snack. Fermenting at home gives them a fresh, vibrant taste.
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Clean Raspberry Preserves with Honey
These raspberry preserves with honey take about 30 minutes to prepare and use just raspberries, honey, and lemon juice. The result is a naturally sweet and tart preserve with a hint of floral honey flavor. Perfect for spreading on toast, adding to yogurt, or using in desserts. This recipe is a clean and simple way to enjoy summer raspberries.
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Spicy Homemade Green Hot Sauce
This spicy green hot sauce is made in about 20 minutes using fresh green chilies, garlic, and vinegar. It has a fiery, tangy flavor that adds heat to tacos, eggs, or grilled meats. The sauce has a smooth texture and bright green color. It’s a quick and easy way to preserve the heat of summer’s chili harvest.
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Quick-Pickled Russian Sauerkraut
This quick-pickled Russian sauerkraut takes about 20 minutes to prepare and uses cabbage, vinegar, and spices. It has a tangy, slightly salty flavor with a satisfying crunch. The sauerkraut is perfect for topping sausages, sandwiches, or serving as a side. This quick version offers the traditional taste of sauerkraut without the long fermentation time.
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Apricot Thyme Jam
This apricot thyme jam takes about 45 minutes to make and combines fresh apricots, sugar, and thyme. The jam has a sweet, slightly herbal flavor that pairs well with cheeses or toast. It’s a unique twist on traditional fruit jams, capturing the essence of summer apricots. This recipe is a great way to preserve the vibrant flavor of apricots.
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Homemade Vanilla Extract
This homemade vanilla extract is simple to make, taking about 10 minutes to prepare, though it requires several weeks to fully develop. Made with vanilla beans and alcohol, it has a deep, rich flavor perfect for baking or cooking. The extract improves over time, intensifying its aroma. Making your own ensures a pure and potent vanilla flavor.
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Mustard Garlic Scape Pickles
These mustard garlic scape pickles take about 20 minutes to prepare and combine garlic scapes, mustard seeds, and vinegar. They have a tangy, slightly spicy flavor with a crunchy texture. The pickles are perfect for adding to sandwiches, charcuterie boards, or as a snack. This recipe is a creative way to preserve garlic scapes at their peak.
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Ground Cherry Jam
This ground cherry jam takes about 45 minutes to make and uses ground cherries, sugar, and lemon juice. The jam has a sweet, tropical flavor with a hint of tartness. It’s great for spreading on toast, serving with cheeses, or using in desserts. This recipe is a delicious way to preserve the unique taste of ground cherries.
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Simple, Clean Apple Butter
This simple, clean apple butter takes about an hour to make and is made with apples, cinnamon, and a touch of sweetener. It has a smooth, spreadable texture and a warm, spiced flavor. Perfect for spreading on toast or adding to oatmeal. This recipe is a wholesome way to enjoy the flavors of autumn apples.
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Aji Picante
This aji picante sauce is made in about 15 minutes and combines fresh hot peppers, cilantro, and vinegar. It has a bright, spicy flavor that’s perfect for topping grilled meats, empanadas, or adding to soups. The sauce has a thin, pourable consistency and vibrant green color. This quick recipe captures the heat and freshness of summer chilies.
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