This recipe will walk you through the process of making grape jelly from grapes if you’ve ever wondered how. This homemade grape jelly is a sweet and tangy treat that tastes well spread on toast or mixed with peanut butter for a traditional sandwich. It is especially delicious when made from concord grapes. You can also check the homemade strawberry jam canning recipe if you are looking for a delicious and tempting spread to enjoy on toasts n the morning.
Ingredients
- 5 pounds of Concord grapes
- 7 cups of sugar
- 1 packet of pectin
- 1/4 cup of lemon juice
- Equipment:
- Large pot
- Potato masher
- Cheesecloth or fine strainer
- Canning jars with lids
- Hot water bath canner
Instructions
- First, give your Concord grapes a thorough cleaning by removing the leaves and stems.
- Place the cleaned grapes in a large pot to make the grape juice. Press the grapes firmly to release their juices with a potato masher. Add enough water to cover the grapes completely.
- Over high heat, bring the mixture to a boil and then lower the heat to a simmer. Cook, stirring frequently, until the grapes are tender, about 10 minutes.
- To extract the grape juice from the grape pulp, pass the mixture through a cheesecloth or fine strainer into a different, larger pot. After letting it drain well, press the cheesecloth to extract as much juice as possible.
Prepare the jelly
- Transfer the filtered grape juice into a big pot measuring roughly 5 cups. Mix in the pectin after adding it. Stirring continuously, bring the mixture to a rolling boil over high heat.
- When the juice hits a rolling boil, immediately add the sugar. Once the sugar has dissolved fully, stir and bring the mixture to a rolling boil. Remove from heat after one minute of vigorous boiling.
- As the jelly is cooking, prepare the jars by sterilizing your canning jars. Soak them for ten minutes in a warm tub of hot water to achieve this.
- Leave the jars in the hot water until the time comes to fill them. Carefully spoon the hot jelly into the sterilized jars, leaving about 1/4 inch of headspace at the top. To clean up any spills, use a clean, moist towel to wipe the jar rims. After putting the jar lids on, tighten the bands with a fingertip.
Process the Jars
- Put the filled jars in a canner set over a hot water bath.
- Ensure the jars have been placed in at least one inch of water.
- After bringing the water to a boil, cook for ten minutes. Here are some steps for water bath canning.
To cool and store
- Remove the jars from the water bath and set them aside on a towel.
- Let them sit for a whole day without touching them.
- Verify the seals; when pressed, the lids shouldn’t move. Keep the sealed jars in a dark, cool place.
- Refrigerate and use any jars that did not seal properly first.
Tips and Variations
Use the same procedure if you’d want to try other grape kinds, including muscadine. The type of grape will have a modest impact on the taste.
How to make concord grape jelly
This recipe uses explicitly concord grapes for their unique flavor and deep purple color.
How to prepare grape jelly with muscadine
Though the steps are identical, muscadine grapes have a different flavor profile and thicker skin.
Meatballs with grape jelly
While not included in this recipe, grape jelly can play a significant role in savory and sweet meatball recipes.
Enjoy Your Homemade Grape Jelly
It’s satisfying to make your concord grape jelly at home. You get to experience the delight of making a delectable spread from scratch and tasting the freshest delicacies. This homemade grape jelly is a great present for friends and family, or it can be enjoyed for breakfast. Savor the tart and sweet flavors of summer all year long!
