How to Make Sugarless Grape Jelly Jam Out of Concord Grapes

Sugar-free grape jelly is ideal for reduced-calorie lifestyles.

Avoiding or reducing the amount of sugar you consume is challenging. It can be hard to find the foods you love in sugarless versions. Making your own sugar-free foods saves you money and allows you to eat your favorite foods without compromising your health. Concord grape jelly is easily made sugar-free by substituting a sweetener for the usual amount of sugar. The resulting jelly is suitable for diabetic or calorie-reduced lifestyles.

Things You'll Need

• 10 cups Concord grapes, washed
• 2 large bowls
• Potato masher
• Jelly strainer
• Large pot
• 4 cups sweetener, e.g., Splenda, stevia
• 1 packet no-sugar pectin, e.g., Sure Jell, Pomona Universal Pectin, Jarden No-Sugar
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• Wooden spoon
• Funnel
• Jam jars, sterilized
• Ladle
• Canning pot
• Water
• Jar tongs

Instructions

1. Put the clean grapes into a bowl and crush with the potato masher. Extract as much juice as possible by mashing the fruit thoroughly.

2. Place a large bowl under the jelly strainer. Slowly pour the crushed fruit through the jelly strainer. This apparatus uses a fine mesh to strain out the large particles from the the juice. After straining, you will have a bowl of fresh Concord grape juice.

3. Transfer the juice to a large pot and heat over medium heat. Stir in the sweetener, pectin and lemon juice and bring to a full boil.

4. Boil the jelly for five to 10 minutes to allow the mixture to reduce and thicken. After 10 minutes of boiling, remove the pot from the heat and allow to stand for five minutes.

5. Place the funnel into the top of your first sterilized canning jar. Ladle the boiled jelly into the jars, leaving 1/4 inch of space at the top of each jar.

6. Screw the lids onto the jars tightly. Meanwhile, fill the canning pot with water and bring to a boil.

7. Use the jar tongs to lower each jelly jar down into the boiling water. Boil the jars for five minutes to seal them properly then use the tongs to carefully remove each one.

8. Allow the jars to cool then store or eat within 12 months.

Tips & Warnings

• Always use a no-sugar pectin with sweeteners. Regular pectin will not jell the jelly properly without sugar. Find no-sugar pectin at your local grocery store.

References

• Sugar Free Recipes: Making Your Own Sugar Free Jam
• Pick Your Own: How to make Jam With Splenda Instead of Sugar
• Diabetic Lifestyle: Making Sugar-Free Jams & Jellies