Sweet red raspberry preserves are a summer must-have! With just 3 simple ingredients and less than 15 minutes, you can whip up a fresh batch right in the comfort of your own kitchen. Seriously, why settle for store-bought preserves that are mass-produced and packed with harmful additives, some of which aren’t even listed on the label?

What You’ll Need for Raspberry Preserves

Raspberry preserves are a delicious blend of fresh or frozen raspberries, granulated sugar, and lemon juice cooked down until the sugar dissolves and the mixture thickens. The best part? Making preserves is easier than whipping up jams or jellies because you don’t need to fuss over strict temperature controls. In this recipe, we simmer our preserves for just 7 minutes, then test them by dropping a small amount on a cold saucer and chilling it in the freezer for a minute. If they don’t form a crinkly top when cooled, we pop them back on the stove for an extra 1-2 minutes. The entire process takes around 15 minutes—how easy is that?

Key Ingredients for Delicious Raspberry Preserves

• Raspberries: Fresh is always best, but frozen will work too if they’re thawed out first. I get it, fresh berries aren’t always in season, but they pack the best flavor!
• Sugar: Granulated sugar is your go-to here. It not only sweetens the mix but also helps preserve the fruit.
• Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon juice is ideal! It adds that perfect balance of tartness and sweetness to your preserves while acting as a natural preservative.

Step 1: Combine the Ingredients

In a medium saucepan, toss your raspberries, sugar, and lemon juice together. Stir gently to combine everything. The sugar will start to draw out the juices from the raspberries, creating a beautiful, fragrant mixture.

Step 2: Cook the Mixture

Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Stir it occasionally to prevent it from sticking to the bottom. You’ll want to cook this for about 7 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the raspberries to break down.

Step 3: Test for Consistency

After about 7 minutes of cooking, grab a cold saucer (you can pop it in the freezer beforehand). Spoon a small amount of the preserves onto the plate and let it cool for a minute. Then, tilt the saucer. If the preserves hold their shape and have a nice, crinkly surface, they’re ready! If not, continue cooking for another 1-2 minutes and test again.

Storing Your Homemade Raspberry Preserves

Short-term Storage: If you’re making a small batch, just pop the preserves into a jelly jar with a tight lid and store it in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Honestly, they never last that long—they’re that good!

Long-term Storage: For longer storage, process your jars in a water bath canner according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Keep them in a cool, dark place, and they’ll stay fresh for months!

You can also freeze your raspberry preserves! Use either glass jars or plastic containers. If you go the Ziploc bag route, make sure to squeeze out as much air as possible. And if you’re using glass jars, leave a ½ inch headspace for expansion during freezing.

Recipes using Raspberry Preserves

• Smoked Raspberry Barbeque Sauce

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