I’ve spent most of my life enjoying strawberry jam with high fructose corn syrup in it. As a fan of diners, Waffle House, Cracker Barrel, and Eat ‘n Park, I admittedly romanticize the stuff. Some sugary strawberry jam on white toast is the perfect compliment to the classic diner breakfast. However, I have begun to appreciate the fancy stuff too. Some artisanal strawberry jam and triple-cream cheese on a baguette makes an excellent, heightened version of the diner toast I hold dear. Point is, jam exists on a spectrum, y’all. And both ends of it are delicious.
For this taste test, we took into consideration not just taste, but also price and function. A lot of jams out there cost a pretty penny, but are they actually worth the money? Bring us a good strawberry flavor with a sweet, fruity, and tart flavor profile. Be spreadable, too. If jam is too thin, it kind of loses its practicality. Don’t try to reinvent the wheel, jam. Just be jam. If you did that, then you made this list.
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- St. Dalfour Strawberry Fruit Spread
St. Dalfour may sound like a French prison or a private island owned by Jeff Bezos, but make no mistake, this strawberry jam is downright delicious. Tasty, tart, sweet, and fresh, it took our number one spot with ease. This jam just feels like it was made from fresh strawberries. It’s got a nice, grainy strawberry seed texture to it. As I write this, I swear I can actually hear managing editor Gwynedd Stuart eat it. Basically, this feels like strawberry preserves made by a grandmother, not some homogeneous, Jello-like substance made in a stainless steel vat. Not that there’s anything wrong with uber-processed strawberry jam, but when you taste the good stuff, you get attached.
Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Amazon
- Crofter’s Strawberry Organic Spread
Sometimes strawberry jam makes you feel like you’re drowning in sugar, as if you just ate a bunch of candy—not Crofter’s, though. This spread has the signature fruity tartness of a fresh strawberry, and none of the added garbage. There’s a very short list of ingredients on this jar, and that’s good! Plus, it’s relatively accessible and affordable (as all food should be).
Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Amazon
- Trappist Strawberry Preserves
This has a jiggly, clear, gelatinous quality to it. It’s also one of the brightest, most citrus-forward jams on this list. There’s big strawberry chunks in here, too, if that’s your thing. Personally, I appreciate any added texture in a good strawberry jam. Without a doubt, though, the thing we loved most about this jar of strawberry preserves was just how much it tastes like strawberry. The flavor isn’t fake; it’s pure and intense. The cost is pretty high, but it’s an excellent jam that’s worth the extra scratch.
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- Smucker’s Strawberry Preserves
This one contains high fructose corn syrup, but hey, live a little! Smucker’s is a classic and consistently delicious. It’s got big honkin’ strawberry chunks in it, and a good-ass tang to boot. It’s also got that crunchy, seedy texture going for it. This jam is gelatinous, decadent, delicious, and fresh tasting (even if it’s probably the most processed on the list). Smucker’s is a beloved American brand with a nostalgic flavor reminiscent of a classic diner breakfast. It’s the jam you put on your toast when you hit the 24-hour diner for a late night meal after the bars close.
Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Target
- Dickinson’s Pure Seedless Pacific Mountain Strawberry Preserves
There’s an oiliness to Dickinson’s that gives it an extra bit of opulence. It’s luxurious and rich, with a deep strawberry flavor that isn’t bogged down by an excessive amount of sugar. I love this jam for toast, but I would also throw it on pancakes, waffles, a croissant, my hand, etc. It’s damn good, and a little on the pricey side, but hey, you pay for good products. Plus, it’s the official strawberry jam of Cracker Barrel. That place where you can sit in an old chair and play checkers just like your grandmother!
Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Amazon
- Bonne Maman Strawberry Preserves
I buy this brand of strawberry preserves quite often and I think that means I’m a fool for marketing. Somehow, the name “Bonne Maman” entices me every time. When I see French words, I hand over my money. I’m a chump like that. Still, I think Bonne Maman is a quality product, if not a bit too sweet. They use cane sugar and regular sugar, and it’s even sweeter than Smuckers, if you ask me. But there’s no high fructose corn syrup, if you’re watching that sort of thing. It comes in a cute jar, too. Man, this one might be all branding.
Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Walmart
- Giusto Sapore Imported Italian Strawberry Jam
Giusto Sapore Italian strawberry jam is excellent, but it’s a bit pricey. It’s a gentle jam, not overpowering, and has a real applesauce-like texture to it. The texture is unique, but it works. The flavor is fresh, understated, and you can tell they use good quality sugar, too. A customer review on Amazon says, “Italy does it again.” I agree, Michael DeRiggi! This one is different, but I think you should try it. I’d slap it on any hot breakfast item, like a pancake, waffle, or slice of French toast.
Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Amazon
- Chia Smash Strawberry Jam
This is a weird strawberry jam, as it’s very, very liquidy and chock-full of chia seeds. However, it’s vegan, paleo, has no added sugar, and is diabetic-friendly! Despite all of those things working against it, it’s still fruity and tart like a good jam should be. There’s some dates in here, too, adding a hint of sweet, caramel flavor. I like the taste and depth of flavor, but not the texture. It’s just too runny. But you could hide it in a smoothie to add some nice strawberry flavor.
Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Amazon
Best of the Best
Best Organic
Best Citrus Forward
Best Ol’ Reliable
Best Seedless
Best Sugary
Best Italian
Best No Sugar Added
Other products we tried: Welch’s, Knott’s Berry Farm, Great Value, D’Arbo, Market Pantry, Good Good, 365 Strawberry Spread, Kirkland Jam, Mrs. Miller’s, Fruitful Fair.
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