Easy Homemade Plum Jam

There’s nothing like the sweet taste of homemade plum jam. During a visit to a charming ranch near Lees Ferry, plump juicy plums were spilling over on the trees—and free to pick! We spent the afternoon harvesting 2 lbs of ripe plums and brought them home to craft this simple plum jam using just sugar and apple for natural pectin. It’s one of the most perfect fruit spreads you’ll enjoy year-round. You can use this plum jelly on toas, ice cream, and even glazed pork chops.

Picking Fresh Plums at Lees Ferry and Lonely Dell Ranch

A few weeks ago, we stumbled upon something magical: an orchard bursting with ripe plums and other fresh fruit tucked away near the Paria River bridge. We were exploring Lees Ferry’s Lonely Dell Ranch, a historic homestead nestled inside Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, when we discovered that visitors are welcome to pick fruit for free!

That’s right—according to the National Park Service, you can pick up to 5 gallons per person per day from this orchard for personal use. It’s the perfect way to spend an afternoon with a kind of wholesome, old-fashioned experience you dream about. We loaded up on juicy plums, brought them home, and turned them into the most delicious homemade plum jam.

---

What Makes the Lonely Dell Orchard Special?

Located just a short walk from the parking area, the orchard is part of the historic Lonely Dell Ranch. It includes a variety of fruit trees—apples, plums, peaches, apricots, and more. With the orchard in full bloom during our visit, we couldn’t resist gathering a few pounds of ripe, sun-warmed plums.

We brought our haul home in day packs and got to work crafting a simple plum jam recipe using minimal ingredients—and no pectin! This recipe is truly a great way to preserve the harvest and relive the day’s magic every time we spread it on toast.

Making a classic recipe with a few pounds of fruit

With just a small amount of plums and a large pot, you can avoid the grocery store jams filled with a large amount of sugar, and opt for a delicious jam made with an easy recipe. We had just 2 pounds of plums and with one green apple and a little sugar, we were able to make an incredible homemade jam. 

How to Pit Plums to Make Jam

Start by finding the little natural seam on the plum. Then cut along this line and chop along the side of the pit. You should be able to get a good amount of fruit off with this first cut. 

Then chop the rest of the fruit away from the pit to remove as much as you can. You should end up with a pit with just a little bit of fruit stuck to it. Feel free to suck on the pits while you work! It’s a great treat and very motivating!

Here’s the Homemade Plum Jam Recipe

---

Ingredients 

• 2 lbs ripe plums, seeded and roughly chopped (about 6 cups)
• ¾ cup white sugar
• 1 large Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored, chopped (natural pectin)
• Optional: a few squeezes fresh lemon juice for brightness
• Equipment: large saucepan, potato masher or immersion blender, canning jars, water bath canner

---

Step-by-Step Instructions for Homemade Plum Jam

1. Prepare fruit
   Wash the plums and place on a clean work surface. Use a knife to cut plums by slicing the fruit away from the pit and place the plums on a dampened clean paper towel. If you like, you can snack on the seeds while you chop off the fruit!
   
   
   
2. Cook the mixture
   In a large saucepan, combine plums, chopped granny smith apple (remove seeds), and sugar mixture over medium heat. Stir gently until sugar dissolves. 
   
   
3. Simmer
   Bring to a medium-low simmer. Lots of air bubbles will appear and a foam will form—stir regularly to avoid burning and to keep the foam down. While the plum sauce simmers, you can get glass jars ready by cleaning in warm water (or use boiling water if you going to be storing the jam jars in your pantry.
   
   
   
4. Check for thickness
   After ~15–30 minutes, a hot jam should start to form. Test jam on a cold plate (cold plate test). It’s ready when thick and coatable.
   
5. Finish & cool
   Optionally add fresh lemon juice to taste, stir well, then turn off heat and let jam cool to room temperature.
   
6. Jar & store
   Spoon into prepared jars that have been washed in hot soapy water, wipe the rims of the jars, and cover with metal lids.
   • For long-term storage, process in a water bath canner for 10 minutes. Allow the hot jars to cool. 
   • Or simply close and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 weeks.

---

✅ Pro Tips for Best Results

• Always use fully ripe plums for the best sweetness and color.
• Guillotine apple adds natural pectin, helping set the jam with less sugar.
• Use a potato masher or immersion blender for a smooth texture (no seeds or skins).
• Skim foam for a clear finish—add a small knob of butter to reduce foam.
• Use the cold plate test for perfect thickness. 
• Sterilize jars properly: hot jars into a rolling boil water bath canner sealed for a safe pantry shelf life. 

---

❓ FAQ – Homemade Plum Jam

Can I use frozen plums?
Yes! Thaw completely and proceed with the same process.

Are red plums or black plums better for making this homemade jam?

Both red plums and black plums make incredible jam. The best fruit is ripe fruit and many people use a mix of colored plums to make jam. Red plums tend to be more tart in flavor. Black plums tend to be sweeter and give off a richer flavor. 

Can I add cinnamon sticks to the jam mixture while it boils?

Sure, go ahead and add cinnamon sticks at the beginning of boiling to amplify the flavor of the plum jam. The cinnamon will bring a warm and spicy taste to the jam. 

Need to peel plums?
No—plum skins contain good pectin and dissolve during cooking. 

Can I skip the water bath for the jars?
Yes, for short-term fridge storage—but for pantry safety, do process the jars.

My jam isn’t setting—now what?
If still runny after cold plate test, cook 5–10 more mins, then test again. Patience is key with jam. 

What other kind of jam can I make with this jam recipe?

You can use this same recipe with blackberries to make blackberry jam, strawberries to make strawberry jam, raspberries, apricots, blueberries, the list goes on and on. The star of this recipe is the fruit, and any fresh fruit will provide the best flavor.  

---

How to Enjoy Easy Plum Jam

• Spread over homemade bread
• Dollop on vanilla ice cream
• Glaze pork chops or roasted chicken for a sweet-savory twist
• Use in tarts or thumbprint cookies

---

Final Thoughts

Making jam from free-picked plums was truly a magical experience. This easy plum jam recipe celebrates fruit season and turns them into a delicious pantry staple using simple ingredients and traditional methods. You’ll love the flavor—and the wonderful memories behind every bite!

If you enjoyed this recipe, please share it on Facebook, Pinterest, or Instagram and tag us! We’d love to see your photos!

And for more recipes like this, you can sign up for our newsletter by clicking here!

Here’s the recipe card for the homemade plum jam: