Print

How To Make Banana Jam from Overripe Bananas Recipe

4.7 from 150 reviews

Delicious homemade banana jam made from overripe bananas, sweetened with sugar and balanced with lime or lemon juice. Perfect for spreading on toast or as a sweet addition to desserts, this easy recipe uses a water bath canning method to preserve freshness and flavor.

Ingredients

Scale

Banana Jam Ingredients

  • About 2 cups mashed bananas (about 5 small bananas)
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 2 tablespoons lime or lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Prepare Water Bath Canner: Fill the water bath canner with water and bring it to a rolling boil to ensure it is ready for processing the jars.
  2. Sterilize Jars: Wash jars, rings, and lids thoroughly. Fill the jars with very hot water to sterilize them and help keep the jam germ-free.
  3. Cook Banana Jam: Combine mashed bananas, sugar, and lime or lemon juice in a pan. Stir occasionally and bring the mixture to a boil. Let it boil gently for 5 minutes while stirring.
  4. Fill Jars: Using a ladle, fill the sterilized jars with hot banana jam, leaving about 1/2 inch of headspace at the top to allow for expansion.
  5. Clean Jar Rims: Wipe the rims of the jars with a clean cloth to remove any sugar residue, ensuring a tight seal when lids are applied.
  6. Seal Jars: Place the lids and rings onto the jars securely but not overly tight to prevent breaks during processing.
  7. Process Jars in Boiling Water: Using a jar lifter, carefully lower the jars into the boiling water of the canner. Process the jars by boiling for 10 minutes to safely preserve the jam.
  8. Cool Jars: Remove jars carefully with the jar lifter and place them on a towel at room temperature. Allow them to cool completely to set the seal before storing.

Notes

  • Use very ripe bananas for the best natural sweetness and flavor.
  • Lime or lemon juice helps balance the sweetness and acts as a natural preservative.
  • Ensure jars and lids are completely sterilized to prevent spoilage.
  • Leave proper headspace in jars to allow for expansion during processing.
  • If altitude is above 1000 ft, adjust processing time accordingly as per canning guidelines.

Keywords: banana jam, overripe bananas, homemade jam, canning, fruit preserves, easy jam recipe