To cook blueberries for jam, you’ll usually want to cook them for about 20–30 minutes, depending on your method and desired thickness.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
🫐 Basic Blueberry Jam Cooking Time & Steps
Ingredients (Simple Version):
- 4 cups blueberries (fresh or frozen)
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- (Optional: 1 packet of pectin if not using a pectin-free method)

👩🍳 Cooking Time:
Without Pectin:
- 20–30 minutes on a medium boil
- Stir frequently to prevent burning
- It’s ready when it thickens and passes the “wrinkle test” (drop a spoonful on a cold plate, let it sit for 1 minute — push it with your finger, and if it wrinkles, it’s done)
With Pectin:
- Boil fruit, lemon juice, and pectin for about 5 minutes
- Add sugar and bring to a rolling boil (cannot be stirred down) for 1–2 minutes
- Total cook time: 10–15 minutes
🔥 Tips:
- Use a wide, heavy-bottom pot for even heat
- Skim off foam if it forms during boiling
- If canning: process jars in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes
!