Step 1: Thoroughly wash and hull the fresh strawberries. Place them in a large bowl and mash them using a potato masher or a fork. For a smoother jam, you can briefly pulse them in a food processor, but be careful not to over-process them into a liquid. You should have approximately 4 cups of mashed strawberries with some small chunks.
Step 2: In a separate small bowl, combine the powdered pectin with the 1/2 cup of cold water. Stir vigorously for 1 minute until the pectin is fully dissolved. If using regular pectin, bring this mixture to a boil and boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly. If using 'No Sugar Needed' pectin, you will simply dissolve it in cold water.
Step 3: Add the 4 cups of granulated sugar to the mashed strawberries. Stir well until the sugar begins to dissolve. Let it stand for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally. This helps the sugar to fully incorporate and ensures a smoother jam.
Step 4: Pour the dissolved pectin mixture into the strawberry-sugar mixture. Stir constantly for 3 minutes. It's crucial to stir thoroughly to ensure the pectin is evenly distributed and activated. You'll notice the mixture start to thicken slightly as you stir.
Step 5: Ladle the prepared strawberry freezer jam recipe mixture into clean freezer-safe containers, leaving about 1/2 inch of headspace at the top for expansion during freezing. Glass jars with wide mouths or plastic freezer containers work best. If using glass, ensure they are freezer-safe to prevent cracking.
Step 6: Secure the lids tightly. Let the filled containers stand at room temperature for about 30 minutes to an hour to allow the jam to set further. Then, place some containers in the refrigerator for immediate use (they'll last about 3 weeks), and transfer the remaining containers to the freezer for long-term storage (up to 1 year).
Step 7: To enjoy, simply thaw a frozen container of this amazing strawberry freezer jam recipe in the refrigerator overnight or on the counter for a few hours. Stir gently before serving.