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    Home » Dips and Spreads

    Foolproof Guava Jam Recipe

    Published: Oct 21, 2022 by Poppy Hudson

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Jar of homemade pink guava jam with text overlay.
    Green and yellow skinned whole guava with a halved fruit showing pink interior.
    Labeled pinterest oil with image of guava fruit on a branch.
    Extra ripe guava spilling from cut fruit.
    Dehydrator sheet with thickened pink guava spread.
    Image of pink guava jam on a muffin half with text overlay.
    Round plate with crumpet topped with pink guava jam.

    This easy small-batch guava jam recipe is made with just two ingredients. All the fresh, sweet, tropical flavor of guava is intensified by using a no-cook method.

    Jar of pink guava jam with fresh guava fruit and buttered crumpets.

    If you have been out foraging and have bushels of fresh fruit, you definitely want to know about this game-changing technique. If not, you'll be happy to know you can take a shortcut by starting with ready-made guava puree.

    The recipe doesn't require pectin, and instead of guessing whether your homemade jam will gel to the thickness you want, you let nature do the work for you with a dehydrator.

    That way, you aren't disappointed by the wrong ratio of pectin, acid, and sugar, or other problems encountered with cooked jam.

    Jump to:
    • ⭐ Why it works
    • 🌈 What is guava?
    • 👩🏼‍🌾 How to choose guavas
    • 🥣 Equipment
    • 📋 Ingredients
    • 🔪 Steps
    • 🥞 Serving suggestions
    • 👩🏻‍🍳 Expert tips
    • 💭 FAQ
    • 🍹More guava recipes
    • 📖 Recipe

    ⭐ Why it works

    • Exotic tropical flavor and lovely color.
    • Simple and healthy all-natural, 2-ingredient recipe.
    • No pectin means an easy recipe that allows sugar to be adjusted.
    • Works with store-bought or homemade fruit puree.
    • No cook method for the freshest taste.
    • Dehydrator for foolproof consistency.

    🌈 What is guava?

    Guavas, yellow, green and cut in half showing pink pulp and seeds.

    Psidium guajava is a tropical fruit native to Southern Mexico and tropical America and a member of the myrtle family. It's known for its sweet and tart taste as well as a beautiful fragrance that fills the air as it ripens.

    While guavas may come in a range of colors, the exterior of the fruit is typically yellow or green when ripe, depending on the variety.

    Here on Maui, with so many microclimates, Hawaiian pink guava is available several times a year. We are certainly spoiled finding it in farmers' markets, on neighborhood trees, and even in the wild.

    Wherever you live, choosing the sweetest, ripest fruit will give you a jump start on swoon-worthy preserves.

    Then you can be confident using any variety to make homemade jam. The same goes for my stunning 10-Minute Guava Syrup.

    👩🏼‍🌾 How to choose guavas

    Unripe fruit is hard with a green exterior and ripe fruit has juicy pink flesh under a yellow shell.

    Choose whole fruits when making your own fresh guava puree before making homemade jam. They should have a noticeable, pleasant fragrance and yield to the touch when pressed gently. That way, you are assured of sweet guava recipes with outstanding flavor.

    Blemishes are common, so a few brown spots are ok. However, pass up fruit showing any insect bites, and trim away rotting skin. You can leave the rest of the skin on, and your fruit should be soft inside.

    One of the great things about this particular recipe is you don't have to use underripe fruit in an attempt to increase the amount of pectin in the preserves.

    When you use a dehydrator to thicken jam, all the guesswork is removed and it's as simple as turning off the machine when your sweet guava preserve is the consistency you desire.

    🥣 Equipment

    I can't remember when I first discovered that a dehydrator is perfect for making thick jams without pectin or cooking. I do know we have enjoyed countless batches of unique, sweet preserves over the years, including our Strawberry Roselle Jam.

    It's so satisfying not to slave over a hot stove, guess at proportions or timing, or compromise the delicacy of exotic fruit. Instead, you concentrate the fruits lovely color and fresh flavor. That's because a dehydrator simply removes water leaving pure, healthy jam.

    • Dehydrator - If you're shopping around, you might be interested in the Nesco Snackmaster. This affordable and compact model has served me well for 5 years.
    • Dehydrator liner sheets - Fruit roll sheets are designed with a non-stick surface and have a no-spill lip ideal for making guava jam.

    📋 Ingredients

    Bowl of homemade one-ingredient guava puree with a smaller bowl of raw cane sugar.

    Starting with fresh guava puree makes the recipe a dream because it's fail-safe, and you don't have to fuss with several processing steps. You just stir and go.

    Plus, if you have ever sliced open this amazing perfumed fruit and wondered what to do about all the seeds, you'll be happy to know that both homemade and ready-made guava puree are seedless.

    The only other ingredient is sugar. Why if the list were any shorter, I would be hard-pressed to call it a recipe!

    • Guava puree - Homemade is best, but you can buy ready-made without additives online. Supplier links are in the FAQ section below.
    • Organic sugar - I like Costco's friendly price on raw cane sugar.

    🔪 Steps

    Mix sugar and raw sugar and dehydrate to make thick fruit jam.

    Start by stirring together your fruit puree and sugar in a proportion of two parts fruit to one part sugar. This is one recipe you can remember without any notes!

    1. Mix puree and sugar.
    2. Spread the mixture on a dehydrator liner sheet.
    3. Dehydrate to desired consistency.
    4. Your guava jam is ready!

    🥞 Serving suggestions

    Buttered crumpet with guava jam spread on one half.

    Homemade guava preserves are utterly delicious on crumpets, toast, biscuits, and scones. Thus, your batch may never make it to the list of recipe ideas below.

    However, if you are looking for some other ways to enjoy this delightful tropical spread, , here are some suggestions:

    • Use it as a topping for cheesecakes and festive ice cream sundaes.
    • Layer it with coconut yogurt and granola for breakfast parfaits.
    • Use it as a filling in cream cheese pastries and flaky turnovers.
    • Bake it in thumbprint jam cookies and shortcrust cookie bars.
    • Spread it on waffles, french toast and pancakes.
    • Mix it into a grilling sauce for veggie kabobs and barbecue Seitan Skewers.
    • Blend it into superfood smoothies to add extra sweetness.

    👩🏻‍🍳 Expert tips

    Bowl of guava puree and raw sugar being stirred with a spoon.
    1. Select homemade or purchased puree made from high-quality, fully-ripened fruit.
    2. Dehydrate at a low temperature.
    3. Stir every hour or so while dehydrating.
    4. Note that dehydrators vary, and guava jam will be ready anywhere from 2 to 5 hours.
    5. Remove your jam from dehydrator liners when it's slightly softer than you want the finished preserve to be. It will thicken more in the refrigerator.

    💭 FAQ

    Basket of wild guavas have yellow skin and soft, juicy pink flesh with seeds.
    Where can I buy guava puree without sugar?

    Online is your best source if you don't make your own homemade guava puree. Look for aseptically packaged, 100 percent pure fruit pulp without additives. Fierce Fruit is dedicated to using non-GMO fruit, pressed at the peak of ripeness. More suppliers like The Fruit Dept are available on Amazon.

    Can I make a large batch?

    Yes absolutely. Just keep the proportion of two parts fruit puree to one part sugar and make as much as you like. Dehydrator trays can be stacked, and each average-sized dehydrator liner and tray will hold about 2 cups.

    Can I use less sugar and still make jam?

    Yes, you can absolutely turn this into a sugar-free guava jam recipe. Because this recipe doesn't require pectin, you can reduce the amount of sugar, substitute alternative sweeteners, or even leave them out entirely for an unsweetened, tart and wholesome fruit spread.

    🍹More guava recipes

    • Bowl of homemade guava puree surrounded by fruit.
      How To Make Guava Puree
    • Stack of dried guava leaves on a basket.
      How To Make Guava Leaf Tea
    • Three bottles of fruit flavored kombucha.
      Kombucha Second Fermentation - 7 Flavors
    • Jars of pink guava syrup made from scratch.
      10-Minute Guava Syrup

    Enjoyed this post? Leave a comment, rate ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ it, and follow @poppyswildkitchen on Instagram. Aloha!

    📖 Recipe

    Buttered crumpet with guava jam spread on one half.

    Easy Guava Jam Recipe

    Easy two-ingredient Guava Jam Recipe without pectin or cooking. Preserve your exotic fresh fruit flavor and natural color with a new foolproof method. Let a dehydrator do all the work for you. Makes 1 ½ cups jam per batch.
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 0 minutes minutes
    Dehydrator Time: 4 hours hours
    Total Time: 4 hours hours 5 minutes minutes
    24 Tablespoons
    Calories: 48kcal
    Author: Poppy Hudson

    Equipment

    • Dehydrator Liner Sheet
    • Dehydrator

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups guava puree 100 percent fruit unsweetened
    • 1 cup sugar organic, raw evaporated cane sugar preferred

    Instructions

    Blend fruit with sugar

    • Place 2 cups guava puree and 1 cup sugar in a bowl. Stir to blend until uniform.

    Dehydrate jam

    • Place a fruit roll-up liner or non-stick sheet made to fit your dehydrator on the drying tray.
    • Pour the fruit and sugar mixture onto the liner and spread it evenly.
    • Dehydrate at 135 degrees. Stir every 2 hours and let it thicken to desired consistency. I usually let mine go for about 4 hours.
    • You can remove dehydrated jam from the trays when it is slightly thinner than you want the finished spread to be. It will thicken more when it is refrigerated.

    Store

    • Transfer thickened jam to jars. Refrigerate and keep for up to 3 months. Guava jam may also be frozen for 6 months.

    Notes

    Equipment
    Here are two links to affordable equipment that has served me well:
    Nesco Snackmaster Pro Dehydrator
    Non-stick Liner Sheets
    Ingredients
    Use homemade guava puree or purchased guava puree made from fully ripened fruit. It should be unsweetened and free from any additives.
    Preparation
    Dehydrate at a low temperature, no higher than 135 degrees, to preserve the beautiful color and flavor of pink guava jam.
    Stir jam every hour or so to lift moister areas to the surface.
    Take note that dehydrators vary, and guava jam will be ready anywhere from 2 to 5 hours.
    Remove jam from dehydrator liners when it's slightly softer than you want the finished preserve to be. It will thicken more in the refrigerator.
    Storage
    Refrigerator - Up to 3 months.
    Freezer - For 6 months.
    Sugar-Free Guava Jam
    You can turn this into a sugar-free guava jam recipe if you like. Because this recipe doesn't require pectin, you can reduce the amount of sugar, substitute alternative sweeteners, or even leave them out entirely for an unsweetened, tart, and wholesome fruit spread.
    Note - Sugar is a natural preservative. Jam made with less sugar won't last as long in the refrigerator. Jam made without sugar should be treated as fresh food and consumed in a week. 
     
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 48kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 2mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 67IU | Vitamin C: 52mg | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 1mg | Magnesium: 1mg | Phosphorus: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @PoppysWildKitchen or tag #poppyswildkitchen!

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    1. Flynn

      August 02, 2023 at 12:35 pm

      5 stars
      So delicious!! A neighbor gave me a pack of guavas, so I tried your recipe for puree and used it to make your jam recipe. I had about half the volume of puree in the recipe so adjusted the sugar accordingly. My guavas were ripe, but not pink or red inside, so it wasn't as pretty as the photos in the post. The puree was kind of thick, but with the sugar it made yummy jam in about 2 hours in my dehydrator. Thanks for sharing these recipes!

      Reply
      • Poppy Hudson

        August 02, 2023 at 1:46 pm

        Ooooh it sounds delicious! You're welcome Flynn.

        Reply

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