Brimly’s Strawberry Lemon Preserve

BY Brimly.

May 10, 2026

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Photo By Editors @ the Brimly Test Kitchen

MID Task

PREP:  10 min

Gluten-free

sweet Treat

Now, Why This Recipe and What Makes It Special?

This is Brimly’s very own Strawberry Lemon Preserve, a recipe that I hold very close. I developed this over a year ago, and it’s something I’ve made again and again for myself and my family before ever sharing it here. It’s kind of that perfect middle ground. You can call it a jam, you can call it a compote, but it really sits right in between. It has that soft, spoonable texture with real fruit still present, and that’s what makes it feel special.

What really sets this apart is the freshness. You’re using real strawberries, real lemon, real ingredients that you can actually see and recognize. It’s bright, slightly sweet, a little tangy, and just really balanced. I personally love it on pancakes with a bit of whipped cream and some bacon on the side. It just works. It also works beautifully on bread, especially something like our Good Bread.‍ ‍Make sure to check out that recipe.

Lessons Learned

There are a few things I’ve learned making this over time, and most of them come down to just paying attention. This is not a recipe you want to walk away from. You’re working with sugar, and once it starts cooking down, it can go from perfect to sticking real quick if you’re not careful.

Stirring matters here. You don’t have to stand over it the entire time, but you do want to check in often. Every minute or so, give it a stir, keep things moving, and you’ll be fine. I’ve also learned that the visual cues matter more than the clock. Yes, it takes about 20 minutes, but what you’re really looking for is that reduction, that thickness, that moment when it coats the back of your spoon. That’s when you know it’s ready.

Another thing is the zest. I like to use my little “claw” tool, which is really just a zester, but I love the texture it gives. It’s more than just flavor, it adds that bite you get in the preserve that makes it feel more complete.

How to Make It Your Own

You can absolutely make this your own, and I think this is one of those recipes where it’s fun to experiment, but you still want to stay close to the structure.

You could swap in other fruits, try a strawberry blueberry version, maybe even bring in something like peaches when they’re in season. You can also play with the sweetness a little, but I would say be mindful of that. The balance here is what makes it work so well.

Where I think you can really have fun is in how you use it. Add it to pancakes, waffles, toast, ice cream, yogurt, even swirl it into a drink. Yes, you can stir this into a non-alcoholic or even an alcoholic drink and it works beautifully. That’s where it really opens up. It’s more than a spread, it’s a highly delicious flavor addition to whatever you’re making.

Pro Tip: Let it cool completely before sealing it in your jar. I know it’s tempting to rush it, but as it cools, it thickens even more and settles into that perfect texture. Also, always use a clean spoon when serving to keep it fresh longer.

Summary Notes:

This is a small-batch preserve that delivers a fresh flavor, made with simple ingredients, and gives real texture. It’s quick to make, easy to follow, and gives you something that feels homemade and full of heart.

You can serve it to anyone, use it in so many different ways, and honestly, it probably won’t last long in your fridge. It’s of course gluten free, soy free, gum free and just becomes a tasty part of your routine.

Tried it? Let us know how it went in the comments below.

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Essentials you’ll need:

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Measuring Spoons

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Mixing Bowl

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Sauce Pan

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Measuring Cup

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Wooden Spoon

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Ingredients

Serves 12-15

2 ½ cups fresh strawberries, hulled and quartered

¼ cup water

1 Tbsp vanilla extract

⅓ cup + 2 Tbsp granulated sugar

pinch of fine sea salt

zest of ½ lemon

1 Tbsp lemon juice

Recipe Steps

Step 1
Place a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the strawberries followed immediately by the water.

Step 2
Add vanilla extract, sugar, salt, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Stir everything together to combine.

Step 3
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring frequently so nothing sticks.

Step 4
Once bubbling, reduce the heat slightly to just below medium-high and let it cook for about 20 minutes, stirring every minute or so.

Step 5
As it cooks, the mixture will reduce and thicken. You’re looking for it to be at about half its original volume.

Step 6
To test doneness, dip a spoon (stainless steel) into the preserve and check the back, if it’s fully coated and not runny, it’s ready.

Step 7

Remove from heat wait about 5-10 minutes then transfer to a glass jar. Let it cool completely on the counter for about 1 to 1½ hours until set.

Storage:

Store the strawberry lemon preserve in a sealed glass jar in the refrigerator for up to 10 days, allowing it to cool completely before chilling to maintain its texture and freshness.