Can I Reboil Chilli Jam That Has Not Set? | Ask Nigella.com (2024)

Full question

Hi, I made the Chilli Jam, following all details in the recipe. I let it cool and the bits of chilli were nicely suspended. The following day the jam hasn’t set at all and all the bits have floated to the top. I tried turning the jars upside down and leaving them for a couple of days but it made no difference. Is there any way this can be rectified? Reboiling maybe?Thank you!

Our answer

Nigella's Chilli Jam (from NIGELLA CHRISTMAS) is a fairly soft-set condiment that is made with jam sugar, which has added pectin and helps the jam to set. However, the jam should not be liquid. We are not sure if the jam is liquid or has set with the chopped chillies on top. If the jam looked as if it was setting but was then poured into hot jars, the heat of the jars can cause the jam to warm up and become slightly more liquid, causing the flecks of chilli to float to the top and then stay there once the jam has cooled again and set. When the jars have been sterilized you can let them cool a bit while you leave the jam to cool in the saucepan. The jars do not have to be very hot when you decant the jam into the jars. Just be careful not to put hot jam into cool jars, as this can cause the glass to crack. In this scenario we suggest maybe gently stirring each jar of jam when you first open it for use (don't open the jars, stir and then seal again as this will affect the keeping time of the jam).

If the jam is still liquid then we don't particularly recommend reboiling. It can be tried but there is a risk that the jam becomes over boiled, which also means that it will not set. The jam can also burn much more easily when reboiled. The thin jam can be repurposed as a sweet chilli sauce. If possible use a sugar/jam (candy) thermometer to check the temperature of the mixture as it cooks. Setting point should be around 104c (220F). Also you can put some heatproof and freezer proof plates in the freezer before you start making the jam. When you think that the jam has reached setting point, remove the pan from the heat and drop a teaspoonful of the mixture onto one of the cold plates. Leave for a minute then push the mixture with your finger. If it is set then the surface will wrinkle and the mixture will not flow back easily. If the teaspoon of jam is still liquid then boil the mixture for another 1-2 minutes and test again.

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Can I Reboil Chilli Jam That Has Not Set? | Ask Nigella.com (2024)

FAQs

Can I Reboil Chilli Jam That Has Not Set? | Ask Nigella.com? ›

If the jam is still liquid then we don't particularly recommend reboiling. It can be tried but there is a risk that the jam becomes over boiled, which also means that it will not set. The jam can also burn much more easily when reboiled.

What do you do if your chili jam doesn't set? ›

If you push your finger through it then the jam should not flow back. The Chilli Jam is soft set rather than very firm. If it has not set boil for another 2 minutes and test again. You can use the thinner jam as an alternative to sweet chilli sauce and it will keep in the same way as a set jam.

Can you reboil jam that hasn't set? ›

If the fruit you are using has low pectin levels, then you can add some more pectin and reboil the jam. Pectin is available in both powdered and liquid forms. Read the instructions on the packet to give quantities, add all the jam to a saucepan and stir in the pectin.

How can I get my chili jam to set? ›

The jam is ready when a spoonful placed on the cold saucer sets immediately and you can clear a line through it with a spoon. This ensures the jam will be thick, spreadable and not watery. If it doesn't set, keep boiling and retest every 5 mins, on a cold saucer each time.

How do I thicken Chilli Jam? ›

Add pectin.

Whisk a tablespoon of powdered pectin (preferably the no-sugar-needed variety) into the pot of cooking jam. Test for thickness and add another tablespoon if needed. Learn More About Pectin: What's the Deal with Pectin?

How to reprocess a jam that didn't set? ›

You don't want to remake more than 8 cups (4 pints) at a time. For every 4 cups of jam that needs to be remade, whisk together 1/4 cup sugar and 1 tablespoon powdered pectin. Pour the jam into a low, wide pan and add the sugar and pectin combo. Stir until the sugar and pectin has dissolved.

How to fix a jam that set too hard? ›

Spoon the overcooked jam into a large saucepan. Add 1 cup of water and bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring to incorporate all of the water. Cook until the gelling point has been reached. Spoon into clean jars and re-process in the water bath.

How do you set runny jam? ›

woman&Home Food Writer, Keiron George, advises, “If you're having trouble with setting your jam, bring it to the boil again, adding the rind of a lemon for some extra pectin”. If in doubt, always read the manufacturer's instructions as different fruits contain different amounts of pectin.

Does Chilli Jam thicken as cool? ›

As it cools it should thicken slightly. Transfer the jam to a clean container, then store in the fridge and use within one month. When making the jam again you could try using a candy or sugar thermometer and boiling the jam to setting point, or 104C/220F.

What to do if my red pepper jelly doesn t set? ›

The first option is to unseal your jars and re-cook the jelly. Add more sugar, add some pectin, and you'll get your gel. Resterilize your jars, top with new lids, and process again.

Can you over boil jam? ›

If, on the other hand, the jam is rock solid, that means you've gone too far and cooked it too long. You can try adding a little water to thin it out, but bear in mind that after overcooking a jam, you can't really get those fresh fruit flavors back.

How long do you boil jam? ›

Raise the heat to medium-high and bring to a brisk boil. Stir frequently to avoid burning and to prevent the jam from boiling over. Boil until the jam hits the set point, 220 degrees F on an instant-read or candy thermometer, about 20 minutes.

What to do when chili is too watery? ›

What do I do if my chili is too watery? Simmer Longer: Continue simmering the chili uncovered to allow excess moisture to evaporate. Thickeners: Add ingredients like cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with water), mashed beans, or ground tortilla chips to thicken the chili.

Why is my chili jam still runny? ›

The natural pectin in fruits and vegetables thickens jams. If there isn't enough pectin in the fruit itself and you don't add extra pectin, the result is runny jelly or jam. Additionally, if the fruit is overripe, its pectin levels are lower.

How do you fix hot pepper jelly that didn't set? ›

How do you fix pepper jelly that didn't set? You can try pouring it into a pan and boiling it longer. You can try adding more sugar and boiling it longer. You can try adding some pectin to it and boiling it longer.

How to fix crystallized jam? ›

It can be saved with a gentle rewarming to melt all the crystals. Either heat over the stove or even just in the microwave, depending on the quality of the jam. Also, using a fresh jar that has no buildup of crystals on the walls will further prevent the recrystallization of the jam.

Why would my jam not set? ›

Sadly, sugar plays a huge role in set. If you cut the amount in the recipe and you don't compensate with a pectin designed for low sugar preserving, your jam may well be runny.

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