Muscadine Jelly
Muscadine jelly offers a sweet, tangy flavor with a vibrant purple hue, perfect for spreading on toast or serving with cheese, appealing to fruit lovers and jam enthusiasts.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Crush fully ripe muscadines.
- Add water and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Place the prepared fruit in a jelly bag and squeeze out the juice.
- Measure 5 cups of prepared juice into a 6 to 8 quart jelly pot. If juice is less than 5 cups, add water to equal amount.
- Mix Sure-Jell with the juice in the pot.
- Bring quickly to a hard boil, stirring once or twice.
- Add sugar all at once and bring to a full boil.
- Boil hard, stirring constantly.
- Remove from heat.
- Stir constantly after removal from heat to reduce foam.
- Pour into glasses and cover with paraffin.
- Add lids.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance the flavor of your muscadine jelly, consider adding a splash of lemon juice or zest for brightness. If muscadines are not available, you can use other grapes. Make sure to fully crush the muscadines to extract the maximum juice. Use a jelly bag or fine mesh strainer for clearer jelly. Ensure your jars are sterilized to preserve the jelly properly.
Serving Suggestions
Muscadine jelly is delicious when spread on warm biscuits or toast for breakfast. It also pairs beautifully with cheese boards, especially with sharp cheeses. Consider using it as a glaze for roasted meats or as a sweet addition to marinades. For a refreshing treat, drizzle it over vanilla ice cream or mix it into yogurt.
Storage & Reheating
Store your muscadine jelly in a cool, dark place. Once opened, keep it refrigerated and consume within a few weeks. To reheat, gently warm it in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally until it reaches your desired consistency. Avoid boiling, as this can alter the texture.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Muscadine Jelly contains roughly 85 calories, with 2g protein, 21g carbohydrates, and 0g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (36% of the Daily Value), and a good source of dietary fiber. It also contributes 4g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen muscadines for this recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen muscadines for making jelly. Just ensure they are thawed and drained well before crushing them. The flavor may be slightly different, but they will still yield a delicious jelly.
How long does muscadine jelly last?
When properly sealed and stored in a cool, dark place, muscadine jelly can last for up to a year. After opening, store it in the refrigerator and consume it within 3-4 weeks for the best quality.
What can I do if my jelly doesn't set?
If your jelly doesn't set, it may be due to not enough pectin or insufficient boiling time. You can reheat the jelly, adding a little more Sure-Jell and boiling it again for a few minutes to achieve the right consistency.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).