Savor Ina Garten’s Zingy Strawberry Rhubarb Preserves Recipe

Summer’s bounty bursts with sweet-tart magic in Ina Garten’s fresh strawberry rhubarb preserves.

Vibrant red fruits dance together, creating a symphony of flavor that captures the essence of seasonal delight.

Ripe strawberries and tangy rhubarb merge into a luscious spread that sparks memories of sun-drenched gardens.

Each spoonful tells a story of rustic charm and culinary expertise.

The recipe transforms simple ingredients into a luxurious preserve that sings with bright, natural sweetness.

Bold and beautiful, these preserves will become your secret weapon for breakfast tables and afternoon teatime.

Grab your apron and let’s turn summer’s finest produce into a jar of pure joy.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 440 kcal

Servings: 6

Everything You’ll Need for Ina Garten’s Strawberry Rhubarb Preserves

• Strawberries: Bright summer berries that provide natural sweetness and vibrant color, choose ripe and plump fruits with deep red hue.
• Rhubarb: Tart stalks adding tangy complexity, select firm and crisp stalks with deep pink or red color.
• Apple: Natural pectin source that helps thicken preserves, pick firm and slightly tart varieties like Granny Smith.
• Sugar: Essential for preserving and balancing flavors, use granulated white sugar for consistent results.

• Grand Marnier: Luxurious orange liqueur adding depth and sophistication, provides subtle citrusy warmth.
• Orange Zest: Bright citrus notes that lift and complement fruit flavors, use fresh organic oranges for best aroma.

• Water: Helps prevent burning and creates initial cooking liquid, use filtered water for pure taste.

Preserving Tools for Ina’s Rhubarb & Berry Spread

• Heavy Pot (11-inch/28 cm): Sturdy, wide-bottomed pot like Le Creuset for even heat distribution and preventing burning.
• Candy Thermometer: Essential for precise temperature control to achieve perfect preserve consistency.
• Wooden Spoon: Helps stir ingredients gently without damaging fruits during cooking.
• Plate: Used for testing preserve thickness by freezing a small sample.
• Knife: Needed for zesting orange and cutting fruits.
• Measuring Cups: Ensures accurate ingredient proportions.
• Covered Container: For storing preserves in refrigerator or freezer.

Cooking Instructions for Strawberry Rhubarb Preserves

• Fresh Fruit Selection

Handpick ripe strawberries and tender rhubarb stalks from local farmers market or garden, ensuring peak flavor and vibrant colors.

• Flavor Foundation

Combine fruits with zesty orange essence and luxurious Grand Marnier in a heavy-bottomed cooking pot, creating a rich aromatic base.

• Gentle Transformation

Slowly heat the fruity mixture, allowing natural sugars to meld and intensify, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching and promote even cooking.

• Texture Perfection

Monitor the preserves carefully, watching for thickening and testing consistency by chilling a small sample, ensuring a luscious spread that’s not too runny or too firm.

• Preservation Technique

Cool the preserve mixture completely, then transfer to clean storage containers, ready to enjoy within weeks or preserve for future delightful moments.

Tips for Adjusting Flavor in Ina Garten’s Preserves

• Experiment with adding a splash of balsamic vinegar or a pinch of black pepper to enhance the strawberry-rhubarb depth and create a more sophisticated preserve.
• Chop fruits into different sizes to create an interesting mix of smooth and chunky textures that will make your preserves more visually appealing and exciting to eat.
• Sterilize glass jars before storing to extend the preserves' shelf life and prevent bacterial growth, ensuring your homemade treat stays fresh and delicious longer.
• Replace Grand Marnier with other liqueurs like Cointreau or kirsch, or use fruit juice for a non-alcoholic version that still adds complexity to the preserve's flavor profile.
• Serve these preserves beyond toast – swirl into yogurt, use as a glaze for grilled meats, or fold into vanilla ice cream for a gourmet dessert twist that will surprise and delight your guests.

Serving Ideas for Preserves from Ina’s Kitchen

• Spread on Morning Toast: Slather these vibrant preserves on warm, crispy bread for a delightful breakfast treat that bursts with fruity flavor.
• Pair with Cheese Plate: Dollop the preserves alongside creamy brie or sharp cheddar for an elegant appetizer that balances sweet and tangy notes.
• Swirl into Yogurt Parfait: Mix a spoonful into Greek yogurt and top with granola for a refreshing and colorful breakfast or dessert option.
• Bake into Pastry Fillings: Use the preserves as a luscious filling for thumbprint cookies, tarts, or Danish pastries to add a homemade touch.

How to Store Ina Garten’s Homemade Fruit Preserves

• Store Smartly: Transfer cooled preserves to airtight glass containers with tight-fitting lids to maintain freshness and prevent contamination.
• Refrigerate Wisely: Keep homemade strawberry rhubarb preserves chilled at 40°F or below, which extends their shelf life to approximately 2 weeks while preserving optimal flavor and texture.
• Freeze for Longevity: Pack preserves in freezer-safe containers, leaving about ½ inch headspace to allow for expansion, ensuring they remain delicious for up to 4 months without quality degradation.
• Serve Creatively: Enjoy these vibrant preserves spread on toast, swirled into yogurt, drizzled over pancakes, or used as a delightful filling for pastries and baked goods.

Vibrant Strawberry Rhubarb Preserves Recipe

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4.7 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s fresh strawberry rhubarb preserves combine seasonal fruits for a delightful spread. Sweet-tart flavors meld beautifully, offering you a homemade treat perfect for morning toast or elegant dessert pairings.

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Ingredients

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• 6 cups (1.2 kg) sugar
• 2 pounds (900 grams) fresh strawberries, hulled and halved or quartered
• 4 cups (1 liter) diced fresh rhubarb
• ¼ cup (60 mL) Grand Marnier
• 1 Granny Smith apple, peeled and grated
• Zest of 2 oranges

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Combine strawberries, rhubarb, apple, sugar, Grand Marnier, orange zest, and water in a large heavy-bottomed pot, ensuring all ingredients are evenly mixed.
2. Cooking Initiation: Place pot over medium-low heat, covered, allowing fruits to slowly release juices and merge flavors gently.
3. Simmering Process: Remove lid once mixture begins bubbling, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching and promote even cooking. Skim off any white foam that forms on the surface to maintain preserve clarity.
4. Temperature Monitoring: Cook for approximately 25-30 minutes, watching carefully until mixture reaches 220°F on a candy thermometer, indicating proper gel formation.
5. Consistency Verification: Perform the chilled plate test by placing a small amount of preserve on a refrigerated plate. If it wrinkles when pushed and holds its shape, the preserve is ready. If too liquid, continue cooking and retest.
6. Cooling and Storage: Remove from heat, allowing preserve to cool naturally to room temperature without stirring. Once cooled, transfer to sterilized containers and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks or freeze for 4 months.

Notes

• Fruit Selection Matters: Choose ultra-ripe, deeply colored strawberries and tender, bright red rhubarb for maximum natural sweetness and vibrant flavor profile.
• Temperature Precision: Use a reliable candy thermometer to monitor exact cooking temperature, ensuring perfect jam consistency without overcooking or undercooking.
• Foam Removal Technique: Gently skim off white foam during simmering to maintain a clear, glossy preserve with pure, intense fruit flavors.
• Consistency Check Trick: Perform the chilled plate test by refrigerating a small sample to confirm ideal thickness before removing from heat, preventing runny or overly stiff preserves.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Desserts, Breakfast
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 440
• Sugar: 73 g
• Sodium: 5 mg
• Fat: 0 g
• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 114 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg