How to make Grape Jelly from your own grapes! (Less Sugar Recipe)

[@JackieOgle]

Just came across your channel. My grandmother would make concord grape jelly. It was the best. I can honestly say at 68, I have never canned anything in my life!! I guess I'm afraid of botulism! I see others can pickles and stuff. Just never tried. I do remember her grape jelly. To die foe. I appreciate you doing less sugar too. Thank you! I enjoyed your video!!

[@grantfahlman1815]

Yeah, those foods our grandmothers cooked/baked for us are things we long for no matter how old we get. In my case it was her ginger-snap cookies; I've never found any that compare! Try making something simple for the first time, grown in your own yard if you're able, and you won't want it any other way after that. For me, it was plum jam.

[@JackieOgle]

@grantfahlman1815 I bet that was really good plum jam. When I was 5 years old, 1960..I know I'm old..I remember my grandmother packing us a picnic basket as we left Missouri to move to Florida. I still remember that picnic basket... fried chicken, sliced home-grown tomatoes, bread and butter pickles, pickled beets, Parker house rolls, homemade apple butter, and fried apples. I'm 68 and still remember it like yesterday! She was the best. I miss her. Thanks for indulging me a on a the trip down memory lane...😉

[@bradscottbutler]

Thanks for the reminder. I made jelly from my Pinot Noir grapes in Northern Ca. a few years back that turned out awesome. Going to do it again this year because of low production of grapes.

[@alexgutierrez5123]

Jelly looked great! One thing we do, is put a teaspoon of butter into your juice as it's starting to boil. That keeps it from foaming, or frothing. Unless you use the foam for making a cake with a berry of the day swirl. Thank you.

[@iwu2011]

I watch this video every year to remember. Thanks for making it, turns out great every time. I do the little plastic ball jars and freeze them. They keep all year, no problem!

[@iwu2011]

I followed this last year with the reduced sugar approach and it turned out great. I came back this year to relearn how to make it. Thanks!

[@AndrewLaddusaw]

That's amazing! I'm glad someone got grapes. We've been in a drought all summer.

[@iwu2011]

Andrew Laddusaw 7 pounds... I was prepared for more but I’ll take what I can. There were hornets to dodge to get them too! High risk high reward.

[@bereal2493]

My chickens love our purple grapes I have been making juice out of them now I’m ready to start making jelly thank you for this video

[@karenplunk7910]

Awesome. New homeowner here with a ton of already established grape vines. Thank you!

[@AndrewLaddusaw]

You are welcome. Enjoy!

[@2003_Katie]

I know this is an older video, but we were blessed with grapes with our new house. I’ve never been good at making jelly, but this looks easy enough! Thank you ☺️

[@AndrewLaddusaw]

Worst case is you get really great grape juice. 😀 Give it a try!

[@2003_Katie]

@@AndrewLaddusaw I’ll let you know how it goes. I’m going to work on it tomorrow.

[@LearningToThrive]

I know you've said you do not drink, but if you ever need help making wine I got your back. I've made wine from nearly everything from fruit, or canned juices to kool-aide. Thank you for showing us how to do this..I love learning different ways to be self reliant. The more we learn to make ourselves the less we depend on others. :) Great video.

[@AndrewLaddusaw]

Oh yes, I used to make a lot of wine myself. It was never very good, but hey, it was drinkable. Haha. Anyways, I'm not planning to go back there anymore unless I had a ton of grapes and the apocalypse was upon us. 😂 Plus jelly is soooo much easier.

[@indoororchidsandtropicals358]

There is the pectin in the pink box that allows you to cut the sugar. I never really understood why I was not such a huge fan of raspberry jam/ jelly when I love raspberries until I looked at the recipe for the first time. I made black raspberry jelly with equal parts sugar to juice and it was AMAZING.

[@AndrewLaddusaw]

It's crazy how much sugar is in modern recipes. It's ridiculous!

[@quinnrivers527]

My daughter and I are going to pick grapes at our neighbors this afternoon! I've never made grape jelly before but we are going to give it a go. I agree; the sugar amount sounds outrageous. We are going to try your recipe but with monk fruit sweetener instead *fingers crossed* Yours turned out beautifully. Thank you for sharing!

[@AndrewLaddusaw]

Best of luck friend!

[@grantfahlman1815]

Do you mind if I ask, how did it work using the MF sweetener? That definitely sounds like something I would prefer, so some feedback would certainly be appreciated and helpful.

[@kcrossleKMC]

Excellent! It had been a few years since I made Grape Jelly from the wine vine we have (green grapes and very tart); I couldn't find a recipe like what I remembered, till I found this! Made it 4-4-4 as you do it. The only problem was in judging "done". Many (higher sugar) recipes call for 1 minute after the full mixture comes to a boil. There was nothing "done" about it so another minute. Tried the frozen spoon thing, still just liquid. Five min later and still not great so I decided to cut it off, can it (jar it?) and see what happens. Well, yay! It jelled nicely and is incredibly good. Thanks for getting me on the path to success. Added notes: I used a food mill then cheesecloth to get the juice which produced a rather murky green liquid. Once cooked it clarified nicely to a beautiful amber color. The prior time was a ruby red; interesting.

[@doreenpinedaofficial151]

New friend here sending my full support...from hongkong Godblesss

[@josephtucci1872]

Nice video.. I made grape jam also this weekend. I used the sure jell and a 2 tbs of lemon nail it the first shot. Something about the lemon brings it all together.

[@AndrewLaddusaw]

That's awesome! Thanks for connecting Joe. I don't know why homemade always seems taste better, but we really love ours as well.

[@debbiewright8311]

Out of all the youtubes,I like yours the best!

[@AndrewLaddusaw]

Thank you!

[@margiebooher5998]

You are so right about about the seeds .thanks for your time. chickens are great

[@AndrewLaddusaw]

Yeah! They are the best!

[@patrickcolville4736]

Fantastic video Andrew. Thanks for this! Would love to see more farm tips

[@AndrewLaddusaw]

I’ve considered making a separate homestead channel since these videos are fairly popular.

[@melodybarry3127]

Video journal. Great idea!🎉

[@thatsaurorable]

Nice job there, I reduced the sugar to half of what was recommended and it is excellent. The best white grape jelly I have ever tasted. Wish you would have let us see your squeezing process after you let them drip. Mine was so messy and time consuming that my hands hurt fot a couple weeks!

[@AndrewLaddusaw]

Definitely takes some time! Maybe I'll do an update. My grapes are finally getting ripe.

[@colleenepage]

Looking for a grape jelly recipe that isn't so high in added sugar. Gonna try yours. Wish me luck. Thank you!

[@AndrewLaddusaw]

Good luck! You got this. 💪

[@colleenepage]

@@AndrewLaddusaw it turned out great! Set up nicely and not too much sugar.

[@jennyseaver5362]

Great report about making grape jelly. Wish I had watched last night, your process is than mine.

[@AndrewLaddusaw]

Hopefully your jelly still turned out well! We all get better over time. I still come back and watch this to teach myself again. 😂

[@maryflemming9052]

And yes, great video

[@AndrewLaddusaw]

Thank you!

[@CraftyZA]

Just a quick note. If you want to avoid using chemically processed pectin, it's pretty easy. Add at least 15-20% of greenish grapes. Gives the jelly some nice tang along with copious amounts of pectin. If you do not want it too tart, 3 skins from granny smith apples. Plenty pectin as well. Keep it Au Natural.

[@thugpug4392]

Ty for the information I hope to use it when I make jelly

[@patriciahandy7760]

Sure gel is all natural pectin

[@sharonandersen3669]

Thank you!

[@trishfowl1]

Pamonas pectin allows you to use the amount of sugar that you want. It jells with a different process that is not dependent on sugar

[@AndrewLaddusaw]

Very cool. I'll have to check that out.

[@lacpeb]

I really enjoyed this video. Good job.

[@AndrewLaddusaw]

Thank you!

[@kilroyjones7786]

Word up!! I just subbed. Going out to gather grapes and try this! Thanks man 😊

[@AndrewLaddusaw]

You got this!

[@kilroyjones7786]

@@AndrewLaddusaw thank you bro!

[@gogogo39]

Helpful video. I use wild (riverbank) grapes in addition to Concord grapes. They give the jelly a nice sweet-tart taste.

[@AndrewLaddusaw]

The best!

[@ladyresse25]

I want to do my own jelly thank u very much.❤

[@AndrewLaddusaw]

Best of luck! It’s a fun and rewarding process.

[@marilynjstrilchuk2595]

Use Certo light pectin. Use 5 pounds of grapes, and after straining use 6.5 c of juice to only 4.5 c of sugar. It gives a very nice gel without having to worry about how thick it will be. Certo pectin also seems to have a nice clean no aftertaste.

[@sofiebjorling5075]

Enjoyed your video! Going to try my first batch of grape jelly this week. Have a question, why do you put the raw grape juice in the fridge for a week before adding the sugar and pectin? Does this improve the taste of the end product? Or some other reason? Regards, Jeff

[@AndrewLaddusaw]

Sorry I missed this a while back. I left it in the fridge for a week because I just didn't have time to get to it. I don't think it would affect the taste as long as you get to it in a reasonable timeframe.

[@goodwater2020]

Nice work

[@benjaminjuan8305]

thank you easy!

[@AndrewLaddusaw]

Thanks for checking it out.

[@myya_noelle]

Hey I live in Pennsylvania too!! Can I come but some grapes and eggs, great and simple recipe 👍👍 Pittsburgh proud

[@AndrewLaddusaw]

You're welcome anytime. :) Well, after the quarantine is over...

[@mamierouthier5697]

I make 4 cups grape juice to 2 cups sugar. 3 tbs pectin

[@AndrewLaddusaw]

Whatever works!

[@swaggytho7705]

Yes!

[@AndrewLaddusaw]

Thanks for stopping by!

[@TheGardeningArtist]

Great video :) my niece was just asking me for a low sugar recipe for her grapes a couple weeks ago. I just sent her a link to your vid.

[@AndrewLaddusaw]

That's awesome! Thank you for sharing!

[@johnclarke6647]

My Concord grape vines died a few years ago. I put Carolina Jasmin, wisteria and some climbing roses in my arbor. I think the heat and drought killed my grapes. I use Welch’s Concord grape juice to make grape jelly. Using juice is hard to get jelly to set. I use 5C of juice, 7 C of sugar and one box of Sure Jell. It sets perfectly. To make sure it will set add the Sure Jell to the cold juice, bring it to a rolling boil and then add the sugar, bring it back to a rolling boil for one minute and then pour into jars. This recipe makes exactly five pints with just a smidge left over. I am making two batches, today, 10 pints.

[@AndrewLaddusaw]

That’s too much sugar for my liking, but I’m glad you have something that works and you enjoy. That’s the most important part.

[@johnclarke6647]

@@AndrewLaddusaw I like for my jellies to set and it usually takes more sugar than juice to get the jelly to set properly. I am a Southerner, which means I like two things - sugar and salt.

[@Conspiracy2Riot]

great video! my grapes are waiting for me to do something with them and this looks pretty easy. Question: can you freeze this jelly if you don't have a set up to can them?

[@AndrewLaddusaw]

My secret is I that I don't have a canning setup either. I heat the jars to 225, boil the lids, and I pour in the hot jelly after it boils. With a sugar heavy recipe like this, that is sufficient to safely can them (according to grandma, not USDA. If you die, it's on you, but it's worked well for me 3 years in a row. 😀). For extra security with this method, but it in the fridge. I would do a small text batch in the freezer, but I have no idea how that would affect the integrity of the jelly.

[@JeffMarkBaker]

Enjoyed your video! Going to try my first batch of grape jelly this week. Have a question, why do you put the raw grape juice in the fridge for a week before adding the sugar and pectin? Does this improve the taste of the end product? Or some other reason?

[@AndrewLaddusaw]

No reason other than it took me a long time to get back to it. The side benefit was that the juice had totally settled so I ended up with a clearer looking finished product. I’m sure 24 hours would get you the same result though. Best of luck and thanks for watching!

[@vickiskaggs6961]

Supposedly, letting the juice stand in a cool place at least overnight will help prevent formation of crystals in the jelly.

[@mrsshix3574]

Great video. Very helpful. I’m not sure if this has been asked, but I was wondering what kind of pectin did you use? I’ve heard different brands work different and there is also no/low sugar options.

[@AndrewLaddusaw]

I use the ball dry pectin. I know many have good results with the liquid stuff too.

[@margiebooher5998]

I love my chickens I only have 3 plan on getting more . Love the jelly but want the pieces of grape in.maybe I would rput them in a vitamix blender they are amazing. Thank you for the video

[@tigergreg8]

I have a Blendtec blender and find the only issue is the seeds when blending. Unless you have grapes with no seeds, it's too much hassle. I know you can strain it, but the blenders we have are very powerful and grind the seeds to where some may make it through the cloth. I may be wrong, but I do agree, I like getting as much fruit as possible.

[@AndrewLaddusaw]

I agree with tiger. The seeds would ruin it if you blended it. However, most of my seeds fall to the bottom of the pot, so you could strain out the stuff off the top when you boil it and I bet you wouldn't have many seeds, if any at all.

[@tlt4965]

Andrew, Do you store jars in a cool dry place or do all jars go in the fridge indefinately?

[@GardenForaged]

My grapes are ready now. I'm in Maryland so your night be coming in soon too

[@AndrewLaddusaw]

You were right! Poor year here though. It was so dry in our area.

[@sharonandersen3669]

Andrew, what temp is for sterilizing the lids that have the sealer on them?? For how long do you boil them? Thanks! Just picked some concords today

[@AndrewLaddusaw]

For me, I just get them to a boil and that’s enough.

[@sherrycottle]

Did you use 4 cups of sugar and 5 table spoons of pectin and 5 cups of juice?

[@AndrewLaddusaw]

Yep! Still eating it a year later. It's wonderful.

[@brianseibert946]

i tryed it, turned out GREAT

[@NannyOggins]

Wow, I didnt realise that you need so much pectin. I would have used 5 teaspoons! Thanks very pleasant and informative.

[@degletnoor5749]

I wonder how thick it became afterwards to spread....really jelly or jam texture

[@AndrewLaddusaw]

Real jelly!

[@ThompsonEmpireTV]

Do we have to let your grape juice you made to set in the fridge for a week?

[@AndrewLaddusaw]

No. It does help to let it settle for a bit so the little extra bits fall to the bottom. You'll get a clearer end product. It's all totally edible though if you want to make your jelly straight away.

[@ThompsonEmpireTV]

@@AndrewLaddusaw thank you

[@ThompsonEmpireTV]

How long did it take to cool? Where u put them while you waited for them to cool?

[@AndrewLaddusaw]

The juice or the jars?

[@ThompsonEmpireTV]

@@AndrewLaddusaw juice& Jars please

[@iamhere6672]

I got a little confused from time to time, but great video.

[@AndrewLaddusaw]

Thanks for checking it out!

[@hobbytimewithmohanie4133]

hello! how long did you boil the juice for to get final product?

[@AndrewLaddusaw]

Not very long. Just get it to a boil and then test. If not gelling, another minute and so on. The frozen spoon trick always works for me. Put two in the freezer just in case.

[@hobbytimewithmohanie4133]

thank you for your reply. I will give it a try. thanks for sharing :D

[@AndrewLaddusaw]

You got this!

[@hobbytimewithmohanie4133]

I made it!! But I only used grapes and water. I used a variety called sugar snaps or candy snaps...don't remember exactly. It's very sweet on it's own. Thank you so much for your guidance :D

[@benjaminjuan8305]

Can we use green grapes?

[@AndrewLaddusaw]

I don’t see why not. Should be exactly the same process.

[@CaptFoster5]

Seems simple enough ... I started red and green grapes three years ago in my backyard garden and finally have several dozens of groupings to work with this year ... unfortunately, as much as I want chickens sooooooooo badly, the town I live in will not allow it and I just bought my house last year. So, getting a bigger chunk of land where chickens are possible will sadly have to wait.

[@AndrewLaddusaw]

You’re doing it right. Just do what you can where you are! Thanks for watching and best of luck with the grapes!

[@kellymyers6343]

Great video!!! Still perfer strawberry jelly though. 😂💯

[@AndrewLaddusaw]

Haha. Same process for strawberry except you actually don't need as much pectin. I made blackberry jam too. So good.

[@vinishshetty8055]

Can you pure the grapes using a stick blender or should you only smash.

[@AndrewLaddusaw]

I have a stick blender, but I probably wouldn't do it that way. I try to get as little extra stuff into the juice as possible. It takes quite some time to strain and I think that would make it take longer and give you a more muddy final product. That being said, you never know until you try. 😀 If you do it come back and let me know how it goes!

[@Jinjerbread317]

What kind of pectin? Brand, powder or liquid? Thank you.

[@AndrewLaddusaw]

I use the ball brand powder. Realfruit classic pectin is what it says on the label.

[@maryflemming9052]

I would like to have known how much pectin to 5 cups of sugar. And what is your bath processing time

[@AndrewLaddusaw]

I don’t process it, I just heat the jars to boiling temperature. Never had an issue. Full recipe in the description.

[@rinnypink]

"Chickens are awesome!" Lol I would like have them someday. Having been born without a green thumb, I think I would have many garden failures!

[@AndrewLaddusaw]

Plenty of failures in our garden too. No doubt about that. Thanks for connecting! 😀

[@mariamercer472]

Can you use splenda instead of sugar?

[@AndrewLaddusaw]

I don’t think I would do that.

[@patriciahandy7760]

If you use the low to no sugar pectin you can use alternative sugar just not aspartame is my understanding

[@cynthiarodgers9617]

You said bring to a simmer and now they have been simmering for a bit.. .how long is a bit

[@AndrewLaddusaw]

Just a couple minutes. No need to wait too long.

[@marcv2648]

How about no sugar. Grapes are already tooth sweet.

[@AndrewLaddusaw]

Generally, you need some sugar to make the jelly solid. My goal was to find the minimum amount to make that happen while using natural pectin.

[@rawmark]

i'm vegan. i don't eat eggs or chicken periods. That's disgusting. However, I do have rescue chickens.

[@AndrewLaddusaw]

Well you can still put them to work.🐔💪

[@thugpug4392]

Chickens don't have a menstrual cycle. Not even many mammals have one but chickens, being a bird, definitely don't. A chicken's egg-laying cycle is not caused by a monthly internal clock and is instead triggered by seeing sunlight. The main difference other than that is a period is the result of an unfertilized egg being discarded after being available for fertilization. That's why if someone skips their period it could be a sign they are pregnant. The fertilized egg will not he discarded. For chickens they'll lay an egg around every 24 hours regardless of whether it's fertilized or not and there's very little difference in the process. So there's never really a point where an egg will be discarded it's just laid always which makes sense considering the egg will develop outside the mother's body. You can choose not to eat eggs but for the rest of the animal kingdom bird eggs are a common, wonderful food, even chickens themselves will eat their eggs when they are low on calcium. You definitely shouldn't be spreading misinformation. What I find most deplorable about this comparison is that it's using periods as shock value. So not only are you lying to people, you're furthering the stigmatization of open discussion about female anatomy and natural bodily processes. Shame.