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Caramelized Onion Tomato Jam

This savory-sweet caramelized onion tomato jam is an easy and flavorful condiment that you whip up in less than 1 hour with 6 ingredients only. Perfect for those late summer days when tomato season is in full swing and you’re looking for ways to preserve the sweet harvest. This quick savory jam adds a burst of flavor to burgers and grilled sandwiches, your next charcuterie board, and makes a delicious topping for grilled meat and roast potatoes.

A glass jar filled with caramelized onion tomato jam on a wooden board.
Table of contents

Why you’ll love my easy onion tomato jam recipe

Well balanced: The combination of caramelized red onions, juicy cherry tomatoes, and balsamic vinegar creates a perfectly balanced sweet and savory condiment. One my favorite ways to preserve and enjoy this seasonal produce!

Quick and easy: With just 6 simple ingredients and minimal prep, you can whip up a single or double batch of this one-pot savory jam in less than 1 hour. Cooking from scratch doesn’t have to be complicated!

Versatile: This caramelized onion jam makes a flavorful addition to a variety of summer dishes. Check out the serving suggestions below.

Ingredients

Ingredients to make caramelized onion tomato jam.
  • Tomatoes: Ripe tomatoes – sweet cherry tomatoes work best but you can also use plum tomatoes or Roma tomatoes.
  • Onions: Red onions give the jam extra color and a sweet flavor but you can also use white or yellow onions.
  • Vinegar: You’ll need 1 cup of balsamic vinegar. Swap balsamic vinegar for red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar for a tangier flavor.
  • Sugar: 6 tbsp brown sugar adds a rich sweetness to the jam.
  • Fresh herbs: I use about 1 tsp of fresh thyme leaves but you can also add fresh basil, rosemary, or oregano. 
  • Salt: Salt rounds out the flavors. Season to taste.

Variations

  1. Less sugar: Reduce the amount of sugar for a slightly less tangy sweet jam.
  2. Spice it up: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
  3. Bacon jam: Add crispy bacon pieces at the end to add a salty element to the jam spread.

How to make this onion tomato jam

Steps 1-4 on how to make caramelized onion tomato jam.
  1. Add all ingredients to a saucepan.
  2. Stir to combine and bring to a boil.
  3. Reduce heat and simmer for 30-40 minutes without a lid or until the jam has reached the desired consistency.
  4. Taste to season with salt, balsamic vinegar, and brown sugar.

Serving

This savory jam can be used to add flavor to a variety of dishes:

Platter: This savory tomato jam makes a great addition to your next cheese board as a perfect accompaniment to various cheeses. It works particularly well with goat cheese, cream cheese, and feta.

Spread: Add the jammy spread to your next grilled cheese sandwich, chicken burger, meatball wrap, egg bake, or puff pastry hot dogs.

Topping: Use it as a topping for roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or grilled meats for an extra burst of flavor.

A cracker topped with caramelized onion tomato jam and feta on a wooden board next to a jar of jam.

FAQ

How long does this jam last? 

When stored in a sterizlized glass jar with lid in the refrigerator, this caramelized onion tomato jam can last for 2-3 weeks.

Can I omit the tomatoes?

Absolutely! Simply reduce the balsamic vinegar to 3/4 cup, thyme by half, and use 4 tbsp of brown sugar only. It’s a great onion jam recipe use all year around.

For more easy condiments and staples, check out the following recipes:

If you loved this Caramelized Onion Tomato Jam Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating below. Thank you!

A glass jar filled with caramelized onion tomato jam on a wooden board.

Caramelized Onion Tomato Jam

Caro Jensen
Whip up this savory-sweet caramelized onion tomato jam in under 1 hour with 6 ingredients. Perfect for preserving summer's tomato harvest, it adds flavor to burgers, sandwiches, charcuterie, and grilled meats.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course jam, Staples
Cuisine American
Servings 24 servings
Calories 28 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 8 oz cherry tomatoes halved
  • 3 red onions peeled and sliced
  • 6 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme
  • 1/4 tsp salt

Instructions
 

  • Add chopped tomatoes, sliced onions, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, fresh thyme, and salt to a large saucepan. Stir well to combine.
  • Bring to a boil on medium-high heat and reduce to low. 
  • Let the mixture simmer without a lid on, stirring occasionally, until it reaches a jam-like consistency, approximately 30-40 minutes, depending on how juicy your tomatoes are.
  • Taste and add a little bit of salt or extra sugar if needed.
  • Once the jam has thickened, remove from heat and let it cool slightly. 
  • Allow the jam to cool completely before storing it in a sterilized glass jar with a lid in the refrigerator for 2-3 weeks.

Video

Notes

  1. Slow and low: Letting the jam simmer over low heat for a longer period allows the flavors to meld and creates a jammy, syrup-like consistency.
  2. Adjust to taste: Depending on the sweetness of your tomatoes, you may need to adjust the amount of brown sugar to achieve the perfect balance of flavors.
  3. Sterilized jar: Make sure to sterilize your glass jar and lid with boiling water to extend the shelf-life of your homemade jam.
  4. Adjust consistency: For a smoother consistency, simply blend the cooled jam in a food processor or with an immersion blender before transferring it to sterilized glass jars for storage.

Nutrition

Calories: 28kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 0.3gFat: 0.03gSaturated Fat: 0.01gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.01gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.003gSodium: 29mgPotassium: 57mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 50IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 10mgIron: 0.2mg
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