This caramelized Onion Jam is just what you need to elevate your meals and parties! Savory with a touch of sweet tang from Balsamic Vinegar, your tastebuds will thank you! So easy to make, save money by making it at home!
Have you ever heard of Onion Jam? It's not typical sweet jam that you eat on toast, but more of a savory condiment. I make it every year when onions are in season, and are cheap and plentiful in the grocery store.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Budget Friendly - especially when onions are in season, they are cheap allowing you to make lots!
- Versatile - use it as a spread, a tasty dip or to elevate your meals by adding a spoonful
- Easy - so easy to make this recipe, all you need is onions, vinegar, sugar and spices (you already have these in your pantry)
- Gift Giving - Double this recipe and give it away as a personalized gift!
Recipe Ingredients
- Onions - sweet Vidalia, red onions or yellow onions can all be used
- White Vinegar - for a clean, crisp strong taste
- Balsamic Vinegar - adds a bold, complex taste that lingers
- Brown Sugar - balances out vinegar by adding a subtle, sweet caramel flavor
- Oil - Extra Virgin Oil give that extra Mediterranean flavor
- Spices - Allspice, Celery Seed, Clove, Bay Leaf and Salt
How To Make Onion Jam
This recipe only uses 5 cups of sliced onions, but I recommend to double the recipe and give some away! It may seem like a lot of onions, but as they cook and turn into jam, they reduce significantly.
You need to use a non-reactive pan when making Onion Jam. A pan that won't react with the acidic ingredients. Think of stainless steel pans, glass pans or ones made from enamel. Avoid aluminum and copper pans.
- Quarter and thinly slice onions - need about 5-6 onions (depending on size)
- Saute in oil until it starts to caramelize - about 10 minutes
- Mix in vinegars, brown sugar, and spices
- Reduce and simmer for 15-20 minutes until it thickens and reduces
- Allow to cool and keep refrigerated
Onion Relish vs Onion Jam
There really is little difference from Onion Relish or Onion Jam, it can be used interchangeably. Depending on where you live in the world dictates what you call it. Here in Australia, Onion Relish seems more popular, compared to the USA where Onion Jam is more popular.
Recipe Tips and FAQs
- Spices - I love the flavors Allspice and Celery Seeds add, but you can add fresh Rosemary or your favorite fresh herbs or dried spices
- Bacon - a popular addition to Make Bacon Onion Jam - just fry the bacon until crispy. Leave enough bacon fat to fry the onions until caramelized. Add vinegars, balsamic, spices and bacon to the onions and cook until reduced
- Tomato - Onion Jam with Tomatoes is a popular variation - when simmering the caramelized onions, add diced tomatoes (de-seeded if possible) to your mix.
- Maple Syrup - change the sweetness by adding Maple Syrup! Reduce brown sugar amount by the same amount of Maple you mix in. I recommend to use ½ cup brown sugar with ¼ cup Maple Syrup
How Long Will Onion Jam Keep?
If you use a water canning method to seal it, then it should keep for about a year unopened in your pantry. Just follow government canning guidelines. It's easiest to skip the canning method and keep it refrigerated in a glass jar. I find that it last for a few months in the fridge, if I don't eat it first!
How to Use Onion Jam
- Spread - add the caramelized onion jam in your sandwich for a flavor kick
- Appetizers - spread cream cheese on a cracker or baguette and top with onion jam
- Pizza Sauce - mix it through your pizza sauce when making homemade pizzas
- Condiment - perfect alongside grilled meats, sausages, hot dogs or hamburgers
- Mashed Potatoes - mix it through your Mashed Potatoes for flavor that blows your socks off!
- Dip - perfect for a charcuterie board or a dip with crackers
Dip Recipes You'll Love
- French Onion Dip Made From Scratch (spoiler alert, use your leftover onion jam for this recipe)
- Bread Bowl Spinach Dip
- Hot Crab and Artichoke Dip
- Blue Cheese Dip for Everything!
- Greek Tzatziki Sauce
- Russian Beet Dip
- Sweet Thai Chili Sauce
Once you make this recipe, you can't get enough of it! You're gonna love the savory, sweet and tangy flavors. It will become your favorite condiment that's so easy to make! Bon Appetit! Приятного аппетита!
Equipment
- non-reactive pan
Ingredients
- 5 cups onions quartered and sliced
- ½ cup white vinegar
- ½ cup balsamic vinegar
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground allspice
- 1 tablespoon celery seed
- 1 whole clove
- 1 bayleaf
- 1 teaspoon salt
- oil for frying
Instructions
- In a non-reactive pan, saute the onions in oil for about 10 minutes until they are golden brown.
- Add the remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce and simmer for about 15 to 20 minutes until the onion jam reduces and thickens. Keep refrigerated.
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