This red onion jam is a delicious blend of sweet and savory that can elevate many meals. With its smooth texture and rich flavor, it’s the ideal topping for anything from burgers to charcuterie boards.
This red onion jam recipe tackles challenges like overly sharp flavors and lack of consistency commonly found in homemade preserves.
I first stumbled on red onion jam when I was looking for ways to enhance my sandwiches during busy weeknights. What really caught my attention was the simplicity of it; no complicated steps or fancy techniques needed. I love how it gives a nice twist to everyday dishes, especially when friends drop by unexpectedly.
This recipe is not only easy to prepare, taking just about an hour, but it also offers a tasty way to use up those onions sitting in your pantry. Not to mention, the fragrant smell of onions caramelizing in the kitchen is simply comforting.
If you enjoy simple savory recipes, you should also check out my Onion Bagels. They’re a great way to enjoy the flavor of onions in a different form!
Table of contents
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Savory Sweetness , The combination of red onions and sugar creates a unique flavor that’s both savory and sweet, making it a standout addition to your meals. This jam works wonderfully with everything from meats to cheeses, elevating your favorite dishes.
- Versatile Usage , This jam isn’t just for toast! Try adding it on burgers, grilled cheese, or even atop a charcuterie board. Its adaptability brings a new dimension to countless savory dishes.
- Long-lasting Freshness , Once you’ve made the red onion jam, it’s ready to keep in the fridge for about 2-4 weeks. This allows you to prepare a batch and enjoy it over time, enhancing multiple meals with minimal effort.
- Simple Cooking Process , With just a few steps, you can create your own jam. The sautéing, simmering, and stirring come together easily, allowing you to enjoy the process without feeling overwhelmed.
Red Onion Jam for Savory Onion Recipes
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cool Time:
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 24 servings 1x
- Category: condiment
- Method: Sautéing and Simmering
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicious red onion jam recipe made with simple ingredients. Perfect for sandwiches, burgers, and more.
Ingredients
- 4 cups (about 600g) red onions, diced, firm and smooth with no soft spots
- 1/4 cup (60ml) vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup (100g) white sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon (3g) salt
- 1/2 teaspoon (about 1g) garlic powder
- Pinch black pepper
- 1/2 cup (120ml) red wine vinegar
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced red onions and sauté, stirring often, until onions are softened and translucent, about 10 minutes. If onions brown too quickly, reduce heat to low to avoid burning.
- Step 2: Add sugar, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper to the pot. Stir well to fully coat the onions. The mixture may seem dry at first, but the onions will release liquid as they caramelize. Continue stirring, allowing sugar to dissolve, about 15 minutes. If the mixture seems too dry, add 1-2 tablespoons of water to help dissolve the sugar.
- Step 3: Pour in the red wine vinegar and stir to combine. Let the mixture simmer on a low boil and stir every few minutes. Cook for about 30 minutes until the jam thickens.
- Step 4: The jam is ready when it coats the back of a spoon. If not thickened after 30 minutes, continue cooking another 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir every 3-5 minutes during simmering to ensure even caramelization and consistent thickness.
- Step 5: Remove pot from heat and allow jam to cool before transferring into a mason jar. Label the jar with the preparation date. Store in the refrigerator for 2-4 weeks.
Notes
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days, avoiding direct sunlight if unopened.
- Refrigeration: Keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 weeks. Label the jar with the date to monitor freshness.
- Freezing: Freeze jam in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before use.
- Reduce heat after 10 minutes of sautéing if onions brown too quickly to prevent burning.
- Add 1-2 tablespoons water if mixture appears too dry after adding sugar to aid sugar dissolution.
- Stir every 3-5 minutes during vinegar simmering to prevent uneven caramelization.
- Continue simmering beyond 30 minutes if jam consistency is not achieved, checking for jam to coat the back of a spoon.
- Reheat gently on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through. Avoid boiling to maintain jam texture.
- Serve alongside grilled cheeses or spread on crostini with goat cheese.
- Add as a topping on burger patties or roasted meats.
- Use to make savory onion dip or spread on flatbreads and pizza.
- Include on charcuterie boards or mixed into pasta salads.
- Garnish with fresh herbs such as thyme or rosemary.
- Drizzle with balsamic glaze or honey for additional sweetness.
Nutrition
- Calories: Not provided
- Sugar: Not provided
- Sodium: Not provided
- Fat: Not provided
- Saturated Fat: Not provided
- Unsaturated Fat: Not provided
- Trans Fat: Not provided
- Carbohydrates: Not provided
- Fiber: Not provided
- Protein: Not provided
- Cholesterol: Not provided
Ingredient Notes
- Red onions: Look for firm and smooth red onions with no soft spots. They add a sweet and tangy flavor that’s perfect for the jam.
- Balsamic vinegar: A quality balsamic enhances the rich flavor of the jam. Choose one that’s thicker and less acidic for balanced sweetness.
- Brown sugar: Use dark brown sugar for a deep caramel flavor. It adds sweetness and moisture, which is key to a luscious texture.
- Olive oil: A good quality olive oil can enhance the cooking process and bring richness to the jam. Extra virgin works great for this purpose.
- Dijon mustard: It adds a subtle tang and depth to the flavor profile. A smooth style will blend well, but whole grain can work too.
- Thyme: Fresh thyme gives an aromatic touch that complements the onions beautifully. If you only have dried, use about a third of the amount.
- Red onions: Look for firm and smooth red onions with no soft spots. They add a sweet and tangy flavor that’s perfect for the jam.
- Balsamic vinegar: A quality balsamic enhances the rich flavor of the jam. Choose one that’s thicker and less acidic for balanced sweetness.
- Brown sugar: Use dark brown sugar for a deep caramel flavor. It adds sweetness and moisture, which is key to a luscious texture.
- Olive oil: A good quality olive oil can enhance the cooking process and bring richness to the jam. Extra virgin works great for this purpose.
- Dijon mustard: It adds a subtle tang and depth to the flavor profile. A smooth style will blend well, but whole grain can work too.
- Thyme: Fresh thyme gives an aromatic touch that complements the onions beautifully. If you only have dried, use about a third of the amount.
Recipe Tips
- If the onions are browning too quickly, reduce the heat to low after 10 minutes of sautéing to avoid burning.
- When the mixture seems too dry after adding sugar, add 1-2 tablespoons of water to help dissolve the sugar while stirring.
- If the jam is not thickening after 30 minutes, continue cooking for an additional 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally until it coats the back of a spoon.
- For uneven caramelization, stir the mixture every 3-5 minutes after adding vinegar to ensure consistent cooking throughout.
- When storing, label your mason jar with the date on it to track freshness; red onion jam lasts for 2-4 weeks in the refrigerator.
Serving Suggestions
Serve red onion jam alongside grilled cheeses or spread on crostini with goat cheese. It complements burger patties and roasted meats for added flavor.
Use to make savory onion dip or smear on flatbreads and pizza for a unique twist. Add to charcuterie boards or mix into pasta salads for extra depth.
Top with balsamic glaze or a drizzle of honey for a touch of sweetness. You can also garnish with fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary for added aroma.
Recipe variations
- You can use yellow onions instead of red for a milder jam with a less intense color and subtly different flavor suitable for savory dishes.
- Add 1/4 teaspoon of dried thyme while cooking the onions to introduce a herbal note that complements the jam’s sweetness and vinegar tang.
- Either red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar can be used, with red wine vinegar giving a sharper flavor that matches well with roasted onion recipes.
- If making larger batches, use 8 cups of onions and double all other ingredients; cook in a wider pot and extend simmering by 10-15 minutes for thickening.
- This jam serves well with baked brie or toppings like in my Caramelized Onion Grilled Cheese recipe, enhancing rich, savory flavor combinations.
Save This Recipe!
How to Store?
To keep your red onion jam fresh and delicious, follow these storage tips:
Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container at room temperature up to 2 days. Keep unopened jars away from direct sunlight.
Refrigeration: Place in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 weeks. Label jars with the preparation date for reference.
Freezing: Transfer jam into a freezer-safe container or freezer bag. Freeze up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before use.
Other Recipes You’ll Love
- Strawberry Shortcake
- Strawberry Shortcake Cake Roll
- Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake
- Strawberry Rhubarb Pie
If you enjoyed this red onion jam or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. I appreciate taking time to read about this recipe, thank you!
