Onion jam is a delightful condiment that adds a sweet and savory touch to a variety of dishes. Perfect for spreading on sandwiches, pairing with cheeses, or even as a topping for grilled meats, this versatile jam is sure to become a staple in your kitchen.
While most of the ingredients for this onion jam recipe are common pantry staples, you might need to pick up a few items at the supermarket. Balsamic vinegar and brown sugar are essential for achieving the perfect balance of sweetness and acidity. Make sure you have these on hand before you start cooking.

Ingredients for Onion Jam Recipe
Onions: Thinly sliced to ensure even caramelization and a smooth texture.
Olive oil: Used for sautéing the onions, adding a rich flavor.
Balsamic vinegar: Provides a tangy sweetness that complements the caramelized onions.
Brown sugar: Adds depth and sweetness, balancing the acidity of the vinegar.
Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the jam.
Black pepper: Adds a subtle hint of spice to the jam.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
To achieve the best caramelization for your onions, make sure to slice them uniformly. This ensures even cooking and prevents some pieces from burning while others remain undercooked. Use a mandoline slicer for consistent thickness. Additionally, resist the urge to stir too frequently; allowing the onions to sit undisturbed for a few minutes at a time helps develop a deeper, richer color and flavor.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
onions - Substitute with shallots: Shallots have a milder and sweeter flavor, which can provide a similar taste profile to onion jam.
olive oil - Substitute with butter: Butter adds a rich, creamy texture and enhances the caramelization process.
balsamic vinegar - Substitute with red wine vinegar: Red wine vinegar has a similar acidity and can add a comparable depth of flavor.
brown sugar - Substitute with honey: Honey provides a natural sweetness and a slightly different but pleasant flavor profile.
salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce adds a salty and umami flavor, enhancing the overall taste.
black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper has a milder heat and can be used to maintain a similar level of spiciness.
Alternative Recipes Similar to This Dish
How to Store or Freeze This Recipe
Allow the onion jam to cool completely before storing. This helps to prevent condensation, which can affect the texture and flavor.
Transfer the cooled onion jam into an airtight container. Glass jars with tight-fitting lids are ideal as they preserve the flavor and prevent any unwanted odors from seeping in.
Label the container with the date of preparation. This ensures you keep track of its freshness and consume it within a safe timeframe.
Store the container in the refrigerator. The onion jam will keep well for up to two weeks when refrigerated properly.
For longer storage, consider freezing the onion jam. Use freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Leave some space at the top of the container or bag to allow for expansion as the jam freezes.
Label the freezer containers with the date. Frozen onion jam can last up to three months without losing its quality.
When ready to use, thaw the onion jam in the refrigerator overnight. Avoid thawing at room temperature to maintain food safety.
Once thawed, give the onion jam a good stir to reincorporate any separated liquids and restore its jam-like consistency.
Enjoy the onion jam on your favorite dishes, from burgers and sandwiches to cheese platters and grilled meats.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Stovetop Method: Place the onion jam in a small saucepan. Heat over low to medium heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through. This method helps maintain the texture and flavor of the onions.
Microwave Method: Transfer the onion jam to a microwave-safe dish. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, leaving a small vent. Heat on medium power in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until the jam is heated evenly.
Oven Method: Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Spread the onion jam in an oven-safe dish and cover with aluminum foil. Heat for about 10-15 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the jam is warm.
Double Boiler Method: Fill a pot with a couple of inches of water and bring to a simmer. Place a heatproof bowl with the onion jam over the pot, ensuring the bottom of the bowl does not touch the water. Stir occasionally until the jam is heated through. This gentle method prevents overcooking.
Toaster Oven Method: Preheat your toaster oven to 300°F (150°C). Place the onion jam in a small, oven-safe dish and cover with foil. Heat for about 10 minutes, stirring once or twice, until the jam is warm.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Large skillet: A broad, flat-bottomed pan that provides ample surface area for evenly cooking and caramelizing the onions.
Wooden spoon: Ideal for stirring the onions and other ingredients without scratching the skillet.
Measuring cups: Essential for accurately measuring the balsamic vinegar and brown sugar.
Measuring spoons: Necessary for precisely measuring the salt and black pepper.
Chef's knife: Perfect for thinly slicing the onions.
Cutting board: Provides a stable surface for safely slicing the onions.
Airtight container: Used for storing the finished onion jam in the refrigerator to maintain its freshness.
Stove: The heat source for cooking and caramelizing the onions.
How to Save Time on Making This Recipe
Use a food processor: Slice the onions quickly and evenly using a food processor instead of doing it by hand.
Preheat the skillet: Preheat the skillet while you slice the onions to save time.
Batch cooking: Double the recipe and store extra onion jam in the freezer for future use.
Stir occasionally: Stir the onions occasionally instead of constantly to free up time for other tasks.
Use a timer: Set a timer for each cooking phase to keep track of time efficiently.
Onion Jam Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 cups Onions, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoon Olive oil
- ¼ cup Balsamic vinegar
- ¼ cup Brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Black pepper
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are soft and caramelized, about 30 minutes.
- Stir in the balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, salt, and pepper. Continue to cook for another 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is thick and jam-like.
- Remove from heat and let cool. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Nutritional Value
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