Easy Onion Jam Recipe

This Easy Onion Jam Recipe is seriously the easiest way to elevate your sandwiches, burgers, cheese boards—basically, your whole darn life. It’s sweet, savory, and umami-packed, and once you try it, you’ll be slathering it on everything. Trust me.

My husband, bless his heart, used to be a plain-Jane kinda eater. Mayo only, hold the onions type of guy. Then I made this Easy Onion Jam Recipe. Now? He’s sneaking spoonfuls straight from the jar! He even asked me to put it on his scrambled eggs the other day. EGGS! I swear, this stuff is magic. It’s become a Sunday brunch staple at our place, and honestly, sometimes I just make a batch so I can eat it with a spoon. Don’t judge!

Why You’ll Love This Easy Onion Jam Recipe

• Because it’s stupid easy. Seriously, if I can do it (and I burn toast sometimes!), you can.
• It makes you look fancy AF, even if you’re just spreading it on a cheese and cracker situation.
• The sweet-savory thing is addictive. Like, Netflix binge-worthy addictive.
• It’s a serious crowd-pleaser. I’ve brought this to potlucks, and it’s always the first thing to disappear.
• It hides veggies. Okay, not really, but it MAKES you want to eat onions, and that’s a win in my book.

How to Make It

Okay, so first things first: grab your onions. Slice ’em up nice and thin. Don’t worry about being perfect; we’re not trying to win any onion-slicing contests here. Just get ’em in the pan with some olive oil over medium heat. Now, here’s the key – patience. You gotta let those onions get all soft and caramelized. It takes a while, like 30-40 minutes, maybe longer. Just stir ’em every now and then so they don’t burn.

Once they’re looking all golden and delicious, throw in the garlic, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar (or whatever sweetener you’re using – I’ve even used maple syrup in a pinch), soy sauce, and a pinch of salt. Let it all simmer together until it gets nice and thick. I usually end up tasting it like 50 times and adjusting the sweetness or saltiness as I go. Don’t be afraid to experiment!

Finally, let it cool down a bit and then stick it in a jar. Boom! Onion jam magic. I mean, Easy Onion Jam Recipe magic!

Ingredient Notes

• Onions: The star of the show! I usually use yellow onions because they’re cheap and easy, but red onions work great too if you’re feeling fancy. Just… don’t use the super sweet ones unless you want jam that tastes like candy.
• Balsamic Vinegar: This gives it that tangy, sophisticated vibe. If you only have regular vinegar, it’s okay, just use less of it. I may or may not have learned that the hard way.
• Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness and depth. I’ve subbed honey when I was out and it was still amazing, just a bit…different.
• Soy Sauce: The umami bomb. Don’t skip it! Unless you’re gluten-free, then see my FAQ section for a quick swap.
• Garlic: Because garlic makes everything better. End of story.

Recipe Steps:

1. Slice: Thinly slice the onions.
2. Sauté: Cook onions in olive oil over medium heat until softened and caramelized.
3. Add: Stir in garlic, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, and soy sauce.
4. Simmer: Let the mixture simmer until thickened.
5. Cool: Allow the jam to cool before transferring to a jar.

What to Serve It With

Okay, this is where you can get creative. Obvi, it’s amazing on burgers. But also try it with:

• Grilled cheese (trust me on this one)
• Crackers and brie (or any cheese, really)
• Roasted chicken or pork
• Pizza (yes, really!)
• Scrambled eggs (if you’re feeling adventurous)

Tips & Mistakes

• Don’t rush the caramelizing process! It takes time for the onions to get that sweet, jammy goodness.
• Keep an eye on the heat. You don’t want the onions to burn. Low and slow is the way to go.
• Taste as you go! Adjust the sweetness and saltiness to your liking.
• Don’t be afraid to experiment with different types of onions or sweeteners.

Storage Tips

Store your leftover onion jam in an airtight container in the fridge. It’ll keep for about a week, maybe longer if you’re lucky. I mean, if you haven’t eaten it all by then. And hey, if you DO eat it cold straight from the fridge at midnight… no judgment here. It’s good on a spoon. Also, it’s surprisingly good on toast for breakfast. Just sayin’.

Variations and Substitutions

• Sweetener Swap: Use honey or maple syrup instead of brown sugar. I’ve done this when I ran out of brown sugar and it works great!
• Spice It Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little kick.
• Herb It Up: Throw in some fresh thyme or rosemary for extra flavor.
• Vinegar Variety: Experiment with different vinegars, like apple cider vinegar. I once used rice vinegar by accident, and it was… interesting. Not bad, just… different.
• No Soy Sauce?: Use coconut aminos or tamari for a gluten-free option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Easy Onion Jam Recipe

This easy onion jam is perfect for burgers, sandwiches, and more! A sweet and savory delight that enhances any dish.

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Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour

Servings: 8

Calories: 120kcal

Ingredients

 

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Main Ingredients

• ▢ 2.5 lbs yellow onions thinly sliced
• ▢ 1 cup granulated sugar
• ▢ 0.5 cup balsamic vinegar
• ▢ 0.25 cup olive oil
• ▢ 1 tbsp salt
• ▢ 0.5 tsp black pepper freshly ground
• ▢ 0.5 cup water

Instructions

Preparation Steps

• Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until they start to caramelize, about 20 minutes.
• Add sugar, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper. Continue to cook for another 20-25 minutes, stirring frequently.
• Add water to deglaze the pan and continue cooking until the onions are jam-like in consistency, about 5-10 minutes.
• Allow the jam to cool and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Notes

This onion jam pairs perfectly with cheese plates, grilled meats, or as a condiment for your favorite sandwich.