Tomato Jam

Do you ever get tired of the same old condiments? Tomato Jam is about to change your life! 

While Tomato Jam is simple, you need to plan on being home for at least an hour and half. Cooking time will depend on how much liquid was in your tomatoes, so it can vary greatly. It isn’t a challenging recipe, just time consuming. 

This is also not an “exact recipe”, if you want a sweeter jam, add a little more sugar. Aiming for tart? Up the vinegar. And of course, I can’t predict how your tomatoes will taste. Some are sweet, others a little bitter and some don’t have much flavor at all. 

I like using plum tomatoes because they have a mild acidity, robust flavor, and low moisture content. They are most commonly used in sauces and salsas because of these great characteristics. It also means that after adding vinegar, the jam stays sweet without getting to vinegary and it doesn’t take as long to cook down. 

Another variation includes adding black pepper, crushed red pepper flakes or fresh jalapeno for a sweet and spicy aftertaste. Cumin, smoked paprika and ginger are also popular. If you want a super sweet jam, substitute brown sugar for white sugar. 

Tomato Bacon Jam also seems to be super popular, however I prefer to keep my Bacon Jam and Tomato Jam separate. Too many competing flavors. The point it that you have the ability to really make this Tomato Jam your own. 

Tomato Jam is ideal for winter when tomatoes don’t have as much flavor as the height of summer, but is also perfect for the end of tomato season to jar and keep tomatoes year round. It is also a fabulous homemade gift. 

Tomato Jam can be canned, but I am not a canner and don’t want to give out any wrong information and get someone sick. So I looked up the instructions with the canning experts, Ball. Check it out HERE! 

Tomato Jam Ingredients

• Plum tomatoes – I prefer plum tomatoes, but any type of fresh tomatoes will work. Grape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes would be the next best bet. You can also green tomatoes and make green tomato jam, another family favorite! 
• White vinegar – To play around with the flavors, you could use balsamic vinegar or even apple cider vinegar. This tomato chutney is flexible and easy to make your own.
• Sugar – Rather than corn syrup that is found in savory tomato jam that you buy from the grocery store, we use a small amount of sugar in this savory jam recipe.
• Salt – I like to use a pinch of fine sea salt or kosher salt to finish it off for a little extra flavor. But you can use this to taste or leave it out all together if on a low sodium diet.

How to Make Tomato Jam

How do you make tomato jam? Let me give you the quick run down. 

Heat all the tomato jam ingredients including plum tomatoes, sugar, vinegar, water and salt in a medium or large pot (if you are making a double batch).

PRO TIP: Remove from heat right before it reaches the thick jammy texture. As it cools, it will continue to solidify and you run the risk of it getting too thick. 

Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce heat and allow the natural tomato sugar to caramelize. Continue to cook until it reaches a thick jam consistency. 

Ways to Use Tomato Jam

Of course the options for using this delicious jam are endless. Here are a few good options to get you started:

• Condiment on burgers
• Grilled cheese sandwich
• Spread charcuterie board
• To top deviled eggs
• Use instead of ketchup on anything that uses ketchup
• On a BLT sandwich 
• Mix with avocado for a quick, sweet guacamole
• Stir into soups for an extra zing
• On hot dogs
• Mixed with cream cheese or goat cheese for a savory dip
• On pork chops
• Spread on avocado toast
• On scrambled eggs

Storage and Freezing

Storage: This savory spread makes a great gift and can be stored in a glass jar or other airtight container. It will keep for up to two weeks if stored correctly.

Freezing: This easy tomato jam recipe also freezes well. Freeze the same way, in an airtight container, and it will last for up to six months.

More Homemade Condiments

• Bourbon Bacon Jam
• Creamy Honey Mustard
• Truffle Aioli
• White Caramel Chocolate Sauce 

Sweet Cherry Jam Recipe

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or learning how to make homemade jam, this cherry jam recipe is easy and addictive. With canning instructions included you can whip up a batch and be enjoying a vanilla infused sweet cherry jam in 45 minutes.

See The Recipe!

How to Make Butter from Heavy Cream

This Homemade Butter Recipe is ready in just 5 minutes using your blender, heavy cream, ice water and salt. You’ll wonder why you never made butter at home before! 

See The Recipe!

Tomato Jam Recipe

4.44 from 55 votes

Tangy and sweet, tomato jam is excellent on everything from grilled cheese to deviled eggs, adding a balanced acidity that will complement a wide variety of other foods.

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Cook Time: 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Total Time: 1 hour hr 35 minutes mins

Servings: 1 cup

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Ingredients

• 8 plum tomatoes seeds and pulp removed, coarsely chopped
• 1/3 cup white vinegar
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup water
• Dash of salt

Instructions

• Combine all ingredients in a small sauce pan. Heat over low heat, stirring every so often, for 60-90 minutes. Tomato jam is ready when liquid has evaporated and tomatoes are sticky.
• If you’ve tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was! 

Notes

This recipe is more simple, but will have splinters of tomato skin. If you wish to have no skin, dip whole tomatoes in boiling water for 30 seconds, transferring to an ice bath immediately. Skins should peel easily.

Nutrition

Calories: 362 kcal, Carbohydrates: 85 g, Protein: 4 g, Sodium: 31 mg, Potassium: 1175 mg, Fiber: 5 g, Sugar: 79 g, Vitamin A: 4130 IU, Vitamin C: 68 mg, Calcium: 50 mg, Iron: 1.3 mg

Author: Chef Jessica Anne

Calories: 362

Course: Condiment

Cuisine: American

Keyword: tomato jam

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