Bourbon Caramelized Onion Jam

*Updated* Sep 17, 2024 Published: July 28, 2020 / By: Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy 118 Comments

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This Bourbon Caramelized Onion Jam is the hit of BBQ season this year.

Red onions, combined with bourbon, maple balsamic, and maple sugar. Caramelized to perfection. The perfect topping for burgers, sandwiches and so much more. Try it paired with homemade white bean hummus.

A jar of Bourbon Caramelized Onion Jam ready to eat.

Between this and Savory Tomato Jam, we have the best homemade condiments for everything!!

Are you a bourbon lover? How about onions? This red onion marmalade is over the top delicious.

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I have ALWAYS been a big onion fan. My daughter, on the other hand, is an onion hater. My husband cannot stand eating them raw but LOVES pickled onions and air fryer onion rings.

RECIPE and INSTRUCTIONS for this caramelized onion recipe can be found at the bottom of the post.

He also LOVES bourbon. Boozy Bourbon Iced Coffee and Grilled Nectarine Bourbon Patio Punch have been enjoyed lots this summer. Perfect for bbq parties.

During the holidays, Boozy Bourbon Chocolate Fudge is a hit on the treat tray (makes an excellent Christmas homemade food gift).

Now, when it comes to cooking onions, caramelized onions are over the top delicious. If you have never tried them before, you are REALLY missing out!

Caramelizing onions takes time (you cannot rush this process). Believe me, IT IS WORTH the effort (which is NOT hard). Have you ever tried caramelized onions on burgers? OMG!!!!

Homemade Onion Gravy is hands down our favourite topper. Perfect for steaks right off the grill. You really need to give it a try.

Ingredients for Sweet Onion Bourbon Jam

For this braised onion compote recipe you will need:

red onions
bourbon
water
olive oil
maple balsamic vinegar
maple sugar
smoked sea salt
cracked black pepper

Most recipes for caramelized onions use brown sugar. Maple bourbon is so delicious, I decided to incorporate some maple flavours into this onion relish.

If you have never used (affiliate)*maple sugar before, you really need to give it a try.

I also use (affiliate)* Maple Balsamic and Smoked Sea Salt in this recipe.

How To Make Caramelized Onion Jam

Red wine, bourbon, maple balsamic and maple sugar in a measuring cup to pour into the onions.

This process is NOT HARD. TIME and PATIENCE is required for cooking onions to perfection.

Peel onions and thinly slice.
Combine all the liquid ingredients in a measuring cup.
Cook onions in a heavy-bottomed skillet with olive oil until soft.
Add the liquid, bring to a boil, and reduce the heat.
Cook the onions until soft and liquid is reduced (see recipe card for full instructions).
DO NOT RUSH the cooking process (very important).
Remove from heat and cool.
Place in a glass jar and store in the fridge.

Onions cooking in a pan to make the jam.

Remember to stir during the cooking process (which takes about an hour). Slowly cooking onions draws out the natural sweetness, allowing the sugar in them to caramelize.

Best Onions To Use

Honestly, this is all personal preference. I like red onions since they are on the sweet side. Feel free to try:

Spanish
Vidalia
Walla Walla
Maui
White
Yellow
Shallots

All varieties will work nicely. The end result is sweet, tender, dark-brown onions.

Onions and liquid reducing in a pan to make jam.

How Long Does It Last? This caramelized onion recipe will last for about 2 weeks stored in a glass jar in the fridge. I like to serve it at room temperature.

Close up shot of caramelized onions cooking.

You can also freeze this onion jam recipe. Place in a freezer bag or ice cube trays. It will last a few months in the freezer. Just thaw before using.

Preserved Onion Uses

Where do we start? SO many places like:

burgers, hot dogs and sausages
sandwiches
use it as a chicken marinade
on top of brie
crostini topping
with bacon and eggs
perfect on pulled pork and beef brisket (yes it sure is)
as a pizza topping
sweet onion spread

Bourbon Onion Jam getting put into a mason jar.

I am sure you can think of SO MANY DELICIOUS WAYS to enjoy this thick, rich, easy onion jam. Make the perfect food gift to take to your next bbq party.

Do you have a herb garden? Fresh Herb Salt is a great way to try preserving fresh herbs.

Looking for a few more homemade savoury condiments? Here are a few to try: