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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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:
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Bourbon Caramelized Onion Jam
Ingredients
- 2 pounds red onions
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ cup bourbon
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons maple flavoured balsamic vinegar
- ⅓ cup maple sugar
- ½ teaspoons smoked sea salt
- ¼ teaspoons black pepper
Instructions
- Peel onion, cut in ½ and thinly slice with a knife.
- In a measuring cup add the bourbon, water, maple balsamic and maple sugar. Mix well.
- In a heavy-bottomed skillet heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
- Add the onions and cook until soft and translucent (about 10 minutes). Season with salt and pepper. Be sure to stir.
- Once the onions are soft, add the liquid mixture.
- Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low.
- Put a lid on the skillet, and cook for about 20 minutes (stirring occasionally).
- Remove the lid, and continue to cook until the liquid reduces (about 30 minutes). Remember to stir.
- Onions are done when the liquid has reduced to the point it coats the onions with a thick syrup. The onions should be very soft, and a nice dark brown colour.
- Remove from heat, and cool slightly.
- Place in a glass jar, and store in the fridge until ready to use.
Allyssa
Thank you so much for sharing this amazing recipe! Will surely have this again! It’s really easy to make and it tasted so delicious! Highly recommended!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
This onion jam is by far our most popular summer condiment.ENJOY!
Amy
Do you think this recipe would be safe if it was water bath canned? Beginner canner here trying to learn. Thanks
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
No it would not. This is not meant for long time storage.
Rhonda
My husband smoked some very large vidalia onions last weekend, and we have been looking for a recipe like this that I could adapt to ingredients on hand. I had fig basalmic vinegar, instead of maple and I used borboun barrel maple syrup instead of maple sugar. It’s a simple recipe with complex flavor! Great with a cheese board, burgers, or steak!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
I love your substitutions for this delicious onion jam.
Jamie
I love your tip for using maple sugar! It really makes a difference in the flavor! I can think of so many things to use this recipe for. Absolutely delicious!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
So glad you love this recipe as much as we do. Onion Bourbon jam is perfect for so many things.
Alena
Talk about a flavor explosion! These caramelized onions are so good on absolutely anything! And the flavor is so rich and delicious.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
I know right? I LOVE this Bourbon Onion Jam on so many things.
Jo
The flavors of caramelized onions is mind blowing. I love onions, be it pickled, fried onions or caramelized.
The caramelized onion jam is making me drool.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Caramelized onions are so delicious. So worth the time to make them.
Neha
How flavorsome and good this onion jam looks! I can’t wait to try it on my burgers, crackers and what not. Thanks for this amazing recipe!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
It will be perfect on just about anything. ENJOY!
Sara
This looks pretty darn good! I love onion jam but adding bourbon? That is next level genius. I think this would be great with some toast, or just added to a sandwich!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Well according to hubby, bourbon makes everything better. ENJOY!
Tara
I love onion jam, but adding the bourbon really put this dish over the top! The jam was the perfect addition to our barbecued burgers this weekend!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Yes, this is our favourite burger topper for sure.