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    Home » Recipes » Freezing, Preserving & Pickling

    Bourbon Caramelized Onion Jam

    July 28, 2020 *Updated* September 6, 2022 / By: Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy 108 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Disclosure Policy.
    Jump To Recipe

    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!!

    A jar of Bourbon Caramelized Onion Jam ready to eat.

    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!

    A pile of thinly sliced red onions.

    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
    A measuring cup with bourbon in it.

    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.

    Close up shot of onion jam on a fork.

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

    • Balsamic Tomato Chutney
    • Bacon Jam
    • Sweet Corn Relish

    Be sure to CLICK THE SUBSCRIBE BUTTON located in the TOP MENU. You will get a FREE PRINTABLE and recipes! FOLLOW ME on social media too.

    Bourbon Onion Jam Pin Image
    A jar of Bourbon Caramelized Onion Jam ready to eat.

    Bourbon Caramelized Onion Jam

    The perfect condiment for burgers, hot dogs, sausages, pulled pork, brisket and more.
    5 from 48 votes
    Pin Recipe Print Rate Save Saved!
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    Course: Condiment
    Cuisine: Canadian
    Keyword: caramelized onions
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 1 hour
    Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 144kcal
    Author: Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy

    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
    US Customary – Metric

    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.

    Nutrition Information

    Calories: 144kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 153mg | Potassium: 170mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 1mg

    Notes

    I like to serve this onion jam at room temperature. 
    Tried this recipe?Take a picture and tag @homemadeandyummy
    Nutritional information on this site is generated via a plugin. I am not responsible for the accuracy of the plugin information.

    More Freezing, Preserving & Pickling

    • Savory Tomato Jam
    • Homemade Fresh Herb Salt
    • Refrigerator Pickled Zucchini Recipe
    • Simple Roasted Tomatoes Freezer Recipe

    MEET THE AUTHOR

    Gloria Duggan is the author for Homemade & Yummy, where she creates fun and easy recipes. She is also a brand ambassador/influencer for well-known companies. Gloria has judged food competitions and has posted about local food events. Gloria's work has been featured in magazines, and she has been interviewed on several podcasts. Read More…

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Allyssa

      May 24, 2022 at 9:15 am

      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!

      Reply
      • Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy

        May 24, 2022 at 11:46 am

        This onion jam is by far our most popular summer condiment.ENJOY!

    2. Amy

      January 07, 2022 at 10:29 pm

      Do you think this recipe would be safe if it was water bath canned? Beginner canner here trying to learn. Thanks

      Reply
      • Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy

        January 09, 2022 at 10:08 am

        No it would not. This is not meant for long time storage.

    3. Rhonda

      October 19, 2021 at 9:07 am

      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!

      Reply
      • Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy

        October 20, 2021 at 3:49 pm

        I love your substitutions for this delicious onion jam.

    4. Jamie

      August 10, 2020 at 2:14 am

      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!

      Reply
      • Gloria | Homemade & Yummy

        August 10, 2020 at 9:01 am

        So glad you love this recipe as much as we do. Onion Bourbon jam is perfect for so many things.

    5. Alena

      August 09, 2020 at 11:44 pm

      Talk about a flavor explosion! These caramelized onions are so good on absolutely anything! And the flavor is so rich and delicious.

      Reply
      • Gloria | Homemade & Yummy

        August 10, 2020 at 9:01 am

        I know right? I LOVE this Bourbon Onion Jam on so many things.

    6. Jo

      August 09, 2020 at 11:39 pm

      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.

      Reply
      • Gloria | Homemade & Yummy

        August 10, 2020 at 9:02 am

        Caramelized onions are so delicious. So worth the time to make them.

    7. Neha

      August 09, 2020 at 10:32 pm

      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!

      Reply
      • Gloria | Homemade & Yummy

        August 10, 2020 at 9:03 am

        It will be perfect on just about anything. ENJOY!

    8. Sara

      August 09, 2020 at 8:36 pm

      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!

      Reply
      • Gloria | Homemade & Yummy

        August 10, 2020 at 9:03 am

        Well according to hubby, bourbon makes everything better. ENJOY!

    9. Tara

      August 09, 2020 at 6:56 pm

      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!

      Reply
      • Gloria | Homemade & Yummy

        August 10, 2020 at 9:04 am

        Yes, this is our favourite burger topper for sure.

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