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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 86 votes
    Pin Recipe Print Rate Save Saved!
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    Course: Condiment
    Cuisine: Canadian
    Keyword: caramelized onions
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 1 hour hour
    Total Time: 1 hour hour 10 minutes 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

    • Pickled onions in a glass bowl.
      Best Pickled Onions Recipe
    • Homemade spearmint simple syrup.
      Spearmint Flavoured Simple Syrup
    • Savory Tomato Jam is ready to eat so many delicious ways.
      Savory Tomato Jam
    • A jar of fresh herb salt.
      Homemade Fresh Herb Salt

    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. Charity

      August 04, 2019 at 10:09 pm

      I’m a real sucker for onion jam. Put it on a shoe and I’d eat it! LOL. Now you’ve gone and added bourbon, so it has to be twice as awesome! Have to make this recipe for sure!

      Reply
      • Gloria | Homemade & Yummy

        August 05, 2019 at 9:27 am

        Hope you enjoy it as much as EVERYONE here does.

    2. Nicole

      August 04, 2019 at 10:03 pm

      I had this on a burger once and it was so good. I can’t believe I now have access to a recipe to make it. Thank you sharing this recipe and the step-by-step photos!

      Reply
      • Gloria | Homemade & Yummy

        August 05, 2019 at 9:28 am

        These really are easy to make…and SUPER delicious to eat LOL.

    3. Jacqueline Debono

      August 04, 2019 at 5:49 pm

      I love the sound of this onion jam. I’m not sure I can find maple flavoured balsamic here in Italy but I’ll do some research! I can just imagine how good this would be on a burger!

      Reply
      • Gloria | Homemade & Yummy

        August 05, 2019 at 9:28 am

        Italy has everything you need. I’m sure they will be amazing!!

    4. Tatiana

      August 04, 2019 at 12:03 pm

      This sounds fabulous. Caramelizing the onions just makes my taste buds tingle. My family loves adding different stuff to our burgers, so this will be perfect. Can’t wait to try it!

      Reply
      • Gloria | Homemade & Yummy

        August 05, 2019 at 9:29 am

        I am sure they will LOVE these onions. The neighbours sure do when I bring these to bbq parties.

    5. Sara

      August 04, 2019 at 11:53 am

      I LOVE caramelized onions! Adding bourbon to them seems like a dream, as both my fiance and I LOVE bourbon, too! I’ve been wanting to grill out burgers for a while now, and I can’t think of a better excuse to do it now. These onions on top of some grass fed burgers would be absolute heaven. I can’t wait to make these!

      Reply
      • Gloria | Homemade & Yummy

        August 05, 2019 at 9:30 am

        We just had them on brisket at a BBQ party…AMAZING.

    6. Anne Murphy

      August 03, 2019 at 10:25 pm

      Oh, my! I make a bacon onion marmalade, and it is amazing (and gets used so many places) – but boubon brings it to a whole new level! This really sounds wonderful!

      Reply
      • Gloria | Homemade & Yummy

        August 05, 2019 at 9:30 am

        Well, Bourbon (like bacon) makes everything delicious.

    7. Kate

      August 03, 2019 at 12:09 pm

      Wow this looks so delicious and I bet it would taste amazing on pretty much everything! I like that you gave tips on what types of onion to use and how to store it, very helpful!

      Reply
      • Gloria | Homemade & Yummy

        August 05, 2019 at 9:31 am

        You are welcome…hope you give this recipe a try.

    8. Lizzy

      August 02, 2019 at 5:55 am

      I think tis jam would be amazing on a grilled cheese sandwich! YUM

      Reply
      • Gloria | Homemade & Yummy

        August 02, 2019 at 9:37 am

        I think it would too. Hope you give it a try.

    9. Kylee

      August 01, 2019 at 11:13 pm

      This has my name ALL over it!! I mean, anything with bacon and bourbon that I can eat, I’m sold. This looks incredible, Gloria!

      Reply
      • Gloria | Homemade & Yummy

        August 02, 2019 at 9:37 am

        Thanks. I just make a huge batch for a bbq party tomorrow.

    10. Dana

      July 31, 2019 at 12:27 pm

      The first time I had onion jam was on a burger at a gourmet burger joint. IT WAS SO GOOD. I had no idea any recipe for it would be so approachable, though. The bourbon puts a fun and trendy spin on it, too. I have some bourbon-loving friends who will go wild over this!

      Reply
      • Gloria | Homemade & Yummy

        July 31, 2019 at 4:02 pm

        This is so easy to make. Caramelizing onions takes time, but SOOOO worth the effort.

    11. Donna

      July 30, 2019 at 11:46 pm

      Oh wow, I make caramelized onions all the time but this just takes it to the next level!! So jammy and delicious, perfect pairing for a BBQ!

      Reply
      • Gloria | Homemade & Yummy

        July 31, 2019 at 11:02 am

        YES..this ROCK! I am making more for a bbq party this weekend.

    12. Liren Baker

      July 30, 2019 at 3:20 pm

      Love the idea of freezing this onion jam! Brilliant!

      Reply
      • Gloria | Homemade & Yummy

        July 31, 2019 at 11:03 am

        Cool right?? Such a great idea. We never want any of this to go to waste!!

    13. Lois Christensen

      July 30, 2019 at 1:40 pm

      The perfect topping for a burger this summer!

      Reply
      • Gloria | Homemade & Yummy

        July 31, 2019 at 11:03 am

        And so many other ways to use it too. Have you tried it on homemade pizza!! OMG!!

    14. Trish Bozeman

      July 30, 2019 at 12:03 pm

      SOOOOO GOOD! I can’t believe I haven’t added bourbon and balsamic to caramelized onions before. This would take my veggie burgers to the next level. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Gloria | Homemade & Yummy

        July 31, 2019 at 11:04 am

        YES…give it a try on homemade pizza too…it is so good.

    15. Dorothy Reinhold

      July 29, 2019 at 10:15 pm

      This is going to be one of those things I want in my fridge at all times! Sooooo good!

      Reply
      • Gloria | Homemade & Yummy

        July 31, 2019 at 11:04 am

        Me too..making more today!! ENJOY!

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