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If you’re looking for a delicious new condiment, look no further than this amazing and super-easy tomato jam recipe! It’s so flavorful and just like the essence of late summer, all in one jam-like bite.
Why I Love This Tomato Jam Recipe
When it’s tomato season, and you grow your own at home, it usually means that there are either too few tomatoes or way too many. And when you have a bumper year with a huge tomato crop, you must think of inventive ways to use up all of the produce. That’s exactly how the idea for this tomato jam was created. What I love most is how simple it is to make. Simply cut the tomatoes into pieces, add them to a pan with brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, spices, garlic, and a jalapeño, and let the entire thing simmer. After about an hour or two, the mixture will break down, and the tomatoes will be jam-like. It’s pretty much like tomato candy!
Homemade tomato jam pairs beautifully with cheeses and meats, or it can even be spread on fresh bread and made into a grilled cheese sandwich. The possibilities truly are endless with this tomato jam recipe, offering a ton of different ways to enjoy the essence of summer tomatoes!
Tomato Jam Ingredients
The ingredients needed for this easy tomato jam are simple! Here are the ingredients you’ll need:
- Tomatoes contain a lot of liquid that, when cooked for an extended period of time, turns into a thick, spreadable consistency. Plus, their natural sweetness is perfectly intensified for a savory jam. I suggest using Roma or plum tomatoes for the best results.
- Jalapeño, known for its spice, adds a delicious contrast to the jam’s inherent sweetness. If you are averse to spice, the jalapeños do not have to be added. If you love spice, you could also add in some red pepper flakes or chili flakes for even more heat!
- Garlic works to offset some of the sweetness of the tomatoes while adding savory flavor.
- Apple cider vinegar has a slight sweetness that complements the tomatoes’ flavor while brightening the overall jam.
- Brown sugar contains caramel-like flavor notes that amp up the mixture’s natural sweetness. Its texture also adds thickness to the jam.
- Yellow curry powder contains a blend of spices that adds subtle warmth.
- Ground cumin adds complexity to the jam’s flavor while balancing out the overall sweetness of the recipe.
- Smoked paprika has a smoky and sweet flavor that amps up the simmered quality of this tomato jam.
- Kosher salt adds a pop of flavor that’s always necessary when it comes to any recipe.
How to Make Tomato Jam
There are three simple steps to make this easy tomato jam recipe:
- Mix everything together
- Cook the mixture
- Store the jam
Step 1: Mix everything together. In a skillet, combine the diced tomatoes, brown sugar, minced garlic, diced jalapeño, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, yellow curry powder, cumin, and salt. Mix everything to combine and begin cooking over medium heat.
Step 2: Cook the mixture. Let the mixture reach a boil, and then reduce the heat to a simmer. Simmer the mixture for 1 to 1 ½ hours until the consistency becomes jam-like.
Step 3: Store the jam. Once cooked, remove the tomato jam from the stove and let it cool slightly before storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This will make one batch. If more batches are desired, simply multiply the recipe.
Serving and Storage Suggestions
To serve: This tomato jam works as a condiment on so many different items. Here are a few ways that I love to serve it:
- As part of the filling in a deluxe grilled cheese sandwich
- Dolloped on an egg as a savory jam-like sauce
- Spread on toast with cream cheese
- Added to a burger (or other protein) in place of (or in addition to) ketchup
To store: The jam should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, this recipe has not been tested to be put in a water bath canner with lids and rings. It should be stored in the refrigerator as it is not shelf-stable.
The recipe makes one batch, which is about 1 cup. If you want a larger batch, multiply the amount of ingredients for the desired ending volume.
More Recipes to Try
Have I Convinced You to Make This Recipe?
I hope you make this recipe and put some food on your table. Leave a comment and share a star rating so you can let others know how much you love this recipe. This helps show others that this is a recipe they, too, can make, enjoy, and love!
Easy Tomato Jam
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 lb Roma tomatoes cored and diced into 1-inch pieces
- ¾ cup light brown sugar
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp cumin
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp yellow curry powder
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 jalapeño seeded and minced
- 1 clove garlic minced
Instructions
- Add the tomatoes, brown sugar, vinegar, cumin, smoked paprika, curry powder, salt, jalapeño, and garlic to a 12-inch skillet or saucepan. Stir and bring the mixture to a boil.2 lb Roma tomatoes, ¾ cup light brown sugar, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp cumin, ½ tsp smoked paprika, ½ tsp yellow curry powder, 1 tsp kosher salt, 1 jalapeño, 1 clove garlic
- Once at a boil, reduce the heat to achieve a low simmer. Simmer the mixture, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes break down and become jam-like, and no moisture draws when a spatula is drawn through the jam, 1 to 1 ½ hours.
- Remove from the heat and allow the jam to cool. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to two weeks.
Do you remove the peel from the tomatoes?
Hi Linda! I don’t because they cook down into the jam and I don’t feel that you notice it. But if you prefer to, you can remove the peel.
I made this and put it on top of a meatloaf. Terrific.
Tried the tomato jam today. It is delicious! A great way to use the bounty of tomatoes the season offers. I didn’t use Roma tomatoes. Just used what I have. Thanks for the recipe!
Well I replaced tomatoes with peaches and was short a bit so also had two nectarines in with peaches. And since peaches are a bit sweeter than tomatoes I used only 1/2 cup brown sugar… man this is sooooo good. May not share this with any one… may just sit down with crackers or corn chips or what’s ever in the house and just jam away!!!! This is a winner! Thank you so much… SO GOOD!!!
Oh my! This is heavenly. My husband wasn’t too sure about my trying this recipe, but it’s a winner – I may not share too much with him. 😉
I made this again and froze it. Crossing my fingers that it freezes well. I really want to enjoy this in December!!
This recipe was awesome! Great on sandwiches and even just as a topping for a cottage cheese snack. Making more this afternoon!