Given my preference for savory over sweet, for my first attempt at making jam this summer, I reached for tomatoes, rather than berries. This jam couldn’t be simpler – you simply throw several simple ingredients into a pot – tomatoes, diced onion, white wine vinegar, herbs de provence and a green apple {for its pectin} – let it come to an active simmer, and simply wait. The tomatoes cook down into a jammy, delicious consistency, beautifully flavored and colored. Use this jam on your next cheese plate, on burgers, on crostini, and anywhere you would otherwise use ketchup. It would also make a fantastic hostess gift at your next summer cookout.
Tomato Jam
- 3 pounds tomatoes, coarsely chopped
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1/2 c. brown sugar
- 1/2 c. granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 c. cider vinegar
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 green apple, cored and chopped
- 1 teaspoon herbs of provence
Put all ingredients into a large, heavy pot over medium high heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce to an active simmer. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking on the bottom of the pot. Cook until the tomatoes have reduced down to a jam consistency, which will take between 2 to 3 hours. Store the jam in sterilized glass jars.
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this sounds wonderful – can’t wait till my tomatoes are ripe!!!
Thank you Mimi! I guess we lucky Californians get ripe, heirloom tomatoes here earlier in the season! I can’t seem to get enough of them…
that looks wonderful – so many beautiful tomatoes, nothing could go wrong!
Thank you! One of the most wonderfully simple dishes ever – I think I will go on a savory jam/chutney making rampage! 🙂
Lindsay, this is a lovely idea. I had no idea you can use green apple for the pectin. Sounds delicious. Hope all is well with you. Take care! xo
Hi Anne! So good to hear from you! The apple is a little miracle worker – I think just that much pectin made the tomatoes turn into a delicious jammy texture, as opposed to just reducing to a classic marinara sauce. So yummy. Hope you’re doing well! xoxo
This sounds like my kind of jam. Definitely savory over sweet. I am so pleased you posted this inspiring idea. Anticipating my tomato harvest!
Thank you so much! Now that I have discovered how delicious (and easy) savory jams are, I might have to try a few more! Cheers to savory over sweet! xoxo
I make tomato jam every summer and my favorite way to enjoy it is with goat cheese. Your recipe is wonderful, I don’t need to say anything about your photo’s, sigh……
I love it! I had never really before thought about the myriad of uses for tomato jam, but I think it will have to become a summer tradition as you have done – how charming! What else do you use yours for?
I can’t wait for my tomatoes to come in. This will be the first recipe I will make!!! Lovely pictures…
Thank you so much! I hope you enjoy it! I think it would be so terribly cute bottled nicely and wrapped with a pretty ribbon as a gift, especially from a home garden! xoxo
Yum! 🙂
Thank you Lilly Sue! xoxo
Yum, Lindsay, and the pics, especially of the tomatoes, are just gorgeous. I love how tomatoes just sing of Summer. You know when they start showing their lovely faces, Summer is here. Thanks so much for helping with bringing it on =) xo!
Thank you Christina! Yes, summer isn’t quite summer without tomatoes! 🙂 Hope you’re doing well and getting excited for your upcoming move! xoxo
I’ve made a chilli tomato jam but I’m yet to try a gorgeously rich, classic tomato jam like this one. It’s looks beautiful (I have the same size Weck jar, it’s my favourite one. I love the metal clasps on the lid!). I am so addicted to goats cheese. It’s been a permanent fixture in my fridge for months now. Can’t get enough of it, especially on fresh crostini. Yum!
By the way, I’ve been experimenting with Winter ‘jam’ flavours recently (as like you, I adore savoury jams. I never really eat the sweet ones, though I do make them to give away). I’ve had huge success with a beetroot jam (it becomes gorgeously syrupy and delicious! We had a homemade burger night and the boys finished my whole batch! Sad face), apple jam (made savoury style, with onions and spices. Sooo good with roast pork) and bacon jam (with chilli and Bourbon. Man food). I need to post some of them up one day! xoxo
Oh my goodness! All of those jams sound AMAZING! Can I have all of them now please?! Please do a post about them soon! 🙂 xoxo
Haha, thanks lovely! Yep I’ll have to get my act together… wish I could send you a batch! xoxo
This looks completely amazing!
Thank you Lynette! xoxo
could you put a pepper in with the tomatoes? small chili pepper or something for a bit of a bite?
That’s a brilliant idea – I think it would be excellent with a little kick! Thanks for stopping by! xoxo
Do these get stored in the refrigerator? How long do you think they are good for? Thanks!
Yes, I store the tomato jam as I do ketchup – in the refrigerator. All of the tomato jam I made didn’t last too long, but I would think it would keep in the refrigerator for at least two weeks…Please do let me know that you think! xoxo
Did you peel your tomatoes first? I have tomatoes coming out of my ears from our garden and I can’t wait to make this, I’m going to smother it on my grilled cheese 🙂
Hi Amanda – thanks so much for stopping by! No, I did not peel my tomatoes – I just roughly chopped up the larger ones and left some of the little cherry tomatoes whole – super easy! I think the tomato skins give this jam a nice texture. I love your idea to smother it over grilled cheese – genius! xoxo
Hi,
Making the recipe now, adding a small handful of organic dried cranberries & goji berries, I used the juice of a lime because I was out of lemons and also added bit of hot peppers. Tastes fantastic! Will try to post a shot of it cooking on the stove! Thank you!
Love and light, Daphne Weld Nichols
Hi Daphne! Thanks so much for stopping by and for giving the recipe a try! Would love to see a picture of it bubbling away on the stove. Glad you liked how it turned out – the addition of hot peppers for a little kick sounds fantastic! xoxo
Looks so delicious! My neighbor gave me a different recipe but it turned out pretty great.
http://bythesparklingsea.wordpress.com/2013/08/12/tomato-jam/
Awesome! Will definitely have to give your recipe a try also – sounds delicious! Your photos are gorgeous! xoxo
I found you from another site and your Tomato Jam sends out tastebud drools so if I can find some inexpensive tomatoes I am going to give it a go…thanks for the receipe. I sent it to some family members and a friend.
Bless you
Sylvia Faye
Hi Sylvia! Thank you so much for stopping by and for your kind words! If you give it a go, do let me know what you think of the recipe – would love to hear your thoughts! xoxo
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Thank you so much for the shout-out Mimi! Glad you gave the recipe a try, and put your own unique spin on it! Lovely! xo
How much total jam does this make?
My batch made about 4 cups total in the end. Thanks so much for stopping by – do let me know if you try the recipe and what you think! xo
do you think this can be canned to preserve its shelf life?
Likely, although I have to admit that I don’t really know much about the canning process. Sorry I can’t be more helpful! Thanks so much for stopping by!