Dressing, Sauce, or Condiment › Condiment

Onion Jam

By Amy Flanigan

Updated May 15, 2026

Read 7 Reviews

Prep 10 minutes mins

Cook 25 minutes mins

Servings 12 (2 tbsp each)

By Amy Flanigan

Updated May 15, 2026

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For me, Onion Jam is my jam. I take caramelized onions, sweet California prunes, and a few spices. The result is a delicious condiment that I pretty much slather on everything from burgers to toast. It’s so delicious, and I’m never without a batch in the fridge.

Easy Onion Jam Recipe

Several months ago, while on a retreat hosted by the CA Prune Board, they served prune onion jam, and it was all anyone at my table could talk about. I tried replicating the recipe from memory and this is it…and it’s amazing.

This Onion Jam is, well, the jam. I’m so in love with this condiment that I’ve been putting it on everything. I find prunes are so underutilized, and I’m super surprised by how many recipes are enhanced with just a few or how well they pair with other ingredients.

Onions and prunes are a fabulous combination, creating the ultimate sweet and savory flavor. I’ve added a few spices, so this jam ends up smooth, sweet, vinegary, and the ultimate spread with endless possibilities. It comes together in minutes, so it’s quick to prepare, which allows me to have a jarful in my fridge at all times.

Helpful Tips and Variations

• Stir to prevent scorching. While the jam cooks, it is important to stir so it doesn’t scorch and stick to the bottom of the pot.
• Add a splash of water. If the mixture seems to be a bit dry while you are cooking, add a small splash of water toward the end to loosen it up a bit.
• Do not overcook! The onions should be caramelized, and there should still be a little bit of juice in the pot when it’s ready. If you continue to cook, the mixture will dry out.
• Look for pitted prunes. If you use pitted prunes, the process is a bit easier, as you don’t need to add the step of pitting the prunes.

5 from 7

Onion Jam

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Cook: 25 minutes mins

Total: 35 minutes mins

Servings: 12 (2 tbsp each)

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Onion Jam is the jam! Caramelized onions, sweet prunes, and spices reduce down into a heavenly condiment. This recipe goes well for burgers, steak, pork, on crackers or even toast for breakfast!

Step-by-step photos can be seen below the recipe card.

Ingredients 

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• ▢ 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• ▢ 1 lb. sweet onions, finely diced
• ▢ ¼ tsp freshly minced thyme
• ▢ ¼ tsp kosher salt
• ▢ freshly-cracked black pepper, a few turns
• ▢ ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
• ▢ 2 tbsp granulated sugar
• ▢ 2 tbsp honey
• ▢ 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• ▢ ¼ tsp ground ginger
• ▢ ½ cup finely diced prunes

Instructions 

• In a medium-sized saucepan, warm oil over medium heat; add in the onions, thyme, salt, and pepper. Cook until onions are soft and translucent, stirring frequently, about 10 minutes.
• Add broth, sugar, honey, vinegar, ginger, and prunes to the pot; continue cooking, stirring frequently, until onions begin to caramelize and prunes break down, about 10-15 more minutes.
• While cooking, continue to stir to prevent scorching. If the mixture seems to be a bit dry, add a small splash of water toward the end. Do not overcook! Onions should be caramelized, and there should still be a little bit of juice in the pot when it’s ready.
• Let jam cool, then transfer to a lidded jar and store in the refrigerator.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 2tbsp | Calories: 83kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 56mg | Potassium: 111mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 57IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional information given is an automatic calculation and can vary based on the exact products you use and any changes you make to the recipe. If these numbers are very important to you, I would recommend calculating them yourself.

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How to Make Onion Jam Step by Step

Gather the ingredients and cook the onions: Gather all your ingredients. Cook 1 lb. sweet onions, finely diced, in 3 tbsp oil in a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat. Stir in ¼ tsp freshly minced thyme, ¼ tsp kosher salt, and a few turns of freshly-cracked black pepper. Stir frequently for about 10 minutes until the onions are soft and translucent.

Add the remaining ingredients: Add ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth, 2 tbsp granulated sugar, 2 tbsp honey, 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar, ¼ tsp ground ginger, and ½ cup finely diced prunes, and continue stirring until the onions caramelize and the prunes have broken down. This usually takes me 10-15 minutes.

Cool and store: Once the jam has finished cooking, let it cool, and then transfer it to a jar and store it in the refrigerator.

How to Use Onion Jam

I like to spread the onion jam on my grilled cheese sandwich for a completely delicious transformation of a childhood classic. But, I find it tastes great slathered on a hamburger or even a juicy Lucy burger for added taste and texture. I’ve also been known to eat this onion jam for breakfast on top of ricotta or cottage cheese. Just a little dollop adds a tremendous amount of flavor.

This onion jam is also the perfect appetizer—pair it with cheese, nuts, fruit, sliced meat, along with crostini or crackers, and you have the perfect charcuterie board. Sometimes, I’ll bake it on puff pastry with ripe pears for a warm appetizer or just serve it with a baked brie wheel. However, I serve this onion jam, and it always goes over well.

How To Store

• Fridge. The particular recipe will last in the fridge, tightly sealed, for up to 2 weeks.
• Freezer. Freeze onion jam for up to 2 months in the freezer. Thaw in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before serving.

Other Condiments To Try

• This Bacon Jam is the ultimate condiment. I use it for toast, eggs, sandwiches, and burgers.
• In this Whipped Herb Butter recipe, I transform regular butter into a creamy and fluffy garlic and herb-flavored butter. 
• Homemade Ricotta Cheese can be made with 4 simple ingredients and in just 20 minutes of time.