This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Tomatoes cooked down until sticky sweet, this Easy Tomato Jam is simple to make. Tangy, sticky and perfect for entertaining. All you need is a little time, patience and some will-power….so you don’t eat the whole batch all by yourself.
It’s raining tomatoes. At least in my area it is. I found this amazing, secret farm stand just around the corner from my house about a month or two ago…..just in time for the end of summer.
And I’ve lived here for two years now, this is the first I ever stumbled upon it. I really need to open my eyes when I drive around, I’m missing out on all kinds of things…like a cheese shop that I keep driving by and everyone says is fabulous.
But I have yet to venture inside because I’m afraid I may never leave. I mean, it’s a cheese shop. The only thing better than a cheese shop would be a butter shop and I haven’t come across one of those yet.
Back to the farm stand….they sell a bazillion tomatoes and every time I show up they have bushels of them for $5. Yes, $5. FIVE DOLLARS! It’s crazy, so I’ve been whipping up sauce, all kinds of sauce…Bolognese Sauce, Stovetop Marinara, you name it.
I shipped some off to Penn State this weekend….it was a Vodka sauce and now that I think about it, I should have shot some photos and posted the recipe for you. I’ll add it to the ever-growing list of things I want to share with all of you…my lovely internet friends.
Because you ARE my friends….you keep coming back here to eat with me and listen (um….watch…read?) to me yammer on about crazy stuff that’s going on in my present, past and possible future. See….I’m off track again.
Since my freezer is adequately stocked for winter like we’re a family squirrels (except tomatoes instead of nuts…because we’re already nuts) I had to do something with the 30 bushels of tomatoes sitting around.
I whipped up a tomato and goat cheese crostata and paired it with a fresh bloody mary, then I imagined myself eating a crisp, buttery cracker topped with goat cheese and tomato jam. The problem, I didn’t have tomato jam so I played around with a recipe I had printed out a while ago with every intention of making it…canning it…and squirreling it away for winter. Let me tell you this….there’s no need to can it.
What is Tomato Jam? (Or tomato marmalade for that matter.)
Tomato jam is a sweet spread made with fresh tomatoes, sugar and a bit of spices. It’s cooked down to a jammy consistency and is perfect on top of that avocado toast everyone is posting on Instagram lately.
How do you make a Sweet Tomato Jam recipe?
Much different than a Savory Tomato Jam, which reminds me of a tomato sauce that’s overly thick, this sweet tomato jam is earthy and tangy and sticky and sweet.
You simply stir together the tomatoes, sugar and spices then cook down for a bit until it’s thick, sticky and….well, sweet. You can do this with regular tomatoes or make a cherry tomato jam recipe just the same way with those cute as a button cherry or grape tomatoes.
Why, you ask? Because it’s so good (and doesn’t make that much to begin with) you will eat all of this Easy Tomato Jam before it has a chance to go bad. And it’s so simple, with easy to find ingredients….it has a little kick to it from cayenne pepper and a beautiful spice from fresh ginger.
It goes swimmingly with the goat cheese I mentioned a little while ago and it would be amazing on some avocado toast for a quick, healthy breakfast. You really should make this very soon….really….go…go now.
If you’re not really in the tomato mood then you should DEF try this Easy Orange Marmalade recipe, it’s like the best ever with a little hint of vanilla OR whip up this super simple Strawberry jam, it’s so amazing and so incredibly easy. The the best ever refrigerator jam. And this FIG Jam is always a hit….great to save for the winter months as an epic freezer jam.
And I just used up the rest of the summer blueberries for this EASY Blueberry Jam that’s going in the freezer until winter. Cause I’m a planner like that….for now.
Easy Tomato Jam
Ingredients
- 2 pounds very good ripe tomatoes, cored and coarsely chopped, ( I used roma tomatoes)
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon fresh grated or minced ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to a heavy bottom saucepan and bring the mixture to a boil stirring frequently to prevent the bottom from burning.
- Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the mixture has thickened to the consistency of jam. Remove from the heat and allow to cool to room temperature. Transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How many jars does this recipe make? Do you peel the tomatoes first or run then through a sieve to remove the skins? Your recipe looks fabulous, I might just sit and eat it with a spoon right from the jar!
I do not peel my tomatoes, they tend to break down enough that I didn’t feel it was necessary. And I think it makes like one standard size ball jar. I just had a bunch of little jars and it filled three of them.
Can this be canned? Water bath or pressure?
Either method will work….I’m a fan of water bath canning, though.
We don’t like too much sweeter with Savory. Can I cut back on the sugar and if so, how much. And will it still set?
You can definitely cut back on the sugar a bit but you may need it to simmer a little bit longer to set up.
Can’t get homegrown here yet? Have you ever tried with jarred/canned tomatoes? I’m thinking it should work. Sounds incredible! Thanks.
I’m sorry I haven’t tried it with canned tomatoes.
Just made my first ever batch of tomato jam using some backyard tomatoes given to my husband,.Good easy recipe, will be having it in our cheese sangers this weekend.
Thank you so much! It’s surprising how addictive it is! And thank you for the rating. 🙂
Hi. I’m married to an Indian and make Tomato Chutney. My friend in Lebanon made Tomato Jam and I was so intrigued. My best friend helped me baste a quilt and gave me a bunch of Heirloom Tomatoes! They are gorgeous. I will be trying this recipe as like many of your commenters, I’ve only just heard of it and will be trying your recipe! Thank you!
Please come back and let me know what you think! I love Tomato Chutney, too….I’ll be posting that recipe this summer. Love the warm spices in it.
Hi! Oh what a lovely recipe this was!! I am making more and was looking for this pin and saw your message! Thank you again!
Hi Kellie. I am about to try this recipe out with some organic cherry tomatoes from Holland!!!!! Eeeeeee
I was born in South America and my aunt made tomato jam every summer so I have been on the lookout for a recipe. I made this jam and it is delicious. Served it on home made crostini spread with tomato jam and topped with goat cheese. Best and easiest appetizer! It is also great as a topping for baked Brie. Thanks for the great recipe.
We do love this on top of brie…..so good!
What do you think about adding a couple cloves of garlic? Have you tried that? I think this would be amazing over Burrata cheese.
I think the garlic would be an excellent addition!
I would love make this recipe, but replace the sugar with Xylithol.. I hope it is going to work. Hold thumbs.
Please let me know how this turns out….would love a low sugar sub for those that can’t have so much in their recipes.
I tasted tomato jam for the first time on my honeymoon and it was love at first bite! I had to try it again at home and was so pleased that this recipe very closely resembles 5-star restaurant version! I’m making a double batch now for yummy hone-made gifts
I am soooooo glad you liked it! It’s one of my favorite recipes. 🙂
I’m trying this today, with Compari tomatoes. I had tomato jam on a burger with brie last night in a cafe and it was great. So now I need my own supply.
I was wondering if green tomatoes offer any pectin that would help the jam firm up. I could add one if you think it would.
Linda
That’s a great questions, Linda! I don’t have an answer because I haven’t tried it yet.
I never heard of Tomato Jam until I saw this on Pinterest. I made my first batch and Love It! I am making another batch and will finish off my bushel of tomatoes making Tomato Jam. *BTW For each batch I tripled the recipe 😀
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! I love how easy it is.