Sweet • Savory • Rich • The Taste of Summer in Every Spoonful
Nothing captures the flavor of a New Jersey summer like ripe heirloom tomatoes picked at their peak. Their natural sweetness, vibrant color, and complex flavor make them the perfect foundation for this gourmet tomato jam. Slow-simmered with onions, garlic, herbs, honey, and spices, this versatile spread is equally at home on burgers, grilled cheese sandwiches, charcuterie boards, or roasted meats.
Yield: About 4 cups
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1½–2 hours
Ingredients
- 4 pounds ripe New Jersey heirloom tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and diced
- 1 large sweet Vidalia or Jersey onion, finely diced
- 5 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- ¾ cup dark brown sugar
- ¼ cup local wildflower honey
- ⅓ cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons aged balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon dry mustard
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
- ¼ cup chopped fresh basil
Instructions
1. Build the Flavor
Heat the olive oil in a large stainless steel skillet or sauté pan over medium heat. Add the onions and cook 8–10 minutes until soft and lightly caramelized. Stir in the garlic and cook another 30 seconds.
2. Add the Tomatoes
Stir in the diced heirloom tomatoes, brown sugar, honey, vinegars, lemon juice, salt, pepper, paprika, mustard, cinnamon, cloves, thyme, rosemary, and optional red pepper flakes.
3. Slow Simmer
Bring to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low and cook uncovered for 90–120 minutes, stirring every 10–15 minutes as the mixture thickens. The tomatoes will slowly break down into a rich, glossy jam.
4. Finish
Remove the thyme stems and stir in the chopped basil during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
5. Texture
Leave the jam rustic and chunky or pulse it a few times with an immersion blender for a smoother consistency.
6. Cool
Allow to cool completely before transferring to sterilized glass jars. Refrigerate overnight for the best flavor and texture.
Waterless Cooking Method
Prepare this recipe in your Health Craft 11-inch Gourmet Skillet with Cover for outstanding flavor.
Place all ingredients except the basil into the skillet. Heat over medium until steam begins to develop. Reduce to low heat and open the vent or crack the lid slightly to allow moisture to escape while concentrating the tomatoes' natural sugars. Stir every 15–20 minutes until the mixture reaches a thick, jam-like consistency. Add the basil during the final 5 minutes.
Chef's Tips
- Heirloom tomatoes produce a sweeter, more colorful jam than standard tomatoes.
- Yellow, red, purple, and striped heirlooms create exceptional depth of flavor.
- The jam should slowly mound on a spoon rather than run.
- Refrigerate overnight before serving to allow the flavors to fully develop.
- For a smoky finish, stir in a teaspoon of chipotle powder.
- For an elegant appetizer, top warm Brie with the jam and toasted pecans.
Storage
Refrigerate in an airtight jar for up to 3 weeks or freeze for up to 6 months.
Chef Charles' Note
"The secret to an unforgettable tomato jam isn't adding more sugar—it's starting with extraordinary tomatoes. Fresh New Jersey heirloom tomatoes have a naturally rich sweetness and balanced acidity that create a jam bursting with authentic garden flavor. Slow cooking allows those flavors to deepen into something truly special."