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Flavorful Tomato Basil Jam

tomato basil jam - featured image

A simple and unique homemade tomato basil jam that balances sweetness, tang, and fresh herbaceous notes, perfect for cheese boards and sandwiches.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds (900 grams) ripe tomatoes (preferably Roma or plum)
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped finely
  • 3/4 cup (150 grams) granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Wash and roughly chop the tomatoes, removing any bruised spots. No need to peel.
  2. In a large saucepan, combine chopped tomatoes, sugar, minced garlic, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, salt, and optional red pepper flakes. Stir well.
  3. Place the pan over medium heat and bring to a gentle boil, stirring occasionally.
  4. Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered, stirring every 5-7 minutes to prevent sticking, for about 45-50 minutes until thickened and reduced by half.
  5. About 5 minutes before finishing, stir in the chopped fresh basil leaves.
  6. Test doneness by placing a spoonful on a chilled plate; if it wrinkles and holds shape, it’s done. If runny, continue simmering and test every 5 minutes.
  7. Remove from heat and let cool at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
  8. Transfer to a sterilized jar, seal, and refrigerate. The jam will thicken as it cools.

Notes

Stir gently but thoroughly during simmering to break down tomatoes without pureeing. Add basil near the end to keep it fresh and bright. For smoother jam, pulse with an immersion blender before adding basil. Adjust sugar and acid to taste. Use medium to low heat to avoid scorching.

Nutrition

Keywords: tomato basil jam, homemade jam, tomato jam, cheese board spread, sandwich spread, easy jam recipe, savory jam