Easy Tomato Jam

In the world of condiments, this easy tomato jam reigns supreme! Sweet, spicy, jammy, and unbelievably versatile, you’ll want to put it on everything. Enjoy as a bread dip, caprese jam toast, sandwich spread, and SO much more!

Why I Love This Recipe

Do you remember the beloved jam jar from Nordstrom café? The one that vanished from the menu but never truly left our hearts? The flavors still live on in my head — a layer of ricotta, a touch of pesto, and tomato jam on top. It’s the caprese dip of your dreams!

So of course, when Nordstrom took it off the menu, I had to recreate the experience at home. Ricotta and pesto were no problem, so it was really just about that final layer. And voila! This easy tomato jam was born.

Once you learn how to make tomato jam, you’re going to want to have a batch ready at all times. It’s so good and SO easy! Plus the jam’s sweet and spicy flavor adds this amazing depth to whatever you serve with it.

Not only is it just as good as the original, but the versatility of this jam is genuinely impressive. Whether you’re serving it up on toasty bruschetta or stirring it into your pasta salad, this jam’s sweet and spicy kick elevates every bite!

What’s In This Easy Tomato Jam Recipe?

Would you believe me if I said you only need FOUR ingredients? When I tell you this recipe is a breeze to make, I’m not messing around.

First, if you’ve been wondering how to use up cherry tomatoes, you’re going to want about 5 cups for this recipe. Their fresh and tangy flavor forms the foundation of our jam.

Next, we’ll throw in brown sugar, salt, and Sambal Oelek chili paste to add our sweet and spicy flavors before letting it all simmer on the stove for about an hour. And that’s literally it! 

If you don’t have Sambal Oelek, you can always substitute a ½ teaspoon of dried red chili flakes. Feel free to add more if you like heat! On the other hand, if you don’t like spice, you can always omit the chili paste altogether. 

Keep in mind that the longer everything simmers, the thicker the jam will be. If you prefer a thinner, more sauce-like consistency, you can reduce the cook time.

Personally, I love the chunkiness of the jammy tomatoes. But if you’re looking for something smoother, just throw everything in a food processor before serving!

How Do You Use This Tomato Jam Recipe?

However you want. Seriously. Whenever I have a batch in my fridge, I find myself putting it on EVERYTHING.

But I think my all-time favorite way to enjoy it is with my caprese jam toast. Melt some fresh mozzarella on ciabatta, add a dollop of pesto, slather on a healthy spread of tomato jam, and enjoy!

It also makes a fantastic bread dip. Just add a spoonful of jam to a shallow plate, cover with olive oil, and add a drizzle of balsamic. Serve with crusty bread for an appetizer your guests will beg you to make again and again.

You can also enjoy it as a sandwich spread, toast topping, or even stirred into pasta salad. Need a quick vinaigrette? Blend it with equal parts olive oil and vinegar!

And of course, if you want to recreate the Nordstrom café jam jar, serve the tomato jam with creamy ricotta and earthy pesto. Dollop everything onto sliced bread and dig in.

What to Serve with Easy Tomato Jam

• Caprese Chicken Sandwich — This sandwich is already a celebration of classic caprese flavors, and some tomato jam would take it to a whole new level!
• Grilled Cup N’ Crisp Pizza — As long as your jam isn’t too thick, it would make an amazing pizza sauce to replace the standard red sauce in this recipe.
• Pesto Burrata Grilled Pizza — You know what makes a pesto pizza even better? Dipping the crust in some jammy tomato sauce!
• Stuffed Squash Blossoms — Entertaining friends or guests? Pair these two recipes together for the most incredible appetizer spread ever.

How to Store Tomato Jam

Once it’s done cooking, transfer your tomato jam to an airtight container and pop it in the fridge. It will stay fresh for up to 10 days.

Looking for longer storage? This jam also freezes beautifully! If you have a lot of cherry tomatoes to use up, you could double or even triple the recipe, then freeze as much as you like.

Other Tasty Condiment Recipes

• Basil Balsamic Vinaigrette
• Best Pizza Sauce
• Green Onion Ranch
• Grilled Salsa

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