Canned sweet & spicy onion marmalade is easy to make and perfect for meat glazes, toppings and great for appetizer plates.
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I've been making this sweet and spicy onion marmalade off and on for years, ever since seeing the original version in Jan Roberts-Dominguez's food preservation column in The Oregonian newspaper when I first started canning. I love sweet onions and was looking for a way to preserve them through the winter.
This sweet and spicy onion marmalade goes way beyond that though, adding flavor to meats, seafood, and appetizers.
I used to think of this as an addictive condiment until I started making Addictive Tomato Chutney, but this runs a close second. Maybe I should call it "slightly addictive onion marmalade?"
Well, whatever I call it, it's really just plain good.
I've adapted it through the years to use honey instead of white sugar (and a lot less of it) and lots more red pepper flakes for added spice, though of course you can adjust that if you don't like things as spicy as we do.
This is only slightly spicy with the one teaspoon of red pepper flakes, though–not too spicy at all for most pf the people I've served it to - everyone loves it as much as I do!
Sweet & Spicy Onion Marmalade
Even though it's a canning recipe, you don't actually have to can it - it will keep a couple months in the refrigerator or longer in the fridge.
Although it's really easy to can, too–it's just a matter of a few simple steps:
- prep ingredients and add them to a pot
- boil then add the honey/sugar
- boil again for a minute
- ladle marmalade into hot, prepared canning jars
- seal and add them to a boiling water canner
- boil for 10 minutes
- remove from canner and cool
So in less than an hour, you can have six small jars of delicious sweet and spicy onion marmalade lining your pantry shelves–or to give away as special gifts.
Note: this recipe calls for low sugar pectin - I usually use this brand's "flex batch" pectin, but you can also use this low or no sugar pectin.
Onion Marmalade Serving Suggestions
This marmalade makes a wonderful glaze for meats and seafood, and is particularly good on a roasted ham.
But one of my favorite ways to serve this is as a simple appetizer on top of cream cheese or a flavored Boursin cheese. It's really good.
And I love serving different foods for guests other than what you can find in stores - it really personalizes it and helps it seem more special.
I hope you enjoy this marmalade, too!
Note: if you need more info on how to can, you can read Boiling Water Canning Steps here or view this video:
Sweet and Spicy Canned Onion Marmalade
Ingredients
- 2 pounds onions preferably sweet or a mix of sweet and regular
- 1 cup apple juice
- 1/2 cup cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons fresh minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground mustard
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 3 tablespoons Low or No Sugar Needed pectin - flex batch equals 1 box
- 1/2 teaspoon butter or oil optional to reduce foaming, but I always use it
- 1 cup honey
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
Instructions
- Prepare waterbath canner, 6 half pint jars & lids, keeping warm until needed.
- Cut ends off onions and peel; slice in half and cut each in half again, lengthwise (or in thirds if onions are big). Turn halves and cut into 1/4 inch slices widthwise (as pictured in tutorial). Place slices in an 8 quart measuring cup - you should have 6 cups of onion slices.
- Add prepared onions, apple juice, vinegar, garlic, salt, pepper, mustard and red pepper flakes to an 8 quart stockpot. Gradually stir in pectin and then add butter if using. Bring to a boil that can't be stirred down over high heat, stirring constantly.
- Add honey and sugar; return to a full boil and let boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat (skim foam if needed).
- Ladle hot marmalade into prepared half pint jars one at a time, leaving 1/4-inch headspace. Wipe rims, attach lids, and place in canner.
- Place lid on canner and bring to a gentle, steady boil - process for 10 minutes, maintaining steady boil the entire time. Turn off heat, and let jars cool in canner 5 minutes before removing jars to a towel lined surface to cool for 24 hours. Check lids for seal before labeling and storing in a cool, dark place (with rings removed).
Notes
- Use as a glaze for meats like chicken, ham and pork, as well as seafood (my favorite is shrimp).
- Top grilled steak, pork, chicken and seafood.
- Add on top of Boursin cheese or cream cheese as an appetizer.
- Mix into sour cream as a dip for crackers, pretzels, or chips.
Nutrition
More condiment recipes you might like:
Canned Addictive Tomato Chutney
Honey Sweetened Jalapeño Jelly
My Favorite Salsa Thick for Canning
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