Easy Fresh Balsamic Tomato Chutney Recipe (2024)

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Indulge in the rich flavors of our Balsamic Tomato Chutney made with fresh, ripe tomatoes. A delightful blend of tangy and sweet in every spoonful.

Create a delicious fresh Balsamic Tomato Chutney with this easy-to-follow recipe! Try this tasty chutney as a topping on these juicy Lamb Burgers, Shrimp BLT sandwiches, and more. Get started now and make a delicious, sweet and tangy chutney in just 20 minutes!

THIS POST HAS BEEN UPGRADED FROM 9/14/17 TO IMPROVE READER EXPERIENCE.

Easy Fresh Balsamic Tomato Chutney Recipe (1)

Fresh Balsamic Tomato Chutney is a great way to use fresh tomatoes. This recipe only uses 6 ingredients and is delicious loaded on a burger, grilled brats, or scooped with your favorite veggies.

Every once in a while John and I’ll try a dish that has us thinking “Oh my gosh, we’ve got to make this”. We recently had a Balsamic Tomato Chutney that fell into that category.

On vacation, we drove from Pacific Grove California down the 17-mile highway. We were told about a great restaurant on the Big Sur called Nepenthe that we just had to try.

Some of the bridges were out due to a landslide, so we would have to drive, shuttle, and hike to get there but were told it was a doable hike and worth it. We exerciseregularly so we were up for the adventure.

Easy Fresh Balsamic Tomato Chutney Recipe (2)

Well, the hike was like scaling a mountain. Killer folks a real killer! The hike was on a dirt path which I was totally prepared for in my white capris pants and gigantic bag which John ended up carrying.

I may have done a little (a lot) of whining too. What kept me going was thinking we were almost there. That and my competitive desire not to be passed.

Easy Fresh Balsamic Tomato Chutney Recipe (3)

Once we’d arrived I was revived with an amazing margarita. Our waiter said their Shrimp BLT was the best he’d ever had.

You never know how someone else’s “best” compares to yours but we gave it a try.

It was the best sandwich we’ve ever had. In our opinion, what made it so amazing was a Balsamic Tomato Chutney and knew that it would be one of the first things that we tried to recreate once we got home.

When we got home, we had several beautiful tomatoes ready for picking and knew it was a sign…to get busy in the kitchen.

I can’t even tell you how amazing this Tomato Chutney is. Balsamic infuses fresh tomatoes and onion mixed with fresh herbs. It’s as sweet and flavorful as if Mother Nature made it herself.

Once the Balsamic Tomato Chutney was made, making the most Amazing Shrimp BLT Sandwich recipe followed. You guys, this combination is a culinary work of art, I promise!

Easy Fresh Balsamic Tomato Chutney Recipe (4)

What is Chutney?

The India subcontinent is credited for chutney as a way to preserve fresh fruits and vegetables.

Chutneys could either be dried or pickled and were rarely sweet. They were often used as a condiment like a jam which is what we’ve done with this easy tomato chutney recipe. According to The Virginia Chutney Company, they’re a savory jam.

What’s the difference between Jam and Chutney?

Jams are usually cooked down and preserved with sugar and pectin. Chutneys are chopped. They can contain a mixture of vinegar and sugar and a combination of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices.

Commercial versions of chutneys can really blur the lines between Jams, Chutneys, Relish, and Pickling. Unfortunately, commercial versions often taste like vinegar and sugar. If you think you don’t like chutney, try this Tomato Chutney Easy Recipe!

Easy Fresh Balsamic Tomato Chutney Recipe (5)

The best tomatoes for fresh tomato chutney are any fresh tomato you can get your hands on and the variety that you enjoy.

This Tomato Chutney recipe contains only 6 ingredients and is so much more healthy than commercial versions. It tastes so fresh and compliments anything you use it with.

Uses for Tomato Chutney

  • Condiment on an Amazing Shrimp BLT sandwich!
  • Topped over scrambled eggs
  • As a relish over grilled swordfish, or seafood.
  • Served as a Bruschetta
  • Piled on a hot dog or on top of a burger
  • Mixed into a fresh vegetable or pasta salad

You can freeze or can Fresh Balsamic Tomato Chutney so you can enjoy it when those beautiful tomatoes are gone for the season.

Items you may need to make Tomato Chutney:

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  • 4 oz Mason Jars – I love these little jars. They make a great jam size and the perfect size gift jar. They’re also perfect for organizing items like paper clips in my office.
  • Saute Pan – I prefer stainless steel pans. I love how this pan has a flat bottom so more food can sit on it directly. I also like the glass lids so I can see how it’s cooking.

Time Saving Tip: This recipe can easily be made in a food processor. Process each ingredient separately and combine them in a bowl to prevent over-chopping on any ingredient.

Other great tomato recipes!

I hope you enjoyed this delicious recipe as much as we do. Drop me a comment below, and don’t forget to give it a star rating. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. Your comments and ratings help others decide if this recipe is for them too.

Easy Fresh Balsamic Tomato Chutney Recipe (6)

Easy Fresh Balsamic Tomato Chutney Recipe

Author: Julie Menghini

Fresh Balsamic Tomato Chutney tastes like Mother Nature made it herself. It makes a delicious Bruschetta or a condiment over fish, chicken, burgers & brats.

Print Recipe Collect Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Course Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword: Balsamic Tomato Chutney, Tomato Chutney

Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients

  • 4 cups tomatoes diced
  • 1 yellow onion diced (2 cups)
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

Instructions

  • In a skillet over medium heat drizzle 1 tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil. Add remaining ingredients. Keep at a low boil until liquid evaporates and balsamic thickens approximately 20-30 minutes.

  • Serve immediately or refrigerate once cooled in an airtight container.

Notes

Time Saving Tip: This recipe can easily be made in a food processor. Process each ingredient separately and combine them in a bowl to prevent over chopping on any ingredient.

This recipe can be canned or frozen in an air-tight container.

Nutrition

Calories: 48kcalCarbohydrates: 6gFat: 1gSodium: 298mgPotassium: 214mgFiber: 1gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 620IUVitamin C: 11.2mgCalcium: 15mgIron: 0.3mg

Nutritional Disclaimer

This recipe was calculated using the exact brands and measurements I used to make this recipe. If you are following a strict diet please note changing anything will cause the nutritional info to change. My calculations are intended as a guide only.

Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!

Easy Fresh Balsamic Tomato Chutney Recipe (7)

UPDATE: If you are in the Big Sur area, the road has been fixed! Unfortunately, they’ve changed their shrimp BLT recipe, so I guess our Tomato Chutney recipe is now the best!

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Easy Fresh Balsamic Tomato Chutney Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Which vinegar is best for chutney? ›

Vinegar used in making chutney must be good quality and have at least 5% acetic acid content. Any good brand white, malt, wine or cider vinegar should possess the correct qualities. Brown sugar is used for darker coloured chutney but where a lighter colour is required granulated sugar is recommended.

What's the difference between tomato sauce and chutney? ›

The texture of this condiment is what primarily distinguishes it from a sauce. Because it is made from slow-cooking fruits and vegetables, chutney often has a chunky yet spreadable consistency and is created similarly to jam. Sauce, on the other hand, is typically much thinner.

What is the preservative in tomato chutney? ›

Expert-Verified Answer. The chemical preservative used in Chutney is vinegar. Vinegar is high in acidic content as it contains 5-8% acetic acid by volume. Due to the high acidic content of vinegar the acidity of the Chutney increases, which inhibits the growth of several spoilage and pathogenic bacteria.

What is the difference tomato chutney relish? ›

Tomato chutney is thicker and chunkier, whereas tomato relish is usually thinner. The taste of a tomato relish is more vinegary, too. Chutney is usually softer in texture and is cooked longer, but the veggies in a relish still have some crispy crunch to them.

How long should you leave chutney before eating? ›

Allow to Mature

Chutneys are best eaten after a long maturing period so we recommend storing them in a cool, dry dark place and leaving them for no less than 8 weeks before opening them.

What is a thickening agent for chutney? ›

Some popular thickening agents for chutney include:
  • Cornstarch: Cornstarch is a common thickening agent that is widely available and easy to use. ...
  • Flour: Flour can also be used to thicken sweet chutney.
Dec 20, 2021

Why is my tomato chutney bitter? ›

That bitterness could be acid from the tomatoes and one way people typically fix that is by adding a small amount of sugar. Completely unnecessary. That acidity is usually caused by the use of crushed canned tomatoes. As opposed to whole, then hand-crushed.

Which is better relish or chutney? ›

The Chutney offers a sweet yet savoury flavour and the Sweet Relish a tart, fresh and tangy one. The Coconut Chutney's Indian flavours go well with grilled meats or vegetables and the Sweet Pickle Relish is a play on our ballpark favourite.

How do you thicken tomato chutney? ›

If your chutney is too runny or your recipe calls for a thickening agent, always use cornflour mixed with a little of the vinegar. Cornflour is gluten free. Always to this at the very end because thickening your chutney like this will make catch and burn easily.

Can I freeze tomatoes to make chutney later? ›

Yes! You sure can - if you know what recipe you are going to make, prepare the tomatoes according to the recipe before freezing, otherwise just freeze them whole and then thaw them out and go from there when you are ready to make your recipe!

How do you make tomato chutney less sour? ›

Sourness comes from acidic ingredients (including tomatoes, wine and vinegar). If your dish tastes too sour try to add sweetness—think sugar, honey (it's healthy!), cream or even caramelized onions. You can also dilute the dish (same as you would with a dish with too much salt).

How long does tomato chutney last in the fridge? ›

About The Recipe

The first recipe helps you make spicy and hot tomato chutney with pantry staples like tomatoes, garlic, cumin, chilies, oil and salt. You can also store this in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 weeks. The second chutney is the Onion Tomato Chutney which is also delicious, nutty, and spicy and flavorsome.

What is chutney called in America? ›

Relish. Chutney and relish are two popular condiments, and the names are often interchanged. The confusion is understandable because chutneys can be savory, and relishes can be sweet. In general, chutneys have a chunky spreadable consistency much like a preserve and are usually made with fruit.

Why is my tomato chutney not thickening? ›

If the chutney seems too runny, cook it for another 5-10 minutes and test again. You may also like to give the chutney the odd stir as you cook it, to prevent the mixture at the edges of the pan from catching.

What is tomato chutney made of? ›

The tomatoes can be diced, mashed or pulped, and additional typical ingredients used include ginger, chilli, sugar, salt, aam papad, raisin, dates and spices and additionally onion, garlic and peanut or dal for the south Indian version. It can be prepared using ripe red tomatoes or green tomatoes.

Can I use distilled white vinegar for chutney? ›

I have a few windfall apples in there plus onions, dried fruit and garlic. So often chutney is brown but I make this one with granulated sugar and distilled white vinegar which results in a chutney that is colourful and vibrant - autumn in a jar !

Can I use cider vinegar instead of white wine vinegar for chutney? ›

Spices, too, can be switched, as can the vinegar – a cider vinegar would complement an all-apple chutney beautifully. But stick to the given weights and method.

Can you use white vinegar instead of malt vinegar for chutney? ›

Get creative in choosing which fruit and veg you use, as well as which types of sugar, vinegar and spices you want. The sugar can be white or brown, and you can use almost any vinegar under the sun. I would probably steer clear of Balsamic, but apple cider, malt, red wine are all contenders.

Which vinegar is best for Indian food? ›

White vinegar - this kind of vinegar comes from grain-based ethanol or acetic acid, which is diluted with water. It has a strong flavour and is a popular part of Indian cuisine. White vinegar also makes a great all-purpose cleaner!

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