Bacon Jam

This homemade Bacon Jam recipe is one of the sweetest indulgences you'll ever experience. Serve it on burgers, as a spread with cream cheese and crostini, on buttermilk biscuits or over warm goat cheese for a mouthwatering appetizer.

Homemade Bacon Jam Recipe

I have an amazing circle of friends. We're all moms and we love to get together once a month or so for dinner, just us girls. We typically choose a restaurant we wouldn't be as likely to visit with our entire family and we sample the Chef's specials and fancy appetizers. On one such occasion, we ordered a Charcuterie board and it came with house made bacon jam. It was spectacular and I knew I had to work on my own recipe to share with my family. This recipe is the result.  If you like candied bacon, you'll flip for bacon jam.

How to Make the Best Bacon Jam Recipe

To make this bacon jam recipe thick cut bacon is simmered with sweet onion, fresh garlic, tangy cider vinegar, brown sugar, maple syrup and a special blend of seasonings until it becomes thick, sweet and spicy.

• Ingredients you'll need to make homemade Bacon Jam: Thick cut bacon, butter, diced Vidalia onion (or similar sweet onion), fresh garlic, dark brown sugar, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, ancho chile powder or paprkia and crushed red pepper flakes.
• Can I adjust the heat in this jam recipe? I'm a huge fan of sweet and spicy flavor combos so, my jam packs a slight heat. You can adjust this to your taste, of course by omitting the red pepper flakes or using a smaller amount.
• Should bacon jam be smooth? I prefer to leave the texture of my bacon jam a bit chunky. However, you can ladle the mixture into a food processor and puree the jam after cooking to form it into more of a paste in texture.
• It may seem sound counterintuitive but I also want to mention that this jam is best when it's not made with the bacon grease or drippings from cooking the bacon. Why? Because the bacon fat solidifies after it cools and makes it less appetizing.
• Do you serve bacon jam warm or chilled? It can be served both ways. It's also perfectly delicious at room temperature and can safely sit out for serving.
• How do I serve bacon jam? Include it as a spread or condiment for your own Charcuterie board, or serve it on sandwiches, burgers, subs, slathered on homemade biscuits or toasted crostini with cream cheese and chives. One bite and you'll be hooked.
• You can store this homemade bacon jam in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, or in the freezer for 1 month. When frozen, thaw in the refrigerator then allow some time at room temperature just beofre serving.

More Southern Style Recipe Using Bacon to Make

If the word bacon is in the title of a recipe, you can't go wrong. More recipes you may like to try:

• Bacon Wrapped Brown Sugar Smokies are an appetizer that spans generations. This recipe includes a touch of heat to balance the sweet.
• Baked Candied Maple Bacon only takes three ingredients to make.
• Easy make ahead Candied Bacon Breadsticks are a party favorite.
• You may also like this recipe for Sweet Bacon Tater Tots from Real Housemoms.

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Helpful Kitchen Items:

• 4 Quart Saucepan
• Maple Syrup
• Butter/Jam Spreaders
• Beehive Crystal Jam Jar with Spoon

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5 from 3 votes

Bacon Jam

Prep Time15 mins

Cook Time55 mins

Total Time1 hr 10 mins

Course: Appetizer, Condiment

Cuisine: American

Keyword: bacon-jam, bacon-jam-recipe

Servings: 2 cups

Calories: 1930kcal

Ingredients

• 1 ½ lb thick cut bacon chopped into ½" pieces
• 2 tablespoon butter unsalted
• 2 medium sweet onions (i.e. Vidalia) chopped
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• ½ cup packed dark brown sugar
• ⅓ cup pure maple syrup
• ⅓ cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon ancho chile powder or paprika
• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Instructions

• In a large skillet over medium-high heat cook the bacon until crisp and fat has rendered. Remove with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain then finely crumble. Reserve bacon drippings or freeze for use in another dish.
• Add butter and diced onion to the skillet. Cook the onion over medium until browned and beginning to caramelize, about 10-15 minutes. Add garlic, cook for 1 minute longer or until fragrant.
• Add brown sugar, maple syrup, vinegar, chili powder, pepper flakes and bacon to the skillet. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered until thickened and reduced around 20-25-minutes. 
• Serve on burgers, crostini, cheese or crackers.

Notes

For a finer texture, pulse cooked bacon jam in a food processor until desired consistency is achieved.

May be stored in an airtight container chilled for 2 weeks or frozen.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 1930kcal | Carbohydrates: 106g | Protein: 45g | Fat: 147g | Saturated Fat: 52g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 255mg | Sodium: 2383mg | Potassium: 1077mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 90g | Vitamin A: 552IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 159mg | Iron: 2mg

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