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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Bacon Jam
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lb thick cut bacon chopped into 1/2" pieces
- 2 Tbsp butter unsalted
- 2 medium sweet onions (i.e. Vidalia) chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
- 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp ancho chile powder or paprika
- 1/4 tsp 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
Nutrition
Can this recipe be processed for canning?
I’m sure you could can this, yes.
I can’t wait to try this. Hosting a family reunion in June and my family loves bacon. Do you serve this warm, chilled or room temp?
I prefer this slightly warm or at room temperature. Store leftovers chilled but, you may want to do a trial run prior to your reunion to see what your preference is. None of the three ways is wrong, it comes down to personal preference.
This Bacon Jam is so good! How would you suggest to reheat for the next day?
I’m so happy you loved this recipe! Gently reheat in a saucepan. Gently.
How many servings are in this recipe?
This recipe will yield around 2 cups.
Do you think you could use honey in place of the maple syrup? I’m making this tonight, and only have honey at home. Thank you!
I wouldn’t recommend honey it would overpower the taste.
I made this bacon jam yesterday and it was delicious! However, as it cooled down, mine turned out more like bacon candy than jam. I’m wondering what could revive the small amount of leftovers into a smoother spread. I’ll certainly make this again, and again…
Thanks for sharing your tasty recipes with us.
You may like it if it’s pureed a bit smoother.