Bacon Jam

Whether you call it Bacon Jam, Bacon Onion Relish, or Devil’s Delight, this sweet, salty spread is outstandingly good. Crisp salty bacon is simmered for hours with onions, maple syrup, brown sugar, and a couple of secret ingredients to create a soft, spreadable jam that’s divine on toast or crostini, fresh vegetables, pita bread, new potatoes… the list goes on and on!

Bacon jam is a savory spread made primarily from cooked bacon, along with other ingredients such as onions, brown sugar, coffee, maple syrup, vinegar and spices. The mixture is simmered until the flavors meld and the consistency resembles chutney.

Think about serving Bacon Jam over bread for an appetizer, having it with savory biscuits for brunch, serving with cheese and crackers, or setting it out for your next tailgate.

Try topping your burger or grilled cheese, too! Bacon jam presents a lot of opportunities.

Ways we use Bacon Jam…

• make Bacon Jam Pork Chops
• over toasted bread as an appetizer
• with savory biscuits for brunch
• with crackers and cheese
• as a burger topping
• in a grilled cheese sandwich
• stuff pitted dates with the jam and a bit of goat cheese
• brush onto grilled or roasted chicken or pork during the last few minutes of cooking
• toss roasted vegetables with a spoonful of the jam just before serving
• pack into jars for guests to take home

Making Bacon Jam

1. Quality Ingredients: Use good-quality bacon for the best flavor. Choosing thick-cut bacon can add a richer texture and flavor.
2. Cooking the Bacon: Cook the bacon until it’s crispy, but not too crispy. You want enough fat rendered out to sauté the onions and any other additions.
3. Onions and Garlic: Sweet onions, like Vidalia or yellow onions, work great. Sautéing them until caramelized adds depth to your jam. Adding garlic can provide an extra layer of flavor.
4. Sweeteners: Use brown sugar, maple syrup, or even honey to balance the saltiness of the bacon. Adjust the sweetness to your preference, tasting as you go.
5. Acidity: A splash of vinegar (balsamic, apple cider, or red wine) adds a nice tang and balances the sweetness and richness of the bacon.
6. Spices: Feel free to add spices like black pepper, cayenne, or smoked paprika for an extra kick. Herbs such as thyme or rosemary can add complexity.
7. Blending: After cooking, you can blend the jam to your desired consistency. For a chunkier texture, pulse it a few times, but keep some bits of bacon intact for texture.
8. Storage: Store bacon jam in a clean, airtight jar in the refrigerator. It can last a couple of weeks, but be sure to check for any spoilage.

Other ways to use Bacon Jam

1. Spread on Bread: Use bacon jam as a topping for toast, bagels, or crostini. It pairs well with cream cheese or ricotta.
2. Burger Topping: Elevate your burgers by adding a spoonful of bacon jam on top. It gives a delicious sweet and savory contrast.
3. Charcuterie Board: Include bacon jam on a charcuterie platter alongside cheeses, crackers, and fruits.
4. Brunch Dishes: It can be an excellent addition to omelets or frittatas. Serve bacon jam alongside eggs for a savory twist.
5. Pasta Sauce: Incorporate bacon jam into sauces for pasta dishes or use it as a base for savory tarts.
6. Grilled Cheese: Spread it inside your grilled cheese sandwich for a gourmet twist.
7. Meat Glaze: Use bacon jam as a glaze for meats such as chicken or pork during cooking to add flavor.
8. Flavor Boost in Baked Beans: Stir some into baked beans for added depth and richness.

Final Tips

• Experiment: Don’t hesitate to tweak the recipe. Try adding different flavors, such as bourbon or coffee, to match your taste.
• Batch Size: Make a larger batch to have on hand; it also makes a fantastic gift when jarred and labeled nicely!
• Pairings: Consider pairing bacon jam with other ingredients in your dishes, such as cheeses, fruits, and nuts for balanced flavor profiles.

Other jam recipes you may enjoy…

Farm Stand Peach Jam

Raspberry Chia Seed Jam

Either of these two jams would work well as a glaze for baked pork chops!

Bacon Jam

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Bacon jam is a savory spread made primarily from cooked bacon, along with other ingredients such as onions, brown sugar, coffee, maple syrup, vinegar and spices.

• Prep Time: 40 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 1/2 hours
• Total Time: 0 hours
• Category: Condiments
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

1. 1 pound bacon, thick cut into 1-inch pieces
2. 1 large onion, halved and thin sliced1 shallot, minced
3. 1 shallot, minced
4. 5 cloves garlic, minced
5. 3/4 cup brewed coffee (dark roast works best)
6. 1/2 cup water
7. 1/3 cup cider vinegar
8. 1/3 cup maple syrup
9. 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar, packed
10. 1 tablespoon honey
11. 1 teaspoon allspice
12. 1 teaspoon chili powder

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Instructions

1. Add cut bacon pieces to a Dutch oven over medium-high heat and cook until crisp, approximately 20 minutes. Stir as needed.
2. With a slotted spoon, transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving excess fat in pot.
3. Return pot to medium heat. Add onion, shallot and garlic. Cook until onion is softened, approximately 10 minutes. Stir as needed.
4. Return bacon to pot. Add in coffee, water, vinegar, maple syrup, brown sugar, honey, allspice and chili powder. Mix well to combine.
5. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching, until mixture thickens and a rubber spatula or wooden spoon leaves a distinct trail when drug across the bottom of the pot, approximately 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
6. Remove from heat and let bacon mixture cool for 15 minutes.
7. Using a slotted spoon, transfer mixture to a food processor, leaving excess fat behind. Pulse bacon mixture until finely chopped, approximately 5 pulses, or until the mixture has reached your desired consistency.
8. Transfer jam to jars and refrigerate.
9. Bring bacon jam to room temperature prior to serving.
10. Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 weeks.