Everything taste better with bacon…jam! Push all of the condiments in your pantry aside, you won’t need them any more. Make room in your fridge for one…or five…jars of this deliciously smokey, salty, sweet bourbon bacon jam!
This gooey, sticky caramelized sauce is packed full of smokey, crispy bacon. It adds layers of flavor to any of your favorite savory dishes.
Is This Really Jam?
Bacon jam is not actually jam, let’s start there! Real jam is the preservation of fruits or veggies using sugar and their natural pectins to thicken. In case you can’t tell, there is no fruit here.
This “jam” gets its name more from the consistency than from the process. In reality, this is basically a savory, sweet caramel. The reduction of brown sugar, maple syrup, and balsamic vinegar creates a thick, sticky caramel-like sauce that brings this bourbon bacon jam together!
How to Make Bacon Jam
Bacon jam seems like some fancy molecular gastronomy that only fancy chefs can dream up, but it’s actually pretty simple. They key is patience. Start with crisping your bacon. Stovetop, oven, your choice! Just don’t forget to save that extra bacon grease to cook with later!
Next, cook down your sliced onions low and slow! One of the best things about this jam is the soft, mushy caramelized onions mixed in. I cook mine for about 45 minutes to an hour, or until they turn a nice amber color. Add in all of the remaining ingredients except the bacon: garlic, brown sugar, coffee, bourbon, maple sugar, and balsamic vinegar.
Simmer until the sugars have all dissolved and the mixture thickens into a syrup! Chop your bacon, stir it in, and dish it up!
Once it has had some time to cool (if you haven’t eaten it all), store it in mason jars in the fridge. It can last about 2 weeks, when sealed, but I can promise it will be gone before then!
What Can I Put Bacon Jam On?
What can’t you put it on, honestly? This jam has sweet, savory, and smokey notes, which lends itself to so many applications. Here are just a few:
- Cheeseburgers or Stuffed Burgers
- Grilled Hot Dogs or Brats
- Maple Bacon Donuts
- Crackers
- Breakfast Sandwiches
- Grilled Chicken
- Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Whether you add it to a meal or eat it by the spoonful, trust me, I won’t judge! This stuff is truly addictive and super simple to make. Ketchup and mustard are just fine, but bourbon bacon jam is a whole lot better!
Bourbon Bacon Jam
Ingredients
- 1 lb hickory smoked bacon
- 1 large red onion
- 1 clove garlic minced
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- ¼ cup coffee
- ¼ cup bourbon
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
Instructions
- Cook bacon pieces over medium heat in a skillet until crispy.
- Discard all but 2 tablespoons of bacon fat (I put extra bacon fat in a mason jar). Reduce heat to low and add in red onions.
- Cook onions low and slow until caramelized, about 45 minutes to an hour.
- Add in minced garlic, cooking for an additional 2 minutes.
- Add in brown sugar, coffee, bourbon, maple syrup, and balsamic vinegar to the skillet.
- Raise to medium low heat and bring to a simmer. Allow to thicken until mixture reaches jam-like consistency, 5-10 minutes.
- Chop bacon into about ¼ inch pieces and add into skillet. Stir to combine.
- Serve immediately on crackers or as a burger topping, or store in a mason jar/air tight container in the fridge for up to 4 weeks.
