What Is Bacon Jam?
Bacon jam is a bacon lover’s dream come true. It is a sweet and savory spread made from onions, brown sugar, vinegar, and of course… bacon! This jam is best served at room temperature or warmer for easier spreading. It can be used as an appetizer spread or over your favorite grilled meats. Comment below and tell us your favorite way to use bacon jam!
Ingredients in Bacon Jam
With only 4 ingredients, this recipe couldn’t be easier.
Bacon Slices. Thick cut bacon works the best and gives the jam it’s hearty texture.Onion. The kind of onion you use will affect the taste of the jam. We like to use a flavorful red onion, but a white onion is also very good in this recipe.Brown Sugar. This gives the sweetness to the jam. You can use dark or light brown sugar. Dark brown sugar has a more molasses flavor.Balsamic Vinegar. This gives the intense balsamic flavor, which comes from grapes, to the jam. It complements the bacon beautifully.
What Does Bacon Jam Taste Like?
Bacon jam has a unique flavor that is more sweet than savory. It really does taste like a sweet, caramelized jam with a hint of maple syrup, especially if you use a maple flavored bacon. Depending on the type of bacon you use, it can even have a bit of a smoky flavor, like BBQ sauce. The texture can vary depending on how finely you chop the bacon and onions. It can be fine, with the texture similar to marmalade or preserves making it easier to spread. Use a food processor and pulse all of the ingredients until they’re the desired consistency. Or you can leave the pieces larger (like below) with the bacon in 1-inch pieces so the jam has more texture, similar to conserves or a relish.
Ways To Use Bacon Jam
This savory spread can be used to liven up just about anything! Here are some of our favorite things to add bacon jam to:
Spread it on hamburgers or chickenburgers. It’s so good on all types of sandwiches, especially on turkey or roast beef sandwichesAlso tastes delicious on grilled cheese, an egg sandwichGrilled chicken or steakSpoon on top of a pork roast or pork chopsGrilled cheese sandwichesSpread on toast, bagels or English muffins.Use as a pizza toppingGreen salads or as a veggie spreadAs a spread on charcuterie boardsWith crackers and cream cheeseTry it on pancakes with a drizzle of maple syrupTop a fried egg with this bacon jam and serve with a hearty breakfast
Getting The Flavor Just Right
What I love about this jam is that you can easily adjust the sweetness to your liking. The caramelized onions and added sugar give it a good amount of sweetness, in addition the balsamic vinegar brings that sweetness down and adds a punch of flavor. If you prefer it more on the sweet side, reduce the amount of vinegar and try using dark brown sugar instead of light. If you want it to be more savory, add a little extra vinegar and cut down on the brown sugar. Experiment with how you like it best to make it your own!
More Flavors to Try
You can also substitute about ⅛ cup apple cider vinegar for the balsamic. For extra spice, try adding a little chili powder or cayenne pepper.Use fresh garlic cloves.Add extra black pepper to taste.For additional texture, scrape the browned bits of bacon from the large skillet.Dice red onion or red pepper for added flavor and texture.Use diced shallots in place of regular yellow onion.Garnish with some fresh thyme.
Which Bacon Is Best?
How to Cook Bacon for Bacon Jam
The easiest way to get perfectly cooked bacon is on the stovetop. Use a large skillet and cook the bacon in batches, turning them over every few minutes at medium heat until they’re nice and crisp. Then use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon to a plate with paper towels so it can drain. You can also cook bacon in a Dutch oven, a regular oven, or sometimes in the microwave. Make sure to save about two tablespoons of the bacon grease from the pan to continue making the jam. The air fryer is also a great option.Read More:Air Fryer Bacon
How To Store Bacon Jam
Bacon jam should be refrigerated after it has cooled past room temperature. It can stay in the refrigerator for up to a month. You can also freeze your jam to make it last even longer. Just thaw in the refrigerator before serving. If your jam is hard and difficult to spread after refrigerating, you can take the desired amount from the jar and heat in the microwave (only for about 10 seconds at a time because it will heat up fast). Remember, after the jam has been heated or brought to room temperature after refrigerating, it should not be refrigerated again. Be sure to only heat what you will be using. Keep the rest in the fridge until you need it again.
Frequently Asked Questions: Bacon Jam
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