This bacon jam recipe is one of THE best things I’ve ever eaten. Sweet, salty and savory and a great gift!
I am a BIG fan of edible gifts around the holidays, and this Bacon Jam recipe is one of my favorites! People LOVE to receive it, and I love to make it!
This bacon and onion jam is the perfect combination of sweet, salty, and savory with just a *little* kick of spicy!
You can definitely buy this jam, but honestly, it’s just not the same. They have to put heavy preservatives in it to make it safe to eat, and you can tell!
What is Bacon Jam, you say?
It’s a sweet and salty relish that you can use as a topping or spread on any number of things: toast or crostini’s, baked cheese, turkey sandwiches, baked potatoes, or quiche.
A local company here in Kansas City makes a similar jam, but it’s SO expensive, upwards of $20 per tiny jar.
This jam recipe does require a TON of bacon to be used, so it’s one of those recipes that really pays off to make at home.
And, I am notexaggeratingwhen I say that this particular jam recipe is one of the best things I have ever eaten. Seriously. No lies.
I packaged this jam gift in half pint jars. You can attach super simple chalkboard labels and write on them with awhite paint pen.
Add some decorative twine or a festive holiday ribbon, and you’re good to go! It was super simple to get these little jars ofbacon goodness ready for gift giving.
If you’re looking for more edible gift ideas for the holidays, I recommend this delicious Garlic Infused Olive Oil, my Christmas Cracker Candy or this homemade Hot Cocoa Mix.
Can you can bacon jam?
I absolutely hate to be the bearer of bad news, but no, you cannot safely can bacon jam.
I tried to can the first batch I made and opened it after 3 months. The smell was off, so I threw it out. It turns out that it’s very likely bacteria will grow for this type of meat marmalade. And, there are several recipes out there that say you are able to this jam safely, so be cautious, friends! We don’t want to get ourselves or others sick.
After doing a bit more research, I learned that the best way to store this jam is to freeze it.
To freeze it, just leave a bit of head room in your freezer safe jar. When you’re ready to use it, thaw the jam. Once thawed, you can store it in the refrigerator for 2-3 weeks.
Serving Suggestions:
Bacon Jam is incredibly versatile and can be used in several ways! Use it:
On top of brie or soft cheese
On baked potatoes
As a sandwich spread
On top of your favorite grilled protein
Michelle's Bacon Jam Recipe
Yield: 1.5 pints
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Bacon Jam Recipe. Sweet, salty and savory with brown sugar. Spread on crackers, bruschetta, baked brie or top baked potatoes or grilled meat! So versatile, and so yummy.
Ingredients
2 pounds bacon, raw, chopped
2 large yellow onions, diced
1 teaspoon salt
¼ cup brown sugar
¼ cup apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 pinch cayenne pepper
½ cup water
2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
Instructions
Add chopped bacon to a large pot (I used a Dutch oven). Cook on medium heat for 15-20 minutes until the bacon starts to get crispy, and the fat is foaming.
Drain bacon using a colander placed over a bowl. Save the drained fat.
Add 2 teaspoons of bacon fat to pot and return to medium heat. Add onion and salt, then sauté for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently.
While onions sauté, place the cooled bacon on a cutting board. Chop into small pieces, less than ½ inch.
To onion mixture, add brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, dried thyme, black pepper and pinch of cayenne. Add bacon back in to pot and stir.
Add water and balsamic vinegar. Cook on low-medium heat for 10-15 minutes until the mixture is "brick-brown" in color and thick.
Notes
This is best served slightly warm.
This recipe yields 1.5 pints. I recommend packaging in small half pint jars.
If the jam seems dry after all steps are completed, add another ½ cup of water and continue to simmer. It should have the consistency of a relish when all is said and done. It won't be thick like a jelly.
Bacon jam can be safely refrigerated for two to four weeks. Any amount that you keep in the fridge will need to be used within that length of time. You can store bacon jam in any refrigerator-safe container. Many bacon jam enthusiasts choose to use mason jars for aesthetic reasons.
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 crackers, toast, crostini or bruschetta, fresh vegetables, pita bread, new potatoes... the list goes on and on!
For safety, we strongly recommend that bacon jam be refrigerated for times suggested by the recipe (2-4 weeks) or that it be frozen for longer storage.
Once your jam is done, you can simply store it in the refrigerator for a long time and not worry about it spoiling. I pour it into small jars, cover them with lids and let them cool to room temperature. Once the jam cools, you'll be able to see its final texture.
Whisk a tablespoon of powdered pectin (preferably the no-sugar-needed variety) into the pot of cooking jam. Test for thickness and add another tablespoon if needed.
Almost all fruits are naturally below that pH level. So you can't get botulism by canning at home, in a boiling water bath, a jar of Apricot–Raspberry–Mint Jam, applesauce, or plum preserves.
Take a look: If it has changed color to greenish, greyish, or has mold spots, that bacon has gone bad. Give it a sniff: Bacon should smell slightly smoky but otherwise fairly neutral—if it has a sour or sulfuric odor, then it is past its prime. Touch it: If the bacon feels slimy, that is another sign it's gone bad.
Regardless of the type of jam or jelly you have on hand, it's important to know the signs of spoilage. According to Lee, this may include yeasty off-odors, fermented alcohol-like flavors, and mold growth, which may appear as white fuzzy patches inside the jar or on the product itself.
It can develop a funky odor, be infected by bacteria, or grow mold on the surface. And you can't just scoop off the fuzzy top and go ham on the remaining jam because invisible tendrils of mold can infiltrate the entire container, making it an absolute no-go, according to the USDA.
Are you sharing gifts of homemade preserves this year? For an extra festive (and useful!) touch, you might bundle jars of jam, jelly, and marmalade with a pretty dish towel, a spoon, or an edible accompaniment, like bread or cheese.
Sweet and salty is one of the best flavor combinations to date. One of the most simply delicious recipes we have found to date is bacon and brown sugar. Grab your thick-cut applewood smoked bacon and sprinkle it with some dark brown sugar.
Q: How long can I keep my homemade jams and jellies once I open them? A: Opened home-canned jams and jellies should be kept in the refrigerator at 40°F or lower. “Regular” – or pectin-added, full-sugar – cooked jams and jellies are best stored for 1 month in the refrigerator after opening.
Cooked bacon, however, only lasts four to five days in the fridge. If you can't eat it up that quickly, the USDA says you can freeze it for up to a month.
Put the jam into containers and freeze: Pour the jam into clean freezer containers or canning jars, leaving 1/2-inch headspace. (Plastic freezer containers with tight-fitting lids work well for storing freezer jams and jellies.) Cover the containers and let stand for 24 hours, or until the jam has set and become firm.
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