The Best Bacon Jam Recipe (2024)

The Best Bacon Jam Recipe (1)

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This bacon jam recipe is easily the best in the world. Bacon, onions, brown sugar, coffee, and balsamic are slowly simmered until thick and jam-like. It's simple to make and perfect for serving as an appetizer to elevate cheese and crackers.

We love the sweet-savory taste of bacon in treats. If you do too, try our bourbon bacon peanut butter cookies, bacon bourbon caramel popcorn, or homemade bacon turtles!

The Best Bacon Jam Recipe (2)

Table of Contents hide

What is bacon jam?

Why you'll love it

Ingredients

Your bacon jam game plan

Is it safe to can jam?

Recipe FAQs

Ideas for using bacon jam

Popular bacon appetizer recipes

The Best Bacon Jam Recipe

This recipe was originally published in 2013. We've updated the post with some new photos and more information, but we've left the delicious recipe exactly the same.

Not to be dramatic, but this is the BEST bacon jam recipe in the world. We know that's a big statement, but we've been told it so many times that we have to believe it. There's something about the taste of sweet onions and smoky bacon that makes this jam totally irresistible.

The onions are sliced thick with chunks of chewy bacon throughout. All you have to do is simmer all the ingredients together in a pot on the stove. It will fill your home with amazing aromas, too.

If you're looking for compliments, bring this bacon jam to your next party. Your friends will love you for it!

What is bacon jam?

Bacon jam is a sweet condiment made with onions, bacon, brown sugar, and coffee. The ingredients are slowly simmered until they become a jam-like consistency. This popular condiment (also sometimes called bacon marmalade) has been popping up on menus everywhere in recent years.

Use it like jam and serve it with cheese and crackers or appetizers, slather it on burgers, or use it on grilled cheese for lots of bold and sweet bacon flavor.

Why is there coffee in here? While you don't taste any coffee flavor, it helps elevate and make the other flavors more pronounced. It's not a common bacon jam ingredient, and we think it's what makes our recipe so good.

Why you'll love it

There are so many reasons you'll love this bacon jam:

  • It's both savory and sweet
  • It's versatile – serve it on cheese boards or spread onto grilled sandwiches
  • It's easy to make
  • It can be prepared ahead of time
  • It stores well in the fridge for up to 3 weeks
  • It has bacon in it!
The Best Bacon Jam Recipe (3)

Ingredients

We've tried a few bacon jams before and while they've all been pretty darn tasty, we think this one is extraordinary. Here are the ingredients you'll need to make this bacon jam recipe:

  • Bacon – thick-cut bacon is best for this recipe.
  • Onions – sweet onions, quartered then sliced thick.
  • Brown sugar – adds a wonderful caramel taste and sweetness.
  • Water – is used so that the onions have extra time to soften and become jam-like.
  • Coffee – strong brewed coffee for maximum flavor.
  • Balsamic vinegar – for a mild acidity to balance out the flavors.

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Your bacon jam game plan

It's easy to make this bacon jam at home. Here's how to do it in a few simple steps:

  1. Start by slicing and cooking the bacon until just before it turns crispy. Remove it, along with some of the fat, from the pan and set it aside.
  2. Add the onions and cook until they're soft. Then, add the sugar and cook until the onions caramelize and turn dark brown.
  3. Add a splash of your leftover morning coffee (we're not joking!), some water, and the cooked bacon. Let everything simmer until it becomes thick and jam-like.
  4. Stir in a little balsamic, grab some cheese and crackers, and dig in!

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The Best Bacon Jam Recipe (4)

Is it safe to can jam?

Canning meat is often not recommended because of the risk of botulism in low acid foods. If you're thinking about canning some of this jam, it's best to do a little research to see if you're comfortable doing it. If you decide to can some of this bacon jam, using a pressure cooker is a must; boiling water won't do. Here are a few reputable publications on canning meat to get you started:

Recipe FAQs

How long does it keep?

It will keep in the fridge in a sealed jar or container for 2-3 weeks. When it's cold, some of the bacon fat will harden and turn white. Don't worry, as soon as it warms to room temperature it will look and taste amazing.

Can I use apple cider vinegar instead of balsamic?

Yes, you can. We like the dark color and the bit of sweetness that balsamic adds to this recipe. If you use apple cider instead, start with adding 1 teaspoon then adjust the amount to taste.

Should bacon jam be served hot or cold?

We like this jam best when it's served at room temperature. But we've also been known to eat it hot right after we make it or put it on crackers straight from the fridge.

The Best Bacon Jam Recipe (5)

Ideas for using bacon jam

You might be wondering, what do you use bacon jam on? The real question is, what don't you use bacon jam on!

Of course, this jam is the perfect sweet condiment for pairing with crackers and cheese like brie or goat cheese. It's a staple on snack boards like our cheese board with pomegranate baked brie or our epic holiday cheese board.

We like to make little crostinis and serve them with other toppings like dried figs, rosemary, roasted cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, or baby arugula. We even use it on bacon jam pizza!

It also adds incredible flavor to burgers and grilled sandwiches like this grilled cheese and apple recipe!

Give it as a gift! Tie a pretty ribbon around the lid of a glass jar and give it to someone you know who loves good food. Remember to let them know that it needs to go into their fridge after you give it to them – if they don't eat it all right away.

The Best Bacon Jam Recipe (6)

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4.74 stars (398 ratings)

The Best Bacon Jam Recipe (11)

The Best Bacon Jam Recipe

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Cook: 1 hour hr

Total: 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Rate RecipePrint

This bacon jam recipe is easily the best in the world. Bacon, onions, brown sugar, coffee, and balsamic are slowly simmered until thick and jam-like. It's simple to make and perfect for serving as an appetizer to elevate cheese and crackers.

2 cups

Ingredients

  • 1 lb thick cut bacon
  • 2 extra large sweet onions (quartered and thickly sliced)
  • ½ cup brown sugar (use coconut sugar for paleo)
  • ½ cup water
  • cup strong brewed coffee
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

Instructions

  • Cut the bacon into half-inch slices and add them to a large frying pan. Don't worry if the bacon pieces stick together, they will come apart as they cook. Cook over medium-high heat for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently until the bacon is cooked but still quite chewy. A few crispy bits are ok. Use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon from the pan.

    1 lb thick cut bacon

  • Pour out all but 1 tablespoon of the bacon drippings. Add the onions to the pan and cook for about 8-10 minutes then reduce the heat to low. Add the sugar and stir. Continue to cook until the onions have caramelized, about 20 minutes.

    2 extra large sweet onions, ½ cup brown sugar

  • Add the reserved bacon, coffee, and water and increase the heat to medium. Continue to cook, stirring about every five minutes, until the onions are thick and jam-like, about 30 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the balsamic. Taste for seasoning and salt if necessary.

    ½ cup water, ⅓ cup strong brewed coffee, 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

  • Use immediately or refrigerate for up to a week. Bring back to room temperature before serving. There will be little spots of white fat when you take it out of the fridge. As the jam comes to room temperature, these will disappear.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 2 tablespoons, Calories: 159kcal (8%), Carbohydrates: 10g (3%), Protein: 4g (8%), Fat: 11g (17%), Saturated Fat: 4g (25%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 19mg (6%), Sodium: 194mg (8%), Potassium: 118mg (3%), Fiber: 1g (4%), Sugar: 9g (10%), Vitamin A: 11IU, Vitamin C: 2mg (2%), Calcium: 16mg (2%), Iron: 1mg (6%)

© Author Kristen Stevens

We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.

For more inspiration, check out all of our appetizer recipes!

The Best Bacon Jam Recipe (12)

Kristen Stevens

Hi, I'm Kristen! I LOVE everything to do with food: making it, taking pictures of it, and (the best part) eating it. ♡♡♡

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Posted: 10/14/2013 Updated: 02/27/2024

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The Best Bacon Jam Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How long does homemade bacon jam last? ›

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.

Can you leave bacon jam out overnight? ›

Please do not store bacon jam at room temperature. Storing bacon jam at room temperature poses the risk of botulism, a serious foodborne illness caused by the nerve toxin produced by Clostridium botulinum, a spore forming bacteria.

What is good with bacon jam? ›

Our list of things we want to use this jam in is ever-growing. Here are just a few to get you started: warm potato salad, grilled asparagus, fresh tomatoes, panzanella, grilled cheese, crackers and goat cheese, spinach salad, a spoon, fresh garden peas, scrambled eggs, bagels and cream cheese...

Why is my bacon jam not thickening? ›

To achieve a thick texture, all of the liquids need time to reduce. Make sure you're cooking your bacon jam without a lid over your Dutch oven, so your bacon jam can evaporate. If it's still not thick enough, it just needs more time.

How do you know if homemade jam is still good? ›

Note: For safe eating practices, store your opened jar of jam or jelly in the refrigerator until consumed, and examine it frequently for signs of spoilage (like mold or yeast growth, or off-odors, including “fermented,” “alcohol” or “yeasty” odors). Discard the product immediately if any signs of spoilage are detected.

How do you know when to stop boiling jam? ›

Setting point is 104.5°C. You can tell when jam is reaching setting point as the fast, frothy rolling boil will reduce to a slower, more relaxed boil. The tiny air bubbles disappear, the surface looks glossy and the mixture will feel thicker. Undercook rather than overcook – runny jam can be cooked up again.

How to tell if bacon jam is bad? ›

How do you tell if Bacon Jam is bad? Bacon jam getting bad isn't always super noticeable, particularly if it is homemade. You should check for any signs of mold developing on the surface, discoloration, an off smell, or a change in texture like hardening or lumps. These can suggest that your bacon jam has gone bad.

Should peanut butter be refrigerated? ›

According to The National Peanut Board, an unopened jar of peanut butter can last six to nine months at room temperature. Once opened, they say that it can last two to three months in the pantry before you should move it to the fridge, where it can maintain quality for another three to four months.

How long can bacon sit out at room temperature before it goes bad? ›

The general rule of food safety is to not let raw meat or cooked food sit out for more than 2 hours, and that rule applies to uncooked or cooked bacon. It's wise to be careful with uncooked pork products since they can harbor and grow bacterial pathogens like salmonella and trichinosis.

Where is bacon jam popular? ›

The Bacon Jams, a gourmet food producer in the Philadelphia area, which sells at festivals and nationwide online.

Who invented bacon jam? ›

Martin and Suzie Cowley have invented bacon jam and it's flying off the shelves. Yes, BACON jam.

What flavors go best with bacon? ›

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.

Does lemon juice thicken jam? ›

Lemon is crucial to balancing those sweet flavors, but it also helps the pectin to firm up the jam.

What is the best thickener for jam? ›

Add pectin.

While this trick won't work for jam recipes that already call for pectin, adding pectin to a loose batch of jam while re-cooking it almost guarantees that the jam with set back up nicely. Whisk a tablespoon of powdered pectin (preferably the no-sugar-needed variety) into the pot of cooking jam.

How do you know when a jam is done? ›

Take the jam off the heat while testing. Push your finger through the jam on the plate - you're looking for it to wrinkle and not flood back in to fill the gap. If it's not ready, turn the pan back on, simmer for five minutes and test again.

How long can you preserve homemade jam? ›

Homemade jam and jelly can last for a long time, depending on factors such as ingredients, storage conditions, and preparation methods. Typically, homemade jam will last around 6 to 12 months when unopened and stored properly. Once opened, it should be consumed within 1 to 3 months to ensure the best taste and quality.

How long does homemade bacon last in the fridge? ›

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.

Should homemade jam be kept in the fridge or cupboard? ›

Home-made jam should be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct light and used within 12 months of making. Once opened the jar should be stored in the refrigerator and used within one month. We would suggest discarding any jars of jam that have mould growing on top.

How long do homemade bacon bits last in fridge? ›

Can homemade bacon bits be stored at room temperature? Homemade bacon bits should always be stored in the refrigerator or frozen for longer storage. Bacon bits will last 4-5 days in the refrigerator in an airtight container or up to 6 months in the freezer.

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