Bacon Jam

Bacon jam is a savory-sweet spread made by slowly simmering chopped bacon with onions, brown sugar, vinegar, and maple syrup. The ingredients reduce into a thick, glossy mixture with deep umami flavor and a balanced sweetness. This modern recipe draws on both American and European preserves traditions.

The technique begins with crisping bacon to render fat, followed by caramelizing onions in the drippings. Deglazing with cider vinegar lifts browned bits, enhancing complexity. A long, gentle simmer melds the flavors into a rich, spoonable consistency. Bacon jam is often jarred and stored refrigerated, reflecting small-batch preservation methods.

SaucesMeatPorkBaconAmericanCondiments

Prep Time: 20 min

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 20 min

Yield: 24 servings

A jar of bacon jam.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. bacon, diced
  • 1 cup (4) diced shallots (or 1 medium sweet onion)
  • 3-4 garlic cloves, crushed
  • ½ tsp. ground black pepper
  • ¼ tsp. smoked paprika
  • ⅛ tsp. red pepper flakes
  • ½ cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 Tbsp. maple syrup
  • 3 Tbsp. cider vinegar
  • 1/2 cup water

Instructions

  1. 1.
    Add the diced bacon to a cold skillet and place over a medium-high heat.
  2. 2.
    Sauté the bacon, turning frequently, until it is brown, then use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon and set aside on a paper towel.
  3. 3.
    Remove all but three tablespoons of bacon fat from the skillet, reduce the heat to medium, and add the diced shallots to the hot bacon fat.
  4. 4.
    Sauté the shallots until they are soft and starting to brown.
  5. 5.
    Add the crushed garlic, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, brown sugar, maple syrup, and cider vinegar to the shallots and mix thoroughly.
  6. 6.
    Cover with a half cup of water and blend.
  7. 7.
    Allow the mixture to simmer and thicken, stirring regularly, usually 30-45 minutes.
  8. 8.
    Once the liquid has cooked off, remove from the heat and allow to cool to room temperature.
  9. 9.
    Place the bacon jam in a jar and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 weeks.