Sweet and Smoky Homemade Bacon Jam

By Bree Hester Jump to Recipe

This rich and syrupy recipe is the best accompaniment for any dish. Add your sweet and smoky homemade bacon jam to anything and everything!

At our house, we eat a lot of breakfast for dinner. The kids love it, it is easy to make, and I always have breakfast items in my house. There are lots of breakfast for dinner recipes that I want to try, but the one that stuck out the most was bacon jam. Making the jam does take awhile, but it is really hands off. Other than a quick stir every now and then, it just simmers happily on the stove.

The idea of bacon jam might seem a little weird, but I assure you that it not weird at all. It is rich and complex, sweet and smoky, citrusy and syrupy. After I made it, I was thinking about all of the things that I could spread it on. A biscuit, slathered in a grilled cheese sandwich, or on a hamburger. I bet that it would even be really good on pancakes or waffles. As you can see, I served with cheese and crackers, which was amazing with an ice cold beer.

Why You Will LOVE This Recipe

• It takes a little bit of time, but most of the cooking is very hands off and the results are beyond worthwhile.
• The versatility of this homemade bacon jam is great. Have it on crackers, in your omelet, on top of pancakes, or anything that needs a sweet, savory, and smokey kick.
• Once stored, this bacon jam keeps well for weeks.
• Great for parties, gifts, or when you’re in the mood for a quick late night snack.

Ingredients

• 1 pound bacon
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup brewed coffee
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 cup bourbon
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon orange zest
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/8 teaspoon ground pepper

How to Make Homemade Bacon Jam – The Steps

Step 1: Slice the bacon into 1/2 inch strips.

Step 2: Add the bacon to a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat.

Step 3: Cook the bacon until it gets brown and crisp, 10 to 12 minutes.

Step 4: Take the bacon out of the pan and drain on a paper towel lined plate. Set bacon aside. Try not to eat it all. Leave 2 tablespoons of bacon grease in the pot, pour off the rest.

Step 5: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the onions and garlic and cook until the onions begin to soften, about 5 minutes. Keep the onion mixture moving so the garlic does not burn.

Step 6: Return the bacon to the pan.

Step 7: Add coffee, vinegar, orange juice, maple syrup, brown sugar, orange zest, ginger, and pepper.

Step 8: Reduce the heat and simmer for 45 minutes.

Step 9: Transfer to a food processor and pulse until everything is finely chopped. Pour everything back into the pan and cook for another 15 minutes.

Step 10: Add the bourbon and simmer for 30 minutes longer. The jam should be thick and syrupy. If the jam gets too thick at any point, add 1/4 cup to water to thin it out.

Step 11: Take off the heat and let cool slightly. Transfer to jars. This jam will keep in the fridge for 3 to 4 weeks.

Serving Suggestions

You know how bacon goes with everything? So does bacon jam. I’m telling you, this recipe is going to become your new go-to for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and everything in between. I would add it as a topping for mac and cheese or a burger to add flavor to your main dishes. Or, pair it with a sweet dish like Nutella banana bread. I love this recipe because you can experiment with your homemade bacon jam to your heart’s content.

FAQs

Can I substitute some of the ingredients?

If you’d rather not incorporate coffee, bourbon, or any of the other flavors, that’s absolutely fine! I would recommend replacing them with something you like the flavor of, because they’re included to give the bacon a smoky, sweetness. Try broth, juice, or some more water.

Why is my bacon jam not thickening?

This recipe is all about patience. 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.

Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

You can! Simply swap out the bacon for a meat-free alternative, like coconut bacon or shiitake mushrooms. The flavors and textures will vary, but you’ll still get to enjoy the sweet flavors and thick, spreadable consistency.

How to Store Homemade Bacon Jam

This jam will keep in the fridge for 3 to 4 weeks. Just seal it tightly in a mason jar or similar container and label it so you know how long you have to enjoy it. No need to reheat (unless you want to), and I wouldn’t recommend freezing your homemade bacon jam because the syrupy texture will be difficult to bring back.

Sweet and Smoky Homemade Bacon Jam

Bree Hester

5 from 2 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 55 minutes mins

Course Appetizers & Snacks

Cuisine American

Servings 8

Calories 310 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 lb bacon
• 1 onion diced
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 cup brewed coffee
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 cup bourbon
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp orange zest
• 1/4 tsp ground ginger
• 1/8 tsp ground pepper

Instructions

 

• Slice the bacon into 1/2 inch strips.
  
• Add the bacon to a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
  
• Cook the bacon until it gets brown and crisp, 10 to 12 minutes.
  
• Take the bacon out of the pan and drain on a paper towel lined plate. Set bacon aside. Try not to eat it all. Leave 2 tablespoons of bacon grease in the pot, pour off the rest.
  
• Reduce the heat to medium. Add the onions and garlic and cook until the onions begin to soften, about 5 minutes. Keep the onion mixture moving so the garlic does not burn.
  
• Return the bacon to the pan.
  
• Add coffee, vinegar, orange juice, maple syrup, brown sugar, orange zest, ginger, and pepper.
  
• Reduce the heat and simmer for 45 minutes.
  
• Transfer to a food processor and pulse until everything is finely chopped. Pour everything back into the pan and cook for another 15 minutes.
  
• Add the bourbon and simmer for 30 minutes longer. The jam should be thick and syrupy. If the jam gets too thick at any point, add 1/4 cup to water to thin it out.
• Take off the heat and let cool slightly. Transfer to jars. This jam will keep in the fridge for 3 to 4 weeks.
  

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 310kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 8gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 8gSodium: 379mgFiber: 0.3g

Keyword Sweet and Smoky Homemade Bacon Jam

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