Bacon Jam

An easy Bacon Jam recipe that requires just 6 ingredients and is so fun to make! Serve it up on crackers or toasted bread for a delicious appetizer, or incorporate it into your sandwiches, burgers, and more, this is a bacon lover’s dream! This refined sugar-free bacon jam recipe is paleo-friendly!

The concept of bacon jam may sound strange when most jams and preserves are made with fruit, but it’s actually quite magical.

I read bacon jam was the #3 most searched for recipe in 2021 (immediately following Birria Tacos) and received rave reviews on social media so I figured, “Heck, I’ll give it a shot.”

After doing a bit of research on various ingredients and methods used to make bacon jam, I landed on the recipe you’re seeing today. 

Before I get too far ahead of myself, let’s go back to the basics.

What is Bacon Jam?:

Bacon jam is a sweet and savory spread consisting of bacon, onions that have been sautéed to caramelized perfection, sugar, garlic, and vinegar. 

The result?: Sultry, sweet, tangy, rich melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness.

It is a quick jam recipe requiring zero canning or preserving experience and makes for a delicious spreadable jam for bacon lovers.

Traditionally, bacon jam is made using brown sugar, but I go with coconut sugar and pure maple syrup.

Bacon gets crisped up in a pan, then the fat is used to caramelize onions. The crispy bacon is added back in along with sugar (I use coconut sugar), pure maple syrup, and vinegar for a jam that is sweet, savory, and just overflowing with amazing flavor.

Bacon jam is typically served on crackers, toasted bread, or a hot biscuit with brie cheese, cream cheese, goat cheese, ricotta cheese, or other cheesy deliciousness. 

What To Do With Bacon Jam:

Homemade bacon jam is a perfect addition to your cheese board! Incorporate it into my Legit Charcuterie Board for serving guests!

Personally, I’m all about the idea of smearing it all over my Keto Everything Bagels, Gluten-Free Bacon Cheddar Biscuits (as seen in the photos), or incorporating it into my Pear Apple Cheddar Caramelized Onion Grilled Cheese Bagel Sandwich with a fried egg, Roasted Veggie and Avocado Breakfast Burrito, or my Roasted Beet and Herbed Vegan Ricotta Crostini.

Some people use bacon jam to serve on top of green beans for Thanksgiving dinner.

I mean…I’d even eat it on cake…or muffins…or brownies. I’m not fibbing. 

Just imagine caramelized onions and bacon giving each other a very special hug engulfed in sweet stickiness in a torrent of bliss. What could possibly go wrong?

Ingredients for Bacon Jam:

Bacon: Choose a quality bacon for this recipe, as it is the star of the show! I use bacon that is both uncured and sugar-free. Get creative with your bacon selection by using peppered bacon or smoky bacon.

Yellow Onions: The bulk of bacon jam is actually caramelized onions. We use the bacon fat rendered from cooking the bacon in order to sauté the onions until they are deeply golden-brown. This is what creates the soft, luscious, melt-your-taste-buds effect.

Garlic: Some recipes are garlic-free, and some use shallots. While I haven’t come across a recipe for bacon jam that uses garlic, I felt it was paramount in this application. You can leave it in or take it out.

Coconut Sugar & Pure Maple Syrup: Just like any good jam should be, we must add sweetness to this condiment! I use coconut sugar and pure maple syrup or molasses. You can also use regular brown sugar if you use cane sugar in your cooking or sugar-free brown sugar to make Keto Bacon Jam.

Balsamic Vinegar: There is just enough vinegar added to bacon jam to add depth of flavor and a slight tang. You can use apple cider vinegar instead, sherry vinegar, or even strong-brewed coffee.

Let’s make it!

How to Make Bacon Jam:

Chop the bacon and cook it in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until crispy, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes.

Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked bacon to a bowl and set it aside. Discard the majority of the bacon fat, leaving about 2 tablespoons to cook the onions.

Transfer the sliced onions to the skillet and sprinkle liberally with sea salt. Sauté the onions for 10 minutes on high heat until they begin to turn golden-brown, then reduce the heat to medium heat and continue cooking for another 20 to 30 minutes, until the onions are very soft, caramelized, and golden-brown. Note: I cover the skillet to get the cooking process going faster and remove the lid from time to time to stir the onions well. If at any time the edges of the onions begin to turn too dark, lower the heat slightly and add a few tablespoons of water to deglaze the pan. 

Add the garlic, reserved bacon, coconut sugar, pure maple syrup, and balsamic vinegar and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until much of the liquid has evaporated and you’re left with a thick, sticky soft mixture, about another 10 minutes. 

Transfer the bacon jam to an airtight container such as a mason jar or a Weck jar and refrigerate until completely chilled. Serve the jam on crackers with cheese or on toasted bread with cheese or butter.

Tips for Amazing Bacon Jam:

For me, the key to amazing bacon jam is to be patient with the onions and allow them to fully caramelize. This deepens the flavor and also allows the onions to soften up such that they have a buttery texture. 

I’ve always found caramelizing onions properly takes about 45 to 60 minutes, although some folks say 20 to 30 minutes is plenty. Go with your gut and aim for buttery goodness!

You can customize your bacon jam by adding ¼ to ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon of chili powder, or add red pepper flakes or jalapenos for a little kick. 

Is This a True Preserving Recipe?:

This homemade bacon jam recipe is not designed for canning for long-term storage. It is a small batch jam and is meant to last in the refrigerator for up to 7 days in an airtight container. In this sense, treat this recipe as any other sauce, spread or condiment.

If you love simple delicious jam recipes like this easy bacon jam, also try my Raspberry Chia Jam and my Strawberry Chia Jam!

I hope you love this caramelized delight! Let me know what you use it for!

Bacon Jam

Bacon Jam is a sweet and savory spread perfect for enjoying on crackers, toasted bread, and including in your charcuterie boards.

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Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour

16 Servings

Ingredients

• ▢ 16 ounces thick-cut bacon
• ▢ 2 large yellow onions, sliced
• ▢ 4 cloves garlic, minced
• ▢ ½ cup coconut sugar
• ▢ 2 Tbsp pure maple syrup**
• ▢ ⅓ cup balsamic vinegar or apple cider vinegar*

Instructions

• Chop the bacon and cook it in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until crispy, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes.
  
• Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked bacon to a bowl and set it aside. Discard the majority of the bacon fat, leaving about 1 to 2 tablespoons to cook the onions. Note: Don't leave too much bacon grease or it will solidify in the jam in the refrigerator.
  
• Transfer the sliced onions to the skillet and sprinkle liberally with sea salt. Sauté the onions for 10 minutes on high heat until they begin to turn golden-brown, then reduce the heat to medium heat and continue cooking for another 20 to 30 minutes, until the onions are very soft, caramelized, and golden-brown. Note: I cover the skillet to get the cooking process going faster and remove the lid from time to time to stir the onions well. If at any time the edges of the onions begin to turn too dark, lower the heat slightly and add a few tablespoons of water to deglaze the pan. 
  
• Add the garlic, reserved bacon, coconut sugar, pure maple syrup, and balsamic vinegar and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until much of the liquid has evaporated and you’re left with a thick, sticky soft mixture, about another 10 minutes. 
  
• Transfer the bacon jam to an airtight container such as a mason jar and refrigerate until completely chilled. Serve the jam on crackers with cheese or on toasted bread with cheese or butter.
  

Notes

*You can also use strong brewed coffee for a unique flavor

**Use molasses as a replacement for pure maple syrup if you like the flavor.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Serving - Calories: 140kcal - Carbohydrates: 10g - Protein: 12g - Fat: 8g - Sugar: 10g

Course: Main Dishes

Cuisine: American

Keyword: bacon jam, bacon jam recipe, caramelized onions, charcuterie board, preserves, quick jam recipe, savory spread, sweet homemade spreads

Servings: 16 Servings

Calories: 140kcal

Author: Julia