The Best Bacon Jam
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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!
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 ā 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!
Watch the video!
Watch our 1 minute video to learn how to make this easy recipe for bacon jam.
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 ā thick-cut bacon is best for this recipe.
- Onions ā sweet onions, quartered then sliced thick.
- Brown sugar ā adds a wonderful caramel taste and sweetness.
- Water ā is used so that the onions have extra time to soften and become jam-like.
- Coffee ā strong brewed coffee for maximum flavor.
- Balsamic vinegar ā for a mild acidity to balance out the flavors.
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:
- 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.
- Add the onions and cook until they're soft. Then, add the sugar and cook until the onions caramelize and turn dark brown.
- 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.
- Stir in a little balsamic, grab some cheese and crackers, and dig in!
Is it safe to can bacon 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:
What bacon should I use to make bacon jam?
We like to use thick-cut bacon to make this jam. It handles the long cooking time better and retains more of a bacon-y bite. And it you can find hickory smoked bacon, opt for that!
But if you have a package of regular bacon in your fridge and want to make this jam, go for it. It will still taste delicious!
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.
Can I freeze bacon jam?
Yes! This freezes very well. Simply freeze it in single portion sizes in an air-tight container for up to six months. To thaw, either keep it in our fridge overnight or thaw it on low heat with a splash of water in the pan.
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 ourĀ 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 sriracha apple grilled cheeseĀ 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 ā if they don't eat it all right away.
The Best Bacon Jam Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb thick cut bacon
- 2 extra large sweet onions (quartered and thickly sliced)
- Ā½ cup brown sugar (use coconut sugar for paleo)
- Ā½ cup water
- ā 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, Ā½ 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.Ā½ cup water, ā 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
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!
Have you tried using this as a topping on deviled eggs? Thereās a restaurant that tops deviled eggs with bacon chutney as an appetizer and theyāre over the top good! Iām going to try this recipe for that very use.
I haven’t but that’s an amazing idea!
I have not made it yet, but how long will this last in the fridge? Thank you, I am excited to make it, giving it as gifts also š
Holly
It will last for at least a week, but probably much longer because of the bacon (which is curred) and all the sugar. But we always eat it so quickly that I never get a chance to find out. It does freeze well for longer storage.
Gorgeous
We love the look of this jam, too!
I found a recipe for a Goat Cheese and Beet Tart, and while it was good, I thought it needed another element. Something savory and sweet to balance the richness of the goat cheese and the vinegar of the beets. I made your bacon jam, and put a layer of it between the cheese and the beets. Everyone went nuts for it, and the bacon jam definitely made the difference!
What a great idea for using this jam!
Made this as a hostess gift along with cheese and crackers. Ā Oh my, itās so delicious! Ā Only change made was adding fresh thyme leaves when caramelizing the onions. Ā Oops, also used maple bacon because itās all I had. Ā This turned to be a good plan B. Ā Next time may add some heat as per other reviewer. Ā Tks for a great recipe!
Fresh thyme leaves sound like a great idea!
Oh my goodness this is deliciously sinful! Ā Making it for in-law Thanksgiving Day to go with green bean with bacon jam for 45-50 people so 4x recipe with 8 lbs green beans. Ā Iāve tried my favorite Allrecipes chef John and two others but weāre disappointed at the less than āwowā factor so found this one that uses coffee which all other bacon jam recipes did not and decided to give it a try and oh my, so glad I did because this one does bring that āwowā factor.Ā
Now I held back on exploding the sugar to 2 x recipes and tastes and that was plenty despite 4x recipe. Ā I also as others mentioned it w as runny after cooking onions for 20 min so continued cooking another 20 min (total of 40min) with lid off to cook down the onions before adding the water, coffee and bacon. Ā I did sprinkle little salt in but otherwise cooked true to recipe and itās AMAZING!!!Ā
I’m so happy to hear that you loved the recipe!
I added a little heat to the recipe took it to a new height OMG
That’s a great idea!
Am going to try this recipe this weekend.Ā We are not coffee drinkers but could easily buy some. Ā Ā o you think that Kahlua might work instead of bourbon?Ā
I think most liquors, including Kahlua, would work. š
I made this recipe for our office party. We were celebrating National Cheeseburger day and everyone was bringing all the toppings. Everyone wrote things like “lettuce, tomatoes, buns etc” I was the last person to sign up and I put “BACON”. The next day I had a bunch of smiley faces drawn next to my name..I guess no one wanted to be “that person”, but I was excited. So I looked this recipe up and went for it. It’s new job and my first office party so I had to make a good impression! #missionaccomplished This recipe is AMAZING! Everyone loved it! It was a little more loose than I thought it would be, but the flavors were on point!
Great job!
What a great story! I’m so happy that everyone loved it!
This stuff should regulated by the FDA – it’ll cause more cravings than any street drug out there….
Hahaha I love it!!!
If you recommend topping it on cheese and crackers or small toasts, what cheeses would be better? Would Cream cheese or Brie be too rich and soft?
I love it with brie!
This was amazing. Ā When I perfect my Pork Goodness recipe I am working on this will make the perfect compliment. Ā Basically it will be bacon wrapped pork steak then wrapped with buffalo cheese curds and ham. Ā Iāll keep you posted. Ā
Holy man that sounds amazing!!!
Amazing recipe! I used about 6 pieces of bacon, 1 xtra large yellow onion, 1/3 cup bacon (we like it sweet) 1/3 cup coffee and a few splashes of water… other than that I didnāt stray from the directions. Donāt omit the coffe it adds a depth of flavor thatās perfect!!
Iām sorry 1/3 brown sugar!! Not bacon!! Used all of that!Ā
Thank you so much!
Have you attempted to can this or do you think it could be done? I’ve got people requesting it and I give jams and fruit butters as Christmas gifts but I like to make them early enough to store them and not have to run crazy the week before Christmas.
I haven’t. While it is no longer recommended that you can meat, it has definitely been done by most of our grandmothers. š
We made this using jalapeƱo bacon, substituted bourbon for coffee, used maple syrup instead of brown sugar, and added a splash of maple bacon extract. So many changes Iām not sure of it really counts as the same recipe, but it was great!
We also did can it (I come from a long line of venison canners!) and had zero problems. It is acidic and salty/sugary enough that bacteria really canāt survive this.
JalapeƱo bacon? That sounds amazing! I need to find some! š
In a word…. FANTASTIC!!
We’re all hooked. Even my teenagers. This stuff is good on burgers, on crackers, heck it’s even good on just a spoon. The first batch disappeared within hours so made a second the same day. Didn’t change a thing nore will I
That’s fantastic! Thank you for coming back to let us know!!!