• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Pass Me Some Tasty
  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • All Recipes
  • Seasonal Recipes
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Fall
    • Winter
  • About
    • Meet Shannon
    • Portfolio
    • Resources for Food Bloggers
    • Contact & FAQs
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Blogging Resources
  • Portfolio
  • Contact & FAQs
    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home ➞ All Recipes ➞ Appetizers

    Bacon Jam

    Published: July 3, 2020 // Updated: July 26, 2020 // by Shannon Emery

    Jump To RecipePrint RecipeThis post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

    Looking down on a jar of bourbon bacon jam.
    A mason jar filled with mouthwatering bourbon bacon jam.
    Crostini topped with gorgonzola and bacon jam are arranged on a wooden board. A jar of bacon jam with a spoon sits to the side.

    It's amazing what can be made with just bacon, onions, and bourbon. This Bacon Jam is a multipurpose flavor explosion! Serve it on your next burger, pizza, stirred into roasted brussels sprouts, in a grilled cheese sandwich, or alongside a cheese board as an appetizer. The options might just be endless.

    Crostini topped with gorgonzola and bacon jam are arranged on a wooden board. A jar of bacon jam with a spoon sits to the side.

    BACON. JAM.

    Will wonders never cease?!

    End of post.

    Looking down on a jar of bourbon bacon jam.

    Kidding.

    First, I NEED to tell you that it's BOURBON Bacon Jam. It's bacon and sweet onions turned into a crazy tasty jam concoction made with Bourbon. I mean caaaa'mon. Let's just pause and rest on that. And in it. Just shove it in my mouth already.

    Did I ever tell you guys that a while back I got an email from a website telling me that I had been selected as 'Healthy Blogger To Follow'?! And I was like, 'Wow, thanks so much! Wanna celebrate with some bacon jam?!'

    No, I didn't say that. I shared this cheesecake with them instead. And then they changed their mind about selecting me and I never heard from them again.

    Mostly true story.

    I didn't share my cheesecake with them. Or this bacon jam. Their loss.

    So let's make some Bacon Jam!

    6 ingredients are all that we need

    Strips of bacon are laid out on a cutting board with sliced onions. A bottle of bourbon, a pinch bowl of cayenne, a small cup of apple cider vinegar, and a measuring cup with maple syrup sit around the cutting board.
    • Bacon - This is where you need to unleash your inner bacon snob. Buy thick-cut, high-quality bacon. The jam will reward you for this purchase.
    • Bourbon - Bourbon with bacon. That should say it all. And if you are curious about whether or not Bourbon is gluten-free scroll through my Bourbon Blackberry Pie post where I briefly discuss the topic.
    • Sweet Onions - Also known as Walla Wallas, Vidalias, or Texas Sweet. I prefer sweet onions over any other onion for this jam. But you do you babe.
    • Pure Maple Syrup - Some maple sweetness makes the caramelized onions so Mmmm...
    • Apple Cider Vinegar - A little acidity to round out the sweetness.
    • A dash of cayenne pepper - Don't skip this little dash of heat.

    Cook and stir is how it's done...

    Bacon jam is not complex to make. It just requires about 30-40 minutes of cooking, stirring, cooking, and stirring. Pull up a bar chair next to your cooking area, read a good book with one hand, and stir with the other. And maybe take a sip of bourbon.

    Then when it's finished cooking you'll put it through a quick spin in a food processor and wonder why you've missed out on the glory of bacon jam for so much of your life.

    Sweet onions slowly caramelize in a cast iron skillet. A plate of cooked, coarsely chopped bacon and a bottle of bourbon sit nearby.
    • The ingredients for bacon jam are placed in a food processor after they have finished cooking.
    • A food processor blends together the cooked ingredients for the bacon jam.

    What should you eat with bacon jam?

    EVRRRYTHANG.

    The bacon lovers out there (you know who you are) know that everything is better with bacon. Say it with me --> EVERYTHING. Don't try to stump the bacon lovers with a bacon combo that doesn't work. Bacon will always win.

    But here are some suggestions just in case you need a little idea nudge:

    • Bacon jam grilled cheese sandwich
    • Spread a big dollop on your next cheeseburger
    • Spoon some on a pizza before you throw it in the oven
    • Stir into roasted brussels sprouts
    • An amazing topping for deviled eggs
    • An upgraded BLT sandwich
    • Serve alongside a cheese board with some crusty bread or crackers
    • Top off a ribeye steak or a pork tenderloin with a bit of this jam

    Let's definitely keep adding to this list. Tell me how you would eat it in the comments below.

    A white bowl with roasted brussels sprouts topped with bacon jam. A jar of bacon jam sits to the side.

    Just in case you were wondering if I should really be worthy of the title 'Healthy Blogger To Follow' I'm leaving you with this picture of roasted brussels sprouts topped with bacon jam. Brussels sprouts are VERY healthy so eat them.

    And don't forget that onions, which are a major player in this jam, are also a vegetable. So eat this bacon jam too.

    A mason jar filled with mouthwatering bourbon bacon jam.

    I won't tell if you decide to just eat a spoonful of it. ♡

    More Tasty Recipes...using Bacon!

    • Bacon Blue Cheese Burger with Roasted Garlic Aioli it includes Bacon Jam!
    • Potato Salad with Caramelized Onions & Fresh Herbs a classic with an upgrade
    • Bacon-Wrapped Dates with Manchego try to stop eating at just one
    • Crustless Zucchini Bacon Quiche - perfect for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and even dinner

    Did You Make This Recipe?!

    If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment and a star rating below! I greatly appreciate your feedback and it is also so helpful for other PMST readers who are thinking about making the recipe. Remember to snap a photo and tag @passmesometasty on Instagram so I can see!

    Print
    clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
    Looking down on a jar of bourbon bacon jam.

    Bacon Jam


    • Author: Shannon Emery
    • Prep Time: 5 minutes
    • Cook Time: 35 minutes
    • Total Time: 40 minutes
    • Yield: 1 cup 1x
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Description

    This bacon jam is a multipurpose flavor explosion! Serve it on your next burger, pizza, stirred into roasted brussels sprouts, in a grilled cheese sandwich, or alongside a cheese board as an appetizer. The options might just be endless.


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 1 pound thick-cut, high-quality bacon, cut into ½" pieces
    • 1 large sweet onion (such as Walla Walla, Vidalia, or Texas Sweet), thinly sliced
    • ¼ cup bourbon
    • ¼ cup pure maple syrup
    • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
    • a pinch of cayenne pepper (or to taste)

    Instructions

    1. Cook bacon in a medium skillet over medium heat for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until bacon is rendered and is just slightly crispy.
    2. With a slotted spoon transfer bacon from skillet to a paper towel-lined plate, reserving about a tablespoon of bacon fat in the pan.
    3. Add onions to the skillet and cook, stirring often, for about 10 minutes, until the onions begin to caramelize.
    4. Add bourbon, maple syrup, vinegar, and cayenne to the onions. Allow mixture to come to a simmer, then reduce heat and continue cooking, stirring often, for an additional 10-15 minutes until the mixture has a thick jam-like consistency.
    5. Transfer bacon and onion mixture to a food processor; pulse until coarsely chopped.
    6. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container or jar in the refrigerator for up to 4 weeks.

    Equipment

    Image of Cast Iron Skillet

    Cast Iron Skillet

    Buy Now →
    Image of Food Processor

    Food Processor

    Buy Now →

    Notes

    The equipment section above contains affiliate links to products I use or recommend.

    Bacon jam can be frozen for up to 6 months.

    If you are interested in canning this jam, please reference this resource provided by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture for information on how to properly can foods that contain meat in order to eliminate the risk of botulism. 

    • Category: Appetizer
    • Method: Stovetop
    • Cuisine: American
    • Diet: Gluten Free

    Keywords: bacon jam, appetizer, spread, bourbon bacon jam

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @passmesometasty on Instagram. I'd love to see what you made!

    Recipe Card powered byTasty Recipes

    Disclaimer: All brand recommendations are purely my own opinion and are brands/products that I personally use and enjoy. This post may also contain affiliate links from which I may receive a small commission (without any additional costs to you). The money earned from these commissions helps me to maintain this website. Thank you for supporting Pass Me Some Tasty!

    « Berry Yogurt Popsicles with Granola
    Bacon Blue Cheese Burger with Roasted Garlic Aioli »

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Comment & Rating! Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi! I'm Shannon

    Shannon Emery of Pass Me Some Tasty

    Welcome to Pass Me Some Tasty!
    This is where you will find easy, tasty gluten-free recipes that EVERYONE will love.
    I hope you discover new favorites that both you and your whole family will enjoy!
    LEARN MORE


    Subscribe to receive new posts from Pass Me Some Tasty directly to your inbox!

    Popular Posts

    • A plate of creamy pasta with sausage and wooden handled fork.
      One Pot Creamy Cajun Sausage Pasta
    • A large bowl of Mediterranean Bean Salad with serving utensils, lemon, and a jar of leftover vinaigrette off to the sides.
      Mediterranean Bean Salad
    • Two bowls of southwest chicken and rice topped with cilantro, avocado, and sour cream. Served with lime wedges.
      Southwest Chicken Rice Bowl
    • A big tasty bowl of Mexican Street Corn Salad, also known as Esquites.
      Mexican Street Corn Salad (Esquites)
    • Meatballs are piled on topped of a plate spaghetti marinara.
      Easy Gluten-Free Meatballs

    Spring Recipe Favorites!

    A jar of fresh Pesto Genovese.

    Pesto Genovese

    A large serving bowl with brussels sprouts and pancetta salad with chili lime vinaigrette. Two serving utensils rest alongside it.

    Brussels Sprout and Pancetta Salad with Chili-Lime Vinaigrette

    A beautiful spiralized zucchini salad with grape tomatoes, feta, and avocado tossed together on a square white serving dish.

    Tomato Avocado Zucchini Salad

    A serving of lasagna on a white plate with a gold fork.

    The Best Gluten-Free Lasagna

    Tempeh and vegetables with green curry.

    Thai-Style Tempeh Green Curry

    Two plates of chicken coq au vin blanc topped with crispy bacon pieces, carrots, mushrooms, and a tasty, white wine gravy-like sauce. Two rose colored glasses with a bottle of Riesling sit nearby.

    Instant Pot Coq au Vin Blanc

    Resources for food bloggers

    Footer

    Pass Me Some Tasty logo and link to homepage

    Never Miss A Recipe!

    Sign Up to receive new recipes from
    Pass Me Some Tasty directly to your inbox!

    Pass Me Some Tasty

    About
    Contact
    Portfolio
    Blogger Resources

    Copyright © 2022 Pass Me Some Tasty · Privacy Policy · Accessibility Statement

    ⬆ back to top