The BEST Homemade Bacon Jam Recipe - Perfect homemade food gift! (2024)

Jump to the Recipe

This bacon jam recipe is one of THE best things I’ve ever eaten. Sweet, salty and savory and a great gift!

I am a BIG fan of edible gifts around the holidays, and this Bacon Jam recipe is one of my favorites! People LOVE to receive it, and I love to make it!

The BEST Homemade Bacon Jam Recipe - Perfect homemade food gift! (1)

This bacon and onion jam is the perfect combination of sweet, salty, and savory with just a *little* kick of spicy!

You can definitely buy this jam, but honestly, it’s just not the same. They have to put heavy preservatives in it to make it safe to eat, and you can tell!

The BEST Homemade Bacon Jam Recipe - Perfect homemade food gift! (2)
The BEST Homemade Bacon Jam Recipe - Perfect homemade food gift! (3)

What is Bacon Jam, you say?

It’s a sweet and salty relish that you can use as a topping or spread on any number of things: toast or crostini’s, baked cheese, turkey sandwiches, baked potatoes, or quiche.

A local company here in Kansas City makes a similar jam, but it’s SO expensive, upwards of $20 per tiny jar.

This jam recipe does require a TON of bacon to be used, so it’s one of those recipes that really pays off to make at home.

And, I am notexaggeratingwhen I say that this particular jam recipe is one of the best things I have ever eaten. Seriously. No lies.

I packaged this jam gift in half pint jars. You can attach super simple chalkboard labels and write on them with awhite paint pen.

Add some decorative twine or a festive holiday ribbon, and you’re good to go! It was super simple to get these little jars ofbacon goodness ready for gift giving.

If you’re looking for more edible gift ideas for the holidays, I recommend this delicious Garlic Infused Olive Oil, my Christmas Cracker Candy or this homemade Hot Cocoa Mix.

The BEST Homemade Bacon Jam Recipe - Perfect homemade food gift! (5)

Can you can bacon jam?

I absolutely hate to be the bearer of bad news, but no, you cannot safely can bacon jam.

I tried to can the first batch I made and opened it after 3 months. The smell was off, so I threw it out. It turns out that it’s very likely bacteria will grow for this type of meat marmalade. And, there are several recipes out there that say you are able to this jam safely, so be cautious, friends! We don’t want to get ourselves or others sick.

After doing a bit more research, I learned that the best way to store this jam is to freeze it.

To freeze it, just leave a bit of head room in your freezer safe jar. When you’re ready to use it, thaw the jam. Once thawed, you can store it in the refrigerator for 2-3 weeks.

Serving Suggestions:

Bacon Jam is incredibly versatile and can be used in several ways! Use it:

  • On top of brie or soft cheese
  • On baked potatoes
  • As a sandwich spread
  • On top of your favorite grilled protein
The BEST Homemade Bacon Jam Recipe - Perfect homemade food gift! (6)

Michelle's Bacon Jam Recipe

Yield: 1.5 pints

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Bacon Jam Recipe. Sweet, salty and savory with brown sugar. Spread on crackers, bruschetta, baked brie or top baked potatoes or grilled meat! So versatile, and so yummy.

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds bacon, raw, chopped
  • 2 large yellow onions, diced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 pinch cayenne pepper
  • ½ cup water
  • 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar

Instructions

  1. Add chopped bacon to a large pot (I used a Dutch oven). Cook on medium heat for 15-20 minutes until the bacon starts to get crispy, and the fat is foaming.
  2. Drain bacon using a colander placed over a bowl. Save the drained fat.
  3. Add 2 teaspoons of bacon fat to pot and return to medium heat. Add onion and salt, then sauté for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently.
  4. While onions sauté, place the cooled bacon on a cutting board. Chop into small pieces, less than ½ inch.
  5. To onion mixture, add brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, dried thyme, black pepper and pinch of cayenne. Add bacon back in to pot and stir.
  6. Add water and balsamic vinegar. Cook on low-medium heat for 10-15 minutes until the mixture is "brick-brown" in color and thick.

Notes

  • This is best served slightly warm.
  • This recipe yields 1.5 pints. I recommend packaging in small half pint jars.
  • If the jam seems dry after all steps are completed, add another ½ cup of water and continue to simmer. It should have the consistency of a relish when all is said and done. It won't be thick like a jelly.
Nutrition Information

Yield 20Serving Size 1
Amount Per ServingCalories 205Total Fat 18gSaturated Fat 6gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 11gCholesterol 30mgSodium 408mgCarbohydrates 4gFiber 0gSugar 3gProtein 6g

The nutrition for this recipe is calculated by an app, and may be incorrect.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

Love this bacon jam recipe? I think you’d also love this Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts appetizer recipe, or this Blackberry Crumb Dump Cake!

The BEST Homemade Bacon Jam Recipe - Perfect homemade food gift! (7)
The BEST Homemade Bacon Jam Recipe - Perfect homemade food gift! (2024)

FAQs

How long will bacon jam keep in the refrigerator? ›

For safety, we strongly recommend that bacon jam be refrigerated for times suggested by the recipe (2-4 weeks) or that it be frozen for longer storage.

Can you freeze homemade bacon jam? ›

Bacon jam freezes and thaws quite well, so if you know you aren't going to use it in the next few weeks, try freezing it instead. Bacon jam can be safely kept in the freezer for up to six months. You can use any freezer-safe container to store your bacon jam. To thaw the bacon jam, place it in the fridge.

What pairs well with bacon jam? ›

Our list of things we want to use this jam in is ever-growing. Here are just a few to get you started: warm potato salad, grilled asparagus, fresh tomatoes, panzanella, grilled cheese, crackers and goat cheese, spinach salad, a spoon, fresh garden peas, scrambled eggs, bagels and cream cheese...

How to make the best tasting bacon? ›

Brush uncooked bacon slices with a slurry of balsamic vinegar and maple syrup, brown sugar, or honey, place them on a rimmed, foil-lined tray in a 400°F oven, check every five minutes or two to see how things are faring, flip and baste as needed, and when the bacon is cooked and the glazed thickened, cool the bacon on ...

Can you leave homemade jam out of the fridge? ›

Sealed jars of homemade preserves can also be stored at room temperature. Once the jam or jelly is opened, however, it is best to refrigerate them. Richard explains that this prevents mold and yeast from growing. If not refrigerated, opened jams and jellies are likely to spoil quicker.

Does homemade jam go bad in fridge? ›

If you're making fruit jam at home and skipping the canning process, what is often called quick jam or freezer jam, store in the fridge or freezer to preserve, and be aware that it should be consumed within 10 days if refrigerated and 3 months if frozen. It's not shelf stable without proper canning.

Is bacon OK after 10 days? ›

Unopened bacon may last roughly two weeks in the fridge and eight months in the freezer. Once the package has been opened, as long as it is well stored in a sealed container, uncooked bacon is good for a week. Sealed in an airtight plastic bag in the freezer, the bacon could last for about a month.

What if my bacon jam is too thick? ›

Note: If the jam cools and it's too thin, you can cook it a little longer. If it's too thick, you can add a splash of hot water or stock to thin it out.

How long does bacon jam last unopened? ›

Additional info. Our Bacon Jam is shelf stable for 2 years unopened and 6 months in the fridge after opening... IF it lasts that long!

Why is my bacon jam not thickening? ›

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.

What bread is best with jam? ›

Bread. Let's start with the most obvious choice and certainly one of the favorites: jam on bread. Literally, any kind of bread becomes delicious with a touch of jam. Make your jam sandwich with white bread but also try challah or French brioche.

Which bread is good with jam? ›

Whole Wheat Bread: Whole wheat bread adds a slightly nutty and wholesome flavor to the combination. It provides a heartier base for the fruit jam, complementing its sweetness.

What fruit goes with bacon? ›

The mango works because it has a nice strong acidic flavor that works well against the bacon - I'd expect cherries, pineapple, and other assertive fruits to fill the same niche. Avocado could be subbed for a nice, ripe, melty pear - this one's about mouth feel.

What is bacon jam made of? ›

Bacon jam is made by slow cooking a combination of bacon, onions, brown sugar and vinegar, then placing the mixture in a food processor and putting it into jars.

How to make crispy melt in your mouth bacon? ›

I preheat my oven to 400 degrees. Lay a cooling rack (or any wire rack) over the top of a sheet pan, and lay the bacon across the wire rack (this allows the fat/grease to drain off as it cooks). I bake it for anywhere from 15 or 20 min-ish, depending on how crispy and well done I want it.

How does Bobby Flay make bacon? ›

Place bacon in pan and bake until lightly browned and crisp, 15 to 20 minutes. While the bacon is cooking, whisk together the clover honey and ancho chile powder in a medium bowl until smooth. Remove the bacon from the oven, using mitts, and carefully drain the fat, tipping the pan, into a medium bowl.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Lidia Grady

Last Updated:

Views: 6524

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (65 voted)

Reviews: 80% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Lidia Grady

Birthday: 1992-01-22

Address: Suite 493 356 Dale Fall, New Wanda, RI 52485

Phone: +29914464387516

Job: Customer Engineer

Hobby: Cryptography, Writing, Dowsing, Stand-up comedy, Calligraphy, Web surfing, Ghost hunting

Introduction: My name is Lidia Grady, I am a thankful, fine, glamorous, lucky, lively, pleasant, shiny person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.