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This bacon jam recipe is one of THE best things I’ve ever eaten. Sweet, salty and savory. Spread on sandwiches or crostinis, or mix into pasta. Top baked potatoes, quiche or grilled meat. So versatile, and best when just slightly warmed up!
Men. Can’t live with ’em, or something like that! But really, I have the hardest time finding good gifts for the important men in my life. And there are a lot of them. My husband and son are relatively easy because I’m so tuned into their interests and needs. But once you get beyond those two, I’m hopeless! My four teenage nephews, brother and brother-in-law, Dad, father-in-law, and the 90% of my coworkers who are men are incredibly hard to gift. My female coworkers? Easy. Sisters and Mom? So easy. Gifts for men are the hardest part of the holiday season for me. This year, I’m determined to get the guys in my life gifts they’ll actually love, like this bacon jam recipe.
(Oh hey, Mr. Stormtrooper! Fancy seeing you here).
I headed to my local Walmart to get some ideas, and luckily, found them. This year’s Hallmark ornaments are crazy good. They have Star Wars, The Walking Dead, and all manners of superhero and popular movie related ornaments. I picked up a few traditional boxed Star Wars ornaments (and an Elmo ornament for my son, he insisted). I found the boxed ornaments towards the front of the store, near the Christmas decorations. Also, when I wandered towards the cards section, I found some super cute plastic Star Wars ornaments with Santa hats on. Had to get those, too, and they were very inexpensive. There’s something satisfying about seeing Darth Vader wear a Santa hat.
I was so excited that I found these awesome ornaments for the guys in my life. But, they say a man’s heart is through is stomach, and I’ve always believed that to be true! I decided to make something I’ve only ever bought, Bacon Jam. 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 crostinis, baked cheese, turkey sandwiches, baked potatoes, or quiche. A local company makes amazing Bacon Jam, but it’s SO expensive, upwards of $20 per tiny jar. Bacon jam does require a TON of bacon to be used, so it’s one of those things that really pays off to make at home. And, I am not exaggerating when I say that this particular bacon jam recipes is one of the best things I have ever eaten. Seriously. No lies.
I packaged this jam in half pint jars. You can attach super simple chalkboard labels and write on them white 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 of bacon goodness ready for gift giving.
So to recap, the men in my life are getting pretty awesome gifts this year! What are you getting the men in your life this year? I’d love to hear your ideas!
- 2 pounds bacon, raw, chopped
- 2 teaspoons butter
- 2 large yellow onions, diced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 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.
- Drain bacon using a colander placed over a bowl. Save the drained fat.
- Add 2 tsp of bacon fat and butter to pot and return to medium heat. Add onion and salt, then saute for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently.
- While onions saute, add cooled bacon to a cutting board, and run through with a chef's knife to reduce the size even further.
- 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.
- Add water and cook for 10-15 minutes until the mixture is "brick-brown" in color and thick.
- Add olive oil and balsamic vinegar, stir well.
- 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 1/2 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 grape jam, but should certainly have some liquid to it.
I would have never thought of making bacon into a jam but this sounds so delicious!
Me either, Megan! I sampled it at a farmer’s market and was HOOKED.
This is such an interesting idea! Can’t wait to try this out!
Thanks Kristyn!
OhH, bacon jam! That sounds like a great gift for a man lol! Or anyone actually because I’d love some too 🙂
Right, save some for us ladies!
I would be totally happy to get a jar of bacon jam!!!!
Thanks Beth! 🙂
You had me at bacon!
Always! 🙂
This looks like a perfect gift for my brother! I have a few logistics questions, though. Is the finished jam at the end of the recipe hot enough to seal the jar (for jams and preserves, usually a heated, sterilized jar quickly filled with the hot jam, lidded, ringed, and turned upside down for a while to heat the lid will successfully seal)? How long will bacon jam keep? Does the jam need to stay refrigerated before opening the jar, or only after opening it?
Thanks! I look forward to trying this recipe! It sounds delicious!
Hi Mary- I did some experimenting with this. My jar did self-seal with the heat (love hearing that POP sound from the lid!) Honestly, this is a little bit experimental for me. I’m not sure how long it will keep when sealed, but I’ve purchased several varieties of bacon jam that have long (1 year plus) shelf lives. I am keeping mine in the fridge to be safe, and have one jar I’m keeping out at room temp to observe. I’ll update the recipe, probably in another three months! 😉
I hope you enjoy it!!!
Somebody hand me a stack of crackers because it’s about to go down with this bacon jam! YUM!!!
I agree that men are always tough to buy for! Always the most challenging part of Christmas shopping. This bacon jam sounds amazing – I’m thinking it would be fantastic on melted Brie.
GIMME! This seriously looks delicious and what a fantastic recipe! My husband would LOVE this and I think I might need to whip up a batch to give him with his ornament! #client
Haha! Seriously, he would LOVE it! I served it at Thanksgiving with crackers and goat cheese spread and it was GONE! Thanks a bunch.
What amount of bacon jam does this recipe make?
Hi Stella- This recipe makes 3 half pint jars of jam.
Can’t wait to make this – like you said it is a great gift for those hard to shop for men. Does this recipe make one jar of bacon jam?
Hey Jennifer! It makes 3 half pint jars! That’s probably a good size for gifting since you only have to use a bit of the jam to get a big dose of flavor!
I’d like to make this for a fundraiser. Does it need to be refrigerated? We will be outside in June for the event so need to know if we need to keep it on ice. Thank you = can’t wait to make this!
Hi Denise! I don’t think so. I made it for our Thanksgiving meal this year and it sat out nearly all afternoon with crackers, and seemed to hold up very well. I can’t wait to hear what you think!
This is wonderful! Thanks . I wouldn’t even consider changing anything about this recipe.
Thomas, thank you SO much! I appreciate you taking the time to make the recipe and leave me this feedback.
Going to try this today and was wondering if rice wine or apple cider vinegar could used instead of balsamic. Thanks.
Hi Tom! Yes, of course. Use whatever vinegar you have. It all cooks down so much that you don’t have a strong balsamic taste.