Bacon Jam (Sweet, Savory & Perfectly Spreadable!)

This Bacon Jam is rich, sweet, smoky, and deeply savory — the kind of cozy, slow-cooked spread that transforms burgers, sandwiches, charcuterie boards, breakfast biscuits, and more. With caramelized onions, crispy bacon, and a hint of maple, every spoonful is packed with bold flavor. If you love warm, comforting spreads like Lemon Herb Butter or savory flavors from Spicy Roasted Almonds, this recipe will quickly become a favorite.

Recipe Card

Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 35 minutes Total Time: 45 minutes Servings: About 1 ½ cups

Ingredients

• 1 pound thick-cut bacon, diced

• 2 medium onions, finely diced

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• ¼ cup brown sugar

• ¼ cup maple syrup

• ¼ cup apple cider vinegar

• ¼ cup strong brewed coffee (or water)

• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika

• ½ teaspoon black pepper

• Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

1. Cook the bacon

In a large skillet, cook diced bacon over medium heat until crispy. Transfer bacon to a plate; leave about 1–2 tablespoons of bacon fat in the pan.

2. Caramelize the onions

Add onions to the skillet and cook 10–12 minutes, stirring often, until deeply golden and soft. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.

3. Add remaining ingredients

Stir in brown sugar, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, coffee, smoked paprika, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Return cooked bacon to the pan.

4. Simmer until thick and jammy

Lower the heat and simmer 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thick and glossy. The mixture should resemble a sticky, spoonable jam.

5. Pulse (optional)

If you prefer a smoother texture, pulse the mixture 2–3 times in a food processor — not fully blended, just slightly broken down.

6. Cool & store

Let cool completely, then store in a jar in the refrigerator up to 2 weeks.

Conclusion

This Bacon Jam is smoky, sweet, savory, and unbelievably versatile. Spread it on burgers, toast, breakfast sandwiches, charcuterie boards, or pair it with cozy snacks like Cinnamon Swirl Bread or Cinnamon Sugar Pecans for a warm, comforting treat board. It’s simple, bold, and packed with flavor — a must-have homemade condiment.

Bacon Jam – FAQ

Q: What exactly is bacon jam?

A: Bacon jam is a sweet, savory, smoky spread made by slowly cooking bacon with onions, brown sugar, vinegar, and spices until it becomes thick, jammy, and spoonable. It’s like caramelized onions meet smoky bacon.

Q: What type of bacon works best for bacon jam?

A: Thick-cut bacon is ideal because it holds its texture during long cooking. Avoid maple-flavored or heavily seasoned bacon unless you want those flavors in the final jam.

Q: Do I need to cook the bacon until crispy?

A: No — cook it until browned, but not fully crisp. It will continue cooking as it simmers with the onions and seasonings.

Q: Why is my bacon jam too greasy?

A: Make sure to drain off most of the rendered bacon fat after cooking. Leave just enough to sauté the onions (about 1–2 tablespoons).

Q: How long does bacon jam last?

A: Store bacon jam in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2–3 weeks. For longer storage, freeze for up to 2 months.

Q: Can bacon jam be canned?

A: It is not recommended to can bacon jam at home because it contains meat, which makes safe canning difficult. Freezing is the safest long-term storage option.

Q: Why did my bacon jam turn out too thick?

A: It may have been reduced too long. Add a splash of water, broth, or vinegar and warm it gently to loosen the texture.

Q: Why did my bacon jam turn out too thin?

A: Simmer it a little longer until the liquid reduces. It should have a thick, jam-like consistency that holds its shape on a spoon.

Q: Can I make bacon jam sweeter or spicier?

A: Absolutely! Add more brown sugar or maple syrup for sweetness. For heat, add chili flakes, jalapeño, smoked paprika, or a dash of hot sauce.

Q: What can I serve bacon jam with?

A: Burgers, grilled cheese, charcuterie boards, biscuits, breakfast sandwiches, baked brie, roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, steak, chicken, or as a spread for appetizers.