Bacon Onion Jam is a rich and savory spread that adds a smoky-sweet burst of flavor to sandwiches, crackers, veggies, eggs, and more!
The first time I tried bacon onion jam was at a restaurant. It was included on a charcuterie platter, and it blew my mind – and my taste buds – away! The combination of that savory jam with creamy cheese and crispy crackers is something I will never forget.
Fast forward many years and delicious culinary pairings, and I have enjoyed this jam on everything from eggs to sandwiches to fish to pasta. Seriously, you have no idea what you’re missing until you add a dollop of this jam to macaroni and cheese!
Okay, I will give you a little warning now: Do not give in to temptation and try a spoonful. You won’t be able to stop! I hate to admit that it happened to me once. I ate about a quarter of the batch straight from the pan. What can I say? It was that good!
Is Bacon Onion Jam Healthy?
Bacon onion jam is not one of the healthiest condiments as it is high in sugar, fat, and sodium. It is however gluten-free and dairy-free and can be altered to use different sweeteners, such as honey, maple syrup, or monk fruit. Just try to enjoy it in moderation as part of a healthy and balanced diet.
Why Slow-Cooking Chopped Onions Makes a HUGE Difference
Here’s the thing about onions—the longer you cook them, the sweeter they become. When you cook sliced or chopped onions over high heat, they burn quickly, and the onions don’t have time to release their natural sugar. However, when cooked over low heat, they slowly develop deep golden and then mahogany hues, resulting in that savory, sweet caramelization that fills your mouth with deliciousness.
The recipe here calls for cooking the onions over medium-low heat for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring frequently to develop that prized caramelization. This short cooking time will work fine for this recipe, but I recommend cooking them on low heat for a couple of hours if you have the time. The longer cooking time will bring amazing results! I learned this secret years ago from watching a friend caramelize onions for her spaghetti sauce. She let the onions cook for about 2 hours before adding the other ingredients. The taste was out of this world. Sometimes, the best things in life are worth waiting for.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 pound thick-cut bacon, diced
- 3 medium Vidalia onions, sliced thick and chopped
- Pinch of kosher salt
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup brewed coffee
- 1/2 cup water
- 4 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
INSTRUCTIONS
Prep
Slice onions and dice bacon.
Cook
Sauté bacon, caramelize onions, and simmer with seasonings.
Store/Serve
Cool, store, and reheat for serving.
Devour!
FAQs & Tips
You can get a jump start on preparing this recipe by chopping your onions a day or two ahead of time. Just keep them in the fridge in an airtight container. That way, they are ready to go when you want them. When refrigerated in an airtight container, prepared bacon onion jam will last 2-4 weeks. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months, letting it defrost overnight in the fridge.
There are many ways to enhance this jam, the first being to add booze! Bourbon is an excellent choice, as it complements the flavors beautifully. When using bourbon, I like to switch from brown sugar to honey or maple syrup. Another option is to spice things up with some fresh minced garlic (1-2 teaspoons) and 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes. You can also make tomato bacon onion jam by adding 1 cup of diced ripe tomatoes. Delish!
Many recipes, like this one, result in chunky bacon jam, with golden brown slices of caramelized onion wrapping around the bacon cubes. Some people like a smoother consistency, which can be accomplished by dicing the bacon and onions into smaller pieces. You could also do 2 to 3 pulses in a food processor.
Serving Suggestions
When pairing bacon onion jam with other foods, the first thing I think of is what goes well with bacon. I immediately think of eggs, and adding the jam to our Fried Eggs in the Microwave recipe is a great combination. My next thought is of burgers, so spreading this jam on this Fried Egg Burger is the ultimate taste treat.
If you’ve ever had loaded fries or baked potatoes, you know that bacon is an ideal topping. Here’s another exciting taste sensation – using the jam as a dip for these Air-Fryer Potato Chips. Last but certainly not least, kick this Avocado Grilled Cheese Sandwich up to the next level with a smear of the jam. Enjoy!
Bacon Onion Jam
Ingredients
- 1 pound thick-cut bacon diced
- 3 medium Vidalia onions sliced thick and chopped
- Pinch of kosher salt
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup brewed coffee
- 1/2 cup water
- 4 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
Instructions
-
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crispy. Remove bacon and drain all but 1 tablespoon of fat.
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Add onions to the skillet, sprinkle with salt, and cook for 20-30 minutes over medium-low heat until caramelized, stirring often.
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Return bacon to the skillet. Add brown sugar, coffee, and water, cook over medium-high heat until syrupy, about 30-35 minutes. Stir in balsamic vinegar.
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Allow to cool and store in an airtight container in the fridge.
Nutrition
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