Bacon Jam Recipe – Sweet Smoky Spread

Difficulty:

2/5

Serves:

4 PEOPLE

Prep Time:

20 minutes

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Bacon Jam Recipe – Sweet Smoky Spread

Bacon Jam transforms crispy thick-cut bacon into addictive sweet-smoky spread through caramelized onions, bourbon reduction, and warming spices — the ultimate condiment for everything. From A IS FOR APPLE “Bacon and Bananas,” hosted by Robert Jewell, this pantry-staple jam delivers umami bomb intensity with chipotle heat and maple depth.

The Inspiration

Bacon Jam exploded onto food scene as modern classic — thick bacon renders into fat-confit luxury, caramelized Vidalia onions create natural sweetness, while bourbon (or coffee substitute) deglazes into glossy mahogany reduction. Robert Jewell showcases this in A IS FOR APPLE, balancing smoky meat with cinnamon-allspice warmth and balsamic tang that echoes episode’s bacon-banana theme through sweet-savory genius.

From Southern barbecue joints to hip brunch spots, bacon jam rules toast, burgers, and cheese boards — 1.5 cups yield lasts week refrigerated, growing flavor daily. Jewell emphasizes bacon fat precision (1 tbsp reserved), low-slow reduction (20-25 minutes), and brown sugar “balance check” for perfect sweet-smoky ratio. Chipotle adds smoke without fire; Vidalia onions melt into jammy silkiness. Recipe flexibility shines — bourbon-free coffee version maintains depth; double batches freeze beautifully for gifting.

Ingredients

1.5 lbs (681g) thick-cut bacon
2 large sweet onions (Vidalia)
1 tablespoon (15ml) minced garlic
1 teaspoon (5ml) canned chipotle chili peppers
½ teaspoon (2.5ml) cinnamon
½ teaspoon (2.5ml) ground allspice powder
½ cup bourbon (125ml) or strong coffee
½ cup (125ml) maple syrup
¼ cup (60ml) balsamic vinegar
Brown sugar to balance sweetness if necessary

Method

Cook bacon over medium heat in a large sauté pan. Cook until nice and golden brown and crispy. Remove and drain on a paper-towel lined tray.
Pour off all but one tablespoon (15ml) of the bacon fat.
Chop the onions into a small dice.
Place pan over medium heat and add the onions and cook until caramelized.
Add garlic and the spices and sauté one minute.
Add the remaining ingredients and cook for 20- 25 minutes over low heat until reduced like jam.
Add the bacon (roughly chopped) and cook a further 10 minutes.
Remove from heat check the sweetness. If necessary add brown sugar to balance.

Note: Keeps for 1 week

Serving Suggestions

Slather Bacon Jam thick on buttered toast with fried eggs for breakfast revelation, or pile onto burgers replacing ketchup entirely — the smoky-sweet heat elevates beef patties to gourmet status while cheddar melts into jam pockets perfectly. Stir into cream cheese with cracked pepper for instant bagel schmear that rivals deli counters, or spoon over baked brie surrounded by crackers for party showstopper where guests scrape every drop; elevate grilled cheese by spreading inside with sharp cheddar and jam swirl, creating sweet-smoky molten magic.

For appetizers, wrap Medjool dates around cream cheese-stuffed bacon jam cores then bake until caramelized, or glaze chicken wings tossed post-cook for Super Bowl glory — beer pairing mandatory with IPAs cutting richness. Breakfast tacos gain dimension spreading warmed jam beneath scrambled eggs and avocado; charcuterie boards demand it alongside aged gouda and pickles for sweet-savory contrast.

Final Thoughts

Bacon Jam Recipe from A IS FOR APPLE “Bacon and Bananas,” hosted by Robert Jewell, transforms 1.5 pounds thick-cut bacon into 1.5 cups addictive sweet-smoky spread through precise caramelized Vidalia onions, bourbon-maple-balsamic reduction, and chipotle-cinnamon-allspice intrigue — creating ultimate condiment that lasts week refrigerated while flavor deepens daily. Perfect for burgers, breakfast toast, cheese boards, or chicken wing glaze, this foolproof method emphasizes bacon fat precision (1 tbsp reserved), patient low-slow simmer (35 minutes total), and optional brown sugar balance ensuring spreadable perfection without greasiness every time.

Find more recipes from A is for Apple here!