Name: Sweet and Savory Bacon Jam Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 120 min
Total time: 140 min
Ingredients: 1 pound bacon; 2 small onions (chopped); 4 cloves garlic (chopped); 2 chili peppers (chopped (I usually use jalapeno, but you can use hotter if you'd like)); ½ cup brown sugar; ¼ cup pure maple syrup; 1 cup brewed coffee (brew it strong!); ½ cup apple cider vinegar; 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (or more to taste); 1/2 teaspoon chili powder

This sweet and savory bacon jam recipe is the perfect spread for bacon lovers, with loads of bacon, brown sugar, maple syrup and more. Great on burgers!

Have you ever tasted decadence on a spoon? Behold – Bacon Jam.

I’ve heard bacon jam referred to as Devil’s Delight somewhere, and oh my, is that an accurate moniker. Bacon jam is deliciously savory and sweet and works as a spread over cheeses and breads, or as a flavor blast addition to meats or sandwiches.

And so much more! Can you tell we both love bacon jam?

I’ve been experimenting with different ingredients and this is our favorite version, though I also love to use superhot chili peppers. I’m working on a new cookbook about superhot chili peppers, including a large variety of cooking techniques and recipes, and a version of this recipe will be included with Carolina Reaper peppers.

If you want to make your own superhot version, you can use a powder or dehydrated chili peppers. Fresh is ideal, but the powders or rehydrated pods will still bring plenty of flavor and heat.

Note here that I’ve used habanero peppers, which are certainly awesome chili peppers. You’ll get a nice heat with them, but if habaneros are too hot for you, jalapenos work just fine, or even a bell pepper.

You want the substance and flavor of the pepper over the heat, but I personally LOVE the heat.

Let’s talk about how to make bacon jam, shall we?

Bacon Jam Ingredients

Bacon. Use 1 pound bacon for this recipe, though you can easily scale up. Smoked bacon is GREAT for making bacon jam.
Vegetables. Use 2 small onions, 4 cloves garlic, and 1-2 chili peppers. I often use habanero peppers for some good heat, but if habaneros are too hot for you, use milder peppers instead, like the jalapeno. If you want more heat and can find them, use some superhots like the Carolina Reaper! Oh baby!
The Sweet Factor. Use ½ cup brown sugar and ¼ cup pure maple syrup. Such a great combo for this!
Coffee. Use 1 cup strong brewed coffee. It adds a wonderful rich flavor.
Vinegar. ½ cup apple cider vinegar. Balsamic vinegar is great for this, too.
Seasonings. Use 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika and 1/2 teaspoon chili powder A superhot powder is nice! I used Scotch Bonnet this time.

How to Make Bacon Jam – the Recipe Method

Cook the Bacon. Heat a large pot to medium-high heat and add bacon. Add a touch of olive oil if desired. Cook stirring until nearly crisp and brown. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate with a slotted spoon to cool and drain.

Cook the Vegetables. Heat to medium heat. Add the onions and peppers to the pot with the bacon fat and cook about 5 minutes to soften. Add garlic and stir. Cook about 2 minutes.

Add Remaining Ingredients. Add the brown sugar, maple syrup, coffee, vinegar and seasonings and stir occasionally. Bring the mixture to a boil reduce heat to a simmer. Chop the bacon and add it into the pot.

Cook Low and Slow. Cook low and slow for about 2 hours, stirring every now and then. A thick jam will form. Also, you can use a slow cooker to achieve the same results. Notice how it darkens and breaks down.

Process the Bacon Jam (if Desired). When it is nice and gooey and consistent, transfer some of it to a food processor and process until slightly chunky, if desired. Add back to the rest of the bacon jam and mix well. You can process as much as you want for your desired consistency. I often just break it all apart with a wooden spoon for a thick and chunky bacon jam.

Enjoy! Allow to cool then transfer to containers for serving. Or enjoy it right away!

Boom! Done! Bacon jam is easy enough to make, isn’t it? It just takes a bit of time. It will drive you quite mad as the aromas fill your kitchen for hours, making you insane with hunger. Beware.

Just look at it. Yum! It is so gooey and spreadabale, so tasty. Make an extra large batch and give it away to your friends and neighbors. They will love you for it.

Recipe Tips & Notes

Other Ingredients. You can easily adjust this bacon jam recipe with other ingredients to your tastes. Popular additions include thyme or other herbs, cracked black pepper and other seasonings. Try agave nectar or honey instead of maple syrup. You can also use Coke or Dr. Pepper to assist with caramelization. Try it with bourbon.
Make a Double Batch. This recipe easily scales up by doubling or even tripling the ingredients, though you’ll need to increase your cooking time.
It’s Worth the Wait. Be sure to give the bacon jam enough time to break down and thicken into a nice, gooey jam. It may take less time than the recipe calls for, but it may take a bit longer, especially if you’re using more ingredients. Give it the time it needs.
The Heat Factor. This is not a hot recipe, even with jalapeno peppers, as the sugars counteract some of that heat. If you’re looking for a spicy bacon jam, use hotter peppers and incorporate spicy chili powder or hot red pepper flakes.

What to Serve with Bacon Jam

Pair it with Cheese. We served some up immediately here over some cheese slices and toasted breads. It really is a great little appetizer or teaser. I love it with blue cheese. I’ve made grilled cheese with bacon jam and I hope to post that soon, and WOW, is it freaking delicious. Definitely one of our favorites.
Great on Burgers. Top your next burger with melty cheese and bacon jam. You will thank me for this!
Charcuterie Board. Add some bacon jam to your next charcuterie board for your guests to enjoy with bites of cheese, crackers and meats. It’s a wonderful addition.

Patty’s Perspective

We shared some of our bacon jam with our neighbors and everyone asked – What do you do with it? I told them for a fail safe way to enjoy bacon jam, pair it with cheese and you can’t go wrong.

Check Out My Other Popular Recipes

If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you’ll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don’t forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I’ll be sure to share! Thanks! — Mike H.

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5 from 9 votes