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.
If using a slow cooker, cook on high for 3-4 hours, stirring every now and then, until a thick jam forms.
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. But it will drive you quite mad as the aromas fill your kitchen for hours, making you insane with hunger. So 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.
Storage & Leftovers
Storing your Sweet and Savory Bacon Jam in an airtight container in the fridge may allow you to store the leftovers for up to 2-4 weeks (2-3 months in the freezer). To maximize the storage life, make sure to refrigerate the jam promptly.
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. Next, 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.
Sweet and Savory Bacon Jam Recipe
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
Instructions
- Heat a large pot to medium heat and add bacon. Cook until nearly crisp and brown. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to cool and drain.
- Cook the onions in the pot with the bacon fat about 5 minutes to soften.
- Add garlic and jalapeno peppers (or habanero peppers!) and stir. Cook about 2 minutes.
- Add the remaining ingredients and stir. Bring the mixture to a boil reduce heat to a simmer.
- Chop the bacon and add it into the pot.
- 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. See NOTES.
- When it is nice and gooey and consistent, transfer some of it to a food processor and process until slightly chunky. Add back to the rest of the bacon jam and mix well. You can process as much as you want for your desired consistency.
- Allow to cool then transfer to containers for serving.
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.
- Slow Cooker. If using a slow cooker or crock pot, Cook on high for 3-4 hours, stirring every now and then, until a thick jam forms.
- 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.
Nutrition Information
NOTE: This recipe was updated on 10/19/20 to include new information and photos. It was originally published on 3/11/15.
Carlton says
I have made this twice now. First time was a big hit with family. second time I had hard time keeping wife out of it ( she is presently in living room with a couple tortillas with the jam on it). I did use more jalapenos than what recipe called for to get more of a jalapeno flavor but I took out most of the seeds and veins. the second batch did taste more like jalapeno with just a little more heat.
Mike H. says
Haha, thanks, Carlton. Glad to hear that!
Leann says
Can I use frozen jalapeños?
Mike Hultquist says
Yes, this works with frozen. Enjoy!
Carlton says
if using frozen I would saute them before putting in jam in order to remove some of the water.
Mike H. says
Go for it - great tip!
Alex says
Tastes great!
But we followed everything to a T and wasn’t sure what to do with all the remaining bacon grease/oil.
Put it in a container with the jam and now we’ve got jam surrounded/engulfed by solidified fat.
What did we do wrong?
Mike Hultquist says
Thanks, Alex. Nothing really wrong, bacon is greasy in general. You can pour off excess if you want or stir it in. Really the choice is yours. Cheers.
Alex says
Thanks!
It’s SUPER hard. Almost unusable without reheating it a bit. Is that the typical?
Mike Hultquist says
It will harden a bit in the refrigerator, yes, but not SUPER hard. I've never had that issue. A touch of extra liquid should loosen it up.
Mike Keane says
can I can this recipe
Mike Hultquist says
You might look into pressure canning, Mike. Oily foods aren't recommended for water bath canning.
Thelma says
Hi Mike, I have been canning for years and I follow only those recipes from the USDA or from college extensions such as Penn State or Iowa as these people scientifically prove their recipes. All area that I have researched on this matter say that Jalapeño Bacon Jam is far too thick to ensure heat consistency that destroys yeast and botulism. It is not recommended to hot water bath or pressure can Jalapeño Bacon Jam recipes. It is best to freeze it for future use. Hope this helps.
Mike Hultquist says
Thanks, Thelma.
Carol says
I tripled the recipe which worked out fine although it took longer to cook. Love the results! Great recipe!
Mike Hultquist says
Glad you enjoyed it, Carol!
Anna says
Just made this bacon jam omg delish! Turned out perfectly. I can’t wait to try this on all sorts of things.
Mike Hultquist says
Nice! Glad you enjoyed it, Anna! So good!
Pat says
I made a huge recipe. Do I can It In a water canner or pressure can???
Mike Hultquist says
There is a lot of oil in this, Pat, so I don't recommend a water bath method. I'm not sure about pressure canning with this, sorry.
Dayle says
love the flavour, used home grown peppers, (large, red and hottish), probably didn't cook long enough and used a stick blender that left it with a slightly gritty texture, wont do that next time.
Will repeat the experiment
Mike Hultquist says
Dayle, yes, likely need a longer cook to ensure everything gets nice and jammy. Cheers.
Karen says
So many ways to use this jam. My husband loves it on roast beef sandwiches and I love it on cheese but the pairings are only limited by your imagination.
Mike Hultquist says
Nice! Glad you both enjoyed it, Karen!
Cindi says
Your recipes are awesome , can't go wrong with any of them ! Keep it up PLEASE
Mike Hultquist says
Thanks, Cindi! I appreciate it!
Name says
Made these three times so far, very delicious!
Patrick says
Can you make this ahead and store it in maybe a mason jar for a few days or a week?
Mike Hultquist says
You sure can, Patrick. Keep it refrigerated and sealed.
Babs says
How long do I cook in slow cooker? Thanks
Mike Hultquist says
Babs, cook on high for 3-4 hours, or until it gets nice and jammy for you. Enjoy!