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Slow Cooker Bacon Jam Recipe
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4.94 from 47 votes

Sweet and Savory Bacon Jam Recipe

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!
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time2 hours
Total Time2 hours 20 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: bacon
Servings: 20
Calories: 133kcal

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

Calories: 133kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 14mg | Sodium: 154mg | Potassium: 97mg | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 95IU | Vitamin C: 2.5mg | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 0.2mg