If you’ve come for Bacon Jam, there’s no need for a long introduction—let’s get straight to the recipe.
Bacon Jam
(makes about 2 cups)
Ingredients:
1 pound nitrate/nitrate-free bacon, roughly chopped (end cuts work well)
1 onion, diced
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/3 cup maple syrup
3/4 cup brewed coffee
- Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C).
- In a medium Dutch oven over medium-low heat, brown the chopped bacon, rendering the fat, about 20 minutes.
- Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon, leaving about 1 tablespoon of fat in the pot. Reserve the remaining fat for another use.
- Add the diced onion to the pot and sauté until golden and softened, about 10 minutes.
- Return the bacon to the pot and add the apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, and brewed coffee. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer on the stovetop.
- Cover the pot and transfer it to the oven. Cook for 1 hour.
- Carefully remove the pot and stir. Return it to the oven and check every 20–30 minutes until the liquid reduces to a syrupy consistency. Remember it will thicken as it cools, so aim for slightly looser than the final texture you want.
- Allow the mixture to cool for 15–20 minutes.
- Transfer to a food processor and pulse 6–8 times, or until the jam reaches an even consistency—smooth but with some texture, not fully pureed.
- Pack into clean glass jars and refrigerate. The jam will keep for about two weeks.
How to use your bacon jam
(Besides eating it straight from the jar)
- BLT bites: Spoon a teaspoon onto an endive leaf or cracker, top with a halved cherry tomato and a small arugula leaf.
- Serve on grain-free or other favorite crackers for a simple snack.
- Warm slightly and spoon over vanilla ice cream for a sweet-salty dessert.
- Fold into scrambled eggs, or add to an omelette or frittata for extra savory depth.
- Top burgers with bacon jam, tomato slices, and avocado for a decadent BLT-style burger.
- Add to a charcuterie board alongside pâtés and spreads to impress guests.
- Make a larger batch and package in jars as a thoughtful homemade gift.
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