If you think bacon can’t get any better, you haven’t tried bacon jam. Bacon Jam takes bacon to the next level. You have to try this Bacon Jam recipe!
There is no better way to top a burger than with Bacon Jam. And this Bacon Jam has all the flavor to take burgers to the next level.
What is Bacon Jam?
Basically, bacon jam is a relish made from bacon, sugar, and spices along with a liquid. It is slow-cooked until it resembles a jam-like consistency.
Bacon Jam is also known as bacon marmalade or bacon spread. It has a smoky sweet flavour that compliments many dishes
How To Make Bacon Jam
This Bacon Jam recipe is made on the BBQ but it can also be cooked on a stovetop as well.
Some recipes call for water as the liquid. In this recipe, beer is used as the liquid with beef stock which adds a different flavor to the jam. The beer I use for this recipe is usually Pabst Blue Ribbon but any beer you have on hand will work. Non-alcoholic beer could be used, although I haven’t tried it with non-alcoholic beer.
If you prefer not to use beer, substitute the beer in the recipe for additional beef stock.
Reheating
To reheat the jam once it has cooled, simply add what you need to a microwave-safe bowl and reheat 30 seconds at a time, stirring after 30 seconds, until heated through.
It can also be reheated in a pot on the stove. Place what you need in a small pot and heat on medium-low stirring, until heated through.
How to Serve Bacon Jam
Our favourite way to enjoy Bacon Jam is on burgers, but there are other ways to enjoy this sweet bacon condiment.
- Bacon Jam can also be added as a compliment to a charcuterie board. It goes well with sliced salami and olives.
- Top a baked Brie with Bacon Jam and serve with toasted crostini or fresh French bread.
- Or to top a cracker with cheese. Any variety of cheese will do, but cheddar, Brie, or goat cheese are our favourites.
- It can be mixed with melted cheese to top nachos or tacos.
- Add it to a grilled cheese sandwich or any kind of panini.
- There are many different ways you can use this jam.
- Add to a salad
To make the best burgers, check out How to Make Perfect Burgers.
How To Store Bacon Jam
This recipe can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge in a mason jar for up to one month.
It can also be stored in an air-tight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before serving.
Bacon Jam
Ingredients
- 4 pounds bacon
- 2 large white onions, diced
- 8 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp Apple cider vinegar
- 2 Tbsp cumin
- 1 Tbsp cayenne pepper
- 1 Tbsp black pepper
- 2 cans of beer, 355 ml each
- 3-4 cups beef stock
Instructions
- Heat BBQ to 350°F or as close as possible
- Chop bacon and add to a heavy bottomed pot
- Cook on BBQ until browned
- Remove bacon and set aside
- Leave about 3 Tbsp of the bacon fat in the pot, and do not scrape the bottom of the pot.
- Add chopped onions, minced garlic and 1 can of beer to the pot and cook until onions are softened and translucent , stirring and scraping the bottom of the pan to release any small bits of bacon on the bottom.
- Add brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, spices and continue cooking until the onions are caramelized.
- Add the bacon back to the pot with the second can of beer and enough stock to just cover the bacon
- Simmer on low heat (about 250°F), stirring often, adding stock when needed. There should always be some liquid in the pot to avoid burning
- Continue simmering until the mixture forms a jam like consistency
- Store bacon jam in mason jars in the fridge
