Bourbon Bacon Onion Jam Recipe
This bourbon bacon onion jam is packed with crispy bacon, sweet caramelized onions, bourbon, balsamic vinegar, and brown sugar. Rich, smoky, and savory-sweet, it's delicious on burgers, smoked meats, sandwiches, crostini, and even baked beans.
Servings: 1.5 cups
Calories: 1459kcal
Ingredients
- 1 pound thick-cut bacon, cut into small ½-inch pieces
- 2 large Vidalia onions, finely chopped (I used a food processor)
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 4 tablespoons bourbon, divided
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon strong coffee
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- Pinch of salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Place the bacon in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Let it cook and render the fat, stirring occasionally. This takes approximately 30 minutes. Cook it a bit longer than you normally would; you want the pieces to be crisp, so they crumble when you add them back into the jam.
- When done, remove the bacon from the pan and place it on paper towels to drain. Pour off all the bacon grease except 2-3 tablespoons, which helps boost the flavor even more.
- Add the onions to the pan and cook for about 10 minutes, then add the brown sugar and stir to combine. Cook another 60 minutes, stirring occasionally until the onions are caramelized.
- Add bacon back in, along with 3 tablespoons bourbon, balsamic and apple cider vinegars, coffee, and salt and pepper, and cook for another 10-15 minutes.
- Add about ¼ cup of water and the remaining tablespoon of bourbon, stirring to combine. Add additional water if the jam is too thick.
Notes
To quickly prep your bacon for the jam, slice the entire package (after removing it from the plastic) into half-inch strips. After cooking, break up any extra-large pieces with your fingers.
Be patient when caramelizing the onions.
Keep the heat low to prevent burning.
Use thick-cut bacon for the best texture.
Taste and adjust seasoning before serving.
Double the batch if you're planning to share or gift it.
If serving as a topping for smoked meats, be sure to warm it up.
Nutrition
Calories: 1459kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 120g | Saturated Fat: 40g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 20g | Monounsaturated Fat: 53g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 200mg | Sodium: 2018mg | Potassium: 866mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 42g | Vitamin A: 115IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 79mg | Iron: 2mg
