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–+ servings
Irresistible smoky, sweet, and savory bacon jam! Slow cooking makes the onions caramelized and the bacon just melts in your mouth. It’s magical! Slather on biscuits, top toast, make the best burger or level up your grilled cheese. Or eat it with a spoon, I won’t tell!

DIVA'S BACON JAM

Patti Diamond
Irresistible smoky, sweet, and savory bacon jam! Slow cooking makes the onions caramelized and the bacon just melts in your mouth. It’s magical!
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Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours 45 minutes
Overnight Refrigeration 8 hours
Total Time 13 hours 30 minutes
Course Appetizer, Holidays and Entertaining, Snack, Very Diva
Cuisine American
Servings 1 cup

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound smoked bacon cut into one inch pieces
  • 1 1 pound sweet onion diced
  • 1 tablespoon garlic, about 4 cloves minced
  • ⅓ cup brown sugar packed
  • 1 cup coffee brewed
  • ⅓ cup maple syrup or maple flavored syrup
  • ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
  • big pinch red pepper flakes
  • fresh ground black pepper

Instructions
 

  • In a large, heavy pot, on medium high, heat the oil and cook the bacon in batches until its lightly browned and beginning to crisp. Set aside.
  • Reduce heat to medium and add the onion and garlic to the rendered fat and cook until very soft and translucent. Don’t burn the onion! It will taste bitter and nasty and ruin your jam. If you burn the onion – eat the bacon and start over. Seriously. Not even kidding.
  • Put the bacon back in the pot and add the brown sugar, coffee, maple syrup, vinegar, pepper flakes and black pepper. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer
  • Simmer this, uncovered, over very low heat for 3-4 hours until it has a thick, jam-like consistency and beautiful dark brown color. Stir every once in a while to insure even cooking and to prevent sticking.
  • Take the pan off the heat and allow the jam cool. Transfer to a food processor and pulse for several seconds to blend the jam. Return the jam to the pot. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
  • Good Morning! Get the pot out of the fridge, with a spoon, scoop some of the fat from the top of the jam and discard. Put it back on the stove and turn the heat to low and bring it up to a simmer.
  • Taste the jam at this time. If you want it sweeter add more brown sugar, if you want it zingier add cider vinegar, if you want some heat add more pepper flakes or some hot sauce. Play with it to suit your taste.
  • Finally, let this cook down for about 45 minutes until almost all the liquid is evaporated. Let it cool and place in a glass jar. Yields about 8 oz. of jam.

Notes

What to do with bacon jam?
Slather on a burger,
bake it on brie
make a cracker happy
dress up a sandwich
schmear on a pizza
just eat with a spoon (I won’t tell)
It also makes a wonderful foodie gift. 
Keyword Bacon, Christmas, Condiments, Father's Day, Great Foodie Gift, Independence Day
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!