Bacon-Bourbon Jam Recipe

By
Lucy Baker
Lucy Baker
Lucy Baker is a food writer, publisher, and author of two cookbooks: The Boozy Baker: 75 Recipes for Spirited Sweets and Edible DIY: Simple, Giftable Recipes to Savor and Share. In addition to her columns on Serious Eats, she has written for The Journal News, Westchester Magazine, and her blog, Turnip the Oven.
Learn about Serious Eats' Editorial Process
Updated Aug. 30, 2018
20110202-135301-bacon-bourbon-jam-1.jpg

Adapted from Everyday Food.

The taste of this jam is truly outrageous. Each bite contains layer upon layer of flavor, from the caramelized onions and garlic; to the sweet bourbon and maple syrup; to the smoky, salty, porky bacon. Try it on toast, in place of mayonnaise in a sandwich, or slathered on pancakes. It will keep for a month in the fridge.

Recipe Details

Bacon-Bourbon Jam Recipe

Active 40 mins
Total 4 hrs 40 mins
Serves 24 servings
Makes 3 cups

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds regular, supermarket variety bacon, cut crosswise into 1-inch pieces

  • 2 medium onions, diced (about 2 cups)

  • 3 medium cloves garlic, peel and coarsely chopped (about 2 teaspoons)

  • 1/2 cup cider vinegar

  • 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar

  • 1/4 cup maple syrup

  • 6 tablespoons brewed coffee

  • 6 tablespoons bourbon

Directions

  1. Divide bacon between two large skillets and cook over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until fat is rendered and bacon is lightly browned and starting to crisp, about 20 minutes.

  2. Transfer bacon to paper towels to drain. Discard fat from one skillet. Pour off all but one tablespoon fat from remaining skillet. Add onions and garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until onions are softened and translucent, about five minutes. Add vinegar, brown sugar, maple syrup, coffee, and bourbon. Bring to a boil and cook for two minutes, stirring and scraping browned bits from bottom of skillet with wooden spoon. Add bacon and stir to combine.

  3. Transfer mixture to a six-quart slow-cooker and cook on high, uncovered, until liquid has reduced and thickened slightly and bacon is a deep burnished brown, 3 1/2 to 4 hours.

  4. Transfer mixture to food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped. Let cool, then transfer to airtight jars. Store in refrigerator for up to one month.

Special Equipment

Skillet, slow-cooker, food processor

This Recipe Appears In

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
80 Calories
5g Fat
8g Carbs
2g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 24
Amount per serving
Calories 80
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 5g 6%
Saturated Fat 2g 8%
Cholesterol 8mg 3%
Sodium 80mg 3%
Total Carbohydrate 8g 3%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 7g
Protein 2g
Vitamin C 1mg 4%
Calcium 11mg 1%
Iron 0mg 1%
Potassium 66mg 1%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)