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Home » Recipes » Cooking Tips and Basic Techniques

Onion Bacon Jam

Published: Sep 14, 2023 · Updated: Jan 10, 2024 by Marye

Sweet caramelized onions meet crispy bacon and a hint of bourbon for a mouthwatering condiment that's perfect for burgers, sandwiches, or charcuterie boards.
Total time for the recipe to be finished.Total Time 40 minutes minutes
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Onion bacon jam in a canning jar.

This Onion Bacon Jam is perfect for the holidays because it's so versatile. Sweet caramelized onions, smoky bacon, rich maple syrup, and spicy chipotle are simmered until the mixture becomes thick and jammy.

Onion bacon jam in a canning jar.

Don't want to scroll through the page to get to the recipe? Use the table of contents to click on the section you want.

Table of Contents
  • 🗝️ Key takeaways
  • 📖 Variations
  • 🥫 How to store leftovers
  • 👩‍🍳 FAQs
  • 📚 Related recipes
  • 🍽️ Serve with...
  • 📞 The last word
  • 📖 Recipe
  • ✍🏻 A note from Marye...
  • 💬 Comments

🗝️ Key takeaways

  • This sweet-salty uniquely flavored condiment really takes your appetizers, burgers, and just about anything else up a notch.
  • You'll want to serve this with sandwiches, meats, cheeses, on a charcuterie board...
  • Making onion bacon jam is super easy even if you've never made anything like it before.

📖 Variations

  • Don't want to use bourbon? That's ok! Try using ginger ale or Coca Cola.
  • I love simmering a guajillo pepper in with the other ingredients. Just fish it out before you put the jam in jars.

🥫 How to store leftovers

Spoon the jam into jelly jars or plastic containers with lids and refrigerate for up to a week.

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👩‍🍳 FAQs

What would you use bacon jam for?

Spoon on hamburgers and hot dogs, spread on grilled cheese sandwiches, spoon onto crackers or crusty bread, add to charcuterie boards - the possibilities are endless.

Does bacon jam have to be refrigerated?

Yes! It absolutely must be refrigerated and tightly covered.

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🍽️ Serve with...

I love bacon jam with meatloaf or hamburgers. It's also delicious as a topping on baked brie!

Onion bacon jam is easy and it makes awesome Christmas gifts. Smoky and spicy with a little sweet tossed in. Restlesschipotle.com

📞 The last word

I spread the original Ritz crackers with cream cheese, topped with a spoonful of the caramelized onion bacon jam recipe then sprinkled it with bleu cheese.

The cream cheese helps to keep the cracker crisp and the salty bleu cheese balances out the sweet and spicy notes. It's one big bite of fantastic and it's super easy!

If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.

If you love this recipe please comment below and give it 5 stars!

📖 Recipe

Onion bacon jam in a canning jar.

Onion Bacon Jam

4.50 from 6 votes
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Sweet caramelized onions meet crispy bacon and a hint of bourbon for a mouthwatering condiment that's perfect for burgers, sandwiches, or charcuterie boards.
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American - Southern
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes minutes
Servings:24
Calories:66
Author:Marye Audet-White

Ingredients

  • ½ pound bacon
  • 2 cups chopped onion
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • ⅓ cup bourbon
  • ⅓ cup maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • ¼ teaspoon roasted cinnamon
  • ⅛ teaspoon salt, or to taste (depends on how salty the bacon is
  • ⅛ teaspoon cloves
  • ⅛ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 pinch chipotle powder, or to taste

For Cracker Appetizers

  • 8 ounces cream cheese
  • Ritz Crackers
  • Onion Bacon Jam
  • Bleu Cheese, , optional

Instructions

  • Cut the bacon into small squares.
  • Fry it until done -- do not over cook.
  • Remove from pan but don't drain the grease.
  • Set bacon aside.
  • Add the onion and garlic to the pan.
  • Cook over low heat until the onion is tender and transparent, stirring often.
  • Add the bacon back into the pan.
  • Add the remaining ingredients.
  • Simmer, stirring often, for 30 minutes.
  • Remove from heat.

For Cracker Appetizers

  • Spread each cracker with ½ tablespoon of cream cheese.
  • Top with a spoonful of the onion bacon jam.
  • Sprinkle with bleu cheese if desired.

Notes

Store, tightly covered, in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 66kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 6mg | Sodium: 76mg | Potassium: 50mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 9IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 0.1mg

Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

This recipe has been tested several times. If you choose to use other ingredients, or change the technique in some way, the results may not be the same.

✍🏻 A note from Marye...

I know y'all don't always like the stories bloggers tell so when I have one I try to put it at the very bottom so you can read or skip as you like.

I was looking at information on Aruba - just because I think it would be a cool place to go someday and I came across a recipe called Zult.

The name doesn't sound romantic at all and actually once I started reading the recipe I decided that there was no way Zult and I could ever be friends but I could create a twist on that recipe.

I mean, it called for pigs' ears and that's not on my "wow I always wanted to eat that!" list. 

I like to read about other cultures and get inspiration for the foods they've created... and that's how this bacon onion jam happened.

First published December 9, 2015. Last updated September 14, 2023, for improved structure and readability. Recipe has been updated and improved.

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About Marye

Meet Marye Audet, a wizard in the kitchen and a storyteller at heart. Marye is like your eccentric but fun aunt who knows all the secret recipes and isn't afraid to spill them.

Comments

    4.50 from 6 votes (5 ratings without comment)

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    Love it? Give it 5 stars!




  1. Lisa A Shenk says

    May 07, 2021 at 10:36 am

    Could a low carb option be to use sugar free maple syrup? I am on the Keto diet but I love bacon Jam.

    Reply
    • Marye says

      May 07, 2021 at 11:32 am

      Sure or maple flavoring!

      Reply
  2. Jo Murphy says

    May 07, 2021 at 10:32 am

    How long would this keep in the fridge.

    Reply
    • Marye says

      May 07, 2021 at 11:33 am

      Everyone's always eaten it up within a day or so - but it will be fine for at least a week.

      Reply
  3. Tam says

    June 26, 2017 at 4:22 am

    I realize this thread is quite old but maybe my comment will be seen... this recipe calls for roasted cinnamon, how do I make that? I'm really excited to try this!! Sounds yummy, also... the red wine, will Merlot work?

    Reply
    • Marye Audet says

      June 26, 2017 at 7:46 am

      You can buy roasted cinnamon on Amazon (affiliate link) https://amzn.to/2sd9Hxk or you can just use regular cinnamon. 🙂

      Reply
  4. Erin says

    January 01, 2016 at 12:27 am

    Love this recipe - such a great party appetizer! But, really, I was laughing and crying over your five years without a haircut. I'm approaching two years and I really need to just get on a plane and get it done. 😉 I have hair issues. I feel like this was mini-therapy.

    Reply
  5. Megan Keno says

    December 31, 2015 at 1:51 pm

    I can almost taste it now! These sound so amazing!

    Reply
  6. Melissa Falk says

    December 31, 2015 at 10:24 am

    Hi, Marye! What's not to love about this recipe?! Happy New Year to you. I enjoy reading your blog.

    Reply
  7. Rachel @ Baked by Rachel says

    December 31, 2015 at 10:05 am

    I love that you shared this! I keep forgetting to make it and now I'm craving it all over again!

    Reply
  8. Susan | LunaCafe says

    December 10, 2015 at 9:53 pm

    Inspired appetizer. Perfect for holiday parties.Can't wait to try it..

    Reply
    • Marye Audet says

      December 11, 2015 at 8:33 pm

      thanks! Let me know.

      Reply
  9. Michelle @ The Complete Savorist says

    December 10, 2015 at 9:40 pm

    Ah, the Dorothy Hamil, I rocked one of those long ago. I am loving this onion bacon jam. It would be fanatic with Ritz crackers, an addition of mine.

    Reply
    • Marye Audet says

      December 11, 2015 at 8:32 pm

      🙂 It really is...

      Reply
  10. Michelle | A Dish of Daily Life says

    December 10, 2015 at 8:40 pm

    I have always wanted to try making onion bacon jam! I am so glad I saw this! Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply
    • Marye Audet says

      December 10, 2015 at 9:02 pm

      Let me know what you think, Michelle.

      Reply
  11. Ramona W says

    December 10, 2015 at 4:01 pm

    You totally have me with the world bacon! Oh my this jam sounds so good I would eat it with a spoon! 🙂

    Reply
    • Marye Audet says

      December 10, 2015 at 9:01 pm

      I have to admit... I did.

      Reply
  12. Gwen @simplyhealthyfamily says

    December 10, 2015 at 3:54 pm

    How fun! I foresee a large plate of these at our Holiday gatherings!

    Reply
    • Marye Audet says

      December 10, 2015 at 9:01 pm

      🙂 let me know what you think, Gwen

      Reply
  13. allie @ Through Her Looking Glass says

    December 10, 2015 at 10:52 am

    5 stars
    A half pound of bacon. Say no more!!!! I love this already. Would make an awesome gift too!

    Reply
    • Marye Audet says

      December 10, 2015 at 9:00 pm

      yes it would!

      Reply
  14. Alisa Fleming says

    December 10, 2015 at 9:29 am

    What a wonderful flavor combination! I can just taste that sweet, salty, smoky, savory goodness now.

    Reply
    • Marye Audet says

      December 10, 2015 at 9:00 pm

      🙂 so much flavor. I think this is my favorite appetizer.

      Reply
  15. Carol Borchardt says

    December 10, 2015 at 9:15 am

    Bacon and onions are two of my favorite things in life! What a wonderful holiday appetizer!

    Reply
    • Marye Audet says

      December 10, 2015 at 9:00 pm

      thanks Carol!

      Reply
  16. Christie says

    December 10, 2015 at 8:12 am

    I have never made bacon jam. I really have to rectify that immediately. These look amazing.

    Reply
    • Marye Audet says

      December 10, 2015 at 8:59 pm

      It's so good. Love it on burgers!

      Reply
Marye Audet-White, founder of Restless Chipotle Media

Hey Y'all, I'm Marye

Welcome to my kitchen! ☕

NY Times bestselling author. 10 cookbooks. Mom of 8 kids. Homeschooling mom for 22 years. Addicted to Hallmark Christmas Movies. Collector of old cookbooks.

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