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.
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Table of Contents
🗝️ 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.
👩🍳 FAQs
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.
Yes! It absolutely must be refrigerated and tightly covered.
📚 Related recipes
🍽️ Serve with...
I love bacon jam with meatloaf or hamburgers. It's also delicious as a topping on baked brie!
📞 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
Print Pin Recipe Rate RecipeIngredients
- 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
Nutrition Facts
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.
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✍🏻 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.
Gwen @simplyhealthyfamily says
How fun! I foresee a large plate of these at our Holiday gatherings!
Marye Audet says
🙂 let me know what you think, Gwen
allie @ Through Her Looking Glass says
A half pound of bacon. Say no more!!!! I love this already. Would make an awesome gift too!
Marye Audet says
yes it would!
Alisa Fleming says
What a wonderful flavor combination! I can just taste that sweet, salty, smoky, savory goodness now.
Marye Audet says
🙂 so much flavor. I think this is my favorite appetizer.
Carol Borchardt says
Bacon and onions are two of my favorite things in life! What a wonderful holiday appetizer!
Marye Audet says
thanks Carol!
Christie says
I have never made bacon jam. I really have to rectify that immediately. These look amazing.
Marye Audet says
It's so good. Love it on burgers!