Easy Homemade Bacon Jam Recipe - Urban Bliss Life (2024)

Published: / Updated: by Marlynn Jayme Schotland · This post may contain affiliate links.

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This homemade bacon jam recipe is so easy to make! It's a delicious spread to use on toast, as a sandwich spread, on a crostini as an appetizer, and more!

Easy Homemade Bacon Jam Recipe - Urban Bliss Life (1)

My love for bacon is no secret, nor is my love for wine.

Do the two pair well together? Despite my favorite line "everything is better with bacon," not every wine pairs well with the beloved meat candy.

One wine that does pair well with bacon: Gallo Family Vineyards' Hearty Burgundy.

Gallo Family Vineyards Hearty Burgundy

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Recently, Gallo Family Vineyard's celebrated its 50th anniversary of its iconic red blend, Hearty Burgundy.

Winemakers Ernest and Julio Gallo first introduced this red blend in 1964. It's a fuller medium-bodied blend, comprised of delicious dark berry and plum notes. I like that it's not too oaky, nor too fruity: it's somewhere in the "just right" category for each of those descriptors.

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The Gallo brothers loved how this blend reminded them of wines they would enjoy in Italy at meal times surrounded by family.After tasting it myself, I could quickly see how this was an ideal wine to share with friends and family over great conversation and hearty laughs. It is definitely MY kind of red wine: big, bold, full of deep, dark berry flavor with each sip.

You could easily pair this wine with any number of hefty, meaty meals. It would go beautifully with such as with steak frites, a big bowl of my Tri-Pepper Pasta, or even my Sausage and Peppers dish.

But I wanted to pair this with appetizers that would work well for entertaining guests. It does, after all, come in a 1.5 liter bottle, which is the perfect size bottle to enjoy with friends!

You already know I'm going the bacon direction here, right? I quickly decided to pair this with two bacon dishes: Bacon Jam and Bacon Wrapped Dates Stuffed with Goat Cheese.

And I didn't have to wait until International Bacon Day to make them. As luck would have it, I was hosting the next Bunco night. The perfect opportunity to share and test out the pairings!

How do you make bacon jam?

Making jam is fairly simple, but time consuming. At least, it is for this working mother of two younger kids. Is it worth it? YES. Absolutely. I have the full bacon jam recipe and directions at the bottom of this post.

The basic bacon jam recipe is:

  • cook the bacon in a skillet
  • remove bacon and sauté onions and garlic, making sure to scrape up all that yummy bacon bit goodness that might be stuck to the pan
  • then you add the cider vinegar, maple syrup, and the bacon back to the pan and simmer.
  • next, place the entire mixture in a slow cooker and cook on high for 3.5 to 4 hours. Finally, you blend the mixture in a food processor.

The ingredients and steps are simple (but like I said, just time consuming), and in the end you get about 2.5 cups of tasty Bacon Jam!

I served it with goat cheese and sliced baguette. You can also serve this on toast for breakfast; as a condiment with a tasty sandwich; or smother it over some pork chops for dinner. It's versatile, and it keeps in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a couple of weeks (if it lasts that long!).

Hearty Burgundy Pairing With Bacon Jam

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How did this appetizer fare with the Gallo Family Vineyards Hearty Burgundy? I personally enjoyed it. I thought the berries in the Hearty Burgundy brought out the sweetness of the Bacon Jam.

A reminder: when it comes to wine pairings, go with your gut, and follow your taste buds. Just as we don't all taste wines the same, our palettes don't all agree with certain pairings. You won't know until you try -- and I definitely think you should at least try this pairing (because it's delicious!!).

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Ingredients

  • 8 slices bacon
  • 1 cup chopped onions
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • cup apple cider vinegar
  • ½ cup maple syrup
  • ½ cup packed light brown sugar

Instructions

  • Cook the bacon in a skillet.

  • Once cooked, remove bacon and all but one tablespoon of reserve bacon fat. Sauté onions and garlic, making sure to gently scrape up all that yummy bacon bit goodness that might be stuck to the pan.

  • Then add the cider vinegar, maple syrup, and brown sugar to the pan, and add the bacon back to the pan, and simmer for 2-3 minutes.

  • Next, place the entire mixture in a slow cooker and cook on high for 2 to 3 hours or on low for 4-5 hours.

  • Finally, blend the mixture in a food processor. Serve immediately or let cool to room temperature, and then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Notes

Bacon jam will keep in the refrigerator for up to 5-7 days.

Tried this recipe?Please leave a star rating and comment! Then snap a pic of your dish and share it on social media. Tag @UrbanBlissLife and #UrbanBlissLife!

Nutrition information is a general estimate. Actual nutrition details may vary depending on the exact foods & brands you use to make this recipe. It does not take into account any substitutions, toppings, or optional ingredients.


Disclosure: this post is sponsored by Gallo Family Vineyards, and I am compensated as part of the Mom It Forward blogger network. All photos and opinions are my own.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ranch Office says

    Easy Homemade Bacon Jam Recipe - Urban Bliss Life (8)
    Thanks for this awesome recipe! Glad I stopped by.

    Reply

  2. Ann says

    Sounds good! What are the measurements of the ingredients for the bacon jam?
    Dates are excellent and a huge hit at our work party!

    Reply

  3. san francisco County virtual office space says

    Fantastic web site. Plenty of helpful info here. I'm sending it to a few friends ans additionally sharing in delicious.
    And naturally, thanks in your effort!

    Reply

  4. Kimberly Carlson says

    Those look DELICIOUS! Bacon wrapped dates are my favorite new party dish.

    Reply

  5. Marlynn Jayme Schotland says

    Thanks, Jane!

    Reply

  6. Marlynn Jayme Schotland says

    Mary Ann, they are SO good -- it's the only way I will eat dates! :) Thanks for pinning!

    Reply

  7. Mary Ann says

    Yum! Those dates look amazing! Who doesn't love bacon everything, right? Pinned your recipe for later!

    Reply

  8. Marlynn Jayme Schotland says

    All bacon, all the time! ;)

    Reply

  9. Jane {In the Pink and Green} says

    I LOVE bacon, so these recipes are right up my alley! They both look delicious, thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  10. Pech says

    Yay for sharing bacon jam recipes! It's true, bacon IS a gateway food!

    Reply

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Easy Homemade Bacon Jam Recipe - Urban Bliss Life (2024)

FAQs

How long does homemade bacon jam last in the fridge? ›

For safety, we strongly recommend that bacon jam be refrigerated for times suggested by the recipe (2-4 weeks) or that it be frozen for longer storage.

Why is my bacon jam not thickening? ›

To achieve a thick texture, all of the liquids need time to reduce. Make sure you're cooking your bacon jam without a lid over your Dutch oven, so your bacon jam can evaporate. If it's still not thick enough, it just needs more time.

What is bacon jam made of? ›

Bacon jam is a spreadable condiment made from bacon, onions, brown sugar, vinegar, and maple syrup. The bacon is fried until crispy then mixed with the other ingredients and cooked down until the mixture becomes thick and spreadable.

What pairs well with bacon jam? ›

Our list of things we want to use this jam in is ever-growing. Here are just a few to get you started: warm potato salad, grilled asparagus, fresh tomatoes, panzanella, grilled cheese, crackers and goat cheese, spinach salad, a spoon, fresh garden peas, scrambled eggs, bagels and cream cheese...

Is homemade jam good after 5 years? ›

Shelf Life of Homemade Jam

Typically, homemade jam will last around 6 to 12 months when unopened and stored properly. Once opened, it should be consumed within 1 to 3 months to ensure the best taste and quality.

Can you freeze homemade bacon jam? ›

Freezing: For longer storage, freeze this savory jam. Leave some headspace at the top of the jar when you fill it up and store it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thawing: Transfer to the refrigerator to thaw and keep for up to 2 weeks after moving to the refrigerator.

What to do if jam won't set? ›

5 Ways to Thicken Homemade Jam
  1. Just wait. You've followed the recipe and even tested the jam for thickness by smearing a bit of the cooked jam on a cold spoon straight from the freezer, but it still looks runny in the canning jars after processing. ...
  2. Add chia seeds. ...
  3. Cook it again. ...
  4. Add pectin. ...
  5. Cook it in a low oven.
Sep 5, 2023

What do you do if your jam didn't set up? ›

If your jam didn't set, it might need more pectin which can be bought in some stores. If you can't find pectin, consider adding some lemon juice with grated zest (rind) and/or some cooking apples which you should first boil in a (very) little water until the flesh softens.

Can you reboil jam if it doesn't set? ›

If you've made jam and waited for it to cool, but it is still runny, pour the jam back into a saucepan and bring it back to a boil. Boil until the jam starts to reduce and therefore thickens.

What is uncured bacon jam used for? ›

Spread it on a burger, brie or crusty bread. PBJ, BLT, grilled cheese. Mix it into a potato salad. You'll see.

Who invented bacon jam? ›

In 2015, Martin and Suzie Cowley of Wales claimed to have invented Bacon Jam, however, Chef Mike Oraschewsky stated they started making Bacon Jams since 2013. Josh Henderson of Skillet Street Foods has been selling Bacon Jam as of 2010.

What bread is best with jam? ›

Bread. Let's start with the most obvious choice and certainly one of the favorites: jam on bread. Literally, any kind of bread becomes delicious with a touch of jam. Make your jam sandwich with white bread but also try challah or French brioche.

Should bacon jam be refrigerated? ›

Bacon jam can be safely refrigerated for two to four weeks. Any amount that you keep in the fridge will need to be used within that length of time. You can store bacon jam in any refrigerator-safe container. Many bacon jam enthusiasts choose to use mason jars for aesthetic reasons.

Which bread is good with jam? ›

Whole Wheat Bread: Whole wheat bread adds a slightly nutty and wholesome flavor to the combination. It provides a heartier base for the fruit jam, complementing its sweetness.

Does homemade jam go bad in fridge? ›

If you're making fruit jam at home and skipping the canning process, what is often called quick jam or freezer jam, store in the fridge or freezer to preserve, and be aware that it should be consumed within 10 days if refrigerated and 3 months if frozen. It's not shelf stable without proper canning.

How long does homemade jam last in the fridge? ›

Q: How long can I keep my homemade jams and jellies once I open them? A: Opened home-canned jams and jellies should be kept in the refrigerator at 40°F or lower. “Regular” – or pectin-added, full-sugar – cooked jams and jellies are best stored for 1 month in the refrigerator after opening.

How long does fresh homemade jam last in the fridge? ›

Opened Jam: Once you open a jar of homemade strawberry jam, the shelf life is obviously shorter. Expect the jam to last around 1 month if refrigerated. Always check the jar for growth of mold or smell before using. My rule of thumb is if it looks and smells good- it's ok to eat.

How long does home made jam last in the fridge? ›

Once opened, keep your homemade jam in the refrigerator for up to three months. Homemade jams made without sugar and processed by canning in a hot water bath will last about half that long – about one year – when stored in cool, dry place out of direct sunlight.

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