Bacon Onion Jam is a thick, savory-sweet spread made with smoky bacon, caramelized onions, brown sugar, strong brewed coffee, and balsamic glaze. It cooks down until rich and jammy with the perfect balance of salty, sweet, and tangy flavors.
There’s something about sweet and salty flavors together that gets me every time. This bacon jam is one of those recipes I find myself putting on everything from crackers and toast to burgers and sandwiches.
Why I Love Bacon Onion Jam
Ingredients for Bacon Onion Jam
About the Ingredients ⭐
- Thick-Cut Bacon: Cut into 1-inch pieces for hearty bites throughout the jam.
- Onions: Sliced onions cook down until soft and caramelized.
- Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create the jammy texture.
- Brewed Coffee: Strong coffee adds a rich, deeper flavor.
- Balsamic Glaze: Adds a sweet and tangy finish that balances the bacon and brown sugar.
Be sure to check out the full recipe and ingredient list below
How To Make Bacon Onion Jam
1 – Cook Bacon: Cook the bacon until the fat renders but the bacon is still slightly chewy. Remove and set aside.
2 – Cook Onions: Cook the onions in the bacon grease until soft and translucent.
3 – Combine: Return the bacon to the pan, then add the brown sugar and coffee.
4 – Simmer: Reduce the heat and simmer for about 15 minutes, until thick and jammy.
5 – Finish: Remove from the heat and stir in the balsamic glaze.
6 – Cool: Let cool for 5 minutes before serving. 🥓🧅💙
Tips I Found Helpful 💙
- Don’t crisp the bacon: Keep it slightly chewy since it continues cooking with the onions.
- Keep the bacon grease: Use it to cook the onions for extra flavor.
- Cook low and slow: Give the mixture time to reduce and develop that thick, jammy texture.
- Use strong coffee: A bold brewed coffee adds depth without making the jam taste like coffee.
- Watch it near the end: Stir more often as the mixture thickens to prevent the sugar from sticking or burning.
Questions Readers Ask Most
What does Bacon Onion Jam taste like?
It has a sweet, smoky, savory flavor with a little tang from the balsamic glaze.
What can I put Bacon Onion Jam on?
Try it on burgers, sandwiches, grilled cheese, crackers, crostini, or a charcuterie board.
Can I make Bacon Onion Jam ahead of time?
Yes. Make it ahead, let it cool, and store it covered in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use it.
How do I store Bacon Onion Jam?
Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
How do I reheat it?
Warm it gently in a skillet or microwave until heated through. If it has thickened too much, stir in a small splash of water.
More Recipes I Love 💙
Bacon Onion Jam
Sweet and savory bacon jam made with caramelized onions, brown sugar, coffee, and balsamic glaze.
Ingredients
- 1 pound Thick Bacon, Cut Into 1-Inch Pieces
- 2 Medium Sized Onions, Halved and Sliced
- ⅓ Cup Packed Brown Sugar
- ½ Cup Strong Brewed Coffee
- 1 Tablespoon Balsamic Glaze
Instructions
- In a medium-sized frying pan, cook the bacon over medium heat until most of the fat has rendered out. (do not cook the bacon until crisp)
- Remove the bacon from the pan using a slotted spoon while the bacon is still a little chewy, and set aside.
- Leaving the bacon grease in the pan.
- Add the onions to the frying pan and cook the onions over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
- When the onions become translucent, add the bacon back into the pan and stir the onions and bacon.
- To the pan, add the brown sugar and coffee.
- Bring to a simmer and lower the heat to medium-low.
- Let cook until reduced and jam-like, about 15 minutes.
- When the bacon and onions have thickened, remove them from the heat and stir in the balsamic glaze.
- Let cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
Don’t cook the bacon until crispy during the first step; it will continue cooking with the onions. Keep an eye on the jam as it reduces and stir more often as it thickens.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
32Serving Size:
1 TablespoonAmount Per Serving: Calories: 79Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 2gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 14mgSodium: 238mgCarbohydrates: 4gFiber: 1gSugar: 3gProtein: 5g
