Bacon Jam

Think about serving Bacon Jam over bread for an appetizer, having it with savory biscuits for brunch, serving with cheese and crackers, or setting it out for your next tailgate. Try topping your burger or grilled cheese, too! Bacon jam presents a lot of opportunities.

Consider packaging jam in jars for guests to take home!

Ingredients

• 1 pound bacon, thick cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 large onion, halved and thin sliced
• 1 shallot, minced
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 3/4 cup brewed coffee (dark roast works best)
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/3 cup cider vinegar
• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar, packed
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon allspice
• 1 teaspoon chili powder

Instructions

1. Add cut bacon pieces to a Dutch oven over medium-high heat and cook until crisp, approximately 20 minutes. Stir as needed.
2. With a slotted spoon, transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving excess fat in pot.
3. Return pot to medium heat. Add onion, shallot and garlic. Cook until onion is softened, approximately 10 minutes. Stir as needed.
4. Return bacon to pot. Add in coffee, water, vinegar, maple syrup, brown sugar, honey, allspice and chili powder. Mix well to combine.
5. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching, until mixture thickens and a rubber spatula or wooden spoon leaves a distinct trail when drug across the bottom of the pot, approximately 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
6. Remove from heat and let bacon mixture cool for 15 minutes.
7. Using a slotted spoon, transfer mixture to a food processor, leaving excess fat behind. Pulse bacon mixture until finely chopped, approximately 5 pulses, or until the mixture has reached your desired consistency.
8. Transfer jam to jars and refrigerate.
9. Bring bacon jam to room temperature prior to serving.
10. Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 weeks.

Attribution

Recipe and photograph courtesy of the National Pork Board