Bacon Onion Jam Recipe (Bacon Marmalade Recipe) (2024)

Bacon onion jam never lasts long. This highly addictive savory sweet spread, also called bacon marmalade, can be used for nearly anything a typical jam is used for, and more.

Patted in a little mason jar and cinched with a ribbon, it’s a perfect gift for anyone on any occasion.

This simple bacon jam recipe is extremely easy to make, but it does take some time for all the simmering. You’ll have to set aside about an hour and half to get everything done to perfection. But it’s well worth it.

The key parts of this simple bacon onion jam recipe is, of course, the bacon and onion. You’ll be using a whole 1 lb package of bacon as well as one whole yellow onion. Simply chop them up and simmer them for about 30 minutes.

Then you’ll need to add a binder like light brown sugar and a smidge of maple syrup. Some black pepper and vinegar finishes off the flavor palette. Add a bit of cayenne pepper if you want similar flavors to a spicy candied bacon recipe.

Unlike other marmalades, bacon onion jam isn’t really ideal for canning and keeping for a long period of time. You can keep it in the fridge for about two to three weeks (although it probably won’t last that long given it’s popularity!)

One of the best ways to use bacon onion jam is as a condiment with burgers. Try making a crostini by topping toasted bread with it, or using it as a dipping sauce for fresh apple slices.

Bacon Onion Jam Recipe (Bacon Marmalade Recipe) (1)

You can use a bit of this simple bacon marmalade on simple pasta, or on a cracker. Once you make this versatile bacon onion jam, you can explore your own favorite ways to use. it.

Try one of our other tasty recipes:

  • Ultimate Spicy Candied Bacon Recipe
  • Arugula Bacon Salad with Honey Mustard Vinaigrette

Bacon Onion Jam

Simple bacon jam recipe. Bacon jam with caramelized onion and a light brown sugar glaze can be used in many ways – from a cracker spread to pasta sauce.

Prep Time12 minutes mins

Cook Time45 minutes mins

Total Time57 minutes mins

Course: Snack

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 Yellow Onion
  • 1 lb Bacon
  • 1/3 cup Light Brown Sugar
  • 1 Tbl Maple Syrup
  • 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
  • 2 Tbl Apple Cider Vinegar

Instructions

  • Cut the pound of bacon into small bits, about 1/2 inch to 1 inch. Don't worry if some are stuck together because they will separate during cooking. Unlike cooking regular bacon, you can cook the whole pound at once.

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  • Cook the bacon pieces over medium heat. Don't be in a hurry – slow cooked bacon is good in this recipe. Stir frequently during cooking so that bits separate from each other and can cook evenly.

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  • Remove bacon pieces from heat and set aside.

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  • Drain most of the bacon grease, either in a porcelain container to use later or in a disposable metal container like a can. Save about 2 Tablespoons in the pan.

  • Chop onion into small even pieces.

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  • Slowly cook onion pieces in bacon grease. When they begin to turn clear/transparent (after about 5 to 10 minutes) and become soft, add the bacon pieces back in.

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  • Add light brown sugar, pepper, vinegar and maple syrup.

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  • Simmer the entire mixture for about 20 to 30 minutes. You will know when the bacon onion jam is ready when the onions have turned into a jam-like consistency.

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  • For a more jam-like texture, you can run the mixture through a food processor quickly. However, bacon onion jam is also fine to eat with the larger pieces.

    Bacon Onion Jam Recipe (Bacon Marmalade Recipe) (10)

Notes

You can use bacon onion jam (bacon marmalade) in a variety of ways. Among them:

  • On crackers or toast triangles
  • As a condiment on burgers
  • As a pasta glaze
  • On apple slices

You can substitute another vinegar like balsamic vinegar for the apple cider vinegar.

For an extra kick, add 1/2 tsp cayenne as the mixture simmers.

What Does Bacon Jam Taste Like?

Bacon jam, or bacon marmalade, has an unusual taste that is more sweet than savory. It does not taste exactly like bacon. Instead, caramelized onions along with a bit of brown sugar and maple syrup provide a layer of flavor that complements the bacon. You can use bacon jam a number of ways, from condiments on crackers to glazes for pasts.

What is Bacon Jam Made of?

Bacon jam is a simple recipe typically made with chopped bacon, caramelized onions, brown sugar, vinegar, and maple syrup. It may include other ingredients like balsamic, raisins, coffee, bourbon, or spices like cayenne. The mixture simmers together for about 30 minutes until it reaches jam-like consistency.

What is Bacon Jam Good With?

A simple recipe, Bacon Jam is often used as a condiment for burgers, but it has many possible uses. You can use Bacon Jam to glaze pasta or to coat vegetables like Brussels sprouts, broccoli, or carrots. You can use a dip for apple slices or other fruit, or to top a cracker. Some people use it as a chicken wing sauce, as a topper for top fish, or as an ingredient in meatloaf.

What is a Bacon Jam Burger?

A bacon jam burger is a hamburger that uses bacon jam, or bacon relish, as a condiment. Bacon jam has a sweet, savory flavor from its two main ingredients of caramelized onions and bacon, which are sauteed slowly to create a jam-like consistency. Bacon burgers can include many other toppers like cheese, lettuce, onions and can be served with or without a bun.

Bacon Onion Jam Recipe (Bacon Marmalade Recipe) (2024)

FAQs

What is bacon marmalade made of? ›

Crisp salty bacon is simmered for hours with onions, maple syrup, brown sugar, and a couple of secret ingredients to create a soft, spreadable jam that's divine on crackers, toast, crostini or bruschetta, fresh vegetables, pita bread, new potatoes... the list goes on and on!

How long does bacon marmalade last? ›

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.

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 the secret ingredient in marmalade? ›

Pectin is key

“Mandarin marmalade is harder to make; mandarins don't have as much pectin. Lemons are really good. A lemon and ginger marmalade's a really nice one to make, lots of pectin, so that one will set easily.

What is the difference between making jam and marmalade? ›

Jams are made from one type of fruit or vegetable, whereas marmalade must use a citrus fruit in its preparation. Secondly, jams use the entire fruit by crushing, pureeing and cooking, whereas marmalades consist of the citrus peel, (not the whole fruit).

What does bacon marmalade taste like? ›

Depending on which bacon you use, it may taste like barbecue sauce. But it's usually a little sweeter. The taste of bacon jam is fantastic because, although it is salty, it is also sweet at the same time. It can even feel like maple syrup.

Why put butter in marmalade? ›

To prevent scum forming on the top of your jam, add a knob of butter to your fruit at the same time as you add the sugar, we recommend 20 grams per 1 kilogram of fruit. Note: Scum is nothing sinister, it is only air bubbles that are created during the cooking process, they will not ruin your jam/marmalade if they form.

Why add lemon to marmalade? ›

As I noted above, almost all fruit contains some acid, but I always add lemon juice to a jam mixture to ensure the acidity is high enough for gelling and food safety (and because I like the flavor).

What pairs well with bacon jam? ›

10 Mouthwatering Ways To Use Bacon Jam
  • Fried Fish "Surf & Turf" Sandwich With Hot Pepper Bacon Jam. ...
  • Bacon Jam Burger. ...
  • Pineapple Bacon Glazed Chicken Wings. ...
  • Bacon Jam Grilled Cheese - @asimplepantry. ...
  • Fried Plantains With Hot Pepper Bacon Jam. ...
  • Smashed Avocado Bacon Toast. ...
  • Pulled Pork Sandwich With Bacon Jam.

Is it OK to eat bacon 3 days out of date? ›

Uncooked bacon

If you are storing unopened uncured bacon in the fridge, it will last about one week past the “sell by” date on the package. In the freezer, unopened bacon could last up to six months.

Can you overcook marmalade? ›

Don't overcook your marmalade

Otherwise you risk boiling away the water content, and ending up with a dark, over-thick marmalade that's dry and rubbery.

Does lemon juice thicken jam? ›

Lemon is crucial to balancing those sweet flavors, but it also helps the pectin to firm up the jam. It can be added at the start of the cooking process or towards the end, but what must be taken into account is that adding liquids to the jam mixture will inevitably require the jam to cook for longer.

What happens if I use too much pectin in jam? ›

You will need approximately half the amount of pectin that is indicated by your recipe. Please be careful when adding pectin as too much will leave you with a set that is too solid and it is not possible to rectify this so always add less than you think is necessary and test the set and then add more if required.

What thickens jam without pectin? ›

The secret ingredient to making jam without pectin is time. The fruit and sugar need plenty of time to cook and thicken. A long, slow boil drives the moisture out of the fruit, helping to preserve and thicken it at the same time. Fruit varies in water content as well, and some fruits may take longer to jam up.

What is the difference between marmalade and fruit preserves? ›

Unlike most fruit preserves, marmalade does not require added pectin, as it is naturally occurring in the citrus rinds. Like jam, marmalade must contain 65 percent soluble solids.

What is candied bacon made of? ›

What is Candied Bacon. Also known as Pig Candy, Candied Bacon is made by coating thick sliced of bacon in something sweet such as brown sugar, maple syrup, or caramel before baking until caramelized. It's fantastic crumbled on a salad or just served alongside a pint of your favorite beer.

What is the difference between marmalade and fruit spread? ›

Marmalades are soft fruit jellies containing small pieces of fruit or peel. They often contain citrus fruit. Fruit butters are sweet spreads made by cooking fruit pulp with sugar to a thick consistency. Spices are often added.

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