Who said that jam had to be sweet and not savory? No on one. Bourbon Bacon Jam is a revolutionary addition to any kitchen.
I love jam. Jam makes everything just a little bit better. You can say the same thing about bacon, so why not do it together? It might take a while to get used to, but once you do, you won’t go back.
Bourbon Bacon Jam is a jar of goodness every household should have around. Easy to cook, easy to eat, and easy to freeze for those days when a craving hits.
Bacon jam has become a popular savory spread, adding bacon’s smoky, salty flavor to everything from burgers to crackers and cheese platters. While many traditional bacon jam recipes call for onions, shallots or other alliums, it’s completely possible to make tasty bacon jam without them.
Why Make Bacon Jam Without Onions
There are several good reasons you may want to prepare bacon jam minus the onions
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Allergies or sensitivities – Onions are one of the most common food allergens. Leaving them out allows more people to enjoy the spread.
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Avoid the strong flavor – Some find onion overpowering. Removing it leaves the bacon as the dominant taste.
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Simplify the recipe – Not having to prep onions or shallots streamlines the process.
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Variation in flavors – Creating an onion-free bacon jam provides a new take on the condiment.
How to Make Bacon Jam Without Onions
Making bacon jam without onions is easy. The basic process includes:
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Cook the bacon – Fry bacon until crispy. Allow to cool and roughly chop.
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Simmer a sauce – Cook down a sauce of brown sugar, vinegar, maple syrup, and other flavorings.
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Combine and jar – Add the chopped cooked bacon to the sauce. Cool, then refrigerate.
While onions often feature in bacon jam, you can replicate their sweetness and acidity using other ingredients. See below for an onion-free bacon jam recipe.
Onion-Free Bacon Jam Recipe
This recipe skips the onions but still delivers the sweet, smoky flavor that makes bacon jam so addictive.
Ingredients:
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1 pound thick-cut bacon
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1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
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1/4 cup pure maple syrup
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2 tablespoons brown sugar
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1 tablespoon mustard
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1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
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1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions:
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In a skillet over medium heat, fry bacon until crisp. Drain on paper towels.
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When cool enough to handle, roughly chop the bacon into bite-size pieces. Set aside.
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To the bacon fat in the skillet, add the vinegar, maple syrup, brown sugar, mustard, thyme, and pepper.
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Bring to a simmer and cook 5-7 minutes until slightly reduced.
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Remove from heat and stir in the chopped bacon pieces.
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Allow to cool completely before transferring to an airtight container.
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Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving to allow flavors to meld.
Serving Suggestions for Onion-Free Bacon Jam
Bacon jam transcends the breakfast table. Here are just some of the many ways to enjoy this onion-free condiment:
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Spread on a grilled cheese sandwich
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Dollop on top of a burger or hot dog
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Swirl into mashed potatoes or potato salad
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Top bruschetta, crostini or crackers
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Fill into celery sticks or stuffed mushrooms
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Mix into deviled egg filling
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Use as a pizza sauce or topping
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Add to macaroni and cheese or baked potatoes
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Stir into dips and spreads
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Spread on a breakfast sandwich
The possibilities are endless! Bacon jam is a versatile condiment.
Onion-Free Bacon Jam Storage Tips
To safely store your homemade bacon jam:
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Allow jam to fully cool before refrigerating.
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Keep refrigerated in an airtight container up to 1 week.
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For longer storage, freeze jam in portions up to 3 months. Thaw in refrigerator before using.
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Bring to room temperature before serving for best flavor and spreadability.
Properly stored, onion-free bacon jam keeps well for enjoying anytime.
Frequently Asked Questions About Onion-Free Bacon Jam
Is bacon jam safe to can at home?
Bacon jam is not recommended for canning as it is a low-acid food and poses botulism risk if not processed properly. Refrigerating or freezing is best.
Can you use turkey bacon to make onion-free bacon jam?
Yes, you can substitute turkey bacon. It will give a lighter flavor overall but still makes a tasty spread.
What’s the difference between bacon jam and bacon marmalade?
There’s no major difference between the two terms. Bacon “jam” has become more common but both refer to the sweet-savory bacon spread.
How long does homemade onion-free bacon jam last in the fridge?
Properly stored in an airtight container, onion-free bacon jam will last 4-5 days refrigerated. For longer shelf life, freeze portions.
Is bacon jam keto/paleo friendly if you skip the brown sugar?
Removing the brown sugar makes bacon jam lower carb. While not strictly keto/paleo due to ingredients like maple syrup, it’s a better option.
Make Bacon Jam Minus Onions for a Simple Savory Spread
With its deep bacon flavor balanced by sweetness, bacon jam is loved by many as a condiment. Fortunately, onions or shallots are not required to achieve an addictive spread. By using apple cider vinegar, maple syrup and seasonings like thyme, you can make a delicious onion-free bacon jam anyone can enjoy.
What is Bacon Jam?
You can make bacon jam with bacon, brown sugar, onions, sometimes syrup, and other savory and sweet ingredients. It tastes sweet, smokey, and salty. Some call it a relish while others call it a jam.
Most bacon jam recipes require you to cook on the stove top and then transfer to a slow cooker or a food processor. I think both of these create extra, unnecessary steps.
In my opinion, Bourbon Bacon Jam should be rustic. Large pieces of bacon should be packed into it so that you can see what you’re eating and feel that great bacon texture.
If a recipe calls for something smoother, I may give it a little blend with an immersion blender or finely chop. In this instance, I want my Bourbon Bacon Jam to be hearty and toothsome.
I prefer the stovetop from start to finish as well because the liquids evaporate better. This leaves you with more of a syrup consistency which is what I want in my jams.
It can be used as a spread by itself with cream cheese, or it can be used in other, more complicated recipes. Any way you put it, it is pure deliciousness!.
Why You’ll Love This Bourbon Bacon Jam
A savory jam with a touch of sweet perfect for bacon lovers- what’s not to love!
- This maple bourbon bacon jam can be used in a lot of different ways. You can put it on burgers, grilled cheese sandwiches, or anything else you can think of.
- This tasty spread can be made in less than an hour, and the list of ingredients is pretty short and sweet.
- Taste that is sophisticated—this porky bacon jam is simple to make, but it adds a layer of flavor to anything you put it on.
While this is a complex jam in terms of flavor, the ingredients are really very simple.
- Bacon—Because this dish is all about the bacon, use good, center-cut bacon. Choosing between peppered, jalapeno, or applewood-smoked flavors will also change the overall taste.
- Shallot – this provides a gentle onion flavor. You can swap out a vidalia onion for a plain red or white one.
- Garlic: You don’t have to use garlic, but it goes well with other flavors and isn’t supposed to be strong.
- Either light brown sugar or dark brown sugar will work. You don’t need any more molasses since you’re already adding syrup.
- Sherry vinegar is heavy and slightly sweet. This aged vinegar has a complex flavor that balances sweet and salty notes. Champagne vinegar (which is milder), red wine vinegar, or white wine vinegar can be used instead. I’ve seen some use apple cider vinegar as well.
- Water—Water thins out the mixture so it doesn’t catch fire as the sugars caramelize, flavor, and cook down.
- Maple syrup: Only use real grade A maple syrup. Do not use fake or watery syrup. Molasses can be swapped too.
- Bourbon—A splash of good bourbon is another nice taste, but you don’t have to add it. The alcohol will be cooked off, so don’t worry about drinking too much.
- Many recipes call for fancy mustards, but I like plain yellow mustard. The only other choice I could make is a smooth and creamy Dijon mustard.
- Add a pinch of salt if you think it’s necessary. Bacon usually carries enough salt to season.
