Bourbon Bacon Jam The Ultimate Recipe

Bourbon Bacon Jam is a truly exceptional condiment, celebrated for its rich, complex flavor profile. It’s an indispensable addition to your culinary repertoire, transforming everything from everyday burgers and grilled cheese sandwiches to elegant cracker platters into gourmet experiences. This luxurious spread offers a harmonious blend of sweet, savory, smoky, and tangy notes, creating an unforgettable taste sensation that elevates any dish it accompanies.

The culinary world often buzzes about “umami,” the elusive fifth basic taste, characterized by its savory depth. This homemade Bourbon Bacon Jam is a quintessential embodiment of umami, packed with layers of rich flavor. Each ingredient plays a crucial role: the smoky, salty bacon, the sweet, caramelized onions, the pungent garlic, the robust bourbon, and the bright tang of balsamic vinegar all intertwine to create a sophisticated and incredibly satisfying spread. It’s more than just a topping; it’s a flavor enhancer that promises to excite your palate.

Why Bourbon Bacon Jam Belongs in Your Kitchen

There are countless reasons to add this delightful Bourbon Bacon Jam to your culinary arsenal. Its versatility and irresistible flavor make it a must-try for any food enthusiast.

• Elevate Your Meals: While burger season is always a fantastic excuse, this jam extends far beyond. Imagine slathering it on a simple turkey sandwich, stirring it into scrambled eggs, or serving it alongside roasted chicken or pork. It instantly elevates ordinary meals to extraordinary dining experiences, offering a fun and flavorful twist to your usual condiment offerings.
• The Ultimate Dip & Spread: Beyond its role as a condiment, Bourbon Bacon Jam truly shines as a standalone dip. Its luscious, jammy consistency is simply divine when paired with crispy crackers, crunchy pretzels, or even sturdy potato chips. It’s also a show-stopping addition to any charcuterie board, impressing guests with its gourmet appeal and rich taste.
• Bacon, Glorious Bacon! Let’s be honest: who doesn’t love bacon? This recipe celebrates the beloved ingredient by transforming it into a sweet and savory masterpiece. It’s a delightful way to enjoy the smoky, crispy goodness of bacon in a completely new and exciting format, ensuring every spoonful is bursting with flavor.
• Impress Your Guests (or Yourself): Whether you’re hosting a dinner party, a casual barbecue, or simply want to treat yourself to something special, Bourbon Bacon Jam delivers. Its unique flavor profile and gourmet feel make it a perfect conversation starter and a memorable addition to any spread.
• Homemade Goodness: Making it yourself ensures you control the quality of ingredients and can customize the flavors to your liking. Plus, there’s an undeniable satisfaction in crafting such a delicious condiment from scratch.

Crafting Your Bourbon Bacon Jam: A Step-by-Step Guide

Creating this flavorful Bourbon Bacon Jam is a rewarding process. While it requires a bit of patience, the resulting rich and complex condiment is well worth the effort. Follow these steps for a perfect batch:

1. Crisp the Bacon: Begin by frying the bacon until it reaches a beautiful crispness. This step is crucial for rendering out the fat, which will be used to cook the onions and infuse the jam with a foundational layer of smoky flavor. Once crisp, remove the bacon and drain it on paper towels, reserving a few tablespoons of the rendered fat in the pan.
2. Caramelize the Aromatics: In the bacon fat, cook the finely chopped shallots and sweet yellow onions over medium heat. This is where the magic of caramelization begins. Stir patiently until they turn beautifully golden brown and soft, releasing their natural sweetness. Then, add the minced garlic and cook for just another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
3. Infuse with Spices: Stir in the chili powder and smoked paprika. These spices add warmth, depth, and an extra layer of smoky flavor that complements the bacon perfectly. Cook for about 30 seconds to allow the spices to bloom.
4. Deglaze with Bourbon: Carefully increase the heat to high and deglaze the pan with bourbon. This step is exciting – the bourbon will bubble vigorously, lifting all the delicious browned bits (fond) from the bottom of the pan, incorporating them into the flavor base. Be cautious as the bourbon can ignite; remove the pan from direct heat briefly if you’re concerned, then return it.
5. Introduce Sweetness & Simmer: Add the maple syrup to the pan. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring continuously and scraping the bottom of the pan to ensure all flavors are integrated. Allow it to boil for about 3 minutes, allowing the alcohol to cook off and the flavors to meld.
6. Add Tang and Richness: Incorporate the balsamic vinegar and brown sugar. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, for another 4 minutes. The balsamic vinegar provides a much-needed tang to balance the sweetness, while the brown sugar adds a deep, molasses-like richness.
7. Combine and Thicken: Finally, add the chopped, crispy bacon back into the mixture. Stir everything together and let it simmer gently for about 10 minutes. During this time, the mixture will thicken and transform into a glorious, jammy consistency. If it starts to look too dry, you can add a tablespoon or two of water to adjust.
8. Cool and Store: Once the jam reaches your desired consistency, remove it from the heat. Allow it to cool completely before transferring it to airtight jars for refrigeration.

Expert Tips for the Perfect Bourbon Bacon Jam

Achieving the perfect Bourbon Bacon Jam involves a few key techniques and choices. These expert tips will guide you to a consistently delicious and deeply flavored result:

• Choose the Right Bacon: While “lean bacon” might seem like an oxymoron, opting for a cut that isn’t excessively fatty is beneficial. A good quality, thick-cut, meaty bacon will render enough fat for cooking the onions without leaving too much grease in the final jam. This ensures a balanced texture and flavor.
• Authentic Maple Syrup is Key: Insist on using real maple syrup. Artificial substitutes lack the complex, earthy sweetness and depth that genuine maple syrup brings to this recipe. The subtle caramel notes of real maple syrup are essential for the jam’s overall flavor harmony.
• Embrace Patience: Great flavor takes time. This recipe involves building layers of taste through slow cooking and caramelization. Rushing the process, especially when cooking the onions or simmering the jam, will compromise the depth and richness. Allow each stage to develop fully for the best results.
• Master the “Jammy” Consistency: Pay close attention as the jam finishes cooking. It transitions quickly from a liquid to a thick, jammy texture. Once it starts to visibly thicken and coats the back of a spoon, it’s done. Overcooking can lead to a dry, sticky, or even burnt product. Keep a watchful eye, especially in the final minutes.
• Finely Chop Your Aromatics: For a smooth, consistent jam, ensure your shallots and onions are finely chopped. This helps them caramelize evenly and integrate seamlessly into the final spread.
• Don’t Waste the Fond: The browned bits at the bottom of the pan after cooking the bacon and onions are packed with flavor. Deglazing with bourbon is crucial to scrape these up and incorporate them into the jam, adding significant depth.
• Adjust Sweetness and Tang: Taste your jam as it simmers. If you prefer it sweeter, add a touch more brown sugar or maple syrup. If you desire more tang, a dash of extra balsamic vinegar can brighten the flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bourbon Bacon Jam

Here are some common questions about this delectable condiment:

Delicious Serving Suggestions for Bourbon Bacon Jam

Once you’ve mastered the art of making Bourbon Bacon Jam, you’ll discover its incredible versatility. Here are some inspiring ways to incorporate this gourmet condiment into your meals and entertain your guests:

• The Ultimate Burger Topping: This is arguably its most famous application. A generous dollop of Bourbon Bacon Jam on a juicy beef burger, chicken sandwich, or even a veggie burger instantly elevates it. Pair it with sharp cheddar, crisp lettuce, and a toasted brioche bun for a truly epic meal.
• Gourmet Grilled Cheese: Transform a classic grilled cheese by spreading a layer of bacon jam inside. It pairs beautifully with Gruyère, cheddar, or brie, adding a sweet and savory counterpoint to the melted cheese.
• Charcuterie Boards and Appetizers: Elevate your cheese and charcuterie boards with a small bowl of Bourbon Bacon Jam. Its rich flavor complements various cheeses, cured meats, and crusty bread or crackers. Try it on crostini with goat cheese for a quick and elegant appetizer.
• Breakfast Brilliance: Don’t limit this jam to dinner! Spoon it over scrambled eggs, omelets, or frittatas for a savory twist. For a unique sweet and savory breakfast, spread it on waffles, pancakes, or French toast.
• Sandwiches and Wraps: Beyond burgers and grilled cheese, use it to enhance deli sandwiches, turkey wraps, or a gourmet BLT. It adds a layer of flavor that’s far beyond ordinary mayonnaise or mustard.
• Glaze for Roasted Meats: Whisk a few spoonfuls into a pan sauce or use it as a glaze for roasted pork tenderloin, chicken, or even duck. The sweet and savory notes caramelize beautifully, creating a stunning crust and a burst of flavor.
• Deviled Eggs Enhancement: For an unexpected twist, fold a spoonful of finely chopped Bourbon Bacon Jam into your deviled egg filling. It adds depth, texture, and a smoky-sweet kick.
• Savory Tarts and Pizzas: Use it as a base for savory tarts with caramelized onions and goat cheese, or as a topping on a gourmet pizza alongside fresh figs and arugula.

Explore More Bacon-Inspired Delights

If you’ve fallen in love with the magic of bacon, you’ll be thrilled to discover these other fantastic recipes that celebrate its incredible flavor:

• BLT Pasta Salad from Barefeet in the Kitchen – A refreshing take on a classic sandwich, perfect for picnics and potlucks.
• Bacon Wrapped Dates – A timeless appetizer combining sweet dates with salty, crispy bacon.
• Bacon Crack Dip – An irresistible, cheesy dip loaded with bacon, perfect for game day or any gathering.
• Brie BLT Sandwich – Elevate your BLT with the creamy richness of brie cheese.
• You will also love my French Onion Marmalade – A sweet and savory onion spread that’s a cousin to bacon jam, offering similar gourmet appeal.

The Recipe:

Bourbon Bacon Jam Recipe

Prep Time
10 minutes

Cook Time
40 minutes

Total Time
50 minutes

Yield
About 2 cups

A sweet-savory bacon and onion jam that’s perfect for appetizers, burgers and more!

Ingredients

• 1 ½ pounds meaty bacon
• 2 cups finely chopped shallots
• 1 cup finely chopped sweet yellow onion
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ cup bourbon
• ½ cup maple syrup
• ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
• ½ cup brown sugar

Instructions

1. Fry the bacon in two frying pans until crisp. Drain on paper towels and set aside.
2. Leave 1-2 tablespoons of bacon fat in one of the pans. Add shallots and onions and cook until caramelized over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for a minute or two, until soft and fragrant.
3. Add the chili powder and smoked paprika and stir.
4. Increase the burner to high and carefully deglaze the pan with the bourbon.
5. Add the maple syrup, bring to a boil, and stir, scraping the bottom of the pan to loosen the bits of bacon on the bottom of the pan. Boil for about 3 minutes.
6. Add the vinegar and brown sugar, continue to cook for 4 minutes.
7. Cut the bacon into small pieces and add to the mixture. Stir and simmer for 10 minutes until the mixture thickens and looks like jam. Add a little water if the mixture starts to look dry.
8. Store in the refrigerator.

Notes

If the jam gets too thick while cooking, thin with a little water.

You may tear the bacon for a more rustic look.

Note that the bourbon can ignite if it gets too close to the flame of a gas burner, so use caution when deglazing the pan.

Recipe courtesy of Southern Recipe.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

32

Serving Size:

1 tablespoon

Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 142Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 21mgSodium: 364mgCarbohydrates: 9gFiber: 0gSugar: 7gProtein: 8g

Thatskinnychickcanbake.com occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although thatskinnychickcanbake.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased can change the nutritional information in any given recipe. Also, many recipes on thatskinnychickcanbake.com recommend toppings, which may or may not be listed as optional and nutritional information for these added toppings is not listed. Other factors may change the nutritional information such as when the salt amount is listed “to taste,” it is not calculated into the recipe as the amount will vary. Also, different online calculators can provide different results. To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in any given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information obtained is accurate.

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