Looking for an impressive appetizer to serve guests at an upcoming party, or get together? Look no further than this Carmelized Onion Bourbon Bacon Jam! Yes, the idea of a jam made of bacon may sound a bit iffy, but let me assure you, this is a savory treat that you’ll want to make over and over again. Especially if you’re a fan of bacon and caramelized onion, you will love this recipe!

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My daughter recently turned three, and for her birthday party I decided to whip up some bacon jam to serve on some homemade croissants. Of course, it was only a party for a three year old, but most of the guests were adults so I wanted to have something more sophisticated on the menu that is also kid friendly. I think it was safe to say that everyone loved the sandwiches I made with the bacon jam, in addition to the other more kid friendly bites that were served.

In addition to the pure deliciousness of this recipe, it is great for parties because it is something you can prepare ahead of time. When it comes to food for parties, I try to put several things on the menu that can be made in advance. The more you can do in advance, the less stress (and less mess) you’ll have when it comes time to have your shin dig. Many things can be pre made and frozen to keep freshness, so always try to look up how long food items last so you can plan accordingly.

When it came to Greta’s party there were several food items that I made in advance. Cakes can stay fresh for over a month in a freezer if they’re wrapped properly, so I made her cake a few weeks in advance of the party. I wrapped each cake layer tightly in cling wrap and then in tin foil prior to freezing. I made the croissants a couple weeks in advance and froze the dough, so all I’d have to do is take them out, defrost, and bake. And about a week before the party, I made the bacon jam and also started making some of the other dips, and spreads, like my PIMENTO CHEESE.

A day before the party all I had to do (food wise) was put together the sandwiches and pinwheels and make sure I had enough serve wear out to accommodate all the food. Aside from getting the food ready there was a lot of cleaning I had to do the day before the party. My sister and her family came into town for the occasion, so having 5 kids running around in a house…. Well, you know. And let’s also not forget about putting up all the decorations the night before the party after the kids have gone to bed!

THE RECIPE

This recipe is super easy to throw together. Like most of my recipes, I try to make them as healthy as possible. While there are not many substitutions you can make for bacon jam, I did use coconut sugar instead of regular brown sugar in this recipe. While it is still a sugar, coconut sugar is a better substitute for regular sugar because it has a lower fructose value and glycemic index than traditional sugar. It also contains some vitamins and minerals such as potassium, calcium, iron, amino acids, vitamin B, and zinc. I hope you enjoy!

INGREDIENTS

• 2 Packs Bacon (I prefer nitrate free bacon)
• 1 1/2 Onion, Chopped
• 4 Cloves Garlic, Minced
• 1/2 Cup Coconut Sugar
• 1/4 Cup Maple Syrup
• 1/3 Cup Apple Cider Vinegar
• 1 tsp. Mustard
• 1 tsp. Chili Powder
• 1 Shot (2 oz.) Bourbon

If you have concerns about the alcohol in this recipe, the alcohol in the Bourbon will burn off while the jam simmers. I added a little for more depth of flavor, but you can also make this recipe without Bourbon and it will be just as delicious!

DIRECTIONS

1. Cut bacon strips into about 1 1/2 pieces and cook in a pan until crispy.
2. Place cooked bacon on a plate lined with paper towel and set aside.
3. Drain bacon grease from pan, but reserve about 4 TBSP of bacon grease for use in the recipe.
4. In the same pan with the 4 TBSP of bacon grease, add onion, and cook on medium low until caramelized (about 15-20 minutes), stirring often.
5. Mix in garlic, brown sugar, maple syrup, ACV, chili powder, mustard, Bourbon, and bacon.
6. Simmer until the mixture has thickened.

7. After the mixture has thickened, transfer it from the pan into your food processor, and pulse until bacon is ground down into smaller pieces. You can skip this step, but you might want to make sure that your bacon is crumbled into small pieces if you do not mix it all in a food processor.

You can serve the bacon jam warm or cold, but IMO it tastes best slightly warm.

USES

The possible uses of bacon jam are endless, but here are a few suggestions:

• BACON JAM AND BRIE CROISSANTS
• Bacon Jam on crackers (or paired with cheese of your choice)
• Bacon Jam Omlette
• Bacon Jam grilled cheese
• Bacon Jam mixed into mac n cheese
• Bacon Jam on a sandwich
• Bacon Jam spread on french toast (w. more syrup of course)

Yes, most of these suggestions include cheese, but you really can’t beat a cheese and bacon combo!

SHIP’S TIP: IF YOU’RE MAKING THIS RECIPE IN ADVANCE, IT WILL STAY GOOD IN THE FRIDGE UP TO A MONTH, OR YOU CAN FREEZE IT FOR UP TO THREE MONTHS. 

HERE IS THE RECIPE IN PDF.

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FIND MY BACON JAM AND BRIE CROISSANTS HERE.

And also stay tuned for an upcoming post with all the details from Greta’s third birthday party!