This sweet and savory bacon jam recipe is the perfect spread for burgers and more, with loads of bacon, brown sugar, maple syrup and more. Very versatile and delicious.
Have you ever tasted decadence on a spoon? Behold - Bacon Jam.
I've heard bacon jam referred to as Devil's Delight somewhere, and oh my, is that an accurate moniker.
What is Bacon Jam?
Bacon jam is a sweet, savory, smoky spread made from bacon, onions, brown sugar, and vinegar, spices, and more. The ingredients are cooked down together until they form a thick, jam-like consistency, with the bacon adding a wonderfully rich, salty, and smoky flavor.
It is deliciously savory and sweet and works as a spread over cheeses and breads, or as a flavor blast addition to meats or sandwiches.
And so much more! Can you tell we both love bacon jam? This is the perfect condiment to add big flavor to so many dishes. I love it on a grilled cheese sandwich or burger, but there are so many ways to enjoy it.
Let's talk about how to make bacon jam, shall we?
Featured Reader Comment
From Karen: "So many ways to use this jam. My husband loves it on roast beef sandwiches and I love it on cheese but the pairings are only limited by your imagination."
Bacon Jam Ingredients
- Bacon. Smoked bacon is GREAT for making bacon jam.
- Vegetables. Onions, garlic, and chilies. I often use habanero peppers for some good heat, but if habaneros are too hot for you, use milder peppers instead, like the jalapeno. White onions or yellow onions are great.
- The Sweet Factor. Brown sugar and maple syrup.
- Coffee. Use strong brewed coffee. It adds a wonderful rich flavor.
- Vinegar. I use apple cider vinegar. Balsamic vinegar is great for this, too.
- Seasonings. Smoked paprika and chili powder.
- Hot Sauce. Optional. I love a few splashes.
How to Make Bacon Jam - the Recipe Method
Cook the bacon in a pot until crispy, then drain on paper towels. If there is excess bacon grease, you can drain it into a can to discard or use later. Save a little bacon fat in the pan for the next step.
Cook down the onion, peppers, and garlic in the bacon grease to soften, just a few minutes.
Stir in the brown sugar, maple syrup, coffee, vinegar and seasonings - and some hot sauce. Bring the mixture to a boil reduce heat to a simmer. Chop the bacon and add it into the pot.
Cook low and slow for about 2 hours, stirring every now and then. A thick jam will form. Also, you can use a slow cooker to achieve the same results. Notice how it darkens and breaks down.
If using a slow cooker, cook on high for 3-4 hours, stirring every now and then, until a thick jam forms.
When it is nice and gooey and consistent, transfer some of it to a food processor and process until slightly chunky. Add back to the rest of the bacon jam and mix well, if desired.
Allow to cool then transfer to containers for serving. Or enjoy it right away!
Boom! Done! Bacon jam is easy enough to make, isn't it? It just takes a bit of time. But it will drive you quite mad as the aromas fill your kitchen for hours, making you insane with hunger. So beware.
Just look at it. Yum! It is so gooey and spreadabale, so tasty. Make an extra large batch and give it away to your friends and neighbors. They will love you for it.
Recipe Tips & Notes
- Other Ingredients. You can easily adjust this bacon jam recipe with other ingredients to your tastes. Popular additions include thyme or other herbs, cracked black pepper and other seasonings. Try agave nectar or honey instead of maple syrup. You can also use Coke or Dr. Pepper to assist with caramelization. Try it with bourbon.
- It's Worth the Wait. Be sure to give the bacon jam enough time to break down and thicken into a nice, gooey jam. It may take less time than the recipe calls for, but it may take a bit longer, especially if you're using more ingredients. Give it the time it needs.
What to Do with Bacon Grease?
Do not pour excess bacon grease down the drain, as it can clog the pipes. Instead, pour it into a can or other disposable container to cool and solidify for discarding later. Or, let it cool then strain to use later. This strained grease is great for cooking and adds amazing flavor.
Use saved bacon grease to fry eggs, cook vegetables, roast potatoes, or make cornbread.
Can You "Can" Bacon Jam?
You should not can bacon jam at home. It's too risky because bacon jam has low acidity and high fat, which can create a dangerous environment for bacteria that cause botulism.
There are no tested, safe canning recipes for canning bacon jam.
Storage & Leftovers
Store bacon jam in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2-4 weeks. It will solidify and become easy to scoop. Warm in gently in a pan or in the microwave to enjoy again, or serve chilled.
Freeze it in airtight, freezer-safe containers or even in smaller portions for convenience for up to 6 months.
How to Use Bacon Jam - More then Just For Burgers!
- Pair it with Cheese. We served some up immediately here over some cheese slices and toasted breads. It really is a great little appetizer or teaser. I love it with blue cheese. I've made grilled cheese with bacon jam and I hope to post that soon, and WOW, is it freaking delicious. Definitely one of our favorites.
- Charcuterie Board. Next, add some bacon jam to your next charcuterie board for your guests to enjoy with bites of cheese, crackers and meats. It's a wonderful addition.
- Great on Burgers! Top your next burger with melty cheese and bacon jam. You will thank me for this!
This Recipe Is In our Cookbook - FLAVOR MADNESS
Did you know that you can find this recipe in our new cookbook FLAVOR MADNESS? It's waiting for you on PAGE 72.
Check Out My Other Popular Recipes
- Candied Bacon is another deliciously decadent treat.
- Try these Candied Jalapenos (Cowboy Candy Recipe) on your charcuterie board as well.
- My Pimento Cheese Recipe is another must, a great pairing with bacon jam!
- Want a variation? Try Bacon Onion Jam with Tabasco.
If you enjoy my recipe for bacon jam, I hope you'll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don't forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I'll be sure to share! Thanks! -- Mike H.
The Best Bacon Jam Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound bacon
- 2 small onions chopped
- 4 cloves garlic chopped
- 2 chili peppers chopped (I usually use jalapeno, but you can use hotter if you'd like)
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- 1 cup brewed coffee brew it strong!
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika or more to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce (use your favorite, like Tabasco - or to taste)
Instructions
- Heat a large pot to medium heat and add bacon. Cook until nearly crisp and brown. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to cool and drain.
- Cook the onions in the pot with the bacon fat about 5 minutes to soften.
- Add garlic and jalapeno peppers (or habanero peppers!) and stir. Cook about 2 minutes.
- Add the remaining ingredients and stir. Bring the mixture to a boil reduce heat to a simmer.
- Chop the bacon and add it into the pot.
- Cook low and slow for about 2 hours, stirring every now and then. A thick jam will form. Also, you can use a slow cooker to achieve the same results. See NOTES.
- When it is nice and gooey and consistent, transfer some of it to a food processor and process until slightly chunky. Add back to the rest of the bacon jam and mix well. You can process as much as you want for your desired consistency.
- Allow to cool then transfer to containers for serving.
Video
Nutrition Information
NOTE: This recipe was updated on 6/10/25 to include new video, photos, information and clarification. It was originally published on 3/11/15.
Spence says
Made this Recipe for the first time, only instead of the Brewed Coffee I use a Honey Whiskey and my god! Absolutely amazing!
Thank you for this recipe
Mike Hultquist says
Awesome! Glad you enjoyed it, Spence!
Sue says
I’ll be attempting this recipe soon for the first time & was wondering how much of the honey whiskey did you substitute with?
Kimberly says
We are not coffee drinkers in this household so obviously no coffee pots.
Can instant be used in a pinch?
Mike Hultquist says
Absolutely, Kimberly. You can make it without coffee. I've done it before and it's still very good.
Cathy says
How much bacon jam does this recipe actually yield?
Mike Hultquist says
Cathy, it makes about 2 cups. Enjoy!
Terri says
Mike, I simmered for 1 1/2 Hours. The flavor is delicious. I must of over cooked it. It kinda hard and the bacon grease did not absorb all the way. Do you think putting it in a food processor or blender with some liquid would bring back to be spreadable ? If so, what liquid?
Thanks for the recipe. I actually had a jalapeno bacon jam on a BLT at at restaurant and had to figure how to make it.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Hey, Terri. Could be a temperature issue. You could add in a bit more liquid (water is fine) to bring it back together, stir it up. A processor will work well, though you'll get a different consistency. Still good flavor, though. Let me know how that works for you. Enjoy.
Jack Jackson says
I'm making it now using peppers from Cowboy Candy. Hope it works.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Enjoy!
Kathi says
Has anyone made the recipe for a vegetarian? Cook the onions, etc., in olive oil, add bacon if someone wants the bacon added in but without it, it can be vegetarian.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
I have not, but curious!
Ruth says
Mine turned out with a slight burnt taste, is still thin after 4 hrs on low slow cooker and the bacon grease is separating from the rest of ingredients.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Sorry to hear, Ruth. I'm not sure what the issue could be. It's possible that there wasn't enough liquid in the batch, or something with the slow cooker. Hard to say. UGH. I've had no issues with this recipe after many batches.
Joanna says
What does the Dr.Pepper / Coke or Bourbon substitute in the original recipe? Really want to try this with the Bourbon.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Joanna, you can use it in place of coffee, brown sugar and maple syrup, though I would personally still include those ingredients, just in smaller quantities. Let me know how it turns out for you.
Janet says
Don’t be like me and leave the lid on the slow cooker, it never thickened for hours and hours. Once I took the lid off it began to thicken, I felt so silly! Fantastic on burgers! Thank you!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Thanks for the tip, Janet!!
Angela says
What can I use instead of the coffee??
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Angela, you can use a dark tea, or really just skip it and focus on the maple and brown sugar.
Rebecca says
I’m in the UK and made this yesterday. I doubled up, used 4 whole jalapeños, seeds and all. And no heat whatsoever. It still tastes like a bacon jam which is lush but really wanted the heat. Can I add some hot chilli sauce to it after? ♀️ Many thanks!
Rebecca.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Rebecca, yeah, you really won't get much heat from the jalapenos from the candying process. It is best to either add in some hotter peppers, or introduce a hot powder or spicy chili flakes. Let me know how that turns out for you. Enjoy.
Lynn sutton says
So I made a triple batch for the first time . Followed recipe exact except I had slow cooker on high . It NEVER got thick and jam like . Ugh not sure what to do ? Should I drain juice and kinda start over with the liquids and cook on low ? Should I drain some of the liquids and heat up again ? Does not look think at all . Oh gosh what should I do , so much time ! HELP !
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Lynn, what consistency do you have? Is it hard or crusty? It's hard to tell. When you cook everything over low heat, it softens up and breaks down. Maybe you can try to break it up a bit or process some and see if that helps. I'm sorry to hear.
Allason Zenner says
Has anyone ever canned this jam or froze it? I am just wondering how it will work.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Allason, I have not tried to can my bacon jam, but you can freeze it in sealed containers for several months. Let me know how it turns out for you.