Onion Bacon Jam is not the traditional flavor of preserves you may be used to, but it is definitely worth a try! It’s a savory and unique preserve that will elevate your taste buds. With a definite onion flavor supported by the saltiness of the bacon, Onion Bacon Jam is great on crackers with cheese or even mixed in ground beef for your next meatloaf recipe! I also have whiskey bacon jam and tomato bacon jam you will have to check out!
Ingredients & Substitutions
Bacon: The bacon can be broken up into pieces before or after being cooked. Do not make it ahead of time, since you will use some of the bacon grease to cook the onions and shallots. You could also use turkey bacon if preferred.
Onion: Look for one large yellow onion or about 3 small onions. You will need about 3 cups of chopped onion for the recipe.
Shallots: Shallots are a type of onion that are known for their sweeter, milder taste and delicate flavor. They are smaller in size compared to regular onions and have a long, narrow shape.
Sauce: The brown sugar, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, and chili powder give you a sweet and spicy sauce.
How to Use Onion Bacon Jam
If you are looking for ways to use up your Onion Bacon Jam before it goes bad, there are many delicious options to consider:
- Use a dollop on a cracker with some cream cheese.
- Spread it on your grilled cheese sandwich before you grill it.
- Substitute Onion Bacon Jam for the bacon on your BLTs.
- Add it to your scrambled eggs.
- Use it as a topping for a hamburger or cheeseburger (my favorite).
- Mix it in with your macaroni and cheese.
- Top your favorite roasted vegetables.
These suggestions will help you fall in love with this jam. Let me know if you found other flavorful ways to use Onion Bacon Jam!
How to Store Onion Bacon Jam
Onion Bacon Jam is a delicious and popular condiment that can be used in a variety of dishes. However, it should not be stored at room temperature as it can spoil quickly. The best way to store it is in the refrigerator or freezer. When stored in the refrigerator, it will last for 2-4 weeks, while freezer storage will give it a longer shelf life. Since Onion Bacon Jam cannot be safely canned, it is important to consume it within 2-4 weeks when stored in the refrigerator or freeze it for longer storage. When freezing, be sure to use straight-sided mason jars (or glass jars) and leave about an inch of space at the top to allow for expansion.
More Appetizers
Onion Bacon Jam
Ingredients
- 1 pound thick-cut bacon, diced
- 2 large yellow onions, finely chopped (about 3 cups)
- 2 large (or 6 small) shallots, diced (about 1 ½ cups)
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- ½ cup (100 g) light brown sugar, packed
- ¼ cup (85 g) maple syrup
- ⅓ cup (79 g) apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon chili powder, optional, but highly recommended
Instructions
- In a medium skillet over medium heat, cook bacon until crispy. While the bacon is cooking, line a plate with a paper towel.
- Place the cooked bacon onto the lined plate. Set aside.
- Leave about 4 tablespoons of bacon grease in the pan, carefully removing the rest.
- To the pan, add the onion and diced shallots. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook until the onions and shallots are caramelized, 15-20 minutes, stirring often.
- Mix in the garlic, brown sugar, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, chili powder, and pieces of cooked bacon.
- Simmer for 7-10 minutes, or until the mixture has thickened. It should be about the consistency of a jam.
- Serve warm or cold, but you may want to warm slightly if it has been refrigerated.
Video
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can the bacon jam be preserved for long term storage as regular jam? Or should it be consumed right away??
Hi, Deborah! I work with iambaker and am happy to help with questions. If you are storing it in the refrigerator, it will last between 2-4 weeks. Freezer storage will give it a longer shelf life. There is no way to can it safely, which means you need to eat it up quickly (within 2-4 weeks stored in the refrigerator) or freeze it. If you are freezing it, be sure you use straight-sided mason jars (or glass jars) and leave about an inch at the top for when it expands. I hope this helps, and have a great day!
What type of onions? White or yellow?
Hi, Rose! I work with iambaker and am happy to help with questions. Use yellow onion for this recipe, but you could try it with other onions. I hope this helps, and have a great day!
I made this, OMG!!! It is absolutely delicious 😋
Do you mean French Shallots or Eshallot/spring onion, I am in Australia
Hi, Roxy! I work with iambaker and am happy to help with questions. Our shallots are smaller, milder onions than a white, yellow, or red onion. They are like a golden-brown red bulb. But, you could also try a red, white, or yellow onion in the recipe as well. I hope this helps, and have a great day!
I was wondering if it can be canned? I see that nobody has answered this question.
Hi, Victoria! I work with iambaker and am happy to help with questions. It is stated that “there is no way to can it safely, which means you need to eat it up quickly (within 2-4 weeks stored in the refrigerator) or freeze it. If you are freezing it, be sure you use straight-sided mason jars (or glass jars) and leave about an inch at the top for when it expands.” I hope this helps, and have a great day!
…I love cooking ! And i really wanted to make this ” Onion Bacon Jam ” . it look so easy to make cooking of this , but I only had an idea for it when I saw your recipe. So,I will try it ! Thanks so much for sharing this amazing recipe , Amanda Retteke … *_*
Love this recipe as a cake filling in a yellow cake made with a portion of corn meal/flour, and a cream cheese frosting. Unbelievable!
So has anybody tried canning this onion bacon jam? So Elizabeth is there any reason it can’t be canned. Also how long will it last in the freezer? As we like to use what’s in our garden in the summer. Then enjoy it all winter long.
Absolutely delicious! Added the jam to a rib
eye steak! Tried it on a saltine cracker with a smear of creamed cheese and on a ritz cracker! Yum!!
Hi I plan on making the Bacon Onion Jam and have one question regarding an ingredient. The shallot, is that a French shallot; oval shape with brown skin? Some people call green onions shallots. I have a feeling it is the French shallot but wanted to make sure.
Thank you
Judith
It is the oval shallot, however ours tend to have a purple tone to them. :0