Bourbon bacon jam is the ultimate blend of savory and sweet, made by crisping up smoky bacon in a skillet and using the reserved bacon grease to sauté onions to perfection. A touch of brown sugar adds sweetness, while a splash of Kentucky bourbon deepens the flavor as it all simmers on the stove, transforming into a sticky, irresistible jam. Spread it on burgers, pair it with whipped feta and crackers for a dip, slather it on biscuits for a savory treat, or even top Southern deviled eggs for a unique twist. Yields 1 cup.

bacon jam in a clear bowl with a gold spoon in it and crackers on a platter next to it.

Y'all, this jam!

Being a Southern cook in Kentucky, we have a special place in our hearts for sauces and condiments. From tangy Kentucky Bourbon BBQ sauce slathered on pork that's been on the smoker all day, 10-minute pimento cheese spread as a pre-dinner app, or honey mustard sauce to dip our crispy fried chicken tender in - we love all the dips!

And there is nothing that screams more Kentucky than making a savory sweet jam from bacon AND our home state brown water - BOURBON.

The first time I had bacon jam was on a juicy burger; my life changed forever. I am a sucker for anything salty and sweet ... like can't get enough of it! So why not combine two home-state staple ingredients and make something magical and versatile on so many things?!

It's so easy anyone can do it - saute bacon bits in a skillet, use the reserved bacon grease to gently saute onions with brown sugar, bourbon, and chili flakes - and cook it down until it is a thick sweet jam! So yum!

Welcome to my kitchen, lets cook!

cooking bacon in a skillet. — First, begin by sauteing your bacon. Cook your bacon until crispy on the stove in a large skillet over medium heat. I like to take kitchen shears to cut into bits straight into the skillet.

cooling. cooked bacon bits on a plate lined with paper towels. — Once finished, remove with a slotted spoon and place on a plate lined with paper towels to drain and cool.

Sauting onions in a large skillet on the stove. — Save 3 tablespoons of the bacon grease in the skillet. Add in the onion and saute for 5 minutes until soft.

Adding bourbon and brown sugar to a skillet thats cooking onions on the stove. — Add the brown sugar, pepper flakes, and bourbon to the skillet.

Cooking onions and brown sugar on a skillet on the stove. — Turn down to medium-low...

Reducing the beginning parts of bacon jam in a skillet on the stove. — ...and saute for 20 minutes, reducing slightly.

Adding in chopped bacon to a skillet that has been cooking down an onon and brown sugar mixture. — Add the chopped bacon bits back to the skillet...

cooking bourbon bacon jam in a skillet on the stove. — ...and cook for 5 more minutes.

A spoon scooping out bacon jam from a bowl.

Remove the skillet from the heat and transfer it to a clean jar or container with a lid. Use immediately or store in the refrigerator for up to a week. If you do store it in the fridge, it will set up a bit. So to use it again, just pop it in the microwave for 1 minute to heat it back up and loosen it back to the consistency.

YUM! Happy snacking!

Recipe

Bacon-Bourbon Jam for Burgers, Biscuits, and More

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Author: Heather Bilyeu
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 1 cup

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Description

Ingredients

Scale

8 Pieces of bacon
3 Tablespoon of Leftover Bacon Grease
1 Small Onion - diced
4 Tablespoon Brown Sugar
½ Teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper
1 Tablespoon Bourbon

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Instructions

Place the bacon in a large skillet and cook over medium heat until crispy. Remove once cooked and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Reserve 3 tablespoons of the bacon grease in the skillet.
In the same skillet with the reserved bacon grease, add the diced onion. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
Turn to medium-low, and add the brown sugar and crushed red pepper to the skillet. Stir well to combine, allowing the sugar to melt and coat the onions.
Carefully pour the bourbon into the skillet, stirring constantly. Allow the mixture to simmer for 20 minutes minutes, reducing slightly.
Chop the cooked bacon into small pieces and add it to the skillet. Stir everything together.
Let the mixture cook for an additional 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. The jam should thicken and become glossy as the flavors meld together.
Remove the skillet from the heat and transfer it to a clean jar or container with a lid. Use immediately or store in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Notes

If you store in the fridge, the jam will solidify a bit. Pop in the microwave for 1 minute to heat back up and bring the jam consistency back.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Condiments & Sauces
Method: Cooking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
Calories: 93
Sugar: 2.5 g
Sodium: 97.1 mg
Fat: 8 g
Carbohydrates: 2.8 g
Fiber: 0.1 g
Protein: 1.8 g
Cholesterol: 11.5 mg

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