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