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.

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!
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!
PrintRecipe
Bacon-Bourbon Jam for Burgers, Biscuits, and More
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 1 cup 1x
Description
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.
Ingredients
- 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
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