Chef John's Bacon Jam

This bacon jam is made with crisp bacon, sauteed onions, brown sugar, sherry vinegar, and seasonings, flavored with balsamic vinegar and olive oil.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 30 mins
• Total Time: 45 mins
• Calories: 154 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoons butter
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper
• 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
• 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 4 large yellow onions, diced
• 0.5 cup water
• 0.25 cup brown sugar
• 0.25 cup sherry vinegar
• 1.5 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves, divided
• 1.5 pounds bacon, chopped

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Warm a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add bacon; cook and stir until crispy and rendered fat starts to foam, about 10 minutes. Pour bacon and rendered fat into a strainer placed over a bowl. When fat is drained and bacon is cool enough to handle, remove bacon to a cutting board and finely chop.

Step 2

Return the pot to medium heat; drizzle 2 teaspoons reserved bacon fat and butter into the pot. Add onions and salt; cook until until soft and translucent, 7 to 10 minutes.

Step 3

Stir brown sugar, sherry vinegar, 1 teaspoon thyme leaves, black pepper, and cayenne into onion mixture; add bacon. Stir water into bacon mixture and cook until jam has a brick-brown color and thick consistency, 10 to 15 minutes.

Step 4

Remove from heat and add balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon thyme; stir until shiny and heated through.

Step 5

Store in an airtight container.