Refrigeration prevents the growth of bacteria that can cause botulism, a serious foodborne illness. The preservatives in bacon, like salt and sodium nitrite, work with refrigeration to help prevent this. However, there's no final heat process to destroy contaminating yeasts and molds after the jam is added to jars.
Clemson University
Storing Bacon Jam | College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences | Clemson University, South Carolina
TBJ Gourmet
The Best Way to Store Bacon Jam - TBJ Gourmet
Sep 27, 2021 — How long can you refrigerate bacon jam? Bacon jam is safe to refrigerate for t...
You can store bacon jam in any refrigerator-safe container, such as an airtight jar or mason jar.
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Nov 15, 2021 — Bacon jam can be safely refrigerated for two to four weeks. Any amount that yo...
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"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Why is my bacon jam not thickening?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"To achieve a thick texture, all of the liquids need time to reduce. Make sure you're cooking your bacon jam without a lid over your Dutch oven, so your bacon jam can evaporate. If it's still not thick enough, it just needs more time."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What do you eat with bacon jam?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"
"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Do you refrigerate bacon jam after opening?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Some bacon jam recipes indicate that the prepared jam is to be refrigerated or frozen. Some give no directions for storage. For safety, we strongly recommend that bacon jam be refrigerated for times suggested by the recipe (2-4 weeks) or that it be frozen for longer storage."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What are the two main ingredients in jam?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Essentially the principal ingredients used in jam making are simply fruit and sugar. However, depending upon the actual recipe itself, there may be a number of additional ingredients added to the pot, such as spices, ginger and lemon juice (for fruit with little in the way of natural acid)."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Do you put homemade jam straight in the fridge?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"If you don't have jars or other glass containers, allow the jam to cool in the pot, then transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the fridge."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Is homemade jam good after 5 years?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Q: How long can I keep my homemade jams and jellies on the shelf? A: For best quality, it is recommended that all home-canned foods be used within a year."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Can a jam last for 6 months without putting it into fridge?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"How Long Unopened Jars Last. According to the USDA, an unopened jar of jam or jelly can be stored in the pantry for up to 12 months. This long shelf life is due to the sugar content in the product, which acts like a preservative, says Lee."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Does lemon juice thicken jam?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"
Yes, lemon juice can help thicken jam by lowering the pH level of the jam mixture, which reacts with pectin to help it set. Pectin strands need to form a network to set the jam, but the lemon juice neutralizes negative charges on the strands, allowing them to assemble. The ideal pH level for pectin gelation is between 2.8 and 3.5, and a pH below 7 is acidic.
MasterClass
How to Thicken Jam: 5 Ways to Fix Runny Jam - 2024 - MasterClass
Jun 13, 2022 — Lack of acidity: Acids like lemon juice help lower the jam mixture's pH, which...
Yahoo
The Lemon Juice Tip For Getting Your Homemade Jam's Texture Just Right
Dec 9, 2023 — Don't lose hope. With a simple lemon juice trick, your homemade jam will achiev...
The Kitchn
Why Do You Have to Add Lemon Juice When Making Jam?
Sep 24, 2015 — Without a little help, the pectin strands can't come together to form a networ...
Lemon juice can be added at the beginning or end of the cooking process, but adding liquid will require longer cooking time to evaporate the excess fluid. Lemon juice also helps balance the sweet flavors of the fruit and can make jam acidic enough for canning.
Legally Healthy Blonde
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Apr 7, 2022 — How do you thicken homemade strawberry jam? If you aren't using pectin as a thi...
Yahoo
The Lemon Juice Tip For Getting Your Homemade Jam's Texture Just Right
Dec 9, 2023 — Don't lose hope. With a simple lemon juice trick, your homemade jam will achiev...
If a jam recipe doesn't call for lemon juice, other ingredients like added pectin or sugar can also help thicken jam.
MasterClass
How to Thicken Jam: 5 Ways to Fix Runny Jam - 2024 - MasterClass
Jun 13, 2022 — Lack of acidity: Acids like lemon juice help lower the jam mixture's pH, which...
Legally Healthy Blonde
Easy Strawberry Jam (Without Pectin) - Legally Healthy Blonde
Apr 7, 2022 — How do you thicken homemade strawberry jam? If you aren't using pectin as a thi...
"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What happens if I use too much pectin in jam?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"You will need approximately half the amount of pectin that is indicated by your recipe. Please be careful when adding pectin as too much will leave you with a set that is too solid and it is not possible to rectify this so always add less than you think is necessary and test the set and then add more if required."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What flavors go best with bacon?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"With the help of some extra ingredients and spices for your bacon, you can take its original savory, salty, and smoky flavor and enhance it with things like chili powder and coffee, Sriracha, maple syrup, brown sugar, or honey."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What is hot pepper bacon jam good for?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Sweet and savory Bacon Pepper Jam makes ordinary chicken into an extraordinary dinner. Use as a sauce for burgers and pork chops, brush over shrimp and add to skillet meals. Prepare as a warm dip. Combine ½ cup jam with 8 ounces cream cheese and 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese; warm gently in microwave."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What is bacon snacks made of?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Ingredients: Wheat flour 72%, sunflower oil, salt, maltodextrin, taste amplifier (E621, E635), sugar, yeast extracts, spices (onions, pepper, garlic, white pepper), pepper extract, turmeric extract, acidic extract, turmeric extract, acidic extract, turmeric extract, acidic extract, turmeric extract, acidic extracts, ..."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What are the red bacon bits made of?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"In place of cured pork, the food item contains textured soy flour and canola oil. Caramel color, red 40 dye, maltodextrin, lactic acid, yeast extract, and the flavor boosters disodium inosinate and disodium guanylate are added to give the soy flakes their meaty taste and appearance."}}]}}
This Bacon Jam Recipe is a bacon lover's dream! I mean bacon is one of my top joys in life... I know I am not alone on that! Right??
When I was a kid growing up in Philly, I would often stay overnight at my Grammy's. When I woke she would give me all the bacon I could eat. ALL-the-bacon-I-could-eat!
As the oldest of 5 kids growing up in Philly, THAT was monumental! At home, I could maybe snag 3 strips... if I was lucky! I still smile at the thought of those lazy weekend mornings at my Grammy's...and all of that glorious bacon. Food memories are some of my favorite memories!
Table of Contents
Bacon makes everything better or so the saying goes. BUT this Bacon Jam Recipe...really, really does!
Besides Burgers, What do I put Bacon Jam on?
IF you can stop yourself from gobblingthisupspoonful after spoonful... you will love it spread on:
hot biscuits
place atop a round or wedge of warmed Brie or Camembert cheese (so incredible)
toast
eggs
steamed or sautéed veggies
pancakes
BLTs
grilled cheese sandwiches
burgers (I mean...OMG!!!)
pierogis and so much more!
The list can go on and on! Homemade Bacon Jam is a fantastic offering to put out for a Burger Bar at a BBQ.
Other Uses for Bacon Jam
Homemade Bacon Jam is an amazing food gift during the holiday season (or any time of the year) . Make a batch for you and one for a friend, scrape it into a 4, 6 or 8 oz. jar, wrap some ribbon around it, attach the recipe and you will have a happy friend or loved one.
I'm all about food gifts. You can view my best homemade food gifts post for even more options.
I would totally be your BFF if you gifted me with a jar of Bacon Jam!
What bacon should I use to make bacon jam?
Of course, the number one ingredient is BACON. It's the most important ingredient and my favorite bacon to date is Hatfield bacon (AND they are local to me).
Hatfield is a 120-year-old business. Before the roads had cars on them, Hatfield was delivering meats to the doors of Pennsylvanians. Today, they produce quality meats forfar more than just Pennsylvania! Love that!
Water(you could also add in a TBS or two of bourbon vs water)
Fresh thyme
Black pepper
Optional: Cayennered pepper / maple syrup
Ingredients to make Bacon Jam
Bacon
Onions
Garlic
Red wine or sherry vinegar,
Balsamic vinegar,
Brown sugar,
Black pepper,
Red pepper,
Fresh thyme
Water.
Bacon Jam is not one of those things you can walk away from as it cooks. Taste as you go and adjust to your liking. Once you make this a couple of times, it's a piece of cake. Soon it'll be a signature dish or food gift of yours.
Tips
If you want a more sticky gooey jam, add in a ½ cup to 1 cup of fig jam after you remove what you made from the heat, just stir until its mixed in. It complements the bacon perfectly. I have made this both with and without.
The addition of the fig jam makes the Bacon Jam sweeter. You can counter that (if you wish) by adding in some Cayenne pepper, which I do in the written recipe. I typically like some heat.
The trick to making it is having your ingredients prepped and organized and then as the mixture cooks down into jam that you pay attention to taste and texture. You don't want it to burn.
How to use this Bacon Onion Jam
Oh! The list is almost endless! Atop fried eggs, on toast, on avocado toast, on burgers, on a round of Brie cheese warm from the oven (or cold), in a small bowl with a tiny spoon as a part of a cheese or charcuterie board or on crackers.
I love it atop fresh steamed green beans and off of a spoon all by itself...Heaven! I am sure you can come up with many more uses. It makes the best food gift!!
Love Bacon as much as I do? Try one of my top 6 Bacon dishes:
Bacon Cheese Jalapeno Quick Bread!
Glazed Bacon Wrapped Sausage Bites
Grilled Bacon Wrapped Chicken Skewers
Steamed Green Beans With Bacon Jam
Sriracha Candied Bacon (Pig Candy)
Grilled Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin with Chipotle Glaze
This recipe originally published on December 13, 2016. Updated April 26, 2022, to reflect changes in the recipe which I think make it better and easier.
If you make this, show me 🙂 Tag me on Instagram or Facebook @sb15admin
Enjoy! -Colleen
Recipe for Bacon Jam
Colleen Kennedy
This Bacon Jam recipe makes an amazing food gift. use it as an appetizer and top a baked Brie or crostini. Spread onto toast. avocado toast or add a dollop to your fried eggs or avocado toast. I also love it atop green beans and burgers! So many uses.
¼cupwater(you could also add in a TBS or two of bourbon vs water)
6sprigs of fresh thyme
Black pepper
Optional: a couple of dashes Cayennered pepper IF you like heat and sometimes I add in 2 TBS of maple syrup towards the end
Instructions
Chop your bacon and cook until almost crisp, stirring it around often.
Drain all but ½ TBS or so of the bacon grease out.
Add in the onions and sauté for about 5 minutes.
Next, add in the garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes, stirring the whole time.
Add in brown sugar, vinegars and water. Stir and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
Add in Thyme sprigs and pepper and continue simmering another few minutes, stirring often, being careful not to burn.
Taste and adjust seasoning to your preference if necessary.
Remove Thyme sprigs and allow the mixture to cool.
You can then pulse the jam a few times in your food processor for a finer jam or leave it as is. Up to you.
Once completely cool, store in airtight jars in your refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.
Heat it up a bit to enjoy on whatever you like. If you need to after reheating adding a TBS or so of water if the jam is too thick.
Notes
You can tinker withy the flavors in the easy to make condiment. Add in some minced jalapenos if you enjoy spicy. Add in a TBS or two of Bourbon (in place of part of the water) for a different flavor.
Swap out shallots for onions, change up the type of vinegar you use etc. Make it your own.
Crisp salty bacon is simmered for hours with onions, maple syrup, brown sugar, and a couple of secret ingredients to create a soft, spreadable jam that's divine on crackers, toast, crostini or bruschetta, fresh vegetables, pita bread, new potatoes... the list goes on and on!
Homemade bacon jam can be safely refrigerated for 2–4 weeks after opening. After that, you can freeze it for longer storage, up to 6 months. When freezing, leave some headspace at the top of the jar and use a freezer-safe container. To thaw, transfer the bacon jam to the refrigerator and keep it there for up to 2 weeks.
TBJ Gourmet
How Long Does Bacon Jam Last? | TBJ Gourmet
Nov 15, 2021 — Bacon jam can be safely refrigerated for two to four weeks. Any amount that yo...
Clemson University
Storing Bacon Jam | College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences | Clemson University, South Carolina
Brown Eyed Baker
Bacon Jam Recipe - How to Make Bacon Jam - Brown Eyed Baker
Jul 20, 2021 — Tips for Storing ... Here are the best ways to store this savory bacon jam. Re...
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Sep 27, 2021 — How long can you refrigerate bacon jam? Bacon jam is safe to refrigerate for t...
Simply Recipes
Bacon Jam - Simply Recipes
How Long Does Bacon Jam Last? Store bacon jam in an airtight jar in the refrigerator for u...
Refrigeration prevents the growth of bacteria that can cause botulism, a serious foodborne illness. The preservatives in bacon, like salt and sodium nitrite, work with refrigeration to help prevent this. However, there's no final heat process to destroy contaminating yeasts and molds after the jam is added to jars.
Clemson University
Storing Bacon Jam | College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences | Clemson University, South Carolina
TBJ Gourmet
The Best Way to Store Bacon Jam - TBJ Gourmet
Sep 27, 2021 — How long can you refrigerate bacon jam? Bacon jam is safe to refrigerate for t...
You can store bacon jam in any refrigerator-safe container, such as an airtight jar or mason jar.
TBJ Gourmet
How Long Does Bacon Jam Last? | TBJ Gourmet
Nov 15, 2021 — Bacon jam can be safely refrigerated for two to four weeks. Any amount that yo...
Orchids + Sweet Tea
How to Make Bacon Jam - Orchids + Sweet Tea
Apr 8, 2024 — Common Q + A's For Homemade Bacon Jam. How long does it keep for? Leftovers are...
Simply Recipes
Bacon Jam - Simply Recipes
How Long Does Bacon Jam Last? Store bacon jam in an airtight jar in the refrigerator for u...
To achieve a thick texture, all of the liquids need time to reduce. Make sure you're cooking your bacon jam without a lid over your Dutch oven, so your bacon jam can evaporate. If it's still not thick enough, it just needs more time.
Some bacon jam recipes indicate that the prepared jam is to be refrigerated or frozen. Some give no directions for storage. For safety, we strongly recommend that bacon jam be refrigerated for times suggested by the recipe (2-4 weeks) or that it be frozen for longer storage.
Essentially the principal ingredients used in jam making are simply fruit and sugar. However, depending upon the actual recipe itself, there may be a number of additional ingredients added to the pot, such as spices, ginger and lemon juice (for fruit with little in the way of natural acid).
If you don't have jars or other glass containers, allow the jam to cool in the pot, then transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the fridge.
Q: How long can I keep my homemade jams and jellies on the shelf? A: For best quality, it is recommended that all home-canned foods be used within a year.
How Long Unopened Jars Last. According to the USDA, an unopened jar of jam or jelly can be stored in the pantry for up to 12 months. This long shelf life is due to the sugar content in the product, which acts like a preservative, says Lee.
Yes, lemon juice can help thicken jam by lowering the pH level of the jam mixture, which reacts with pectin to help it set. Pectin strands need to form a network to set the jam, but the lemon juice neutralizes negative charges on the strands, allowing them to assemble. The ideal pH level for pectin gelation is between 2.8 and 3.5, and a pH below 7 is acidic.
MasterClass
How to Thicken Jam: 5 Ways to Fix Runny Jam - 2024 - MasterClass
Jun 13, 2022 — Lack of acidity: Acids like lemon juice help lower the jam mixture's pH, which...
Yahoo
The Lemon Juice Tip For Getting Your Homemade Jam's Texture Just Right
Dec 9, 2023 — Don't lose hope. With a simple lemon juice trick, your homemade jam will achiev...
The Kitchn
Why Do You Have to Add Lemon Juice When Making Jam?
Sep 24, 2015 — Without a little help, the pectin strands can't come together to form a networ...
Lemon juice can be added at the beginning or end of the cooking process, but adding liquid will require longer cooking time to evaporate the excess fluid. Lemon juice also helps balance the sweet flavors of the fruit and can make jam acidic enough for canning.
Legally Healthy Blonde
Easy Strawberry Jam (Without Pectin) - Legally Healthy Blonde
Apr 7, 2022 — How do you thicken homemade strawberry jam? If you aren't using pectin as a thi...
Yahoo
The Lemon Juice Tip For Getting Your Homemade Jam's Texture Just Right
Dec 9, 2023 — Don't lose hope. With a simple lemon juice trick, your homemade jam will achiev...
If a jam recipe doesn't call for lemon juice, other ingredients like added pectin or sugar can also help thicken jam.
MasterClass
How to Thicken Jam: 5 Ways to Fix Runny Jam - 2024 - MasterClass
Jun 13, 2022 — Lack of acidity: Acids like lemon juice help lower the jam mixture's pH, which...
Legally Healthy Blonde
Easy Strawberry Jam (Without Pectin) - Legally Healthy Blonde
Apr 7, 2022 — How do you thicken homemade strawberry jam? If you aren't using pectin as a thi...
You will need approximately half the amount of pectin that is indicated by your recipe. Please be careful when adding pectin as too much will leave you with a set that is too solid and it is not possible to rectify this so always add less than you think is necessary and test the set and then add more if required.
With the help of some extra ingredients and spices for your bacon, you can take its original savory, salty, and smoky flavor and enhance it with things like chili powder and coffee, Sriracha, maple syrup, brown sugar, or honey.
Sweet and savory Bacon Pepper Jam makes ordinary chicken into an extraordinary dinner. Use as a sauce for burgers and pork chops, brush over shrimp and add to skillet meals. Prepare as a warm dip. Combine ½ cup jam with 8 ounces cream cheese and 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese; warm gently in microwave.
In place of cured pork, the food item contains textured soy flour and canola oil. Caramel color, red 40 dye, maltodextrin, lactic acid, yeast extract, and the flavor boosters disodium inosinate and disodium guanylate are added to give the soy flakes their meaty taste and appearance.
Brown sugar and bacon. There are recipes around the web that call for other ingredients such as chili powder, cinnamon, maple syrup, pepper, even cayenne powder, but since I was making these for my boys, I wanted to keep it simple. But definitely feel free to add some spice to yours if you so desire.
Introduction: My name is Merrill Bechtelar CPA, I am a clean, agreeable, glorious, magnificent, witty, enchanting, comfortable person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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