Bourbon Bacon Jam!

You're in the right place! I write a dessert blog and have meatless Mondays but here we are...with bourbon bacon jam (real bacon, not the fake stuff). Anyone who hears about this jam wants to try it and everyone who does try it always wants more. It's made in a slow cooker so it's super easy to do and doesn't take much time. I make this for my husband, not nearly often enough though, and I thought I would share it with you too! With the holidays coming up it's a perfect accompaniment to all sorts of things, baguettes, sandwiches, pancakes, spoons :), maybe even turkey...

One great thing about this jam is that you don't want to use "good" bacon, the average store brand will work beautifully. Every once in a while I make it with thick cut bacon but it doesn't matter because it goes in the food processor anyway before it's served. It will last up to a month in the refrigerator (assuming you can can it around that long) so it's an easy  make ahead "condiment" for parties or get togethers or just a breakfast spoonful (my husbands favorite). You could easily double the recipe to make a full two cups if you wanted to, I just tend to make it in one cup portions since I don't eat it and my son doesn't know the excitement of the bourbon bacon jam, so it's all up to  my husband (sad I know). I'm serving this tomorrow (Thanksgiving) with some carrot jam that I'm making also and the sliced and lightly toasted baguette placed in between them. The bourbon bacon jam has a bit of sweetness to it because of the brown sugar and honey which complement the coffee and bourbon in a lovely way.

I personally have never tried the bourbon bacon jam because I haven't had pork in maybe 7 or 8 years which is longer than when I started making this recipe. There was one time a few months ago I went to a Chinese buffet the employee said the spring rolls were vegetarian, he was mistaken, I learned that as I took a bite of a pork egg roll. I am extremely confident in sharing with you though as delicious because I've made it so many times with rave reviews (and I know it smells delicious at least). This jam would make a perfect gift for a friend with a fresh baguette or as part of a gift basket, but remember it should stay refrigerated after it is prepared.

This week 9 of the 12 Weeks of Christmas Blog Hop. The hop is hosted by Brenda at Meal Planning Magic. She's kind enough to orchestrate the whole hop and let all of us be a part of it. If you would like more information on how to join the hop check out her site and she can help you get everything you need.

Bourbon Bacon Jam
Makes about 1 cup

Ingredients:
- 12 ounces bacon, cut into 1” pieces
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup cider vinegar
- ¼ cup dark brown sugar, packed
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 3 tablespoons strong brewed coffee
- 3 tablespoons bourbon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon

Directions:
1. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the bacon, stirring frequently, about 15 minutes until it is golden brown and the fat is rendered into the pan. The bacon should be slightly crisp.

2. Drain the bacon on a paper towel, reserve about 1 ½ teaspoons of bacon fat in the pan. Add the onion and garlic to the pan. Cook until the onions are softened, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes. Add the vinegar, brown sugar, honey, coffee, bourbon, vanilla, and cinnamon. Boil the mixture about 2 minutes while scraping the bottom of the pan gently. Add the bacon back into the pan with the onion mixture, stir.

3. Place the bacon mixture into a slow cooker. Cook the mixture, uncovered, on high, about 3 ½ to 4 hours. The mixture should be thickened and slightly reduced when it is done.

4. Place the mixture into a food processor and coarsely chop using the pulse button. Cool completely then place in a 2 cup jar with a tight fitting lid. The bacon jam will keep up to one month in the refrigerator. 

Printable recipe

Recipe adapted from Serious Eats



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