Who said that jam had to be sweet and not savory? No on one. Bourbon Bacon Jam is a revolutionary addition to any kitchen.
I love jam. Jam makes everything just a little bit better. You can say the same thing about bacon, so why not do it together? It might take a while to get used to, but once you do, you won’t go back.
Bourbon Bacon Jam is a jar of goodness every household should have around. Easy to cook, easy to eat, and easy to freeze for those days when a craving hits.
Omitting Onions in Bacon Jam: Tips for a Delicious Allium-Free Bacon Spread
As someone who loves bacon jam but doesn’t always tolerate onions well, I was curious if I could make a tasty bacon jam without onions. Most recipes call for shallots or onions to build flavor. But with the right techniques, can you craft a delicious bacon jam without alliums?
I did some experimenting in my kitchen omitting onions and shallots to see if it could work. Keep reading for my tips on making onion-free bacon jam with maximum bacon flavor
Why Onions are Traditionally Used in Bacon Jam
First, let’s look at why onions and shallots are standard ingredients in most bacon jam recipes
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Provide aromatic flavor and depth that complements bacon.
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Add moisture and sweetness to balance salty bacon.
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Cook down into jammy texture along with bacon bits.
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Accent the sweet and savory flavors from sugar and vinegar.
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Round out and mellow the smoky taste of pork.
So they play an important role in building the complex flavor profile. But with some tweaks, you can still make tasty bacon jam without them.
Potential Substitutes for Onions in Bacon Jam
If you want to keep the general flavor onions impart but skip the actual vegetable, consider these allium-free subs:
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Extra garlic for aromatic punch.
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Minced mushrooms for earthy, umami notes.
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Diced red bell pepper for subtle sweetness.
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A splash of balsamic vinegar to boost sweet-tartness.
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A teaspoon of tomato paste for richness and moisture.
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Additional brown sugar or maple syrup for caramelized sweetness.
How to Build Flavor Without Onions
More than just subbing in other ingredients, you can use these techniques to craft maximum flavor:
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Seek out high-quality, thick-cut artisan bacon packed with smoky pork flavor.
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Cook the bacon low and slow to really develop the flavor.
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Sauté any aromatics like garlic or mushrooms before adding.
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Deglaze the bacon pan with a flavorful liquid like balsamic vinegar.
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Let the jam simmer until deeply caramelized.
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Finish with a touch of smoke – liquid smoke or smoked salt.
Testing Out Onion-Free Bacon Jam
To compare, I made two batches of bacon jam. One with my regular shallots. And one omitting shallots and onions completely.
I boosted flavor in the no-onion one with extra garlic, a red bell pepper, a splash of balsamic and longer cook time. Both tasted delicious! But I did notice a slightly more one-dimensional flavor in the allium-free version.
The shallot batch had a more complex sweet, savory and tangy profile. But the onion-free jam still had plenty of bold bacon punch. For most applications, the flavor impact was minimal.
The Verdict: Absolutely Possible Without Onions
After my tests, I can confidently say making great bacon jam without onions is absolutely achievable. While shallots or onions do enhance the overall flavor complexity, their role isn’t essential.
With high-quality bacon and some extra flavor-boosting techniques, you can craft a tasty onion-free bacon jam. The flavor might be a tad less nuanced, but still full of smoky, salty pork goodness.
If you’re very sensitive to onions, don’t let their traditional presence in recipes stop you from enjoying bacon jam. With smart ingredient swaps and cooking methods, you can create a spread everyone can savor – even those who steer clear of alliums.
Tips for Onion-Free Bacon Jam
Follow these tips for the best results when making bacon jam without onions:
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Splurge on artisan bacon with naturally robust flavor.
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Sauté garlic and other aromatics first to build a flavor base.
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Deglaze the bacon pan with a bold liquid like balsamic vinegar.
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Cook the jam down until thick and deeply caramelized.
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Finish with a dash of liquid smoke or smoked salt.
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For sweetness, use extra brown sugar or maple syrup.
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If too smoky, balance with a chopped red bell pepper.
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If too sweet, add a splash of vinegar or mustard.
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For savory depth, incorporate umami-rich tomato paste or mushrooms.
Bacon Jam Alternatives Even When You Can Eat Onions
While onions are standard in most recipes, there are lots of tasty ways to riff on bacon jam:
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Try entirely different aromatics like ginger, lemongrass or rosemary.
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Include different sweet elements like figs, cherries or applesauce.
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Swap in alternative smoky flavors with smoked paprika or chipotle peppers.
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Change up textures by leaving the bacon in chunks vs. finely chopping.
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Boost the savory factor with Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce or fish sauce.
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Spike it with heat using jalapeños, Sriracha or cayenne pepper.
The takeaway? Embrace experimenting with whatever flavors you enjoy, with or without onions. The possibilities for customizing bacon jam are endless!
How to Make Bacon Jam
This bourbon bacon jam is very simple to make and tastes great. It has crunchy bacon bits and a lot of natural flavor.
- Cook bacon. In a medium-sized skillet, cook the bacon, stirring every now and then, for about 10 minutes, or until it’s done and almost crispy.
- Drain bacon. Place the bacon on a plate lined with paper towels to drain the fat. Leave about 1 tablespoon of the fat in the pan. Discard the rest and reduce to low heat.
- Add remaining ingredients. Put the garlic and shallots right into the pan that has the bacon fat in it. Soften for approximately 4-5 minutes. After adding the water, syrup, bourbon, and mustard, stir in the brown sugar. Slowly heat the mixture over low heat for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring every now and then, or until it starts to thicken and the liquids are about 25% less. It won’t get thick enough until it starts to cool down.
- Return bacon to pan. Return the cooked bacon to the pan. Remove from the heat and stir well.
It’s a lot of fun to change up your bacon jam recipe. The vinegar and mustard suggestions above are just a few of the fun things you can do:
- Jalapenos: Dice one to two tablespoons of jalapeños or any other kind of pepper.
- Nix Nightshades. You can leave out the garlic and onions if you want a jam that is only sweet and salty.
- Smoky. When the jam is done, smoke it or add 1/2 teaspoon of liquid smoke to make it taste smoky.
- Molasses. Instead of maple syrup, use molasses for a taste that is both sweet and bitter.
What is Bacon Jam?
You can make bacon jam with bacon, brown sugar, onions, sometimes syrup, and other savory and sweet ingredients. It tastes sweet, smokey, and salty. Some call it a relish while others call it a jam.
Most bacon jam recipes require you to cook on the stove top and then transfer to a slow cooker or a food processor. I think both of these create extra, unnecessary steps.
In my opinion, Bourbon Bacon Jam should be rustic. Large pieces of bacon should be packed into it so that you can see what you’re eating and feel that great bacon texture.
If a recipe calls for something smoother, I may give it a little blend with an immersion blender or finely chop. In this instance, I want my Bourbon Bacon Jam to be hearty and toothsome.
I prefer the stovetop from start to finish as well because the liquids evaporate better. This leaves you with more of a syrup consistency which is what I want in my jams.
It can be used as a spread by itself with cream cheese, or it can be used in other, more complicated recipes. Any way you put it, it is pure deliciousness!.
The Ultimate Sweet and Savory Bacon Jam Ever
FAQ
What is the bacon jam made of?
How long does homemade bacon jam last?
Why is my bacon jam not thickening?
How do you make bacon jam?
Add the remaining balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, salt, and pepper and stir until a thick glaze forms, around 5 minutes. Add the onion mixture and bacon to a food processor and pulse until the desired consistency forms. Scoop the bacon jam into a jar and devour immediately, or refrigerate until future use. Use within one week.
Is it safe to can bacon jam?
In short, no. According to Healthycanning.com, it is not safe to can bacon jam, even if you adjust the recipe to have more sugar or vinegar. This recipe makes only 2 cups, so it’s probably not worth bothering even if it were safe to can.
Can you make bacon jam without coffee?
I suggest using thick-cut bacon to make the jam. Coffee Alternative: If you can’t have caffeine, decaf will work just fine. If you need to avoid coffee entirely, substitute the same amount of water. Storage: Keep freshly made bacon jam in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks in a glass container.
Is bacon onion Jam keto?
Bacon onion jam is certainly not what comes to mind. Traditional bacon jam recipes are made by slow cooking the bacon and the onions with vinegar, brown sugar and spices, and then putting then ingredients in a food processor to make sort of a relish. For this keto bacon jam recipe, I opted to keep things chunkier by skipping the food processor.
What is bacon jam?
Bacon jam is easy to make using ingredients you can find in your kitchen. Add it to sandwiches, burgers, and more for a unique sweet and savory flavor. Bacon jam is a bacon lover’s dream come true. It is a sweet and savory spread made from onions, brown sugar, vinegar, and of course the main ingredient, bacon!
What to do with bacon jam on a Burger?
This jam pairs well with other burger toppings such as lettuce, mayo, and red onion or our blue cheese burger sauce. Add it to grilled cheese sandwiches, spoon it into soups, add it to a holiday cheese plate, top your salad, or add it to roasted vegetables. And if you think more bacon is always better, what about bacon jam to a BLT?