Whiskey Onion Bacon Jam
On December 11, 2024
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Oozing with rich BBQ flavor, this Whiskey Onion Bacon Jam makes the perfect condiment for burgers, smoked cream cheese, and a whole lot more.
Whiskey Onion Bacon Jam
This Whiskey Onion Bacon Jam is a game-changer if you’re looking for a go-to BBQ condiment. With a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and just a touch of heat that’ll take your burgers, appetizers, and basically everything to the next level. The combination of crispy bacon and caramelized onions get cozy in a jam of whiskey, honey, and brown sugar. The best part? It’s super simple to make and only takes about 40 minutes from start to finish. Trust me, once your family tries this, they’ll be begging you to make it all the time.
What is bacon jam?
Bacon jam is basically a spreadable version of heaven in a jar. It’s a sweet and savory spread combining crispy bacon, caramelized onions, and a blend of sweeteners and seasonings. When these ingredients slowly simmer together, you get a thick, spreadable consistency. The flavor is incredibly complex. You get the smokiness from the bacon, sweetness from the caramelized onions and honey, and flavors so deep your mouth will water. It’s one of those condiments that’ll make everything it touches taste better.
Ingredients for this Recipe
One great thing about this recipe is that while it’s packed with flavor, it’s incredibly simple. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in creating that perfect balance of sweet, savory, and just a hint of heat. Take a look at what you need, so you’re ready to make this delicious jam:
- 1 pound bacon (diced)
- 1 large sweet onion (thinly sliced)
- ½ cup whiskey
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 ½ Tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Susie’s Bacon Jam Pro Tips
- Choose the right bacon: Pick a good quality, thick-cut bacon for the best results. Avoid maple-flavored varieties as they’ll make your jam too sweet.
- Chill before dicing: Place your bacon in the freezer for about 15 minutes before dicing, so you get clean, even cuts that’ll cook uniformly.
- Scrape hard: When you add the whiskey, scrape those browned bits from the bottom of the pan vigorously so you retain all the flavor.
How to Make Bacon Jam
This recipe is straightforward, but packed with layers of flavor that’ll hit your tastebuds in waves. Follow these simple steps, and your family can enjoy this one-of-a-kind jam:
- Cook bacon. Fire up a 12-inch cast iron skillet on your preferred grill or oven over medium-high heat and get ready for some sizzling action. Dice your chilled bacon up, then let it cook until it’s brown and just slightly crispy, about 10 minutes. You want it cooked through but not too crispy because it will continue to cook later.
- Add onion. Next, toss those thinly sliced onions right into the bacon fat, where they’ll slowly transform into golden-brown, sweet ribbons. Take your time here, and make sure your onions are light brown and cooked through.
- Add whiskey, brown sugar, and honey. As you pour in the whiskey, make sure to scrape up all those delicious browned bits with a wooden spatula. Then in goes the brown sugar and honey, creating a sticky-sweet mixture that’ll make your mouth water.
- Add remaining ingredients. Finally, bring it all home by adding the tangy balsamic vinegar, a little salt for balance, and red pepper flakes for some heat to balance everything out. Next, reduce the heat and add the bacon in and cook until everything thickens up and takes on a rich, dark color.
- Enjoy! Serve it up warm on just about anything, or place it in an airtight container to enjoy again and again.
Ways to Use Bacon Jam
This bacon jam is like the Swiss army knife of condiments. it goes with everything. Slather it on your favorite burger for an instant upgrade to gourmet status. It’s absolutely killer addition to a charcuterie board, especially paired with sharp cheddar or creamy brie. Spread it on grilled cheese sandwiches, spoon it over smoked cream cheese, or use it as a topping for grilled chicken. It’s fantastic on bread or crackers for an easy appetizer that’ll wow your guests. Nobody will judge you for eating it straight from the jar. It’s your jam, so you do you.
Storage and Reheating
The good news is you can store your bacon jam and use it again. The bad news is you probably won’t have any left to store. If you manage to hold onto some of this sticky gold, place it in a lidded mason jar or other airtight container in your fridge. It will stay good up to 5 days when stored this way. The jam will firm up, so make sure to gently warm it before serving again.
More Condiment Recipes
If this bacon jam is your… jam… then make sure to check out your Recipe Library and the Hey Grill Hey App. I’ve got dozens of easy condiment recipes so you can turn up the flavor on your next cookout. For now, check out some of my most popular offerings:
Condiments
Buffalo Ranch Sauce
Condiments
Restaurant Style Guacamole
Sides
Smoked Salsa Verde
Condiments
Blue Cheese Crumble Dressing
Whiskey Onion Bacon Jam Recipe
When you get done cleaning the jar with your fingers, I’d love to hear how you enjoyed this Whisky Onion Bacon Jam recipe. Don’t forget to rate and comment below to let me know how it turned out for you. And please, share your bacon jam creations on Facebook and Instagram. Make sure to @heygrillhey, so the whole community can cheer you on as you become a Backyard BBQ Hero.
Since you’re already upping your BBQ game with condiments like this bacon jam, let me help you continue your grill education. Check out The Grill Squad, where I’ve got full courses with videos and step-by-step guides. I’m here help so you nail some of the more difficult meats with total confidence.
Whiskey Onion Bacon Jam
Ingredients
- 1 pound bacon diced
- 1 sweet onion thinly sliced
- ½ cup whiskey
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 ½ Tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Cook bacon. Preheat a cast iron skillet over medium high heat. Add the chopped bacon and cook until brown and slightly crisp, stirring occasionally (about 10 minutes). Remove the bacon to a plate lined with a paper towel and set aside.1 pound bacon
- Add onion. Add the sliced onions to the bacon fat in the pan, reduce the heat and cook, stirring occasionally, for 10-15 minutes until the onions are light brown in color and cooked through.1 sweet onion
- Add whiskey, brown sugar, and honey. Pour the whiskey into the caramelized onions and vigorously scrape the bottom of the skillet to release any stuck on bits. Sprinkle in the brown sugar, drizzle in the honey and increase the heat to high. Bring the mixture to a boil and cook while stirring for 1-2 minutes.½ cup whiskey, ¼ cup brown sugar, ¼ cup honey
- Add remaining ingredients. Pour in the balsamic vinegar, salt, and red pepper flakes. Cook 1-2 more minutes while boiling and stirring. Reduce the heat to a simmer and add in the cooked bacon. Cook for 6-7 more minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is well combined, thick, and dark.1 ½ Tablespoons balsamic vinegar, 1 teaspoon Kosher salt, ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Enjoy! Serve the bacon jam warm on crackers, on top of softened cream cheese, spooned onto a burger or grilled chicken breast. Transfer any leftover bacon onion jam to a lidded glass jar and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat slowly in the microwave before serving.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
