Cranberry Bacon Jam Recipe (2024)

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Cranberry Bacon Jam Recipe- made with or without cranberries, this deliciously addicting, sweet and salty combination is made with easy to find ingredients such asonions, bacon, brown sugar, and cranberries. Simmered slowly, this bacon jam is best enjoyed with fresh bread, crackers, or on top of your favorite burger.

Cranberry Bacon Jam Recipe (1)

So, bacon jam. Apparently, this is a thing. I mean, I know it’s been a thing for a while, but the whole concept sounded too far-fetched (yes, even for me) that it’s taken me this long to try this sweet and salty condiment for myself.

When I think about all my initial bacon jam reservations I realize how little they make sense. After all, I love caramelized onions and I love bacon. What was my problem?

After some deep contemplation(jk. contemplation is not the word I would use to describe it but for the sake of dramatics) I realized…it had nothing to do with the ingredients. It was simply that I didn’t understand it. But mostly, I could not wrap my head around the idea that bacon and jam were being used in the same sentence, much less as a title to describe a food.

Well, you guys. The joke is on me because bacon jam (with or without cranberries) is totally legit.

What is Bacon Jam

According to Wikipedia, bacon jam is a type of relish made from slow cooking bacon with onions, vinegar, brown sugar, and spices. Similar to Verhackert, an Austrian starter, bacon jam may or may not be mixed in a food processor after cooking.

So, what makes this bacon jam a ‘jam’? No different than other fruit jams, bacon jam requires a certain amount of added sugar in order to be officially labeled as a jam.

I am not a jam maker and had no idea about this little tidbit of information. It all makes so much more sense now!

Cranberry Bacon Jam Recipe (2)

Ingredients in this Cranberry Bacon Jam

Now that we know what bacon jam actually is, let’s chat about what goes into it.

For this bacon jam recipe, you’ll notice that I chose to include whole, fresh, cranberries. The cranberries are optional. You do not need to add them. However, being that it is the middle of October and the holidays are just around the corner, cranberries seemed like a pretty great idea. They’re tart, bright, seasonal, and taste delicious with bacon, caramelized onions, and brown sugar.

If you really dislike cranberries, or you can’t find them at the market, simply leave them out. That’s it. The rest of the recipe remains the same.

Ingredients in this cranberry bacon jam recipe

  • bacon
  • butter
  • onions
  • brown sugar
  • sherry vinegar
  • fresh cranberries
  • balsamic vinegar
  • fresh thyme

How to make Cranberry Bacon Jam

Preparing your own cranberry bacon jam is extremely easy. It does require a little time and patience but rest assured, the wait will be worth it in the end.

  1. Cook the bacon in a large heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat. You want to cook your bacon until it is crispy, but not burnt, and it has rendered its fat. Once the bacon has finished cooking, strain the bacon fat through a fine mesh strainer and chop the bacon into small bits.
  2. Return the skillet to medium heat and add 2 tablespoons of reserved bacon fat plus 2 tablespoons of butter.
  3. Cook the onion. Cook the onion until soft and translucent.
  4. Add the sherry vinegar and brown sugar. Allow the onions, vinegar, and sugar to slowly cook and caramelize together.
  5. Stir in the bacon.
  6. Add a splash of water and the cranberries. Mix well to combine and cover. Reduce heat to low and allow everything to mix and mingle together for approximately 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until the cranberries have burst and the mixture is thick and syrupy.
  7. Remove from heat and stir in the balsamic vinegar and fresh thyme.

Cranberry Bacon Jam Recipe (3)

If you try cooking this Cranberry Bacon Jam Recipe, please leave me a comment and let me know!I would love to hear your thoughts- do you like it plain, with bread, entertaining guests, on your favorite sandwich?

For morebacon recipescheck out,

  • Bourbon Bacon Chocolate Chip Cookies
  • Skillet Chicken with Bacon, Caper and Olive Sauce
  • Spaghetti Squash with Bacon, Spinach and Goat Cheese
  • Mexican Street Corn Bacon Nachos

DON’T FORGET TO PIN THIS CRANBERRY BACON JAM RECIPE TO PREPARE FOR YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS ON THANKSGIVING, CHRISTMAS, OR ANY DAY YOU WANTTO CELEBRATE WITH A DELICIOUS FOOD.

Cranberry Bacon Jam Recipe (4)

RECIPE CARD

Cranberry Bacon Jam Recipe (5)

Cranberry Bacon Jam Recipe

4.71 from 17 votes

AuthorAuthor: Cranberry Bacon Jam Recipe (6)Jessica Randhawa

Cranberry Bacon Jam Recipe- made with or without cranberries, this deliciously addicting, sweet and salty combination is made with easy to find ingredients such asonions, bacon, brown sugar, and cranberries. Simmered slowly, this bacon jam is best enjoyed with fresh bread, crackers, or on top of your favorite burger.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe Save

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Course Sauce

Cuisine American

Servings 12 servings

Calories 178 kcal

Ingredients

  • 12 oz bacon
  • 2 tablespoon salted butter
  • 3 medium onions - chopped
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup sherry vinegar
  • ¼ cup water
  • 1 (12 oz) bag fresh cranberries - optional
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar - to taste
  • ½ teaspoon fresh thyme

Instructions

  • Heat a large, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat. Add the bacon to the skillet and cook until crispy and all fat has been rendered. Transfer bacon to a plate lined with a paper towel to cool. Meanwhile, strain the bacon fat through a fine mesh strainer and into a clean bowl. Once cool, finely chop the bacon into small pieces.

  • Return the skillet with two tablespoons reserved bacon fat plus two tablespoons butter to the skillet. Add the onions and salt and sauté until softened and translucent- approximately 10minutes. Stir frequently.

  • Stir in the black pepper, brown sugar, and sherry vinegar. Mix well to combine and cook, stirring often, for 10 minutes or so. Add the chopped bacon back to the skillet. Stir.

  • Add the water and the fresh cranberries. Stir well to combine and cover with a lid. Reduce heat to low. Continue to cook for an additional 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until cranberries have burst and the mixture is thick and syrupy.

  • Remove from heat and stir in balsamic vinaigrette and fresh thyme, if desired. Enjoy!

Nutritional Information

Calories: 178kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 23mg | Sodium: 304mg | Potassium: 102mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 70IU | Vitamin C: 2.1mg | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 0.2mg

(Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and specific brands of ingredients used.)

Keyword Bacon Jam, Cranberry Bacon Jam Recipe

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Cranberry Bacon Jam Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between cranberry jelly and jam? ›

The primary difference between jam and jelly is that jam is made with fruit and jelly uses fruit juice. Preserves contain whole fruit or large pieces of fruit.

How long does homemade bacon jam last? ›

Bacon jam can be safely refrigerated for two to four weeks. Any amount that you keep in the fridge will need to be used within that length of time. You can store bacon jam in any refrigerator-safe container. Many bacon jam enthusiasts choose to use mason jars for aesthetic reasons.

What pairs well with bacon jam? ›

Our list of things we want to use this jam in is ever-growing. Here are just a few to get you started: warm potato salad, grilled asparagus, fresh tomatoes, panzanella, grilled cheese, crackers and goat cheese, spinach salad, a spoon, fresh garden peas, scrambled eggs, bagels and cream cheese...

Why is my bacon jam not thickening? ›

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.

Is jam without pectin better? ›

Strawberry jam with added pectin can be cooked in as little as ten minutes, preserving that fresh berry flavor and quality. Strawberry jam without added pectin needs to be cooked up to four times longer to reach the gel stage, resulting in a much sweeter, less fresh-tasting jam.

Which is healthier, jam or jelly? ›

Jam and jelly have virtually the same nutritional value, fruity taste, and spreadable texture. Thus, you can use them interchangeably. That said, some studies have analyzed the nutritional profile of jams after 9 months in storage and observed no significant losses in their antioxidant content.

Can you leave bacon jam out overnight? ›

Please do not store bacon jam at room temperature. Storing bacon jam at room temperature poses the risk of botulism, a serious foodborne illness caused by the nerve toxin produced by Clostridium botulinum, a spore forming bacteria.

Do you refrigerate bacon jam? ›

Bacon jam is safe to refrigerate for two to four weeks after it has been opened. The refrigeration process will keep those nasty bacteria at bay for this period. If you need to store your bacon jam for longer than four weeks, however, you may want to consider another storage option: freezing.

Is homemade jam good after 5 years? ›

The act of canning doesn't preserve food forever. But you can often get 18 months to two years out of your higher sugar products like jams and fruit canned in syrup. As long as the seal is good and the lid seems properly concave, your product should be just fine.

What bread is best with jam? ›

Bread. Let's start with the most obvious choice and certainly one of the favorites: jam on bread. Literally, any kind of bread becomes delicious with a touch of jam. Make your jam sandwich with white bread but also try challah or French brioche.

What is uncured bacon jam used for? ›

Spread it on a burger, brie or crusty bread. PBJ, BLT, grilled cheese. Mix it into a potato salad. You'll see.

Does lemon juice thicken jam? ›

Lack of acidity: Acids like lemon juice help lower the jam mixture's pH, which reacts with the natural or added pectin to help thicken the jam. If a jam recipe doesn't call for lemon juice or lime juice, it could rely on another ingredient, like added pectin, to set the jam.

Why does lemon juice thicken jam? ›

Adding acid in the form of fresh lemon or lime juice is important for two reasons: First, it makes for a more well-balanced jam, returning some of the acidity lost with the addition of sugar. Second, pectin needs acid to properly activate, or firm up.

Can you put too much pectin in jam? ›

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.

What is the difference between jelly and jam? ›

The main difference between the two is the form of fruit. Jelly is made using fruit juice, while jam is made using whole fruits that have been smashed or crushed. Because of this, jam can have seeds or pieces of fruit in it, while jelly has the fruit parts strained out of it.

Is cranberry sauce and cranberry jam the same? ›

No, although they contain the same main ingredient, cranberry sauce and cranberry jam are different. Cranberry sauce is usually not as thick and does not contain as much sugar as cranberry jam. Jam usually has a more spreadable consistency and is eaten with bread or used to fill cookies or tarts.

What is the difference between cranberry sauce and cranberry jam? ›

They are basically made the same way although cranberry jam is sweeter and may contain extras such as orange juice and spices. Some like to add extra spices such as cloves, allspice and nutmeg. Cranberry sauce is usually made with just sugar and water and is served with meat.

Is cranberry sauce and cranberry jelly the same thing? ›

And deep down, they are not so different after all: Whole cranberry sauce indeed involves whole berries. Jellied cranberry sauce goes through much the same process, but it is heavily strained, removing elements of nature — skin, seeds — that would impede its perfect silken texture.

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