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

Did You Make This Recipe? Tag it Today!Mention @theforkedspoon or tag #theforkedspoon and please leave your star rating in the comment section below.

Cranberry Bacon Jam Recipe (2024)

FAQs

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

Jelly undergoes the same cooking process as jam, but is typically made with only strained fruit juice, resulting in a more translucent, smoother spread that is also stiffer. Celebrate the flavors of fall with this apple jelly recipe, which also incorporates the tartness and tang of cranberries and apple cider vinegar.

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 better with or without pectin? ›

Some people have reservations about using pectin, but it's incredibly helpful, especially for someone new to the process. It's totally possible to make jams and jellies without using store-bought pectin, but it's much harder to get the right consistency and it takes longer, too.

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.

Do you refrigerate bacon jam after opening? ›

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. Why is botulism such a big deal? Botulism is as serious as food poisoning gets.

Do you put homemade jam straight in the fridge? ›

Jam-making, after all, is a controlled evaporation of water, so if you accidentally take too much out, you can always add a little back in. 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.

Can a jam last for 6 months without putting it into fridge? ›

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.

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? ›

Throwing in an extra tablespoon of lemon or lime juice at the end can help, but avoid adding any more than that as it could make the jam runny.

Why does lemon juice thicken jam? ›

Citrus fruits: Citrus fruits like lemons and oranges contain pectin, and the zest and juice can be added to the fruit mixture to help it set. Chia seeds: Chia seeds can be used as a natural thickener for jams and jellies. Simply mix them with water to form a gel, and add the gel to the fruit m.

Why won't my cranberry jelly set? ›

One possibility is that you may not have used enough sugar: Sugar helps the sauce firm up, so be sure to use the full amount called for in a recipe. Another possibility is that the cranberries need to boil for longer, releasing their pectin and ensuring a jelly consistency.

What is the real 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.

What is the difference between jam and jelly? ›

The main difference between jam and jelly is that jam is made with fruit whereas jelly is made with fruit juice. As a result, jam and jelly have different characteristics: Texture: jam has a semi-firm consistency, and the cooked-down fruit lends it a chunkier texture.

Is cranberry sauce and 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? ›

While both are cranberry-based spreads, they differ in texture and sweetness. Cranberry jam tends to have a smoother, more spreadable consistency compared to the thicker cranberry sauce. Moreover, jam typically includes a higher sugar content, making it sweeter.

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