Chef John's Bacon Jam
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Description
This takes some time to make, and there is expert-level stirring involved, but what a small price when you consider the final results. Whether you do this for your Super Bowl® party or another festive occasion, I hope you give this amazing bacon jam a try soon.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds bacon, chopped
- 2 teaspoons butter
- 4 large yellow onions, diced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup sherry vinegar
- 1 ½ teaspoons fresh thyme leaves, divided
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper
- ½ cup water
- 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
Directions
- 1. Place bacon in a large, heavy-bottomed pot and cook over medium heat until bacon is crispy and the rendered fat is foaming, about 10 minutes. Pour bacon and rendered fat into a strainer placed over a bowl to drain fat. When fat is drained and bacon is cool enough to handle, remove bacon to a cutting board and finely chop.
- 2. Return pot to medium heat; drizzle 2 teaspoons reserved bacon fat and butter in pan. Saute onions and 1 teaspoon salt until soft and translucent, 7 to 10 minutes.
- 3. Stir brown sugar, sherry vinegar, 1 teaspoon thyme leaves, black pepper, and cayenne into onion mixture; add bacon. Stir water into bacon mixture and cook until jam is a brick-brown bacon color and has a jam consistency, 10 to 15 minutes.
- 4. Remove from heat and stir balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon thyme into jam; stir until shiny and heated through.
Nutrition Facts
serving: 12 servings
calories: 153.6 kcal
carbohydrates: 9.8 g
protein: 7.5 g
saturated fat: 3.1 g
cholesterol: 22.3 mg
sodium: 633.9 mg
fiber: 0.9 g
sugar: 6.7 g
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