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Bacon Jam (Ooh Mommy!)

Posted by in Step-by-Step Recipes

Did someone say International Bacon Day? You mean that’s just one special day and not every single pork-loving day? Celebrate with this blast from the past: Bacon Jam. It’s spreadable bacon, friends. Yes. We know. You’re welcome.

 
Tasty Kitchen Blog: Bacon Jam. Guest post by Laurie McNamara of Simply Scratch, recipe submitted by TK member Rebecca of Foodie with Family.

 
From the very second my eyes laid upon Rebecca’s recipe for Bacon Jam aka “Ooh Mommy” Jam, I was extremely curious and extremely hungry. Over a few days I found myself always coming back to her recipe wondering what it could possibly taste like. Is it an overly sweet jam with chunks of chewy bacon? Is a savory jam that would work slathered on cornbread or smeared on toast with a fried egg on top?

So I told myself to get on with it and make it already, and I’m so glad I did. In Rebecca’s recipe, bacon is slowly cooked with onions and garlic in a delicious concoction of coffee, maple syrup and brown sugar with some tang from cider vinegar until the sauce is thick and the bacon and onions melt in your mouth (just be careful not to burn your tongue when taste testing). After it’s quickly blitzed in a food processor, it’s ready to be served or spread!

 
 
 
Tasty Kitchen Blog: Bacon Jam. Guest post by Laurie McNamara of Simply Scratch, recipe submitted by TK member Rebecca of Foodie with Family.

The recipe calls for onions, garlic, brown sugar, maple syrup, cider vinegar, pepper, some strong coffee, and of course, bacon. Three whopping pounds of bacon will be needed. It sounds like a lot but this makes a lot of jam!

 
 
 
Tasty Kitchen Blog: Bacon Jam. Guest post by Laurie McNamara of Simply Scratch, recipe submitted by TK member Rebecca of Foodie with Family.

With a sharp knife, slice the bacon into one-inch pieces.

 
 
 
Tasty Kitchen Blog: Bacon Jam. Guest post by Laurie McNamara of Simply Scratch, recipe submitted by TK member Rebecca of Foodie with Family.

In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the bacon in its own drippings until crispy and fully cooked.

 
 
 
Tasty Kitchen Blog: Bacon Jam. Guest post by Laurie McNamara of Simply Scratch, recipe submitted by TK member Rebecca of Foodie with Family.

In the meantime, thinly slice up the four onions. Rebecca’s recipe calls for yellow onions, but I had a big sack of sweet onions so I used those instead. But either type of onions will work in this recipe.

 
 
 
Tasty Kitchen Blog: Bacon Jam. Guest post by Laurie McNamara of Simply Scratch, recipe submitted by TK member Rebecca of Foodie with Family.

Smash and peel eight cloves and garlic. Lots of garlic equals lots of flavor!

 
 
 
Tasty Kitchen Blog: Bacon Jam. Guest post by Laurie McNamara of Simply Scratch, recipe submitted by TK member Rebecca of Foodie with Family.

Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon once it’s golden.

 
 
 
Tasty Kitchen Blog: Bacon Jam. Guest post by Laurie McNamara of Simply Scratch, recipe submitted by TK member Rebecca of Foodie with Family.

Drain it on a plate lined with paper towel.

 
 
 
Tasty Kitchen Blog: Bacon Jam. Guest post by Laurie McNamara of Simply Scratch, recipe submitted by TK member Rebecca of Foodie with Family.

Spoon most of the bacon fat into a heat-safe container with a tight-fitting lid and once the drippings have cooled, store it in the fridge. To quote Rebecca, “That’s too much flavor to trash!” Agreed!

 
 
 
Tasty Kitchen Blog: Bacon Jam. Guest post by Laurie McNamara of Simply Scratch, recipe submitted by TK member Rebecca of Foodie with Family.

After most of the bacon fat has been removed, place the Dutch oven back over medium-high heat and add in the sliced onions and smashed garlic. Reduce the heat to medium and continue to cook low and slow, stirring occasionally.

 
 
 
Tasty Kitchen Blog: Bacon Jam. Guest post by Laurie McNamara of Simply Scratch, recipe submitted by TK member Rebecca of Foodie with Family.

You’ll want to continue to cook the onions down until they are pretty translucent and soft. While that was going on, I made the glorious cooking liquids.

 
 
 
Tasty Kitchen Blog: Bacon Jam. Guest post by Laurie McNamara of Simply Scratch, recipe submitted by TK member Rebecca of Foodie with Family.

In a large bowl measure and add in the cup of brown sugar.

 
 
 
Tasty Kitchen Blog: Bacon Jam. Guest post by Laurie McNamara of Simply Scratch, recipe submitted by TK member Rebecca of Foodie with Family.

Pour in a cup and a half of strong coffee.

 
 
 
Tasty Kitchen Blog: Bacon Jam. Guest post by Laurie McNamara of Simply Scratch, recipe submitted by TK member Rebecca of Foodie with Family.

Then the cup of cider vinegar.

 
 
 
Tasty Kitchen Blog: Bacon Jam. Guest post by Laurie McNamara of Simply Scratch, recipe submitted by TK member Rebecca of Foodie with Family.

Measure and add in the 1/2 cup of pure maple syrup. This is the real-deal PURE maple syrup kind, so please none of that artificial stuff!

 
 
 
Tasty Kitchen Blog: Bacon Jam. Guest post by Laurie McNamara of Simply Scratch, recipe submitted by TK member Rebecca of Foodie with Family.

Season with a teaspoon of black pepper. And that’s it!

 
 
 
Tasty Kitchen Blog: Bacon Jam. Guest post by Laurie McNamara of Simply Scratch, recipe submitted by TK member Rebecca of Foodie with Family.

Give it a good stir to get the maple syrup and brown sugar mixed well together.

 
 
 
Tasty Kitchen Blog: Bacon Jam. Guest post by Laurie McNamara of Simply Scratch, recipe submitted by TK member Rebecca of Foodie with Family.

And then just pour it over the onions and garlic and give it a good stir as well.

 
 
 
Tasty Kitchen Blog: Bacon Jam. Guest post by Laurie McNamara of Simply Scratch, recipe submitted by TK member Rebecca of Foodie with Family.

Then I just brought the mixture up to a hard boil for about two to four minutes before adding in the bacon.

 
 
 
Tasty Kitchen Blog: Bacon Jam. Guest post by Laurie McNamara of Simply Scratch, recipe submitted by TK member Rebecca of Foodie with Family.

Then I reduced the heat down to low to simmer, with the lid off, until the sauce was thick and the onions started melting. It takes a good hour to an hour and a half for this all to happen. But my house filled with a smell I can only describe as a bacon-y barbecue smell which I hope heaven will smell like.

 
 
 
Tasty Kitchen Blog: Bacon Jam. Guest post by Laurie McNamara of Simply Scratch, recipe submitted by TK member Rebecca of Foodie with Family.

When all is said and done and the liquid has reduced, this is what it should look like. Fabulous! I could’ve stopped here and ate it all by spoonful.

 
 
 
Tasty Kitchen Blog: Bacon Jam. Guest post by Laurie McNamara of Simply Scratch, recipe submitted by TK member Rebecca of Foodie with Family.

But instead I added it all into my food processor, placed the lid on tight, and pulsed it until it resembled jam.

 
 
 
Tasty Kitchen Blog: Bacon Jam. Guest post by Laurie McNamara of Simply Scratch, recipe submitted by TK member Rebecca of Foodie with Family.

You could keep going for a smoother consistency but I like texture. So I stopped right here.

 
 
 
Tasty Kitchen Blog: Bacon Jam. Guest post by Laurie McNamara of Simply Scratch, recipe submitted by TK member Rebecca of Foodie with Family.

After it cooled, I stored it in jars in my fridge.

 
 
 
Tasty Kitchen Blog: Bacon Jam. Guest post by Laurie McNamara of Simply Scratch, recipe submitted by TK member Rebecca of Foodie with Family.

And sometimes I sneak and take a spoonful out at night. But that’s our secret, k?

 
 
 
Tasty Kitchen Blog: Bacon Jam. Guest post by Laurie McNamara of Simply Scratch, recipe submitted by TK member Rebecca of Foodie with Family.

My favorite way to eat bacon jam (besides by the spoonful) is to heat a little up and spread it over whole grain toast with a fried egg (over medium) on top. Oh, it’s to die for! Really, my life is forever changed!

A big ‘Thank you’ to Rebecca for sharing this recipe with all of us here on Tasty Kitchen. With over a hundred recipes on TK alone, Rebecca has even more amazing stuff on her blog Foodie with Family. So be sure to stop by her TK recipe box and her website to check it all out! I promise you won’t be disappointed.

This jam also makes for an excellent gift, so go on and share the deliciousness!

Also check out these versions of bacon jam, like Beer & Bacon Jam by Jackie Dodd or, for a spicy version, try Dax Phillip’s Bacon Jam! You can also check out cookincanuck’s TK Blog post where she makes fellow contributor patiodaddio’s amazing Onion and Bacon Marmalade. All of these are on my list to try as well!

 
 

Printable Recipe

Bacon Jam (a.k.a. Ooh Mommy! Jam)

See post on Rebecca’s site!
4.46 Mitt(s) 13 Rating(s)13 votes, average: 4.46 out of 513 votes, average: 4.46 out of 513 votes, average: 4.46 out of 513 votes, average: 4.46 out of 513 votes, average: 4.46 out of 5

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Difficulty: Easy

Servings: 30

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Description

Salty, sweet, meaty, and pure umami (or “Ooh Mommy!”), this is going to make you rethink breakfast. Smoky with bacon flavor, tinged with coffee and maple syrup, this spread transforms toast or sandwiches with very little effort.

Ingredients

  • 3 pounds Bacon
  • 4 whole Large Yellow Onions, Peeled And Thinly Sliced
  • 8 cloves Garlic, Smashed And Peeled
  • 1 cup Cider Vinegar
  • 1 cup Packed Light Brown Sugar
  • 1-½ cup Very Strong Brewed Black Coffee
  • ½ cups Pure Maple Syrup
  • 1 teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper

Preparation Instructions

Cut the bacon slices into 1-inch strips. Add the bacon to a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Cook the bacon, stirring frequently, until the bacon is browned. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon to a paper-towel lined plate. Drain all but 2 tablespoons of the bacon drippings into a heat-proof jar with a tight-fitting lid. (Save the bacon drippings in the refrigerator. That’s too much flavor to trash!)

Place the Dutch oven back over the medium-high heat and add the onions and garlic. Stir well and reduce heat to medium. Continue to cook for about 8 minutes, or until the onions are mostly translucent. Add the remaining ingredients, stir well, and drop heat again, this time to low.

Bring to a boil, stirring frequently, and boil hard for 2 minutes. After 2 minutes, stir the browned bacon into the onions and liquid.

Simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally to make sure things aren’t sticking, adding 1/4 cup of water if it seems to be drying out. When the onions are meltingly soft and the liquid is thick and syrupy, remove the Dutch oven from the heat and let stand for 5 minutes.

Transfer the contents of the Dutch oven to the work bowl of a food processor that has been fitted with a blade. Fit the lid in place and pulse several times or until the bacon jam is a spreadable consistency. Scrape into a jar (or jars) or a container with a tight fitting lid. Store in the refrigerator for up to one month.

Can be served cold, room temperature or warmed.

 
 
_______________________________________

Laurie is the force behind Simply Scratch, a blog that documents her efforts to find and create recipes that are made simply from scratch. (We think it’s sweet that her mother-in-law helped her set up her blog and get started.) We love her recipes; they’re not just tried and true, but they look gorgeous as well. Check out her blog and you’ll become a fan too.

 

51 Comments

Comments are closed for this recipe.

Paula on 10.16.2012

Use boiled cider in the recipe if you can’t use coffee. You can buy it or make it yourself. Perhaps use water for volume then the strong boiled cider for flavor. Would that possibly work?

David on 10.1.2012

My mouth was watering just reading the description and recipe!!! I am definitely making this! Will probably first try it on a steak sandwich…

Dayna on 9.16.2012

Barb- When you can it, do you do it @ 10 lbs pressure for 90 minutes? Should I cook it down to thicken it before I can it? Or would canning it suffice for the cooking down ya think?

Joni on 8.27.2012

I had the same problem as Deb, the vinegar totally overpowered any bacon flavor. So disappointed!

Deb on 8.26.2012

I made this and thought it was okay. The bacon should have been the strongest flavor, but it wasn’t…the vinegar and sugar were. We tried some on crackers with cream cheese and also on toasted baquette without cream cheese. I don’t know what I’m going to do with the rest of it. It leaves a weird taste in your mouth.

Barb on 8.19.2012

Yes, this can be canned but NOT with boiling water bath (BWB) as you would for fruit jams and other high-acid foods.

This has meat in it which is a low-acid food, so you would need to use a pressure *canner* (NOT a pressure *cooker*!!) with these instructions from the National Center for Home Food Preservation:
http://nchfp.uga.edu/how/can_05/strips_cubes_chunks.html

If you’re not up for that, you can freeze the jam instead.

Chanel on 8.9.2012

How long can you keep this jam for? Can you freeze it?

It looks amazing and I can’t wait to make it!!! :)

Liz on 7.16.2012

I made this today, cutting back to 2 pounds of bacon and adjusting all of the other ingredients. It is wonderful – I put a small teaspoon of the jam on a hamburger patty and topped it with a slice of provolone.

My stuff seemed a bit thin, but it did thicken upon sitting for a while and then when it was refrigerated.

Michele D. on 7.14.2012

Here is a link for 5 popular coffee substitutes. They contain no coffee. http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/dietarytherapy/tp/080402.htm. @Andrea are you allergic to any onion form? Would leeks be something you could have? Maybe fennel would work? I might try to soak it in water to help it be less strong. Not sure. Or just try it without the onion.

Lois S. on 7.14.2012

I made this today and after cooking for over 3 hours it still did not have a syrup-y consistency. It cooked down, of course, and became much thicker so I thought maybe it was me – that I didn’t understand the concept. I put it in the food processor – big mistake. I now have a whole lot of bacon something, but it could never be called jam. Much too thin. I’m going to try to cook it down some more, but I think I’m going to have to throw it away. What a waste. Anybody have any idea of what went wrong? Measurements were correct.

Kathy on 7.10.2012

I’m with those who either can’t have or don’t like coffee. Plain water seems a little, well, plain. I always wish I could substitute strong tea, but who knows how that would taste. Looking forward to hearing a substitute from the creators. Otherwise, this looks amazing!

lynaeve on 7.9.2012

this is awesome.

Travis Cotton on 7.9.2012

Pressure canning is not required but that means the shelf life is limited and it must be kept in the fridge.

Heather Clements on 7.8.2012

Oh, no you didn’t!! oh, yes I will!

Toni S on 7.7.2012

Made this on Tuesday. Love it! It is a little sweet, so next time, I may cut back on the brown sugar and maple syrup. It made a little over 2 pints for me. I don’t have a food processor, so I used the wand attachment for my hand mixer. We made Eggs in a Basket and served the jam with that. The cream cheese idea sounds great!!

Lisa Burkett on 7.7.2012

sssssshhhhh! Don’t tell my son about this or I’ll be makin’ it everyday

Penelope Gonzales on 7.5.2012

I’m allergic to coffee (not caffiene . . . the actual coffee) — so can you suggest a substitute? I thought of chicory, but don’t want the jam to be bitter. Thanks, Penny G.

Michelle T on 7.4.2012

I totally made this last year and made the mistake of bringing it to work. Needless to say, there was none to take home. Absolutely delicious when it’s fresh. After storing it in a jar in the fridge, I like to warm it up when I use it on toast, bagels, omelets, pizza, sandwiches, steak, potatoes (mashed and otherwise), or any other thing I could think of.

For those that asked, it’ll keep for about a month in the fridge. I don’t know about the storage if pressure canned as it doesn’t last that long in my house! I would think about 6 months. That’s right up there with canning of pork.
My recipe made about 2 cups.

Kim on 7.4.2012

I am curious how much this makes, and how long it will keep in the fridge. Also, can it be preserved in glass jars?

Andrea on 7.3.2012

This sounds yummy- I am a big bacon fan (who isn’t??)- but I am allergic/intolerant to onions. Does anyone have any ideas how I could make a similar bacon jam but without the onions?

mnjayhawk on 7.3.2012

Made this the day after I saw the post. It is delicious! Made a little over 3 cups. Took more than an hour and a half to simmer down though. Plan to serve for brunch on ciabatta bread with a fried egg on top.

Judy on 7.3.2012

This looks fabulous. I would like to make and try as a pizza sauce substitute, fresh mozzarella, maybe some greens.
Also, I’m wondering if this could be preserved via a canning process, sort of like a jam?

Allyn on 7.3.2012

Hello gorgeous! Pretty sure my husband would flip out if I made this for him.

Beth J on 7.3.2012

We made 1/3 of the recipe and it made about 2 pint jars full.

Use coffee, you won’t taste it at all (I hate coffee too.)

It is great for a BLT appetizer – endive lettuce smeared with warm jam and topped with chopped tomato. Sprinkle on some blue cheese if desired. Yum.

berthamae on 7.3.2012

What would be a good substitute for the coffee (can’t stand the taste)? Beef or chicken broth?

Bear on 7.3.2012

I made this got the recipe from Martha. I didn’t feel it had the wow factor for christmas gifts. That was my original goal too. So, I made it and took it to work. I work with about 25 men and one other female. It’s good and different but not great. The guys suggest serving with cream cheese and crackers for games and cards. They did want the recipes and some took it home to share. I put them in the smallest baby food jars. I bought applesauce and ate it since I don’t have any babies. Then froze the water from rinsing the jars to make treats for the dogs it is 90+ here. I also thought it smells like baked beans. We did not eat it cold ( you still have bacon fat not alot tho). It is still worth trying. Enjoy

Jessica @ How Sweet on 7.2.2012

YES.
and yes.

Sue on 7.2.2012

OMG!!! How yummy!!!

Meerz on 7.2.2012

Can anyone tell me how long this would be good for? Kept refrigerated… I am single and couldn’t go through 3lbs. of this very fast. Any input is appreciated!!

    Profile photo of Laurie - Simply Scratch

    Laurie - Simply Scratch on 7.2.2012

    Hi Meerz! Rebecca’s recipe says it should be good in the fridge for up to a month. :)

Brenda Z. on 7.2.2012

OMG, seriously?? The idea of bacon jam is pure genius! I am SO going to try this! Lynda mentioned having bacon jam on roasted chicken- another great idea…so many possibilities :-D

Rachel Bernhard on 7.2.2012

Bacon makes the world go round!

Lynda on 7.2.2012

I’ve had bacon jam on roasted chicken in a restaurant in St. Paul, MN. It was delicious! I’m going to have to give this recipe a try for sure!!!

Liz R on 7.2.2012

My mouth is watering and I think I am going to faint.

Therese.A on 7.2.2012

When you say it makes ‘a lot’ (or as the recipe says, 30 servings), how many pint jars would you estimate that to be? Just so I can plan for gifts…

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arodmommy on 7.2.2012

just checked one of my cookbooks, it says low acid foods such as meat must be pressure canned

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arodmommy on 7.2.2012

i would think it could be canned, but i would definitely pressure can it because it has meat in it.

Lisa on 7.2.2012

I, too, want to know if it can be canned to make it shelf stable and good for shipping.? anyone, anyone…? I will make it for my family but I am a little afraid of having it on hand! The spoonful method sounds right up my alley!

Teresa G on 7.2.2012

I know what I will be cooking tonight!! Wow…sounds amazing!!

bobbie on 7.2.2012

I’m drooling…

Heather (Heather's Dish) on 7.2.2012

oh.
my.
gah.

Stephanie In Corralitos on 7.2.2012

Mmmmm, bacon.

Nareht on 7.2.2012

All I can say is “Oh My Goodness” I am going to make some of this deliciousness, this weekend!

Thanks!

sherell Knight on 7.2.2012

Who doesn’t love bacon? Making this for sure.

cindy on 7.2.2012

Any idea if this could be canned like fruit jams? I think this would be an amazing Christmas gift for my bacon-obsessed brother, but can’t see his wife too thrilled about filling the fridge with a dozen jars. If it could be canned and stored in the pantry, however….
Anyone know? Thanks!

Leslie on 7.2.2012

This is getting made tonight! I thought bacon sundaes were to die for, then this comes along! Thank you!

Tracy A. on 7.2.2012

Oh my! I just know that I will love this!

Ursula from PA on 7.2.2012

This looks yummy, thanks for the recipe.

Subha Susan jacob on 7.2.2012

That actually seems very practical plus you had removed all that fat which helps to keep it a healthy alternative.

marjorieprn on 7.2.2012

Can’t wait to try this. My daughter will love it!