Apple Whiskey Bacon Jam takes my already perfect (if I may say so myself) whiskey bacon jam and adds a fruitiness from Fuji apples. The sweetness of the apples is a delicious contrast to the savory bacon and warm, slightly smoky notes of whiskey that just works! And, the jam is more versatile than you might think! Spread a little bit on toast, add some to a sandwich, or brush it onto meats or vegetables during cooking. I also just made a batch of Onion Bacon Jam that everybody loved!
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Bacon: Thick-cut bacon works best in all of my bacon jams because the thickness makes it stand out more. However, if you only have regular bacon, that would work, too. You could also experiment with turkey bacon if preferred. Once you cook the bacon, leave a few tablespoons of grease in the pan for cooking the onions and the rest of the ingredients.
- Onions: I find that yellow onions caramelize the best. But, white onions, red onions, or shallots would also be fine to use.
- Apples: I went with Fuji apples for the jam. The sweetness complements the savory bacon. Plus, they stay a little crunchy when cooked, which I like. Other apples you could try are Honeycrisp, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Gala, or Cortland.
- Brown Sugar: Light brown sugar helps caramelize the onions and adds a little extra sweetness. Use less if you don’t want the jam as sweet.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: If you don’t have apple cider vinegar, white wine vinegar could be substituted, but it may affect the final taste a bit.
- Maple Syrup: For more sweetness, I added maple syrup. Honey, agave nectar, or brown rice syrup can be used as alternatives, but they will give off different flavors.
- Chili Powder: Chili powder adds a little bit of heat to the jam; you could certainly leave that out if preferred. (But, I encourage you to use it if you have any on hand.)
- Whiskey: We can’t have apple whiskey bacon jam without the whiskey! Choose a whiskey you enjoy drinking to add a warm and smoky taste to the jam. You can also try using bourbon, a type of whiskey, for a variation like Apple Bourbon Bacon Jam. When adding the whiskey, be sure the pan is off the heat! Then, you can return the pan over the heat.
Can I Make The Jam Without Whiskey?
Sure! If you want to enjoy this jam without whiskey, leave it out to make apple bacon jam! If you do leave out the whiskey, increase the amount of apple cider vinegar to 1/3 cup.
Delicious Ways To Use Apple Whiskey Bacon Jam
Don’t knock a savory jam until you have tried one! I am all about bacon jams lately, and I loved this variation, too! Here are some delicious ways to use the jam:
- Spread on Toast or Crostini
- Serve it alongside a cheese board with your favorite cheeses.
- Use it as a condiment in sandwiches and wraps. My favorite is adding it to a crispy grilled cheese sandwich!
- Brush it onto meats like pork chops, chicken breasts, or salmon during the last few minutes of cooking for a flavorful glaze.
- Mix it into barbecue sauce, salad dressings, or dips to add a sweet and savory twist.
- Serve it alongside roasted meats or vegetables to complement their flavors with a touch of sweetness and smokiness.
- Use it as a dip for crackers or vegetable sticks at parties or gatherings.
How To Store Apple Whiskey Bacon Jam
To store apple whiskey bacon jam, first, let it cool completely. Next, store it in a clean, airtight container or jar in the refrigerator. It will last up to 1-2 weeks. For longer storage, freeze the jam for up to 3 months.
Can Apple Whiskey Bacon Jam Be Canned?
This jam cannot be safely canned. The National Center for Home Food Preservation (NCHFP) states no cured meat should be canned. The NCHFP states that cured meat could be much denser than raw meat which could hinder safe canning processes.
Apple Whiskey Bacon Jam
Ingredients
- 1 pound thick-cut bacon, diced
- 1 large yellow onion, finely diced (about 1 ½ cups)
- 2 small Fuji apples, peeled, diced (about 2 cups)
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar
- ¼ cup (79 g) maple syrup
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 3 tablespoons whiskey
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, cook bacon until crispy. While the bacon is cooking, line a plate with a paper towel.
- Place the cooked bacon onto the lined plate. Set aside.
- Leave about 4 tablespoons of bacon grease in the pan, carefully removing the rest.
- To the pan, add the onion. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook until the onions are translucent (about 8-10 minutes).
- Add the apples, and stir to combine.
- Continue to cook until apples have softened and onions have caramelized, (4-5 more minutes), stirring often.
- Mix in the garlic, brown sugar, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, chili powder, and cooked bacon.
- Remove the pan from heat. Then, add the whiskey. Stir well. Place the pan back on the heat.
- Simmer for 10-12 minutes, or until the mixture has thickened. It should be about the consistency of a jam.
- Serve warm or cold. You may want to warm slightly if it has been refrigerated.
Did you make this recipe?
You can tag me at @iamhomesteader.
What the Test Kitchen had to say about this recipe:
Autumn
Our whiskey bacon jam was such a pleasant surprise, and nothing I had tried before. This is a delcious twist on that!
Elizabeth
Yep, another winner in the savory bacon jam category, but will a little sweetness from apples. I don't think we can go wrong with any bacon jam at this point.
Bella
Wow! The combination of bacon, apples, and a touch of whiskey creates a unique and delicious spread.
Selena
I thought the apples would be a bit softer, but I didn't mind the little crunch and sweetness. It's incredibly addictive and pairs wonderfully with both savory and sweet dishes.
Annabelle
This is great! I think it would be a great addition to a charcuterie board or as a gourmet gift.
