Whiskey Bacon Jam is a unique, easy-to-make homemade condiment that is delicious on burgers, sandwiches, and grilled meats, as well as a topping for appetizers like crackers or cheese platters. It’s both savory and a little bit sweet, bursting with flavors from bacon, whiskey, and maple syrup. Use on crackers, burgers, eggs, you name it! It’s a definite must-try and a must-share, just like my Onion Bacon Jam!
Ingredients & Substitutions
Bacon: Break up the bacon into pieces before or after cooking. Do not make it ahead of time, since you will use some of the bacon grease to cook the onion and shallots. You could also try this recipe with turkey bacon if preferred.
Onions: I used both a yellow onion and shallots. One large onion should give you about 3 cups chopped.
Brown Sugar: The brown sugar adds sweetness and helps to caramelize the ingredients during the cooking process. It contributes to the balance of flavors by providing a touch of sweetness to counter the savory and smoky elements.
Maple Syrup: Maple syrup adds a natural sweetness with a hint of caramel-like flavor. It complements the bacon and brown sugar, adding depth and richness to the overall taste. For the best results, use pure maple syrup.
Whiskey: Whiskey not only adds a distinct flavor but also contributes a warm and smoky taste to the jam. It provides complexity and depth, enhancing the overall flavor profile. Choose a whiskey that you enjoy drinking. Or, try the jam with your favorite bourbon, which is a type of whiskey, for Bourbon Bacon Jam.
Chili Powder: The chili powder adds a touch of heat and spice to the whiskey bacon jam. It provides a subtle kick and adds complexity to the flavors without overpowering them. You could leave it out, but I highly recommend using it.
How To Use Whiskey Bacon Jam
This versatile condiment can elevate the taste of a variety of dishes! Here are some ideas on how to enjoy this boozy bacon jam:
- Use it as a spread on crackers or crostini.
- Add it to your charcuterie or cheese platters. It pairs well with a variety of cheeses, cured meats, and crackers, providing a savory and sweet element to the spread.
- Use whiskey bacon jam on grilled meats like pork chops, steak, or chicken.
- Whiskey Bacon Jam for breakfast?!? You bet! Top off your pancakes or waffles with the jam. Or, spread a little bit on your toast, bagel, or English muffin.
- Add a little bit to a burger, slider (like a mushroom Swiss slider), or sandwich. After you try it on a grilled cheese sandwich, you will be hooked!
How To Store Whiskey Bacon Jam
Whiskey Bacon Jam should be stored in the refrigerator or freezer. If stored in the refrigerator, it will last up to 2-4 weeks in an airtight container or jar. If freezing for longer storage, use straight-sided mason jars (or glass jars) and leave about an inch of space at the top to allow for expansion.
Can 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.
More Amazing Jams
Spicy Tomato Jam
Quite possibly my new favorite appetizer! This Spicy Tomato Jam is loaded with flavor and goes perfectly with crackers, burgers, biscuits, and so much more! (Also would be perfect as an appetizer during football season!)
Tomato Bacon Jam
Tomato Bacon Jam is a sweet and savory spread made with fresh tomatoes, bacon, onions, sugar, spices, and red pepper flakes for a slight kick. Perfect for crackers, biscuits, hamburgers, grilled cheese, or even pizza!
BLT with Bacon Tomato Jam
This BLT recipe is a step up from the basic sandwich you might already know and love. But, I encourage you to add a little sweet and savory tomato jam to the layers. It not only provides more tomato flavor to the sandwich, but it also has pieces of crispy bacon for more bacon! So really, it’s like a DELUXE BLT sandwich!
Whiskey Bacon Jam
Ingredients
- 1 pound bacon, cut into small pieces
- 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped into ¼-inch pieces (about 3 cups)
- 2 large shallots, diced (about 1 cup)
- 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 and diced shallots. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook until the onions are caramelized, 15-20 minutes, stirring often.
- Mix in the garlic, brown sugar, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, chili powder, and pieces of cooked bacon.
- Remove the pan from heat and 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 at room temperature, but you may want to warm it slightly if it has been refrigerated.
Video
Did you make this recipe?
You can tag me at @iamhomesteader.
What the Test Kitchen had to say about this recipe:
Autumn
When the concept of bacon jam was first introduced to me I completely rejected it. Please, learn from my mistake! Bacon Jam is such an amazing and versatile dish. Served as a dip or a spread, or even on sandwiches, it just makes everything better. This version has some whiskey in it which adds a nice bold smokey flavor. You can't taste the whiskey, it just enhances the already amazing flavors.
Elizabeth
Oh my goodness, this is so good and addicting! I loved it on a cracker and with added cream cheese on a cracker, too. I can't wait to add this to a burger! You definitely get a balance of flavors from the sweetness of maple syrup and brown sugar to the savory bacon. You really do need to try this and show it off to everyone you know!
Rachael
Put this on everything and anything! I would just eat this with a spoon but it would be amazing on a burger or eaten with cream cheese and crackers like we tried it. Fantastic. My favorite jam is bacon!
Annabelle
This stuff is ridiculously delicious! I was skeptical at first but I could eat this on its own, and it pairs so well with cream cheese and crackers!
Bella
Not only does it taste amazing on its own, it can go with or on so many things! The whiskey isn't overpowering, but it definitely gives this jam a deep, smoky taste. Works so well with bacon!
Selena
I mean, bacon AND whiskey?? Yes, please. The flavor and caramelization and deliciousness that happens with this are just so so special! I love this.
Can the recipe doubled or tripled then fo waterbath canning?
Absolutely amazing! I used jack Daniel’s honey for the whiskey and it was incredible. So many options with this!!!! 10/10 definitely make sure to chop up bacon super tiny if going on eggs.😬
Mine won’t thicken to jam consistency. Help!
I had the same issue just now. Followed to a tee and I’m a good cook. After 12 mins of simmering it was soup. Simmered for 10 more, soup. Boiled for 10, soup. There must be something missing, or they use some magic ingredients with no moisture in them.
Hey Joe. The cooking process that you did for 12 minutes, and then another 10 minutes – that is a reduction. You are reducing the liquid in the pan. If you cooked it over heat for 22 minutes and did not see ANY reduction, that makes me wonder if the oven was on? Pardon my skepticism, but there is no way you BOILED it for 10 minutes and didn’t see a reduction in liquid. That would defy science.
You could try removing from heat and allowing the bacon jam to cool slightly. You should see significant solidification. After it has sat, if you still have “soup” then, unfortunately, you may have missed an ingredient, such as the bacon.
PEOPLE–Literally the best bacon jam recipe I have ever made!
Don’t be afraid of the whiskey, just adds another level of flavor. Made this for my deviled eggs dish but
actually ate it right off the spoon, it’s so incredibly good!
Going to add this to my friends stocking stuffers.
Amanda, you outdid yourself with this one!
YAY!! I feel the same about this jam and am so glad you enjoyed it!!
I have never had Bacon jam before, but a friend told me about it and I found your recipe.
Personally I found it to be too sweet. I liked the complexity of flavors, but thought they were over shadowed by the sweetness.
I will make again, but will reduce the brown sugar by at least half.
Can i skip the whiskey?
https://iambaker.net/onion-bacon-jam/
I don’t know if did something wrong, but once it cooled off it was hard as a rock, like hard candy. flavor is good but the consistency wasn’t
The ingredients do solidify a bit when cold, just warm it back up and it will be good to go.
it didn’t solidify a bit. i could have thrown it thru a window and broken it. would like to figure out how to make it differently for better consistency. maybe less brown sugar?
Then, unfortunately, it was cooked too long and you made hard candy. The proportions of ingredients are correct, and this recipe has been heavily tested as well as reviewed. It is based on this recipe, which has perfect ratings. https://iambaker.net/onion-bacon-jam/
I’m sorry, I wasn’t in your kitchen so don’t know exactly where it went wrong and can’t make an accurate diagnosis, but you can try cooking for less time so that your sugar doesn’t crystallize.
Just made this and my mouth is so happy! Hubby would eat the whole batch on crackers but I’m thinking of a bit on my avacado toast tomorrow morning will be fantastic!😊
How much does this make?
Can the recipe be doubled?
Thank you.
Hi
What type of whiskey do you use…is it like a scotch whiskey or bourbon?
I want to try this, sounds delicious! But can you clarify, is chili powder the spice mix that people used to make chili, con Carne? Or is it a ground chili?
Good day just started browsing your recipesit looks great cant wait to start.Question: can i gift this whiskey bacon jam to a student going back to university. Gifting it to him in a box on Friday(last time I will be seeing him ) but he will be leaving only on Sunday.
This is what it says in the post, so no, it shouldn’t sit out.
“How To Store Whiskey Bacon Jam
Whiskey Bacon Jam should be stored in the refrigerator or freezer. If stored in the refrigerator, it will last up to 2-4 weeks in an airtight container or jar. If freezing for longer storage, use straight-sided mason jars (or glass jars) and leave about an inch of space at the top to allow for expansion.”
I am definitely going to make this. Looks amazing.
How long can you keep in the fridge??
How To Store Whiskey Bacon Jam
Whiskey Bacon Jam should be stored in the refrigerator or freezer. If stored in the refrigerator, it will last up to 2-4 weeks in an airtight container or jar. If freezing for longer storage, use straight-sided mason jars (or glass jars) and leave about an inch of space at the top to allow for expansion.
How long can you keep in the fridge??
This is what it says in the post above the recipe card:
How To Store Whiskey Bacon Jam
Whiskey Bacon Jam should be stored in the refrigerator or freezer. If stored in the refrigerator, it will last up to 2-4 weeks in an airtight container or jar. If freezing for longer storage, use straight-sided mason jars (or glass jars) and leave about an inch of space at the top to allow for expansion.
Omg this looks so good ! I’m going to try it. Thank you for sharing..
Can you can this jam successfully? Looks great!
This is what I wrote in the blog post:
Can 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.
I just discovered you on Instagram. I’m so excited.. everyone one of your recipes look amazing..can’t wait to try the whiskey bacon jam.. and the creamy garlic rolls.. thank you so much for sharing your gift of making wonderful food..
Made this tonight and gifted to the neighbors with some cream cheese and crackers. They mowed my lawn and I couldn’t think if a better way to say thank you! Outstanding! My new “go-to” gift 😃.
Thats amazing Linda! And so kind of you!