Caramelized Onion Jam With Bacon

caramelized onion jam in mason jar on floral placemat with fresh rosemary sprigs.

5 from 2 votes

This caramelized onion jam with bacon is perfect for sandwiches, burgers, and flatbreads. Try it as a spread with crackers and cheese or as a topping for salads and meats.

Prep Time15

Cook Time1 15

Total Time1 30

Course: Condiment

Cuisine: American

Keyword: bacon onion jam, caramelized onion jam, caramelized onion jam recipe

Servings: servings

Calories: 228kcal

Cost: $7

Ingredients

6 slices thick-cut hickory bacon
2 large yellow onions
1 large red onion
2 shallots
2 Tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp smoked paprika
¼ tsp white pepper
1 tsp mustard seeds
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
2 Tbsp maple syrup
¼ cup BBQ sauce
1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce

Instructions

Dice bacon and cook in a large pan until crisp, then remove with a slotted spoon and set aside. Add thinly sliced onions and shallots to the pan, then give them a quick stir to coat them in the bacon fat.
Caramelize the onions over very low heat for 20-50 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes or so until onions are golden brown. Add brown sugar, smoked paprika, white pepper, mustard seeds, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, BBQ sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and bacon, and stir to combine. Simmer gently 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened and jam-like.

Notes

I prefer a more rustic cut for the onions, but you can dice them for a more paste-like texture.
If there isn't enough bacon fat, you can add 1-2 Tbsp of butter or olive oil to assist in the caramelization process.
Try not to let the bacon simmer longer than 10 minutes max, or it may get rubbery and chewy. If serving immediately after preparing, you can even add the bacon at the very end to keep the texture crispy.
To make this recipe gluten-free, just ensure you're using a gluten-free BBQ sauce and Worcestershire sauce.
Store leftover caramelized onion jam in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
If you used turkey or vegan bacon, it may degrade faster, so I would try to consume it within a week.
You can also freeze bacon onion jam for up to 3 months.
Discard if it starts to smell sour or look cloudy.

Nutrition