Sweet, savory, smoky, and packed with rich flavor, this Coffee Bacon Jam is the ultimate condiment for burgers, sandwiches, sliders, steaks, and more. Crispy bacon is cooked down with caramelized onions, espresso, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, and Salt Pepper Garlic seasoning until everything comes together into a thick, jammy spread.
If you've never made bacon jam before, this is the recipe to try. The combination of bacon and coffee might sound unexpected, but the espresso brings out the richness of the bacon while the brown sugar and balsamic vinegar balance everything with a touch of sweetness and acidity.
Jump to:
Why I Love This Recipe
- Sweet and savory: Brown sugar balances the salty bacon.
- Rich coffee flavor: Espresso adds incredible depth without making the jam taste like a cup of coffee.
- Easy to make: Everything cooks together in one skillet.
Ingredients
- Onion
- Bacon
- Espresso
- Balsamic Vinegar
- Brown Sugar
- Salt Pepper Garlic Seasoning (or Ninjacue All Day Seasoning)
See recipe card for quantities.
shop my rubs
Grilling isn't just about cooking; it's about creating memories. With Ninjacue's bold flavors, your dishes will always be the talk of the neighborhood.
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Bacon
Start by heating a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced bacon and cook until it is browned and crispy.
Remove the bacon from the skillet and set it aside. Leave about 2 tablespoons of bacon grease in the skillet for cooking the onions.
Step 2: Caramelize the Onions
Add the diced onion to the bacon grease. Season with Salt Pepper Garlic Seasoning. Cook over medium low heat, stirring occasionally, until the onions become soft, golden, and caramelized.
step 3: Build the Bacon Jam
Add the cooked bacon back to the skillet along with the espresso, balsamic vinegar, and brown sugar.
Stir everything together until well combined.
Step 4: Simmer
Reduce the heat to low and allow the mixture to simmer for approximately 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
As it cooks, the liquid will reduce and the mixture will become thick, glossy, and jam-like.
Pro Tips
Don't rush the onions
Letting them caramelize slowly gives the bacon jam a much deeper flavor.
Use strong coffee
Espresso or strongly brewed coffee works best because you want that roasted coffee flavor to stand up to the bacon.
Watch the heat
Once the sugar and balsamic are added, keep the heat low. The mixture can thicken quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Coffee Bacon Jam taste like coffee?
Not exactly. The espresso adds a rich, roasted depth of flavor rather than making the bacon jam taste like a cup of coffee. It pairs especially well with the smoky, salty flavor of bacon and the sweetness of brown sugar.
What can I put Coffee Bacon Jam on?
Coffee Bacon Jam is incredibly versatile. Try it on burgers, sliders, steaks, breakfast sandwiches, biscuits, grilled cheese, hot dogs, or even a baked potato. Anywhere you would normally add bacon, this jam is worth trying.
Can I use regular coffee instead of espresso?
Yes! Espresso gives the strongest roasted flavor, but you can substitute strongly brewed coffee. If using regular coffee, make sure it is concentrated enough that the flavor doesn't get lost among the bacon, onions, sugar, and balsamic vinegar.
Final Bite.
There's nothing complicated about this Coffee Bacon Jam, but the flavor is anything but basic. You've got crispy bacon, sweet caramelized onions, tangy balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, and a hit of espresso all coming together in one ridiculously good spread.
Put it on a burger, pile it onto a slider, or eat it straight off the spoon, we're not judging. This is one of those recipes you'll make once and start finding excuses to put it on everything.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Coffee Bacon Jam
This Coffee Bacon Jam combines crispy bacon, caramelized onions, espresso, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, and seasoning for the ultimate sweet and savory topping.
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 2 cups
Ingredients
- 1 pound bacon, diced
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 shot espresso or very strong coffee
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon Salt Pepper Garlic seasoning
Instructions
- Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until browned and crispy.
- Remove the bacon and leave approximately 2 tablespoons of bacon grease in the skillet.
- Add the onions and seasoning, then cook over medium-low heat until softened and caramelized.
- Return the bacon to the skillet with, espresso, balsamic vinegar, and brown sugar.
- Stir well and reduce the heat to low.
- Simmer for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thick and jammy.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
- Prep Time: 10 Minutes
- Cook Time: 30 Minutes
- Category: Jam
- Method: Sautéing
Leave a Reply