Bacon Jam burgers, Yes You Read That Right

Bacon Jam


This is a really unique and addictive recipe, a little reminiscent of Kansas City pulled pork, combined with candied bacon, and turned into a pate',  but different enough to make it kind of special.

1 1lb. package of good, smoky bacon, sliced crosswise into 1” pieces

Note:  if you only have regular bacon, add ½ tsp. Stubbs liquid mesquite smoke to the liquid ingredients

½ yellow onion

½ red onion

2 large garlic cloves, chopped fine

2 oz. / ¼ cup apple cider vinegar, and maple syrup

1 Tbsp. ancho chili powder

½ tsp. powdered mustard

¼ tsp. cayenne

1 tsp. paprika

¼ cup of packed brown sugar

Black pepper, to your taste (I used about 6 grinds of fresh black pepper)

Kosher salt – I had low salt bacon, and I had to add ½ tsp. of salt to bring out the flavors

Cook the bacon in a heavy Dutch oven over medium heat until browned, and just beginning to crisp. Remove to paper towels to drain. Remove all but 1 Tbsp. of the bacon grease, then add the onions to the pot, and cook over low, until the onions are translucent and a little caramelized. Add the garlic, and cook for one minute. Add all the spices, and cook, stirring, for another minute.

Add all the liquid ingredients and the sugar, cover and cook on low for 30 minutes. Stir, and continue to cook for another 30 minutes, uncovered, stirring occasionally. Add ¼ cup of water, if you need to, and continue to cook another 30 minutes. Adjust salt, to taste. Continue cooking another 30 minutes, stirring frequently, to reduce the liquid, until it is thick, and the liquid is almost totally evaporated. It will look like very dark bacon at this point. Total cooking time: 2 hours.

Let cool for 15 minutes, then put it the bowl of your food processor, and pulse 2 to 3 times to chop, until it is chunky, more like a salsa, than smooth. You want this to be a little chunky. Remove to jelly jar. This will keep for 1 week, refrigerated. Makes about one and a half to two cups.

Serving suggestions:

On Triscuits

On a bagel, with cream cheese

Put bacon jam on the bottom half of a hamburger bun, add hamburger patty with melted jack or cheddar cheese, I used both, top with lettuce, with mayo on the top bun. Serve. (see photo)

And as a dip with barbecued potato chips. Yes, this is good, with just a caviar size portion per chip.