The Only Tomato Bacon Jam Recipe You’ll Ever Need
I once served a burger so boring, I think I saw it yawn. It had the cheese, the lettuce, the perfect bun… but it was missing something. That special thing that makes you close your eyes and just enjoy the moment.
That’s when I turned to my secret weapon: tomato bacon jam.
This stuff is magical. It’s sweet, savory, smoky, and tangy all at once. It’s the perfect fix for bland burgers, sad sandwiches, and boring breakfast toast. And I’m going to show you how to make it, so you never have to eat a yawning burger again.
What You’ll Need
This recipe uses simple ingredients you might already have. No need for a fancy grocery store trip.
- 1 pound thick-cut bacon, chopped
- 2 large yellow onions, finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup brewed coffee (strong)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- A pinch of red pepper flakes (optional, for a little kick)
Tools You’ll Use
You don’t need a professional kitchen for this. Just a few basic tools will do the job.
- A large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven
- A wooden spoon or spatula
- A cutting board
- A sharp knife
- Measuring cups and spoons
How to Make Tomato Bacon Jam
Follow these steps closely. The magic is in the process.
Step 1: Cook the bacon in your large pot over medium heat. You want it to get nice and crispy. This usually takes about 10-15 minutes.
Step 2: Once crispy, use a slotted spoon to move the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate. Leave about two tablespoons of the bacon fat in the pot. Don’t you dare throw that liquid gold away!
Step 3: Add the diced onions to the pot with the bacon fat. Cook them until they’re soft and golden, which should take about 8 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for one more minute until you can smell it.
Step 4: Pour in the crushed tomatoes, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and coffee. Add the smoked paprika, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if you’re using them. Give everything a good stir to mix it all together.
Step 5: Bring the mixture to a simmer. Then, turn the heat down to low. Let it gently bubble away, uncovered, for about 1 to 1.5 hours. Stir it every 15 minutes or so to keep it from sticking.
Step 6: The jam is done when it’s thick and has a deep, rich color. It should coat the back of a spoon.
Step 7: Turn off the heat. Add the crispy bacon back into the pot and stir it in. Let the jam cool down a bit before you serve it or store it.
Pro Tips from My Kitchen
I’ve made this jam hundreds of times. Here are a few tricks I’ve learned along the way.
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Low and Slow is the Way to Go: The biggest mistake people make is trying to rush the simmering. Don’t turn up the heat to make it go faster. A low, slow simmer lets all the flavors melt together perfectly. Patience is your best friend here.
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Chop Everything Small: Make sure your bacon and onions are chopped finely and evenly. This helps everything cook at the same rate and gives your final jam a much better texture. Nobody wants a huge, chewy chunk of onion in their jam.
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Taste and Adjust at the End: Your taste buds are the final judge. After the jam has thickened, give it a taste. Does it need a little more vinegar for tang? A bit more sugar for sweetness? A pinch of salt to make the flavors pop? Now is the time to make those small changes.
Substitutions and Fun Variations
Once you have the basic recipe down, you can start playing around with it. This jam is very forgiving.
| Ingredient | Fun Swaps | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Brown Sugar | Maple Syrup | Gives a woodsy sweetness |
| Apple Cider Vinegar | Balsamic Vinegar | Deeper, richer flavor |
| Yellow Onions | Shallots or Red Onions | Milder or sharper tastes |
| Coffee | Bourbon | Adds a smoky kick |
| Red Pepper Flakes | Chipotle Powder | Smoky, intense heat |
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
This jam is a great thing to make ahead of time. The flavors actually get better after a day or two in the fridge.
Let the jam cool completely before you put it in a jar or airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
You can also freeze it! Just put it in a freezer-safe container. It will be good for up to 3 months. Just thaw it in the fridge overnight before you want to use it.
What to Serve with Tomato Bacon Jam
You can put this stuff on almost anything. Seriously.
| Meal Type | Serving Ideas |
|---|---|
| Breakfast | On scrambled eggs or toast |
| Lunch | Grilled cheese, burgers, turkey sandwiches |
| Dinner | On top of pork chops or meatloaf |
| Appetizer | With crackers and cream cheese |
Nutritional Info & Diet Swaps
This is a treat, so it has sugar and fat. But you can make a few changes to fit different diets.
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Keto/Low-Carb: Use a brown sugar substitute like erythritol and choose a sugar-free bacon. The carbs will mostly come from the tomatoes and onions.
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Lower Sugar: You can reduce the brown sugar by about half. The jam will be more savory and tangy, which is also delicious.
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Vegetarian: This one is tough, since bacon is a star. You could try a version with smoked mushrooms and extra smoked paprika to get a similar savory, smoky flavor, but it won’t be the same.
FAQs
Q1. My jam isn’t getting thick. What did I do wrong?
Ans: You probably just need more time. Keep it simmering on low heat. It can sometimes take longer depending on your stove and how juicy your tomatoes are. Just be patient and keep stirring.
Q2. Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned?
Ans: Yes! You’ll need about 2 pounds of fresh tomatoes, chopped. You might need to cook the jam a little longer to let the extra water from the fresh tomatoes cook out.
Q3. Is the coffee flavor strong?
Ans: Not at all. You can’t really taste the coffee. It just adds a nice depth and richness to the background flavor of the jam. If you really don’t want to use it, you can use water or beef broth instead.
Wrapping Up
This tomato bacon jam is more than just a recipe; it’s a way to make any meal feel a little more special. It turns simple food into something you’ll be proud to serve.
So give it a try. Get in the kitchen and have some fun.
When you make it, come back and leave a comment below. I’d love to hear how it turned out for you and what amazing food you put it on
