CHEF JOHN'S BACON JAM

Chef John's Bacon Jam image

This takes some time to make, and there is expert-level stirring involved, but what a small price when you consider the final results. Whether you do this for your Super Bowl® party or another festive occasion, I hope you give this amazing bacon jam a try soon.

Provided by Chef John

Categories Meat and Poultry Recipes Pork Bacon Appetizers

Time 45m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

1 ½ pounds bacon, chopped
2 teaspoons butter
4 large yellow onions, diced
1 teaspoon salt
¼ cup brown sugar
¼ cup sherry vinegar
1 ½ teaspoons fresh thyme leaves, divided
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 pinch cayenne pepper
½ cup water
2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil

Steps:

Place bacon in a large, heavy-bottomed pot and cook over medium heat until bacon is crispy and the rendered fat is foaming, about 10 minutes. Pour bacon and rendered fat into a strainer placed over a bowl to drain fat. When fat is drained and bacon is cool enough to handle, remove bacon to a cutting board and finely chop.
Return pot to medium heat; drizzle 2 teaspoons reserved bacon fat and butter in pan. Saute onions and 1 teaspoon salt until soft and translucent, 7 to 10 minutes.
Stir brown sugar, sherry vinegar, 1 teaspoon thyme leaves, black pepper, and cayenne into onion mixture; add bacon. Stir water into bacon mixture and cook until jam is a brick-brown bacon color and has a jam consistency, 10 to 15 minutes.
Remove from heat and stir balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon thyme into jam; stir until shiny and heated through.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 153.6 calories, Carbohydrate 9.8 g, Cholesterol 22.3 mg, Fat 9.3 g, Fiber 0.9 g, Protein 7.5 g, SaturatedFat 3.1 g, Sodium 633.9 mg, Sugar 6.7 g