• Home
  • About
    • In the Press
  • Recipes
  • Crafts & DIY
  • Kitchen Store
  • Contact Me
    • Disclosure Policy
    • Privacy Policy
  • Blog
    • E-book!

The Gold Lining Girl

but first, dessert!

Free e-book: Quick & Easy (but sinfully decadent) No Bake Pie Recipes!

Please wait...

YAY! You've subscribed to The Gold Lining Girl! I'm so happy you've joined this community!

 

Balsamic Brown Sugar Bourbon Bacon Jam

November 21, 2017

Thank you Cameron Hughes for sponsoring this post. Capture the celebratory spirit of the holidays, and toast to the season with Cameron Hughes wine!

Balsamic Brown Sugar Bourbon Bacon Jam recipe image thegoldlininggirl.com 14

This recipe for Balsamic Brown Sugar Bourbon Bacon Jam is going to be your most favorite holiday recipe, guaranteed. Don’t attend a holiday party without it! It’s sweet, salty, spicy, tangy, and even rich! So many tastes represented in this Balsamic Brown Sugar Bourbon Bacon Jam! Pair it with Cameron Hughes wines and a few cheese and crackers for a simple, elegant appetizer tray!

Balsamic Brown Sugar Bourbon Bacon Jam recipe image thegoldlininggirl.com 19

When I made this Whiskey Maple Bacon Jam last year, I vowed that I would never spend another holiday without a bacon jam recipe in my life. This year, I tweaked that recipe to bring you this Balsamic Brown Sugar Bourbon Bacon Jam. Last year’s bacon jam is so wonderful and unbelievable – why reinvent the wheel? I just made some adjustments to it, and this year’s bacon jam recipe is a grand slam.

I’m telling you: bacon jam will blow your mind. If you haven’t tried it, you must. I was always intrigued by bacon jam recipes because they’re a strange and unusual concept. I wondered if bacon jam was just a gimmicky food, or whether it actually tasted good. Once I tried it though, there was no looking back. Every single holiday needs bacon jam! This Balsamic Brown Sugar Bourbon Bacon Jam is this year’s version, and I’m in love.

Balsamic Brown Sugar Bourbon Bacon Jam recipe image thegoldlininggirl.com 20

You can make a batch in an hour, from start to finish, and you can prep it in advance of your parties and get-togethers. You will need recipes that you can make in advance so that your holiday is stress-free. This Balsamic Brown Sugar Bourbon Bacon Jam will be the star of your appetizer tray!

Everything else on the appetizer tray can be super simple – a variety of cheeses and crackers, as well as other meats, and it will make for an elegant and diverse tray.

Balsamic Brown Sugar Bourbon Bacon Jam recipe image thegoldlininggirl.com 17

Pair it with Cameron Hughes wines, and your holiday get-togethers will be a smashing success. Cameron Hughes wines are exceptional, and are an extraordinary value. I’m a firm believer that great wine doesn’t have to be expensive, and I’ve made it one of my life’s missions to find the best wines that don’t break the bank. The Cameron Hughes mission is very similar – the best possible wine for the best possible price. That’s what their wines truly embody.

Balsamic Brown Sugar Bourbon Bacon Jam recipe image thegoldlininggirl.com CH wines collage

I’ve tried a few different bottles of Cameron Hughes wines, and I’m beyond impressed. I’ve opened bottles of the Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Chardonny. I will always be a dry red girl at heart, so my personal favorite is the Cabernet, but I loved the Chardonny too, and I rarely drink white wine. It was fabulous. They’re ALL fabulous. I’m not kidding when I tell you that I immediately looked forward to taking bottles to holiday parties as gifts for hosts.

Balsamic Brown Sugar Bourbon Bacon Jam recipe image thegoldlininggirl.com 12 Balsamic Brown Sugar Bourbon Bacon Jam recipe image thegoldlininggirl.com 13 Balsamic Brown Sugar Bourbon Bacon Jam recipe image thegoldlininggirl.com 11

We’ll be taking a few varieties with us to my in-laws for Thanksgiving, and we have a holiday party later this month at our good friends’ house. I will probably gift a few bottles to co-workers as well.

Don’t go to holiday parties without this Balsamic Brown Sugar Bourbon Bacon Jam!! The onions caramelize and become soft and sweet, which is complemented by the balsamic vinegar and brown sugar. The smoky paprika and spicy red pepper are a nice contrast, and they cut through the sweetness. As does the salty, crispy bacon! The bourbon doesn’t hurt either. Adds a nice kick!

Balsamic Brown Sugar Bourbon Bacon Jam recipe image thegoldlininggirl.com 18

Print

Balsamic Brown Sugar Bourbon Bacon Jam

This recipe for Balsamic Brown Sugar Bourbon Bacon Jam is going to be your most favorite holiday recipe, guaranteed. Don't attend a holiday party without it! It's sweet, salty, spicy, tangy, and even rich! So many tastes represented in this Balsamic Brown Sugar Bourbon Bacon Jam! 

Course Appetizer/Snack
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 8
Author Sarah

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs. center cut, thick-cut bacon
  • 1 large yellow onion finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 tsp. paprika
  • 1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 1/4 tsp. pepper
  • 1/2 cup bourbon
  • 1/2 cup maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup high-quality balsamic vinegar
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar

Instructions

  1. In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium-high heat until crisp.

  2. Drain on paper towels, and discard all but 3 tbsp. drippings.

  3. Chop bacon into 1/4-inch bits, and set aside.

  4. Add the onion to the skillet with the bacon drippings.

  5. Cook on medium until soft, golden, and caramelized, about 7-8 minutes.

  6. Add the garlic, and cook til soft, about 3 minutes.

  7. Add the paprika, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper to the skillet, stirring to combine.

  8. Add the bourbon and maple syrup.

  9. Bring to a simmer, and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly.

  10. Add balsamic vinegar and brown sugar to the skillet.

  11. Cook an additional 3 minutes, stirring constantly.

  12. Reduce heat to low, and stir in the crumbled bacon.

  13. Cook for an additional 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

  14. Remove from heat and cool.

  15. Serve with crackers. Store in the refrigerator.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of CLEVER and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Balsamic Brown Sugar Bourbon Bacon Jam recipe image thegoldlininggirl.com 16   Balsmic Brown Sugar Bourbon Bacon Jam recipe image thegoldlininggirl.com pin 1

Related Posts

  • Whiskey Maple Bacon JamWhiskey Maple Bacon Jam
  • Jalapeño Popper DipJalapeño Popper Dip
  • Homemade Soft Pretzels RecipeHomemade Soft Pretzels Recipe
  • Brown Sugar Maple Bacon Scones with Maple Brown Butter GlazeBrown Sugar Maple Bacon Scones with Maple Brown Butter Glaze
  • Apple Pie Filling recipe (Stove-top, Quick & Easy!)Apple Pie Filling recipe (Stove-top, Quick & Easy!)

Filed Under: Appetizers, Bacon, Bar Food (burgers, pizza, sandwiches), Christmas, Sauces & Dressings, Thanksgiving 9 Comments

« Previous post
Next post »

Lovely comments

  1. Fee Roberts says

    November 22, 2017 at 2:36 pm

    This looks amazing!

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      November 22, 2017 at 6:10 pm

      It’s addicting!!! Happy Thanksgiving! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Jennifer says

    January 8, 2019 at 10:15 pm

    The recipe states it makes 8 servings. How much is a serving? It looks delicious and I can already smell it!

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      January 10, 2019 at 7:56 am

      If I recall, my bacon jam recipes make about 2 cups, so a serving will be about 1/4 cup. It’s a pretty rich jam! I hope you love it! Please let me know how you end up liking it. 🙂

      Reply
  3. Shelley says

    July 7, 2019 at 11:46 am

    Can you can this recipes in small jars to give as gifts? Instructions?

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      July 7, 2019 at 6:02 pm

      Hi there! I have never canned it, unfortunately. I’m not familiar with the canning process, and I’ve never really gotten into doing it. I do give this as gifts though, but I just say that it’s good for about 7-10 days. I’m sorry I’m not more helpful!

      Reply
  4. Tim says

    April 25, 2020 at 6:49 pm

    Hi there. I made this today, and once it cooled down, it solidified. It’s almost like brittle, which lends itself to a whole other idea…what might I have done wrong?
    Thank you for the lovely recipes!
    Cheers,
    Tim

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      April 26, 2020 at 10:22 pm

      Oh, interesting — I’m so sorry to hear that! It might have just gotten slightly overcooked and resulted in more of a softball, or even hardball candy stage. I feel bad that happened, though I do that that lends itself to another idea, as you suggested! I think maybe it was just cooked a bit too long. I make this about twice/year, and I’ll try to add more photos/visual cues, and other notes when I make it next. Thank you for sharing your experience!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Hello, It’s Nice to Meet you!

I'm Sarah! A baker and dessert maker, craft addict, beauty product hoarder, and fitness enthusiast. I have a special affinity for shiny gold objects. I get distracted by glitter and sequins. If it's gleaming and lustrous, I need it. Welcome! Please stay awhile! Read More…

Categories

Popular Posts

  • Peanut Butter Cup Brownie Cheesecake Peanut Butter Cup Brownie Cheesecake
  • Biscoff Crust Biscoff Crust
  • No Bake Coconut Cream Pie No Bake Coconut Cream Pie
  • Pistachio Sugar Cookie Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Pistachio Sugar Cookie Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
The Gold Lining Girl
but first, dessert!
© 2021 The Gold Lining Girl. Custom blog by Moonsteam Design.