If you've been looking for an epic Bacon Onion Jam recipe, well look no further. I got this original bacon onion jam recipe from one of the head cooks at The Smithfield Inn, she was in her 80s at the time and had perfected the recipe at this Historic Inn in Smithfield, Virginia (the birthplace of Country Ham) where George Washington had once stayed (the Inn was built in 1752!). So, when I tell you this is a truly Epic Bacon Onion Jam recipe, it has seen the test of time!
My modifications of the recipe were to add a touch of Bourbon, a dash of curry, and to make it in the crock pot. This recipe is so good – use it as a base and make it your own! I like to add it to a cheese plater, slather it on my favorite Paleo Biscuit Recipe, and of course, slather it on Bacon Jam Burgers!
This post was originally shared after I got back from a Smithfield Press Trip and had the wonderful opportunity to see some of my OG, Old School BBQ Blogging Friends. I hope you enjoy my post and a little flashback in time! To see this recipe in action, check out this reel below and don't forget to follow me on Instagram for behind the scenes grilling and cooking action!
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How this Bacon Onion Jam Recipe Came to Be (Originally Published October 30, 2016).
Ahhh, Bacon. Ahhh, Pork, most versatile meat there is!! I was invited to go on a press trip to Smithfield, VA which is the Pork Capital of the world, and it was a welcome reprieve for me getting to go be in the South again, and take brake from being a mom for a short bit.
One of the highlights for me, was getting a chance to catch up with two of my blogging buddies, Chris from NibbleMeThis and Clint from Grillocracy, and when I arrived to the Smithfield Inn (an Historic Bed and Breakfast where George Washington stayed), everyone was in the midst of making bacon jam!
Bacon Onion jam is the best thing to happen to your cheese platter!
And this recipe inspired me to go home and make a somewhat simplified version that I’m sharing with you now, that can even be made in the crockpot. I slathered this on the low carb biscuits I’ve been making lately and I am in bacon-biscuit heaven. OMG I’ve been sooo obsessed with these biscuits lately and this jam is PERFECT for them.
Epic Bacon Jam
- Total Time: 4 minute
- Yield: a pint jar's worth
Description
This Bacon Onion Jam recipe will upgrade your cheese platter, burgers, and biscuits!
Ingredients
- 12 oz (1 packet) sliced bacon
- 1 medium sized onion, chopped
- 2 cloved garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/8 cup agave syrup
- 1/3 cup breffed coffee
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 dash curry
- 1 dash nutmeg (optional)
- 1 tbsp bourbon (optional)
Instructions
Cut the bacon in small pieces and then cook until the fat is rendered and the bacon is getting crispy- about 20 minutes. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon, and discard all of the fat except 1 tbsp of the bacon fat. Cook the onion and garlic until translucent, scraping up crispy bits.
Next, remove the onion mix and add to a crockpot. Add the remaining ingredients and let simmer for 2-3 hours on high, or until the mixture is thick and bubbly.
Pulse the mix in a food processor or with a hand blender until a smooth consistent paste like texture. Spoon into a cute jar and keep in the fridge for up to a week.
If you want to make some to give away, double this recipe.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2-3 hours
- Category: Bacon Onion Jam
- Method: Crock pot, simmer
- Cuisine: American, Southern
Keywords: Bacon Onion Jam
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- A picture of the Smithfield Smokehouse from the 60s.
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- Smithfield Country Ham
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- The Charles Henry Grey ham- best I've ever had!!
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- Tuffy Stone shows us how to smoke a whole hog!
Here are a few facts about Smithfield that you may not have known:
- Smithfield, and Ham, go back to the 1700s!
- The process of salt cured and then smoked Ham, is a result of the Early Settlers and Native American’s process for preserving Ham. The settlers were used to salt curing ham for preservation, and the Native Americans used to smoke theirs, the end result is today’s way of making the perfect ham we know today.
- “Genuine Smithfield” Ham can only come from Smithfield City Limits
- Smithfield is about an hour away from Norfolk, VA and is in the Chesapeake Bay area of Virginia
- The Town of Smithfield and the Smithfield Brand emerged together as a brand and a city together as the area developed. Pork is what put this place on the map.
- Smithfield, the company, seems to be a high integrity brand that cares about its employees and the treatment of its animals, and the community. Their motto, “Good Food, Responsibly”, sums it up. I was really impressed to hear about all of the work they do with their “Helping Hungry Homes” initiative.
