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    You are here: Home / Recipes / Dinner

    Bacon Jam Burgers

    Published: Mar 11, 2020 by Susie Weinrich · This post may contain affiliate links. 15 Comments

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    bacon jam burger with pinterest text
    bacon jam burger with pinterest text

    What is bacon jam, you ask? Well, Bacon Jam is a delicious, syrupy combo of bacon, onions, raisins, brown sugar, balsamic vinegar and Worcestershire sauce.

    two burgers topped with bacon jam and boursin cheese and two bottles of beer in the background

    It is a great condiment for classic hamburgers, or it would be really amazing on top of these Grilled Pork Burgers! Put a huge dollop on top of your morning eggs, or pour warm bacon jam on top of some room temp cream cheese for an amazing appetizer.

    If eating ALL the bacon has you feeling guilty, check out these other burger recipes: Healthy Chili Lime Turkey Burgers and Greek Turkey Burgers with Raspberry Aioli.

    Table of Contents hide
    1 Is it really Jam?
    2 Bacon Jam Burgers
    3 How to Make Bacon Jam
    4 How to Make the Perfect Burger
    5 Additional Ways to Serve Bacon Jam
    6 Bacon Jam Recipe
    7 Bacon Jam

    Is it really Jam?

    The word “jam” is a little misleading. I don’t want you to think this recipe is going to come out like a jelly with bacon in it. This recipe is more of a relish with chunks of bacon and onion coated in a sweet and salty syrupy glaze. Yum!

    bacon jam on a wooden spoon

    Bacon Jam Burgers

    There may be a lot of ways to use bacon jam, however, eating it on top of a burger is my #1 favorite way!

    burger layered with lettuce, tomato, bacon jam and boursin cheese

    To make this burger exactly like I make it you will need: romaine or arugula, boursin cheese, a slicing tomato sprinkled with garlic powder, salt and pepper, warm bacon jam, and of course a great hamburger.

    How to Make Bacon Jam

    Start by chopping 1 pound of bacon into 1 inch chunks. Then in a large non-stick skillet, over medium heat, I cook the bacon in two batches until it is crispy. Using a slotted spoon I dish the crispy bacon onto a paper towel lined plate.

    How to cut raw bacon for bacon jam recipe
    cooked bacon on a paper towel

    Reserve 3 tablespoon bacon grease. Make sure to reserve the bacon grease in a heat safe bowl.

    Slice 2 small yellow onions in very thin slices. Then rough chop the slices so that you do not have any long strands of onion remaining. See the photo below as a visual reference:

    how to cut onions for bacon jam recipe

    Next cook the onion and garlic in 3 tablespoons of reserved bacon grease, over medium low heat, until the onions are very soft and translucent, about 15 minutes.

    Chop through the crispy cooked bacon, so you end up with smaller bits.

    Cooked bacon chopped into bite sized pieces

    Add the bacon and brown sugar to the onion mixture, stirring occasionally for about 2 minutes.

    Next add the raisins, Worcestershire, balsamic vinegar, and water to the bacon mixture. Simmer, stirring occasionally, for 5-8 minutes until the mixture has thickened and looks syrupy.

    bacon jam cooking down in a skillet with a wooden spoon

    Storing Bacon Jam

    To store any leftover bacon jam simply place it in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to a week.

    To reheat it place in in a skillet and heat through over medium low heat. You may need to add a splash or two of water to reconstitute.

    How to Make the Perfect Burger

    There are a lot of burger recipes out there but this is how I like to make my burgers for the grill. Now unfortunately, I never measure when I make my burgers so it is just a dash of this and a sprinkle of that. This “recipe” will make 4 burgers:

    • 1-1.5 lb. ground beef
    • Couple dashes of Worcestershire
    • One egg yolk
    • Sprinkle in a little garlic powder, onion powder, dried basil, black pepper, and salt.
    • If you really want a juicy burger put a small pat of cold butter in the center of each burger and then form the patty around the butter.

    I like to grill these burgers for 5 minutes on the first side and 4-5 minutes on the second side. That makes a medium well burger.

    Additional Ways to Serve Bacon Jam

    • Make a great appetizer by spreading a little cream cheese on a cracker and then top with warm Bacon Jam.
    • Use as a condiment for pulled pork sandwiches or grilled chicken sandwiches.
    • Spread on a pizza crust and top with gouda, fresh mozzarella, brie, or your favorite melty cheese. Put it in the oven or place on the grill to warm thru and melt the cheese.
    • Fill mini phyllo cups with brie, bake in the oven until the cheese is melted. Top with warm Bacon Jam.
    • Top a room temp. block of cream cheese with warm Bacon Jam. Serve it with Ritz crackers for a great appetizer. Tip: Add a few sprinkles of cayenne pepper for a Spicy Bacon Jam & Cream Cheese appetizer.
    charcuterie board with veggies, crackers, grapes and cream cheese with warm bacon jam

    Bacon Jam Recipe

    two burgers on a piece of old wood

    Bacon Jam

    This easy bacon jam recipe is salty, sweet, and syrupy with a little kick of vinegar, mixed with bites of bacon and onions. It is the perfect burger topper! It is also great on cream cheese or brie for an appetizer.
    5 from 10 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes
    Total Time: 40 minutes
    Servings: 1 cup
    Author: Susie Weinrich

    Ingredients

    • 1 lb. bacon, grease reserved after cooking
    • 2 cups yellow onion, thinly sliced then roughly chopped (about 2 small onions)
    • 2 garlic cloves, minced
    • 3 tablespoons reserved bacon grease
    • ⅓ cup brown sugar
    • 2 tablespoons raisins
    • 1 tablespoon worcestershire
    • 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
    • ⅓ cup water
    • **Optional pinch cayenne pepper
    Prevent your screen from going dark while you are cooking!

    Instructions

    • Slice the bacon into 1 inch chunks and cook in a large skillet until crispy. Reserve the grease rendered from the bacon in a heat safe bowl- set aside. Drain the remaining grease from the bacon on a plate lined with a paper towel and set aside.
    • Slice your onions very thin and then give them a rough chop, so you do not have long strands of onion remaining. See photo for reference
      how to cut onions for bacon jam recipe
    • In the emptied skillet add the onions, 3 tablespoons reserved bacon grease, and garlic. Saute over low heat until the onions are very soft and translucent, about 15 minutes.
    • Meanwhile, rough chop the cooled bacon.
    • Add all the bacon and ⅓ cup brown sugar to the onions, stir to coat and cook for 2 minutes.
    • Add the 2 tablespoon raisins, 1 tablespoon worcestershire, 3 tablespoon vinegar and ⅓ cup water to the bacon mixture. Simmer over medium low heat for 5-8 minutes, until the sauce has thickened and looks syrupy.
    • Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the fridge for 5-7 days.

    Notes:

    To use after refrigeration, reheat the bacon jam on the stove over medium low heat until heated thru, about 5 minutes. You may need to add a teaspoon or two of water to loosen it up.
    If you are using this on burgers, you will have enough to top 5-6 burgers.
    ULTIMATE BURGER
    lettuce, slicing tomato seasoned with salt, pepper and garlic powder, grilled burger, pile on the bacon jam, top with boursin cheese! 
    OTHER BURGER OPTIONS
    The bacon jam is also amazing piled on top of a Grilled Pork Burger!
    Did you try this recipe? Connect with me & let me know how it turned out by commenting below!
    Jump to Comments

    If nutrition facts are provided they are calculated as an estimate to the best of our knowledge.

    Original Post 5-27-17. Updated on 4-25-18, Photos and copy updated 3/11/2020

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    About Susie Weinrich

    Susie Weinrich is the recipe developer, food photographer, and content creator behind Mom's Dinner. She has over 20 years experience in the food industry. Currently, Susie shares all her recipes and food knowledge on Mom's Dinner. You will find her recipes are easy to follow and full of tips and tricks to make sure the recipe you are making turns out perfect!

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Anna Lee

      May 13, 2021 at 4:54 pm

      I never made homemade bacon jam but this was delicious. I used Black Mission Fig Balsamic Vinegar and used dried cranberries soaked in some of the sauce.
      Thank you!

      Reply
    2. McCoy

      April 19, 2021 at 7:40 am

      5 stars
      Good good good

      Reply
    3. Jill

      July 12, 2020 at 7:15 pm

      5 stars
      Made this and it was sooooo good! I called a burger place I knew made bacon jam and they wanted $8 for 4 oz! My daughter didn’t think it would be as good but it was delicious!!! One of the best recipes I feel.

      Reply
      • Susie

        July 13, 2020 at 8:50 am

        WOW!!! Thank you for the high praise.

        Reply
    4. Paola

      July 17, 2019 at 2:17 pm

      5 stars
      Made this and it was aaaahmazing!!!!! Thank you so much for the recipe 🙂

      Reply
      • Susie

        July 29, 2019 at 3:55 pm

        Thank you for reporting back and rating the recipe ( I truly appreciate it!). I’m so glad you loved it.

        Reply
    5. Natalie

      April 26, 2018 at 2:03 am

      5 stars
      I’m not a huge fan of blue cheese, but these hamburgers sure does look amazing and delicious! I have to try this recipe and make it for my spouse who simply LOVE blue cheese and is hamburger’s fanatic 🙂

      Reply
      • Susie

        April 26, 2018 at 6:39 am

        My husband is not a fan of blue cheese either… he loves to eat the bacon jam on his hamburgers and just adds mayo to the bun. It is just as delicious! I hope you give it a try.

        Reply
    6. Marie

      April 26, 2018 at 1:07 am

      5 stars
      The bacon jam and burger looks amazing. I’ve tried bacon jam before (and really like it), but had no idea how to make it. Thank you for sharing your recipe! Pinning!

      Reply
    7. Jere Cassidy

      April 25, 2018 at 8:11 pm

      5 stars
      Bacon jam on a burger sound sinful. I would love this.

      Reply
      • Susie

        April 25, 2018 at 11:36 pm

        It is everything your dreams are made of! Pure Yum

        Reply
    8. Claudia Lamascolo

      April 25, 2018 at 5:03 pm

      I have never heard of bacon jam but boy did it get my attention along with this amazing juicy burger a must try soon!

      Reply
      • Susie

        April 25, 2018 at 5:13 pm

        It is more of a relish than “jam”… but it is 100% delish!!! Definitely give it a try.

        Reply
    9. Joan Rude

      June 03, 2017 at 4:30 am

      This burger is amazing! I would highly recommend that you give it a try. Salty and sweet is always one of my favorite combinations.

      Reply
      • Susie

        June 05, 2017 at 1:31 am

        Thanks!! I’m so glad you like it!

        Reply

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