Ingredients
1 pound bacon, cut into ½ inch pieces
3 tablespoons bacon grease (acquired from the cooked bacon)
1 1/2 cups onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
1 rosemary sprig
1/2 cup bourbon (whiskey)
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup water
pinch cayenne (or up to 1/4 teaspoon)
1/4 cup brown sugar
kosher salt
Instructions
In a large skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until the fat is rendered. Remove the bacon to a paper towel lined plate. Leave 3 tablespoons of bacon grease in the the skillet and lower the heat to medium-low.
Next, cook the onion, garlic and rosemary in the bacon grease for about 5 to 8 minutes, or until the onions are softened. Stir often to prevent the garlic from burning.
Add the bourbon, vinegar, water, cayenne and brown sugar to the onions and garlic. Turn the heat back up to medium and bring to a gentle boil.
Place the bacon back into the skillet and let simmer for about 35 to 40 minutes. Do not let all the liquid evaporate.
Pour the bacon mixture into a food processor and pulse 6 to 10 times, or until the jam is chunky but not smooth.
Remove to a bowl, stir and salt to taste.
Serve on top of crusty bread topped with parsley.
Key Points About Ingredients:
- Use thick-cut bacon for a meatier, chunkier jam with better texture after pulsing in the food processor.
- Bourbon adds deep caramel and oak notes — choose a mid-range bottle you'd enjoy sipping for best flavor.
- Balsamic vinegar balances the richness of the bacon and sweetness of brown sugar with a pleasant tang.
- Reserving exactly 3 tablespoons of bacon grease is key to building a deeply flavored base for the onions and garlic.
- A fresh rosemary sprig infuses the jam with herbal aroma — remove it before food-processing for clean flavor.
- Brown sugar promotes caramelization and gives the jam its glossy, sticky consistency as it simmers down.
- Cayenne provides a subtle background heat — adjust from a pinch to 1/4 teaspoon based on your heat preference.
Key Nutritional Insights:
- Bacon is a significant source of protein and B vitamins, particularly B1, B2, B3, and B12, supporting energy metabolism.
- Bourbon contributes minimal residual sugar after cooking as most alcohol burns off during the long simmer.
- Balsamic vinegar provides small amounts of antioxidants and acetic acid, which may support blood sugar balance.
- This jam is calorie-dense and high in saturated fat, so a small serving goes a long way as a condiment.
- Onions and garlic supply prebiotic fiber and compounds like quercetin and allicin with anti-inflammatory properties.
- Brown sugar contributes added sugars, so those monitoring sugar intake should enjoy this as an occasional treat.
- The sodium content is notable due to bacon and kosher salt — those on low-sodium diets should use this sparingly.
Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size1
- Amount per serving
- Calories320
- Standard DV% Daily Value*
- Total Fat24 g72 g33.33%
- Saturated Fat8 g20 g40%
- Trans Fat0 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat3 g
- Monounsaturated Fat11 g
- Cholesterol42 mg300 mg14%
- Sodium580 mg2300 mg25.22%
- Total Carbohydrate12 g275 g4.36%
- Dietary Fiber0.5 g28 g1.79%
- Total Sugars9 g
- Added Sugars7 g50 g14%
- Sugar Alcohal0 g
- Protein11 g50 g22%
- Vitamin D (Cholecalciferol)8 mcg20 mcg40%
- Calcium22 mg1300 mg1.69%
- Iron0.6 mg18 mg3.33%
- Potassium210 mg4700 mg4.47%
- Vitamin A45 mcg900 mcg5%
- Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)2 mg90 mg2.22%
- Vitamin E (Tocopherol)0.3 mg15 mg2%
- Vitamin K4 mcg120 mcg3.33%
- Vitamin B1 (Thiamin)0.3 mg1.2 mg25%
- Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)0.1 mg1.3 mg7.69%
- Vitamin B3 (Niacin)3.2 mg16 mg20%
- Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)0.2 mg1.7 mg11.76%
- Folate6 mcg400 mcg1.5%
- Vitamin B12 (Cobalamine)0.5 mcg2.4 mcg20.83%
- Biotin3 mcg30 mcg10%
- Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)0.5 mg5 mg10%
- Choline45 mg550 mg8.18%
- Phosphorus130 mg1250 mg10.4%
- Iodine4 mcg150 mcg2.67%
- Magnesium12 mg420 mg2.86%
- Zinc1.2 mg11 mg10.91%
- Selenium14 mcg55 mcg25.45%
- Copper0.05 mg0.9 mg5.56%
- Manganese0.1 mg2.3 mg4.35%
- Chromium2 mcg35 mcg5.71%
- Molybdenum5 mcg45 mcg11.11%
- Chloride380 mg2300 mg16.52%
