A Toasted Crumb

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Lifestyle
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe

subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Lifestyle
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe

×
Home » Recipe Index

How to Make Blackberry Bourbon Bacon Jam

Published: Nov 11, 2024 Modified: Feb 20, 2025 ·by Amber Bogardus / This post may contain affiliate links.

JUMP TO RECIPE

Looking to take your brunch or barbecue spread up a notch? This Blackberry Bourbon Bacon Jam combines sweet, smoky, and tangy flavors into one irresistible condiment! Made with fresh blackberries, rich bourbon, and savory bacon, this jam is perfect for slathering on burgers, spreading over cheese boards, or even adding to your favorite sandwiches. The natural sweetness of the blackberries, paired with the bold taste of bourbon, gives this jam a flavor that stands out. It's a unique twist that brings a gourmet touch to everyday meals and special gatherings alike.

One of my favorite things about food blogging is recipe development and flavor building. I love to have a flavor profile in mind and figure out creative ways to layer flavors, add some complexity, or design a recipe with plans to pair it with something else.

We planned to make Lamb and Wagyu burgers for an easy burger dinner Saturday night, so I was thinking about what sort of condiments to add to the burger. We hadn't made bacon jam in a while and I was in the mood for something sweet on top of the lamb. And it was Saturday, so why not bourbon?

And Blackberry Bourbon Bacon Jam was born, and thank goodness.

What ingredients are needed to prepare Blackberry Bourbon Bacon Jam?

Refer to recipe card for precise measurements.

  • pepper bacon
  • a small onion
  • garlic paste
  • good bourbon - I used Angel's Envy!
  • fresh blackberries
  • balsamic vinegar
  • vanilla extract
  • light brown sugar

What equipment is necessary for preparing Blackberry Bourbon Bacon Jam?

  • I recommend a dutch oven, a large cast iron pan or a heavy bottomed pan for this recipe
  • It's also helpful to have a food processor. If you don't have a food processor, a blender will also work.
  • Jars with airtight lids for storage

How to Prepare Blackberry Bourbon Bacon Jam:

Refer to the recipe card for precise measurements.

Chop the pepper bacon into bite sized pieces and fry over medium-high heat until crisp. Remove to a paper towel lined plate to drain. Use another paper towel to wipe up most of the remaining bacon grease from the bottom of the pan. Leave a tablespoon or two.

Add the diced onion into the remaining bacon fat and caramelize slightly, cooking for about 10-20 minutes over medium heat. (Don't worry about the burned bits in the bottom of the pan, we'll deglaze them next.)

Pour the bourbon into the pan along with the caramelized onions, deglazing and scraping the browned bits and remaining pepper in the pan. Cook for 2 - 3 minutes, until the harsh bourbon smell burns off. Add a splash of water to the pan if necessary to help create more of a thin sauce. (You may not need the water.)

Add in the garlic paste, stir to cook for 1 - 2 minutes, until aromatic.

Add in the blackberries, balsamic vinegar, vanilla extract, brown sugar and crispy bacon back to the pot. Bring to a light boil.

Turn the heat to low-medium and let simmer for 10 - 20 minutes until the blackberries have broken down and the sauce is sticky.

Remove the bacon jam from the dutch oven and place it into a food processor or a blender. Pulse or blend until the berries are completely broken down and the bacon jam has a slight jelly like texture.

Spread onto a burger, serve with charcuterie, or spread over toast! We enjoyed ours on some wagyu and lamb burgers with melted brie! It was to die for!

Can I use frozen blackberries? What about blackberry jam?

  • Frozen Blackberries - Absolutely! You could thaw them or just throw them in frozen. If frozen just increase your simmering time, and you likely won't need the dash or water to rehydrate the onions.
  • Blackberry Jam - You could use this in a pinch, but I haven't tried it this way. I'd imagine you'd need to omit the brown sugar, as there is already a hefty amount of sugar in jam. (I often opt to cook down fresh berries and add my own sugar rather than buying store made jam. This way you can control the sweetness level yourself.)

Storage:

Store bacon jam in an airtight container for up to 4 weeks.

To store for longer term, place bacon jam into a jar with about and inch of head space and freeze for up to 6 months. Thaw and enjoy within 2 weeks.

If you liked this recipe, you may also like:

  • Bruschetta in Jar Hostess Gifts
  • Sweet and Spicy Crockpot Meatballs
  • Charcuterie By Numbers - An OG ATC recipe about putting together a MASSIVE charcuterie board!

I hope you loved this Blackberry Bourbon Bacon Jam recipe! If you try it, be sure to leave a comment or tag me @atoastedcrumb on all socials! I’d love to see your work!

Blackberry Bourbon Bacon Jam

Sweet, smoky, and a little boozy—this Blackberry Bourbon Bacon Jam is the ultimate spread! Perfect for topping burgers, cheese boards, or your favorite sandwich, it’s a flavorful blend of blackberries, bourbon, and crispy bacon that’s sure to impress.
No ratings yet
Print Recipe SaveSaved! Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 50 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr
Course Appetizers, condiments, Sides
Cuisine American
Servings 16 servings
Calories 300 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb pepper bacon, diced
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 1 tablespoon garlic paste
  • ¼ cup good bourbon - I used Angel's Envy!
  • 1 pint fresh blackberries
  • ⅓ cup balsamic vinegar
  • 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup light brown sugar

Instructions
 

  • Chop the pepper bacon into bite sized pieces and fry until crisp. Remove to a paper towel lined plate to drain. Use another paper towel to wipe up most of the remaining bacon grease from the bottom of the pan. Leave a tablespoon or two.
  • Add the diced onion into the remaining bacon fat and caramelize slightly, cooking for about 10-20 minutes over medium heat. (Don't worry about the burned bits in the bottom of the pan, we'll deglaze them next.)
  • Pour the bourbon into the pan along with the caramelized onions, deglazing and scraping the browned bits and remaining pepper in the pan. Cook for 2 - 3 minutes, until the harsh bourbon smell burns off. Add a splash of water to the pan if necessary to help create more of a thin sauce. (You may not need the water.)
  • Add in the garlic paste, stir to cook for 1 - 2 minutes, until aromatic.
  • Add in the blackberries, balsamic vinegar, vanilla extract, brown sugar and crispy bacon back to the pot. Bring to a light boil.
  • Turn the heat to low-medium and let simmer for 10 - 20 minutes until the blackberries have broken down and the sauce is sticky.
  • Remove the bacon jam from the dutch oven and place it into a food processor or a blender. Pulse or blend until the berries are completely broken down and the bacon jam has a slight jelly texture.
  • Spread onto a burger, serve with charcuterie, or spread over toast! We enjoyed ours on some wagyu and lamb burgers with melted brie! It was to die for!

Nutrition

Calories: 300kcal
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was in the comments!
Share the love!Mention @atoastedcrumb or tag #atoastedcrumb!

More Recipe Index

  • Five clear cups filled with chocolate mousse, topped with whipped cream and a raspberry, each with a gold spoon, arranged on a white surface.
    5 Ingredient Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Pudding
  • Two glasses of iced watermelon punch garnished with lime slices and mint leaves sit on a wooden board, with a punch bowl and watermelon slices nearby.
    Watermelon Agua Fresca
  • Classic cucumber sandwiches with herb cream cheese are arranged on a wooden board, surrounded by fresh cucumber slices and sprigs of dill and chives.
    Cucumber Sandwich with Herby Spread
  • A skillet filled with a colorful corn succotash—a mix of corn, cherry tomatoes, lima beans, and crispy bacon pieces—makes the perfect summer succotash side dish, with a wooden spoon resting inside.
    Summer Succotash

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

Recipe Rating




A woman in a green top smiles while holding a small cucumber. She stands behind a wooden table with a cutting board, sliced cucumbers, and a bowl of vegetables. The background is a plain, light-colored wall.

Welcome!

Hi! I'm Amber! I'm a Dallas, TX based food blogger specializing in family recipes, entertaining tips, and fresh eats!

A Toasted Crumb is a place for foodies to connect, hone in on their cooking skills, and learn more about the flavors they love!

Have fun!

More about Amber

Popular

  • Grilled cedar plank salmon fillets served with asparagus spears and yellow squash slices, all seasoned and roasted to perfection on a metal baking tray.
    Cedar Plank Bang Bang Salmon
  • A turkey apple cheddar sandwich with lettuce and tomato on rustic bread sits on a wooden board with chips and a pickle spear, alongside a glass of iced tea in the background.
    Turkey Apple Cheddar Sandwich (Panera Copycat!)
  • A bowl of tomatillo salsa verde sits on a plate surrounded by crispy tortilla chips. The salsa appears fresh with visible chopped herbs. A sprig of cilantro is placed near the chips, complementing the dishs presentation.
    Easy Roasted Tomatillo Salsa Verde Recipe
  • A dozen deviled egg appetizers are creatively garnished with toppings like bacon, smoked salmon, herbs, and vegetables. Arranged on a white marble surface, each egg presents a unique and colorful burst of deviled egg flavors.
    Deviled Eggs a Dozen Ways

Seasonal

  • 8 Water Flavor Ideas that Aren't Boring
  • A bowl of Erewhon kale white bean salad, adorned with avocado cubes, grated cheese, and a lemon wedge on the side, sits elegantly on a marble surface.
    White Bean Kale Salad with Toasted Parmesan Breadcrumbs
  • Lamb Burger Greek Meal Prep Bowls
  • Air Fryer Shrimp and Bell Pepper Lettuce Wraps

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Terms & Conditions

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates
Stylized text logo reads a toasted crumb with a toasted in black and crumb in dark pink cursive.

Contact

  • Contact

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2024 A Toasted Crumb

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required