Bacon Onion Jam Recipe For Burgers

This is the best (and only) Bacon Onion Jam Recipe you’ll ever need. I promise.

I’ll go as far as to say it’s a condiment that from this point out you’ll be unable to live without. There, I said it. It’s the only burger topping you’ll need for the rest of your life.

Ok, maybe that’s a little much. Because you always need pickles right? So this bacon jam recipe and pickles. that’s it. And maybe tomatoes.

My point is that onion bacon jam is going to up your burger or cheeseburger game exponentially. There are also a ton of additional uses for this condiment. From incorporating it into an appetizer to using it as a base for salad dressing. But we’ll get more into that below.

But first, let’s chat about why this savory jam recipe works so well. It starts with the sweet caramelized onions, salty bacon, and tangy apple cider vinegar are perfectly balanced and slow-cooked to perfection.

Take your burger from good to gourmet by adding a spoonful of this jam. Your tastebuds will thank you. Let’s get cooking!

Let’s Make Bacon Onion Jam

One of my favorite meals ever is easily a good juicy hamburger. Recently, I knew when I planning a recent family and friends cookout what the basic menu would be.

But I wanted to add a little something extra and flavorful to top our burgers. Enter Bacon Onion Jam! The key to this recipe is the slow caramelization of the Vidalia onions, coupled with the salty and sweet additions of the brown sugar and balsamic vinegar.

I swear, this will forever be a staple in our house from this point forward.

Recommended Kitchen Tools

Cast Iron Skillet | Mandolin Slicer | Silicone Tongs | Measuring Cups | Mason Jars

Jam Ingredients

With just four ingredients, this is a must make for your next summer picnic or barbecue. Regardless of what you are grilling, this bacon onion jam is the perfect accompaniment for burgers and even chicken. The good news is that you probably already have these staple ingredients in your pantry.

ingredients

• 1 pound thick-cut bacon diced into small pieces
• 2 large Vidalia onions – sliced thin
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
• Kosher salt and black pepper to taste

Directions

Prep time: 5 minutes

Total time: About 1 hour

• Cook bacon pieces in a large cast-iron skillet. Drain the drippings and bacon fat, leaving 2 – 4 tablespoons in the pan.
• In the same pan, add the sliced onions. Toss to coat with bacon grease. Over low heat to medium heat, cook the sweet onions until they are a deep brown color and caramelized, stirring frequently. This will take about 45 minutes to an hour. Don’t rush it! The longer they cook the more flavor they will add.
• Add the brown sugar and balsamic vinegar to the pan. Don’t forget to scrape the bottom to get up all the good cooking bits. This adds flavor! lots of it!
• Continue to stir until the liquid reduces by about half. This will take about 5 minutes.
• Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Spoon the delicious Bacon Onion Jam into a mason jar and let it chill in the fridge until you are ready to add it to your perfect burger.
• Will keep for a week or two in the fridge in an airtight container. (If it lasts that long!)

Makes 24 servings

RELATED CONTENT: DIY Barbecue Basics 

Notes:

If you don’t have brown sugar, you can substitute maple syrup.

If you’re looking for some herbaceous bacon onion jam, try adding a pinch of fresh thyme!

Don’t have Vidalia onions? That’s ok! There are some great alternative onions to use on burgers.

Print Recipe

5 from 1 vote

Bacon Onion Jam Recipe For Burgers

Just four ingredients and so delicious!

Prep Time2 mins

Cook Time1 hr

Total Time1 hr 2 mins

Course: Condiment

Cuisine: American

Keyword: bacon, bacon onion jam, jam

Servings: 20 servings

Calories: 115kcal

Author: Daily DIY Life

Ingredients

• 1 pound bacon – cut into small pieces
• 2 large vidalia onions – sliced thin
• 1/4 Cup light brown sugar
• 1/2 Cup balsamic vinegar
• Salt & Pepper to taste

Instructions

• Cook bacon pieces in a large cast iron skillet. Drain the grease, leaving 2 – 4 tablespoons in the pan.
• In the same pan, add the sliced onions. Toss to coat with bacon grease. Over medium-low heat, cook the onions until they are a deep brown color and caramelized, stirring frequently. This will take about 45 minutes to an hour. Don’t rush it! The longer they cook the more flavor it will add.
• Add the brown sugar and balsamic vinegar to the pan. Don’t forget to scrape the bottom to get up all the good cooking bits. This adds flavor! lots of it!
• Continue to stir until the liquid reduces by about half. This will take about 5 minutes.
• Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Spoon the delicious Bacon Onion Jam into a mason jar and let it chill in the fridge until you are ready to add it to your perfect burger.
• Will keep for a week or two sealed in the fridge. (If it lasts that long!)

Nutrition

Calories: 115kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 153mg | Potassium: 72mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 9IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 1mg

What goes with bacon onion jam?

Am I allowed to just say everything? Wink 😉 No, but seriously. As long as you like bacon, you’re going to want to slather your delicious onion bacon jam on pretty much everything. But below are a few ways I’ve used it that don’t include a burger.

• Put a dollop on a cracker with a slice of cheese and use it as a quick and easy appetizer.
• Forget ketchup, a slather of bacon onion jam on scrambled eggs is next-level breakfast food.
• Probably my all-time favorite is to make deviled eggs and then put the tiniest amount of this jam on top. If you can fit a sprig of herb on top, all the better!

Additional Burger Toppings

Looking for additional summertime BBQ ideas? Below are a few of my favorite burger toppings.

• Add some brie to your burger
• Add a scoop of crispy crunchy Copycat KFC Coleslaw
• Go Hawaiian with Teriyaki Turkey Burgers with Grilled Pineapple

Burger Side Dishes

Crispy Green Bean Fries with Spicy Dipping Sauce

Crispy Tobacco Onions

Bib Salad with Pickled Onion, Fennel, and Plum

Grilled Watermelon

BBQ and Cookout Desserts

The thing about cookouts is that the burgers and hotdogs get all the fame. But what about dessert? I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been at a BBQ and craving something sweet at the end. You’re already eating a cheeseburger with bacon jam, why not treat yourself to dessert as well?

Below are a few of my favorite and refreshing desserts to make in the summer:

Because nothing is more refreshing in the summer than a Frozen Orange Dreamsicle Dessert

Because no one wants to bake in the summer, make No-Bake Eclair Cake

Because between Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day, the summer calls for Patriotic Dipped Strawberries

And finally, try my Better-For-You Mouthwatering Banana Split Ice Cream Cake

Can you eat Bacon Onion Jam on a Keto Diet?

This recipe can be adapted to fit a ketogenic diet by replacing the regular brown sugar with Brown Sugar Substitute. I would also suggest using regular yellow onions as there are fewer carbs than the sweet Vidalia onions. As always calculate your macros individually based on your personal needs.

You must be a burger lover if you are on this page. What are some of your favorite burger toppings? Tell me in the comments below, the wackier the better! Can’t wait to hear all of the answers. 

Curious about the Keto Diet? You may be interested in the answers to The 10 Most Asked Questions About The Keto Diet.

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