Description
Cranberry bacon jam blends sweet and savory flavors in a mouthwatering spread that elevates any dish from ordinary to extraordinary. Homemade comfort merges perfectly with gourmet sensibilities, delivering a rich condiment you’ll want to slather on everything from toast to grilled meats.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 lb (450 g) bacon, diced
Fruits and Aromatics:
- 1 cup (100 g) fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Sweeteners and Seasonings:
- ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar
- ¼ cup (60 ml) maple syrup
- ¼ cup (60 ml) apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Select high-quality bacon and dice into small, uniform pieces to ensure even cooking and crispy texture.
- Heat a large skillet over medium temperature and render the bacon until golden brown and perfectly crisp, allowing the fat to release naturally.
- Transfer the cooked bacon onto paper towels, preserving approximately two tablespoons of rendered bacon fat within the skillet for subsequent flavor development.
- Lower the skillet’s temperature and introduce finely chopped onions, sautéing until they become translucent and soft, releasing their natural sweetness.
- Incorporate minced garlic and quickly toast for approximately 30-45 seconds, creating an aromatic base that will enhance the overall jam’s complexity.
- Carefully add whole cranberries, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, smoked paprika, and cinnamon to the skillet, stirring to distribute ingredients evenly.
- Allow the mixture to simmer, gently pressing the cranberries to encourage bursting and natural thickening, which will create a rich, glossy consistency.
- Reintroduce the crispy bacon pieces into the developing jam, folding thoroughly to integrate all flavors and textures.
- Reduce heat and continue cooking, allowing the ingredients to meld and intensify, creating a complex, balanced condiment.
- Optional: For a smoother texture, briefly pulse the jam using a food processor or immersion blender, maintaining some rustic chunks for visual and textural interest.
- Remove from heat and let the jam cool slightly before transferring to a clean storage container, where it will continue to thicken and develop flavor.
Notes
- Swap out bacon for smoky tempeh or coconut bacon to make this dish completely vegetarian-friendly and packed with delicious umami flavor.
- Reduce sugar content by using monk fruit sweetener or stevia for a lower-glycemic option that still maintains the jam’s rich sweetness.
- Enhance storage life by processing the jam in sterilized jars, which can extend refrigerator preservation to 2-3 weeks when sealed properly.
- Experiment with heat levels by adding a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne for those craving a spicier cranberry bacon jam experience.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 16
- Calories: 144
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg