My Instant Pot Bacon Jam recipe is a favorite with all my family and friends. After-all, who doesn't love the flavor of bacon? This easy bacon onion jam is made in the Instant Pot pressure cooker, so it's ready to enjoy quickly or give as gifts in no time.
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I first made this easy bacon jam recipe for my annual Holiday Cooking Show. It was such a success that I've made it many times since, during the holidays, for parties and family gatherings. I've even given jars of it as Christmas gifts to family and friends.
So what is bacon jam?
Bacon onion jam is a sweet/savory condiment that's made with chopped bacon, onions, garlic, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar and I add just a touch of paprika.
Some people might also refer to it as bacon marmalade, but whatever you call it, it's absolutely delicious and the perfect accompaniment to so many dishes.
Instant Pot Bacon Jam is delicious served with cheese or on charcuterie boards. I like to use it anywhere you would serve a chutney or savory spread. I think it's the best bacon jam recipe, ever!
Shortcuts
- Instant Pot - Pressure cooking the bacon jam saves a lot of time and is quicker than cooking on the stove top.
- Double up - This recipe yields just over 2 cups of bacon jam, but can be easily doubled up for a larger gathering of family and friends.
- Bacon - I use a thick cut joint of bacon and chop it up myself, but you can buy ready cut bacon in most stores. Although it will likely be more expensive than cutting it up yourself.
- No coffee- Many recipes for bacon jam call for brewed coffee. Not having to brew coffee saves time and adding paprika adds a subtle rich flavor, instead.
Bacon Jam Ingredients
What you will need to make just over 2 cups of this simple Instant Pot Bacon Jam.
Scroll down to printable recipe for exact ingredient quantities.
- Bacon - Thick-cut bacon holds its shape better when you make bacon jam.
- Onions - I use 2 medium-size sweet onions, which is roughly 3 cups once chopped.
- Sugar - Dark brown sugar adds a great depth of molasses flavor to the jam. Light brown sugar will also work.
- Vinegar - Use apple cider vinegar as it has a great flavor. White wine vinegar is a great substitute.
- Spice - Paprika adds a subtle smoky flavor to the jam. I've used regular paprika but you could use a hot paprika if you like just a hint of heat.
- Garlic - Garlic paste is quick and convenient and you can find it in the produce section of your local store. If using fresh, I recommend 2 pressed garlic cloves.
How to make Instant Pot Bacon Jam
Scroll down to the bottom for the printable recipe with detailed instructions.
- Place the bacon on a cutting board with the full-length side up and cut the stack in half, right down the center (lengthwise) to form 2 long stacks.
- Turn each stack, edges side up. Cut into ¼ inch-wide pieces.
Pro Tip: Uncooked bacon cuts easier if it is very cold.
- Turn Instant Pot to the Sautee mode on Medium setting.
- Add the diced bacon and cook, uncovered to brown the bacon, stirring often.
- Peel and cut the onions in quarters, then thinly slice each quarter.
Pro Tip: Drain off all but 1 tablespoon of bacon drippings in the pot. Reserve those bacon drippings for other recipes!
- Add the onions and remaining ingredients to the cooked bacon.
- Cover with lid and select Pressure Cook button.
- Pressure cook according to directions in printable recipe below, then quick release the pressure valve to release any remaining steam.
- Remove lid and turn Instant Pot back to the Sautee mode, set to High, if there is a temperature option.
- Cook for 8 minutes to thicken jam, stirring occasionally.
- Remove the insert pot and set aside to cool.
Pro Tip: Be careful when removing lid from Instant Pot to avoid steam burns.
Substitutions & Variations
- Sugar - If you don’t have dark brown sugar, use granulated sugar and add 2 tablespoons molasses. You can also stir in 1 tablespoon molasses to light brown sugar. Dark brown sugar adds a rich, intense flavor without adding brewed coffee which is a common ingredient in some bacon jam recipes.
- Jalapeno Bacon Jam - Turn up the chili heat by adding some freshly chopped jalapeno peppers to the jam along with the onion. Alternatively, add ¼ teaspoon of ground cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes for a spicy version.
- Maple Bacon Jam- Simply stir in 3 tablespoons maple syrup. No need to reduce the amount of brown sugar.
Helpful Information
Nothing goes to waste in my kitchen, so I keep bacon drippings in a small Mason jar in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.
Bacon drippings are a flavorful Southern ingredient. Use in equal amounts in place of vegetable oil, olive oil, butter and shortening when cooking savory dishes like pan-seared chicken and sauteed zucchini.
No, this bacon jam recipe made in the Instant Pot is not made for canning or storing on the shelf. Store it in the refrigerator or in the freezer. Further information on storage is provided later in the post.
How to serve Bacon Jam
Serve warm or at room temperature on cream cheese and crackers, or on toasted baguette like I've done here. It would also taste great spread on my 2 Ingredient Biscuits with a slice of breakfast sausage.
Try it slathered on a grilled burger, like my Grilled Venison Burger. Or how about stirred into softened cream cheese or spooned on top of cream cheese for a great tasting dip.
We also love it spooned over baked brie cheese, or served on a charcuterie board. It works anywhere you would serve a chutney or savory spread.
Storage Tips
- To Store. Store in an airtight container or jar in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- To Reheat. Reheat in the microwave for 30 seconds to 1 minute before serving from the fridge, depending on size of container.
- To Freeze. Once cooked and cooled, store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.
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If you make this recipe I'd love to see it! Tag me on social media with #gritsandgouda or @gritsandgouda. Leave a comment below the printable recipe if you have questions or tell me how you liked the recipe. Don't forget to rate it 5 stars if you love it!
Want more sweet and savory jam recipes?
Instant Pot Bacon Jam
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 24 oz package thick-cut bacon
- 2 medium-size sweet onions (3 cups)
- 1 cup dark brown sugar (light will also work)
- ⅓ cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic paste (found in produce section - or 2 pressed garlic cloves)
Instructions
- Easy method to cut chop bacon: Place the whole stack of bacon on a cutting board with the full-length side up. With a large knife, cut the stack in half, right down the center (lengthwise) to form 2 long stacks.
- Turn each stack, edges side up. Cut into ¼ inch-wide pieces. Done. You have chopped bacon.
- Turn a 6-quart Instant Pot to the Sautee mode on Medium setting, if it gives you a temperature option. Add the diced bacon and cook, uncovered, 15 minutes, stirring often, or until the bacon is browned but still “flexible”.
- Meanwhile, peel and cut the onions in quarters, then thinly slice each quarter (about 3 cups). The slices will look like triangles before breaking the sections apart into slivers.
- Drain off all but 1 tablespoon of bacon drippings in the pot. Reserve those bacon drippings for other recipes!
- Add the slivered onions, brown sugar, vinegar, paprika and garlic paste (or cloves) to the cooked bacon.
- Cover with the lid and select the Pressure Cook button. Pressure cook for 10 minutes (it will take about 8 minutes to come up to pressure first).
- Natural Release for 10 minutes, then quick release the pressure valve to release any remaining steam.
- Carefully remove the lid. Turn the Instant Pot back to the Sautee mode. Increase the Sautee temperature setting to High, if there is a temperature option. Cook the bacon mixture an additional 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, to slightly thicken the bacon jam.
- Remove the insert pot from the heating element onto a trivet or hot pad and set aside to cool.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition analysis on GritsAndGouda.com recipes are mostly calculated on an online nutrition calculator. I am not a dietitian and nutritional information is an estimate and can vary based on products used.
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