Sweet and savory tomato bacon jam is bursting with flavor! Made with ripe tomatoes and smoky bacon, this slowly simmered gourmet condiment is the perfect accompaniment for all sorts of recipes.
If you thought all jams need to be sweet and fruity like my blackberry jam, this tomato bacon jam recipe will make you feel otherwise!
With the natural sweetness from the tomatoes combined with the saltiness and savory flavors from the crispy bacon, it's a perfectly balanced flavor combination.
Use this savory spread on parmesan crackers, serve it over fried polenta, or include it with meat and cheese on a charcuterie board. The possibilities are endless on how to use this delicious homemade topping.
🍅 Ingredient notes
- Tomatoes - Ripe cherry tomatoes have the perfect flavor for bacon tomato jam. If your garden is overrun with fresh tomatoes, this is the perfect way to use them! Grape tomatoes or roma tomatoes will also work. They are not as sweet as cherry tomatoes and also have a more meaty texture with less water content. This will make a thicker jam consistency.
- Onion - A yellow onion or sweet onion is best for this savory jam. Other onions can be used but won't provide as much of a sweet flavor and will have more of a bite to them.
- Bacon - Thick-cut, regular or center cut bacon could all be used. Just keep in mind that with thick-cut bacon there will be less chunks of bacon distributed throughout the jam. Applewood or hickory smoked flavors would be excellent!
📋 Substitutions and variations
- Spicy - Add ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes when cooking the onions and bacon.
- Dry mustard - A teaspoon of ground mustard is a great compliment to savory dishes and adds additional flavor and tang. It can be added when the brown sugar is added.
- Smoked paprika - If you love even more of a smoky taste, amplify that flavor with up to 2 teaspoons of smoked paprika add with the other seasonings.
- Balsamic vinegar - Just a splash can add another depth of flavor at the end of cooking.
🔪 Step by step instructions
In a large skillet or medium pot, cook bacon and onions over medium heat until onions are soft and the bacon crispy and golden brown. This should take about 15 minutes.
To the cooked bacon and onions, add in the tomatoes, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, kosher salt and black pepper. There is no need to drain the bacon fat, as it will add additional flavor.
Turn the heat to low and simmer for 45 minutes occasionally stirring until the mixture is reduced and thickened. The tomatoes and bacon mixture should have a jam-like consistency.
Remove from the heat and then serve warm or room temperature. It can also be cooled and stored in the refrigerator for use later.
If you ever don't recognize a tool or skill that I mention, be sure to look it up in the Glossary of Cooking Terms and Definitions for more information.
⭐ Expert tips
- Make sure to cut the onions and bacon in similar sizes so that they cook evenly.
- As the mixture cooks down, mash the tomatoes with the back of a wooden spoon to help them soften and also combine with the other jam ingredients.
- Don't forget to stir the jam occasionally to prevent burning.
💭 Frequently Asked Questions
While you would think this jam is more savory than sweet, with both the caramelized tomatoes and brown sugar it is actually pretty sweet. The bacon and onions are what make it different, giving it a more complex taste with a little savory smokiness.
♨️ Alternative cooking methods
For an additional smokey element, this tomato and bacon jam can be made on a grill in a cast iron skillet or other grill safe pot.
🥡 Storage suggestions
This tomato bacon jam will keep for 5-7 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Warm up the jam over low heat on the stovetop, stirring occasionally until it has been warmed through.
🥣 More from scratch recipes
If you loved this tomato bacon jam recipe, then check out these other from scratch essentials that I know you will love too!
📖 Recipe
Tomato Bacon Jam
Ingredients
- 12 ounces bacon diced
- 1 medium yellow onion diced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 20 ounces cherry tomatoes
- 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet or medium pot over medium heat on the stovetop and add bacon and onions.
- Cook while stirring frequently until the onions are softened and bacon starts to become crispy and golden brown, approximately 15 minutes.
- Add in remaining ingredients and stir to combine. Lower the heat and allow the mixture to simmer for about 45 minutes until reduced and thickened. While the mixture is cooking, stir it occasionally and mash the tomatoes down as they softened to help them combine with the other ingredients.
- The tomato bacon jam can be served warm or room temperature or it can be cooled and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for use later.
Notes
Substitutions and Variations
-
- Tomatoes - Grape tomatoes or roma tomatoes will also work. They are not as sweet as cherry tomatoes and also have a more meaty texture with less water content. This will make a thicker jam consistency.
-
- Onion - A yellow onion or sweet onion is best for this savory jam. Other onions can be used but won't provide as much of a sweet flavor and will have more of a bite.
-
- Bacon - Thick-cut, regular or center cut bacon could all be used. Just keep in mind that with thick-cut bacon there will be less chunks of bacon distributed throughout the jam. Applewood or hickory smoked flavors would be excellent!
- Spicy - Add ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes when cooking the onions and bacon.
-
- Dry mustard - A teaspoon of ground mustard is a great compliment to savory dishes and adds additional flavor and tang. It can be added when the brown sugar is added.
-
- Smoked paprika - If you love even more of a smoky taste, amplify that flavor with up to 2 teaspoons of smoked paprika add with the other seasonings.
-
- Balsamic vinegar - Just a splash can add another depth of flavor at the end of cooking.
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