Description
Cranberry bacon jam blends sweet and savory notes in a remarkable spread perfect for holiday gatherings. Hearty bacon, tart cranberries, and warm spices create a rich condiment that elevates sandwiches, cheese plates, and appetizers.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450 g) bacon, diced
- 1 cup (100 g) cranberries, fresh or frozen
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar
- ¼ cup (60 ml) maple syrup
- ¼ cup (60 ml) apple cider vinegar
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Bacon Preparation: Dice bacon into uniform small pieces to ensure consistent crispiness and even cooking throughout the jam.
- Rendering and Browning: Heat skillet over medium temperature, cook bacon until golden and crisp, allowing fat to release naturally. Transfer crisp bacon to paper towels, reserving two tablespoons of bacon fat in the skillet.
- Aromatics Development: Reduce skillet temperature, sauté finely chopped onions until translucent and soft. Quickly toast minced garlic for 30-45 seconds to build a robust flavor foundation.
- Ingredient Fusion: Add whole cranberries, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, smoked paprika, and cinnamon to the skillet. Stir thoroughly to distribute ingredients evenly, gently pressing cranberries to encourage bursting and natural thickening.
- Flavor Melding: Reintroduce crispy bacon pieces, folding into the mixture to integrate complex flavors and textures. Simmer and reduce heat, allowing ingredients to meld and intensify, creating a rich, glossy consistency.
- Finishing and Storage: Optional – briefly pulse jam using a food processor for smoother texture while maintaining rustic chunks. Remove from heat, cool slightly, and transfer to a clean storage container where the jam will continue to thicken and develop deeper flavor profiles.
Notes
- Choose Premium Bacon: Select thick-cut, high-quality bacon with good fat-to-meat ratio to ensure optimal flavor and crispy texture.
- Control Temperature Carefully: Maintain medium heat when rendering bacon and cooking jam to prevent burning and preserve delicate flavor nuances.
- Balance Sweet and Tangy: Adjust maple syrup and apple cider vinegar proportions to create perfect sweet-tart balance based on personal preference.
- Texture Customization: Use food processor sparingly if smoother consistency is desired, keeping some chunky elements for rustic appeal and interesting mouthfeel.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 17
- Calories: 159
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 24 mg