Appetizers and Snacks/ Gluten Free/ Pork/ Sauces/Condiments/ Vegetables

Tomato Bacon Jam

Tomato Bacon Jam ~ Tangy, sweet, and oh so bacon-y, a jam unlike any jam you’ve ever had. Great with cheese, crackers, or basically eating right out of the jar.  Tomato Bacon Jam ~ Tangy, sweet, and oh so bacon-y, a jam unlike any jam you've ever had. Great with cheese, crackers, or basically eating right out of the jar ~ The Complete Savorist Ten years ago or so I was in Portland for business when I found myself with some downtime. I popped into a restaurant during happy hour. All the appetizers were $1 during the two-hour time frame. Now I know the purpose of happy hour is lure people in for cheap food so they buy more booze. It’s a concept I accept and embrace. But back then, I didn’t drink alcohol, so the lure for me was awesome food for cheap.

One of the appetizers I had there was flatbread with chicken and this odd item called ‘tomato bacon jam’.  Tomato bacon jam was a curious thing to me. I hated raw tomatoes, but loved them cooked. And who doesn’t love bacon (shhh, vegetarians and vegans.)?

That stuff was amazing. But after I ate it and came home, I promptly forgot about its existence. Until a few years ago. It was made on a cooking show and I filed it in the back of my mind. For about the last 3 months, I’ve been looking for a reason to make it. In a couple of days you’ll see how I used it, but to be honest, it is so good that it can be eaten in a variety of ways. I served it with cheese and crackers, but later this week it’s going on a hot dog next. That I am most looking forward to. Tomato Bacon Jam ~ Tangy, sweet, and oh so bacon-y, a jam unlike any jam you've ever had. Great with cheese, crackers, or basically eating right out of the jar ~ The Complete SavoristWhen I processed it, I just did a rough blend, so there are still some chunks of bacon, onion, and tomato in the jam. It tastes great cold from the fridge or served warm. This made about a quart. This is a recipe that can easily be played with. If you like things spicy, add some chipotle or cayenne pepper. If you like really sweet items, add a bit more brown sugar.

To work out how best to make this I turned to my fellow foodie, master jam maker, and more importantly, friend Liz Butcher of Butcher’s Bunches. She talked me through my ideas as I have zero jam making experience, so she gets a nod towards this recipe.

Tomato Bacon Jam ~ Tangy, sweet, and oh so bacon-y, a jam unlike any jam you've ever had. Great with cheese, crackers, or basically eating right out of the jar ~ The Complete Savorist

Tomato Bacon Jam

Author: Michelle De La Cerda
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Ingredients

  • 1 lb thick-cut bacon
  • 2-28 oz cans diced tomatoes
  • 2 sweet onions; chopped
  • 1 cup dark brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 3 large garlic cloves , chopped

Instructions

  1. In a heavy bottom pot, like a dutch oven, cook the bacon.
  2. Once the bacon is cooked, remove it and set it aside; reserve the drippings in the pot.
  3. Cook onions in the bacon fat (if there wasn't at least 2 tablespoons of renderings, add oil or butter) for about 15 minutes over medium. They will begin to soften and brown.
  4. While the onions are cooking, chop the bacon.
  5. Once the onions are nearing cooked, add the garlic and bacon, mix well.
  6. Add the tomatoes stirring them into the onions and bacon.
  7. Add the cider vinegar, brown sugar, salt, paprika, and pepper, mix well.
  8. Bring to a boil over medium high heat then lower to medium and maintain a simmer for at least 30 minutes.
  9. Allow it to cook down and reduce. Cook for another hour over medium low heat, most of the liquid should evaporate, if not, cook longer until it has evaporated.
  10. Once cooked down, use an immersion blender or add to a blender or food processor. Blend until it reaches the desired consistency.
  11. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.

Tomato Bacon Jam ~ Tangy, sweet, and oh so bacon-y, a jam unlike any jam you've ever had. Great with cheese, crackers, or basically eating right out of the jar ~ The Complete SavoristTomato Bacon Jam ~ Tangy, sweet, and oh so bacon-y, a jam unlike any jam you've ever had. Great with cheese, crackers, or basically eating right out of the jar ~ The Complete SavoristTomato Bacon Jam ~ Tangy, sweet, and oh so bacon-y, a jam unlike any jam you've ever had. Great with cheese, crackers, or basically eating right out of the jar ~ The Complete Savorist

Thank you for sharing!

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51 Comments

  • Reply
    Kristen @ A Mind Full Mom
    January 11, 2016 at 6:17 am

    This needs to be a staple! This can be put on anything to make it incredible!!

  • Reply
    Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious
    January 11, 2016 at 6:18 am

    If someone wants to give me a jar of this jam, I will be their BFF until the Earth ends.

  • Reply
    Ali @ Home & Plate
    January 11, 2016 at 6:27 am

    Yummy! This is the perfect appetizer. And how can it get any better…it’s got bacon in it. Love that it is easy recipe to follow too.

  • Reply
    Caroline
    January 11, 2016 at 6:56 am

    I love bacon jam and can imagine tomatoes in there as well must be delicious. Looks such a great color as well!

  • Reply
    Margaret
    January 11, 2016 at 7:22 am

    Sounds different and yummy all at the same time. I need to find an excuse to make this or all eat it all myself.

  • Reply
    Stephanie
    January 11, 2016 at 7:46 am

    This sounds so delicious! I have a feeling I would spread it on all the things 😉

  • Reply
    Amy Stafford
    January 11, 2016 at 9:14 am

    Never had Tomato bacon jam, but bacon, so “heck yes, I want to try it”.

  • Reply
    Florian@ ContentednessCooking
    January 11, 2016 at 9:29 am

    Interesting combo! I would replace the bacon with smokey tofu, to make it vegan! 🙂

  • Reply
    Dini @ The Flavor Bender
    January 11, 2016 at 9:55 am

    Love this!! You had me at Bacon 😀 I love that you can have it with anything! I’m sure it won’t last that long in my home…

  • Reply
    LydiaF
    January 11, 2016 at 12:06 pm

    I’d totally eat that on a sandwich…and I’d probably try it with peanut butter…at least once 🙂

  • Reply
    Denise Wright
    January 11, 2016 at 12:20 pm

    I made something like this in the summer when we had a ton of tomatoes…I never thought about making it with canned tomatoes. This looks awesome and I would love to eat some right now. Great idea!

    • Reply
      Michelle De La Cerda
      January 26, 2016 at 12:53 pm

      Thank you Denise! I always have canned since our “fresh” season is so short around here.

  • Reply
    Analida's Ethnic Spoon
    January 11, 2016 at 12:48 pm

    I need to make this for my next party! Pinned for later!

  • Reply
    KC the Kitchen Chopper
    January 11, 2016 at 1:03 pm

    Wow, I can think of so many uses for this yummy jam. Canned tomatoes makes it easy.

  • Reply
    Jade @ Jonesin' For Taste
    January 11, 2016 at 5:39 pm

    I’ve never had anything like this before but I am really intrigued! I’ll have to try it out!

  • Reply
    Joy @ Joy Love Food
    January 11, 2016 at 6:00 pm

    Oh, yum! I’m already dreaming of all the delicious ways I’d like to use this jam, I wish there was a quart sitting in my fridge right now, I will have to try this soon!

  • Reply
    Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet
    January 11, 2016 at 11:02 pm

    Oh my gosh, yes pleeeeease!! I’ve been wanting to make bacon jam forever and for whatever reason just haven’t gotten around to it. I’ve got to pull out the ingredients this weekend and make it!

  • Reply
    Cami @ The Crafting Nook
    January 12, 2016 at 6:03 am

    This looks absolutely amazing. I don’t think I have ever tried Tomato jam, but I would definitely try…. A baguette toasted or those crackers must be really good with that jam. Bacon?, yes please!

    Hugs

    • Reply
      Michelle De La Cerda
      January 26, 2016 at 12:51 pm

      Baguette, crackers, on cheese, off your fingers, it’s great anyway.

  • Reply
    Nutmeg Nanny
    January 12, 2016 at 7:36 am

    GAh! Tomato bacon jam! Sign me up!

  • Reply
    Stephanie
    January 12, 2016 at 8:22 am

    This looks divine! I have a few jars of home canned tomatoes that would go to great use in this jam. Now for a trip to the cheese shop so I have something delicious to go with it!

  • Reply
    Dee Dee (My Midlife Kitchen)
    January 12, 2016 at 8:42 am

    So wait a minute. I love tomato jam. I love bacon jam. So now you’re telling me I can make a recipe that uses both??? Score! :o)

  • Reply
    Kaitie
    January 12, 2016 at 8:47 am

    This is an absolutely amazing dish to make. One batch and you could really use it in a variety of ways. This would be perfect over chick, or spread across a wheel of brie. There is nothing better then making one thing and getting multiple purposes of it.

  • Reply
    BBQ Chicken Pita Bites - The Complete Savorist
    January 12, 2016 at 10:25 am

    […] I came up with was even easier than nachos. I was finally going to make tomato bacon jam like I have wanted to for the last TEN years, use the Farm Rich Boneless BBQ Chicken Bites, some […]

  • Reply
    Emily
    January 12, 2016 at 12:25 pm

    Yes please! This jam looks amazing and would solve the problem of what to make for an appetizer when having guests over for dinner- everyone likes bacon, right?! Yum!

  • Reply
    Cookin Canuck
    January 13, 2016 at 9:12 am

    I could eat a whole jar of tomato bacon jam – it is magical stuff! Now I have an urge to make some this afternoon. 🙂

  • Reply
    Katrina Laube
    August 8, 2016 at 8:04 am

    Have you ever tried freezing the jam? I want to make a big batch to enjoy over the winter.

    • Reply
      Michelle De La Cerda
      August 9, 2016 at 10:12 am

      I have not tried freezing it, only because it rarely lasts that long. My assumption is that everything is cooked, and if cooled and stored properly before freezing, it should work.

  • Reply
    Jill
    August 27, 2016 at 7:51 am

    This looks yummy! Can it be canned in water bath ? I would like to give as gifts!

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