Fig Bacon Jam
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Fig Bacon Jam is the kind of sweet and savory spread that instantly makes any dish feel a little fancier. It’s smoky, rich, and packed with caramelized onions, crispy bacon, and sweet figs, all simmered down into a thick, jammy consistency. I love making a batch to keep in the fridge because it goes with everything. You can spread it on toast, layer it in sandwiches, or spoon it over baked brie for the ultimate appetizer. It comes together in under an hour with simple ingredients, but the flavor tastes like it took way more effort. Whether you’re using it to elevate a cheese board or adding a spoonful to burgers, this jam is guaranteed to be your new favorite condiment. Once you try it, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it!
Why You’ll Love Fig Bacon Jam
- Sweet and Savory Perfection: The rich, smoky bacon and caramelized onions balance perfectly with the natural sweetness of figs and brown sugar.
- Elevates Any Dish: Spread it on toast, burgers, sandwiches, or even cheese boards—it makes everything taste a little more gourmet.
- Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor: You don’t need anything fancy to make this, but the end result tastes like something from a high-end restaurant.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: It stores well in the fridge, so you can have a flavorful, ready-to-go topping anytime.
- Unexpected but Delicious: It’s not your typical jam, but once you try it, you’ll find yourself adding it to everything!
Ingredients Needed To Make Fig Bacon Jam
Make sure you scroll down to the recipe card to see the full list of ingredients needed for this recipe.
- Bacon, thinly sliced
- Onion, diced
- Salt
- Honey
- Brown sugar
- Apple cider vinegar
- Dried figs
- Water
How To Make Fig Bacon Jam
- Prepare the Figs: Cook the figs in water until they soften, then blend them into a paste.
- Cook the Bacon and Onions: In a pot, cook the bacon and onions until the onions are caramelized and the bacon is crispy.
- Drain Excess Fat: Remove the mixture from the pot, drain the extra fat, then return it to the pot.
- Combine Everything: Stir in the fig paste, salt, honey, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar.
- Simmer Until Thick: Let it cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens and becomes jam-like.
- Cool and Store: Let it cool slightly before transferring to a container for storage or serving.
Commonly Asked Questions
How should I store fig bacon jam?
Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. The flavors actually get better over time, so it’s great for making ahead!
Can I freeze it?
Yes! Let the jam cool completely, then store it in a freezer-safe container. It will keep for up to three months. Just thaw it in the fridge before using.
How do I reheat it?
If the jam thickens too much in the fridge, warm it up in a small pot over low heat, stirring occasionally. You can also microwave it in short intervals, stirring in between.
What can I serve this with?
It’s amazing on toast, sandwiches, burgers, and cheese boards. Try it spooned over baked brie or mixed into a vinaigrette for a unique salad dressing!
Can I use fresh figs instead of dried?
Yes, but fresh figs have more moisture, so you may need to reduce the water and cook the jam a little longer to get the right consistency.
Is this jam very sweet?
It has a perfect balance of sweet and savory. The figs and brown sugar add natural sweetness, but the smoky bacon and tangy vinegar keep it from being too sugary.
Can I make this without a food processor?
Yes! If you don’t have a food processor, finely chop the figs before cooking them down, then mash everything together with a fork or potato masher.
Does it need to be refrigerated?
Yes, since this jam contains bacon, it must be kept in the fridge to stay fresh.
Fig Bacon Jam
Equipment
- Small stockpot
- Knife and cutting board
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Heat-resistant spoon or spatula
- Storage container
Ingredients
- 1 lb bacon thinly sliced
- 1 large onion diced
- Pinch of salt
- 2 tbsp honey
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ⅓ cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup dried figs
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Prepare the figs: Add the figs and water to a small stockpot over medium-low heat. Cook for 8-10 minutes until the figs are plump. Transfer to a food processor and pulse until a paste forms.
- Cook the bacon and onions: In a stockpot over medium-low heat, cook the bacon and diced onion until the onions are caramelized and the bacon is fully cooked.
- Drain excess fat: Remove the bacon and onions from the pot, drain the excess fat, and return the mixture to the pot.
- Combine ingredients: Add the fig paste, salt, honey, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar to the pot. Stir well to combine.
- Simmer: Cook for about 20 minutes or until the mixture thickens, stirring occasionally.
- Cool and store: Remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes before transferring to a storage container.
Nutrition
Fig Bacon Jam is one of those recipes that seems fancy but is actually super easy to make. The mix of smoky bacon, caramelized onions, and sweet figs creates a rich, jammy spread that makes everything taste better. Whether you’re slathering it on toast, layering it in a sandwich, or adding it to a cheese board, it’s guaranteed to impress. Make a batch, store it in the fridge, and get ready to put it on everything!
