Tomato Bacon Jam. Who says a fantastic sauce needs a lot of ingredients or complicated prep? I say nope. My tomato bacon jam packs a flavorful punch using the most basic ingredients. Minimal prep work means more time doing what you love and spending time with who you love. And, let’s not forget, this is the best sauce you’ll ever need that is truly great on absolutely everything!
Let’s get started!
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First off, you cannot mess up this tomato bacon jam recipe. I love my bacon chopped roughly. I don’t worry about making my onions perfectly cut into tiny pieces. Sometimes I have cherry tomatoes and sometimes I cut up garden tomatoes that I need to use up. All the ingredients will simmer together at the end and create a perfectly, rustic sauce. Every single time.
The Bacon
Into a skillet, on medium-high heat, add the avocado oil and the bacon. The idea is to render the bacon fat for the onions and tomatoes. After the fat is rendered, remove the bacon. It does not have to be cooked completely at this point because we will be adding it back in.
The Tomatoes and Onion
After removing the bacon, add the tomatoes and onions to your skillet. Cook these together until the tomatoes begin to burst. Once this happens, reduce the heat to low. Your tomato bacon jam is almost ready to devour.
Balsamic Vinegar
Next, add the bacon back to the skillet and drizzle in the balsamic vinegar. Simmer your mixture until the consistency becomes thick. I usually cook mine for about 15 minutes. I love adding chives for the color, but if you don’t have any, no worries at all. Your tomato jam is gonna be absolutely perfect.
Tomato Bacon Jam Ingredients
- Bacon
- Tomatoes
- Onions
- Balsamic Vinegar
- Kosher Salt
- Fresh Ground Pepper
- Chives, optional for topping
How to Make Tomato Bacon Jam
Time needed: 40 minutes
For the most amazing Tomato Bacon Jam, simply:
- Cook the bacon.
Add avocado oil and chopped bacon pieces into a skillet on medium-high heat. Sauté until bacon begins to render it’s fat. This will take about 5-6 minutes. Remove bacon from skillet.
- Add tomatoes and onion
Add tomatoes and onions, cooking until the tomatoes begin to break down and burst.
- Add the balsamic and reduce.
Return the bacon to the skillet. Add balsamic vinegar, reduce heat, and simmer until mixture become thick and jam like.
Season with salt and pepper to taste. Top with optional chopped chives. - Nom.
Enjoy! Smear on a burger, use for a charcuterie board, or on toast with a perfectly fried egg. The options are endless!
frequently asked questions
Tomato bacon jam in my family means burgers. It makes the most phenomenal burger sauce you’ll ever have. The slightly sweet, perfect tanginess combined with the bacon and caramelized onion will knock your socks off. In fact, you could dip your sock in this stuff and it would taste amazing.
Also, tomato bacon jam would be a perfect accompaniment for a charcuterie board. Crostini smeared with this gorgeous concoction and topped with goat cheese is something dreams are made of.
This recipe is both gluten and dairy-free!
Absolutely! This would be a great recipe to freeze. When you’re ready to use it, simply allow the bacon jam to thaw in the fridge overnight.
Recipe Essentials
I cannot emphasize how important a good quality cast iron skillet is in the kitchen. This is a great option, and, if well cared for, will last a life time.
Here’s a great recipe using a cast iron that is a true family favorite. My easy and creamy chicken skillet recipe with cauliflower is a perfect example of why a good skillet is a must-have!
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Tomato Bacon Jam
Ingredients
- 1 lb bacon, chopped
- 2 tbsp avocado oil
- 3-4 cups cherry tomatoes
- 1 large red onion, chopped
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- chives, chopped optional for topping
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Add avocado oil and chopped bacon pieces into a skillet on medium-high heat. Saute until bacon begins to render fat. About 5-6 minutes. Remove bacon from skillet.
- Add tomatoes and onions, cooking until the tomatoes begin to break down and burst.
- Return bacon to the skillet, add the balsamic vinegar, reduce heat, and simmer until mixture become thick and jam like.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Top with optional chopped chives.
- Enjoy! Smear on a burger, use for a charcuterie board, or on toast with a perfectly fried egg. The options are endless!
Nutrition
If you’re looking for another recipe perfect for summer, look no further than my grilled caesar salad. It’s a family favorite and a super simple to throw together!
And if you’re looking for more of a sauce situation, my peach salsa is chef’s kiss!
Thank you!
I am so incredibly happy that you are here! I hope you try my Tomato Bacon Jam recipe and fall in love with it. If you make this recipe, please share and tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok! And, please leave a comment or review. I absolutely love seeing each and every one of your kitchen masterpieces. And, as always, if you ever have any questions about any of my recipes, please don’t hesitate to contact me!
Happy Cooking!
–Rufus
Rufus for Real is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. I may earn a commission, with no additional cost to you, if you purchase through those links.
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If you guys make this Tomato Bacon Jam, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! I absolutely love to hear from you all and always do my best to respond to each and every one of your comments!
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