Tomato Bacon Jam is a sweet, smokey, and wonderfully tangy sauce that is just phenomal.
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!
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This wonderfully tangy topping is one of our most loved burger toppings. I've been making it for years and I don't remember not throwing it together while the burgers were on the grill. It's simple to make, takes very little time, and has such amazing flavor that you'll wonder why you haven't tried it before.
Also, listen to Rufus, 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. Easy. Peasy. No Worries.
This is also the perfect recipe for the summer when you are drowning in tomatoes from the garden!
What Does It Taste Like
I realize how strange tomato bacon jam sounds when you're probably more used to apricot and strawberry. The unusual usual suspects might be a jalapeño and fruit jam you use on top of cream cheese. Stay with me though. This recipe is absolutely incredible.
It's sticky and sweet, but smokey, tangy, and savory at the same time. It checks all the flavor boxes and I'm just in love with it.
How Do I Use It?
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. Or, even use it as a dip for my Pigs In A Blanket!
It's also great slathered on homemade biscuits and fresh made breads. Because bread and jam are a match made in heaven. Also, and this is such an amazing use, stir it into Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese to make something that is already incredible, stupid good.
To Add Sugar or Not To Add Sugar
I am not a huge fan of cloyingly sweet things. Especially condiments like this. I prefer to use the natural sweetness of the tomatoes and the sugars from the balsamic vinegar.
If you want this tomato bacon jam to be sweeter, add brown sugar to your taste. Maple syrup would also be a great option. Start with a tablespoon and go up from there.
Tips, Tricks, and Variations
- Use a good quality bacon that has a good amount of fat. You'll need it so the bacons renders well and gives you enough to cook the onions and bacon.
- Use any kind of tomato you like. I love a smaller cherry tomato, but use what you have. If using a larger tomato variety, cut it into smaller pieces so that it can cook easier.
- If you don't have chives, the green tops of green onions would be fantastic.
- Add fresh herbs at the end. Depending on what is in the garden and what I have available, I've added fresh basil, parsley, and even cilantro to amp up the flavor.
- Use a good quality balsamic vinegar. Because this is a simple recipe with few ingredients, make sure you utilizing the best you can get.
- I use red onion for this recipe because of the color. However, you can use any variety you like.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this recipe gluten-free? Dairy-free?
This recipe is both gluten and dairy-free!
Can I freeze this recipe?
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.
Tomato Bacon Jam Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb bacon, chopped
- 2 tbsp avocado oil
- 3-4 cups cherry tomatoes
- 1 large red onion, chopped
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- chives, chopped optional for topping
- kosher salt and fresh ground 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. 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!
Notes
Nutrition
Storage and Reheating Instructions
- Tomato Bacon Jam will stay good in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 7 days.
- To reheat, simply cover with a damp paper towel and heat in the microwave in small increments until warmed through.
- Reheat on the stovetop over medium heat until warmed through.
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!
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! And, be kind. I'm only human.
Happy Cooking!
-Rufus
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Collin H says
This goes extremely well with an over-easy egg on a big fat bacon cheeseburger! My sports buddies all love it, when I make this on gameday for burgers!