Looking for your next dish to wow the family? Tomato bacon jam is the perfect sweet and savory spread that's as versatile as it is delicious. Whether you serve it with a morning omelet or as the finishing touch on your charcuterie board, the possibilities are endless! The brown sugar adds the traditional sweetness you love, while bacon and fresh tomatoes provide a savory balance that's just right.
Keep reading for step-by-step instructions to prepare this dish and helpful cooking tips for the best results every time.
Elevate your favorite dishes with tomato bacon jam
Yield: 3 cups
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 45-60 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 lb. Hatfield® Applewood Smoked Bacon, chopped.
- 1 large white onion, chopped.
- 1 tsp. fresh garlic, minced.
- 1 can fire-roasted diced tomatoes.
- 5 vine-ripened tomatoes, medium diced.
- ¾ cup light brown sugar.
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar.
- Salt and black pepper, to taste.
Step-by-step instructions to make a tomato bacon jam recipe
- Step 1: In a large sauté pan over medium-high heat, add the bacon and cook until it's almost crispy — about eight minutes. Once it's done, drain the bacon grease and set the bacon aside.
- Step 2: In the same pan, add 2 tablespoons of bacon fat, followed by the onions, garlic, salt and black pepper
- Step 3: Cook the mixture until the onions become translucent, then add both canned and fresh tomatoes. Stir everything together and let it simmer for about 10 minutes.
- Step 4: Next, stir in the brown sugar and vinegar until fully incorporated.
- Step 5: Add the cooked bacon back into the pan and stir until everything is well combined. Continue cooking until the mixture begins to bubble, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 35 to 40 minutes — or until most of the liquid has evaporated.
- Step 6: Remove the pan from heat and transfer the jam to a serving bowl. You can serve this delicious tomato bacon jam with pork tenderloin, on a charcuterie board with cheese or even spread it on an omelet for breakfast!
Ready to jump in? Head to your local grocery store to pick up your favorite Hatfield® pork products today!
Tips and tricks for homemade tomato bacon jam
Here are a few helpful tips to get the most out of your homemade jam:
- Storing and freezing: Got leftover tomato bacon jam? No problem! Simply transfer the jam into an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator, where it will stay fresh for up to two weeks. If you'd like to save it for a longer period, you can freeze it for up to three months.
- Making your jam ahead of time: To prepare this dish in advance, be sure to let your tomato bacon jam cool completely to room temperature before storing it. This will help preserve the flavor and texture. Once cooled, transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate or freeze it for later enjoyment.
- Serving tomato bacon jam: This tomato bacon jam is incredibly versatile, adding a rich, savory twist to your favorite dishes. It's perfect with pork tenderloin, a charcuterie board featuring delicious cheeses or on a breakfast omelet — but the possibilities don't stop there! Spread it on a toasted baguette, drizzle over a grilled cheese sandwich or even use it as a flavorful dip for pretzels.
Tomato bacon jam recipe FAQs
If you're new to making tomato bacon jam or just looking to customize the recipe, we've got you covered! Check out answers to some of the most common questions you might run into along the way:
What ingredients can I substitute in a tomato bacon jam recipe?
- Bacon: When it comes to cooked bacon, you can't go wrong. But, for an added twist to this bacon jam recipe, try a thick-cut option like Hatfield® Hickory Smoked Bacon or Maple Brown Sugar Bacon for extra sweetness.
- Red pepper flakes: If you're looking for a savory or spicier flavor, you can add red pepper flakes as needed to give it an added kick.
- Sugar: For a result that's a little less sweet, but equally delicious, you can use less brown sugar than the recipe calls for.
Are cherry tomatoes a good Roma tomato substitute?
While we recommend using a mixture of Roma tomatoes and canned tomatoes to get the sweet and savory balance just right, cherry tomatoes are a perfectly acceptable substitute! Keep in mind it will affect the flavor and consistency slightly as cherry tomatoes are sweeter and have higher water content.
Can tomato bacon jam be preserved?
Adding delicious crumbled bacon to tomato jam makes this question a bit more difficult to answer. You can successfully preserve this jam recipe, but you'll need a pressure canner. But, if you're not familiar with this process, we recommend avoiding it.
Choose premium pork with Hatfield®
Not all bacon is created equal. And, when you bring a delicious recipe to life, top-tier ingredients make for the best results. That's why Hatfield® is dedicated to providing quality pork products for a simply delicious mealtime — all while staying committed to animal care and treating our farmers and the environment with respect.
Once you're ready to get started, use our store locator to find your favorite Hatfield® products in a supermarket or grocery store near you.
