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When cherry tomatoes are in season, this tomato bacon jam is one of my favorite ways to use them. Their natural sweetness pairs perfectly with smoky bacon, onions, and brown sugar, creating a sweet and savory spread that's delicious on burgers or sandwiches. vIt feels like something you'd find at a specialty market, but it's surprisingly easy to make at home.
Tomatoes may not be the first ingredient you think of for jam, but they're actually perfect for it. Their natural sweetness becomes even more concentrated as they cook, creating a thick, spreadable condiment that's balanced by smoky bacon, onions, and a touch of brown sugar. It's an easy way to add sweet, smoky flavor to everything from appetizers and charcuterie boards to burgers and grilled meats.
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Notes About the Ingredients
- Fresh Tomatoes - I prefer cherry tomatoes because they're naturally sweeter than most larger tomato varieties, giving the jam the perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. Grape tomatoes and Roma tomatoes also work well, but since they're less sweet and contain less water, the finished jam will be a little thicker. I don't recommend canned tomatoes because they don't have the same fresh, sweet flavor and can make the jam overly soft.
- Onion - A yellow or sweet onion is my favorite because it cooks down into the jam and adds natural sweetness. White or red onions can be used, but they'll have a sharper flavor.
- Bacon - Regular bacon creates a more even texture throughout the jam, while thick-cut bacon leaves larger pieces for a heartier bite. Applewood or hickory-smoked bacon both work beautifully.
Substitutions and Variations
- Make it spicy - Add ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes when cooking the bacon and onions for a little heat. If you like things extra spicy, increase to 1 teaspoon.
- Add dry mustard - Stir in 1 teaspoon of dry mustard with the brown sugar for a subtle tang that complements the smoky bacon and sweet tomatoes.
- Boost the smoky flavor - Add 1-2 teaspoons of smoked paprika with the seasonings for an even deeper smoky flavor.
- Finish with balsamic vinegar - A small splash of balsamic vinegar stirred in at the end of cooking adds richness and a slightly tangy finish.
- Add bourbon - Stir in 2-3 tablespoons of bourbon after the bacon has cooked and let it simmer for a few minutes before adding the tomatoes. It adds incredible depth of flavor and is a classic bacon jam variation.
Want the quick version? Jump to the recipe card below. Or, keep reading for a detailed, step-by-step guide.
How to Make Tomato Bacon Jam
Cook - Add the chopped bacon and diced onion to a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Cook until the bacon is crisp and the onions are soft and translucent, stirring occasionally. Don't drain the bacon drippings-they add incredible flavor to the finished jam.
Combine - Stir in the tomatoes, brown sugar, garlic, apple cider vinegar, and seasonings until everything is evenly combined.
Simmer - Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 45-60 minutes, stirring every 10-15 minutes to prevent the sugars from sticking to the pan. As the tomatoes soften, gently mash them with the back of a wooden spoon until the tomatoes have softened and mostly broken down. The jam is ready when it's thick, glossy, and a spoon dragged across the bottom of the pan leaves a trail for a second or two before filling back in.
Cool - Remove the jam from the heat and let it cool for about 10-15 minutes. It will continue to thicken as it cools. Serve warm or transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to use.
Storage Instructions
Store it in the refrigerator for up to one week or freeze it for longer storage. The jam will firm up as it chills, so gently warm it on the stovetop or in short intervals in the microwave before serving if you'd like a softer, spreadable consistency.
This recipe is not safe for water-bath canning because it contains bacon. Store it in the refrigerator or freezer instead.
Recipes to Pair with Tomato Bacon Jam
Whether you're building a charcuterie board, serving appetizers, or planning dinner, these recipes are delicious alongside homemade tomato bacon jam.
Parmesan Rosemary Crackers - Homemade crackers are perfect for serving with tomato bacon jam as an appetizer or on a cheese board.
How to Build a Charcuterie Board - Add a small bowl of tomato bacon jam for a sweet and savory spread everyone will love.
Fried Polenta Cakes - Crispy polenta topped with warm tomato bacon jam makes an easy appetizer or side dish.
Cast Iron Steak - A spoonful of tomato bacon jam is delicious served alongside a perfectly cooked steak.
Recipe
Tomato and Bacon Jam
Video
Ingredients
- 12 ounces bacon, diced
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 20 ounces cherry tomatoes
- 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet or medium pot over medium heat on the stovetop and add bacon and onions.
- Cook while stirring frequently until the onions are softened and bacon starts to become crispy and golden brown, approximately 15 minutes.
- Add in remaining ingredients and stir to combine. Lower the heat and allow the mixture to simmer for about 45 minutes until reduced and thickened. While the mixture is cooking, stir it occasionally and mash the tomatoes down as they softened to help them combine with the other ingredients.
- The tomato bacon jam can be served warm or room temperature or it can be cooled and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for use later.
Notes
Substitutions and Variations
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- Tomatoes - Grape tomatoes or roma tomatoes will also work. They are not as sweet as cherry tomatoes and also have a more meaty texture with less water content. This will make a thicker jam consistency.
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- Onion - A yellow onion or sweet onion is best for this savory jam. Other onions can be used but won't provide as much of a sweet flavor and will have more of a bite.
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- Bacon - Thick-cut, regular or center cut bacon could all be used. Just keep in mind that with thick-cut bacon there will be less chunks of bacon distributed throughout the jam. Applewood or hickory smoked flavors would be excellent!
- Spicy - Add ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes when cooking the onions and bacon.
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- Dry mustard - A teaspoon of ground mustard is a great compliment to savory dishes and adds additional flavor and tang. It can be added when the brown sugar is added.
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- Smoked paprika - If you love even more of a smoky taste, amplify that flavor with up to 2 teaspoons of smoked paprika add with the other seasonings.
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- Balsamic vinegar - Just a splash can add another depth of flavor at the end of cooking.
Erin Kenny
Oh my goodness, this was good. I had a mix of cherry tomatoes - golden nugget and black cherry andneeded todo SOMETHING with them, but wanted it to be something SPECIAL.
I had enough tomatoes ready that I doubled the recipe and added dry mustard and splash of balsamic vinegar at the end the used the immersion blender a bit to break up the chunks (but left it with about the same texture as taco meat).
I loved it, and hubby and son liked it enough to want to just eat it with a spoon! We had it on burgers, and it was perfect. Now it's put away (a 250 ml jar in the fridge, 1 in the freezer, and 3 little 125 ml jars to give to friends at church tomorrow.
I will DEFINITELY make this again.
Amanda Scarlati
Amazing Erin! I love this so much. Thank you for trying the recipe, I'm so happy you all enjoyed it.
Rachel & Emily
This sounds amazing! We definitely need to make this soon!
Amanda Scarlati
It's so good, you will love it!
Jody
No draining of the bacon grease? Is that a misprint in the recipe. I made a different bacon jam recipe today and drained about a 1/2 cup of grease.
Amanda
No, it's not a misprint. I keep the grease in there to help cook down the tomatoes and add flavor. However, if you would like less grease in it, you are welcome to drain it out.