Chef John's Bacon Jam

Ingredients

• 1.5 pounds bacon , chopped
• 2 teaspoons butter
• 4 large yellow onions , diced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 cups brown sugar
• 0.25 cups sherry vinegar
• 1.5 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves , divided
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper
• 0.5 cups water
• 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
• 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil

Instructions

1. 1

   Place a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add bacon; cook and stir until crispy and rendered fat starts to foam, about 10 minutes. Pour crisped bacon and rendered fat into a strainer placed over a bowl. When fat is drained and bacon is cool enough to handle, remove bacon to a cutting board and finely chop.

2. 2

   Return the pot to medium heat; drizzle 2 teaspoons reserved bacon fat and butter into the pot. Add onions and salt; cook until until soft and translucent, 7 to 10 minutes.

3. 3

   Stir brown sugar, sherry vinegar, 1 teaspoon thyme leaves, black pepper, and cayenne into onion mixture; add bacon. Stir water into bacon mixture and cook until jam has a brick-brown color and thick consistency, 10 to 15 minutes.

4. 4

   Remove from heat and add balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon thyme; stir until shiny and heated through.

5. 5

   Store in an airtight container.