Brown Sugar Bacon Marmalade (With Bourbon!)

Oh boy, we’re making Bacon Marmalade today and it is damn tasty! If caramelized onions had a cooler older brother, this would be him. First of all, we have lots of bacon. Then we add caramelized onions, brown sugar, and… BOURBON. This stuff is so good. In my opinion, this is the ultimate burger topping to elevate an already delicious item to an entirely new level. This also would make a great appetizer with cheese and crackers! Brie anyone? Seriously, invite your friends over for some summer grilling and bust out this bacon marmalade as a topping. I guarantee that they’ll love it!

So much bacon, bourbon, and brown sugar goodness is happening right now.

A burger worth remembering:

My first encounter with bacon marmalade was two years ago when we were visiting family in Orange County. Consequently, we found ourselves at Social (a restaurant in Costa Mesa) for dinner one night. My husband ordered the. best. burger. that I may have ever encountered in my life. I’m pretty sure it involved a toasted brioche bun, incredibly juicy patties, melted cheese falling everywhere, probably an egg because everything is better topped with a fried egg, and the real kicker… amazing bacon marmalade.

I don’t even remember what I ordered. I was too busy having food envy. You know the feeling? (“Hey babe, you going to eat all that? Can I trade you for some salad?” <- Haha.) After that trip, we knew we had to re-create that burger and their famous Brussels sprouts. (<- The Brussels sprouts recipe has since been posted online! Though it does require some effort, in my opinion it’s totally worth it.)

Since then, I’ve made this bacon marmalade recipe a few times, and every time I surprise myself with how good it is. I mean, how can I keep forgetting?? Caramelized onions, bacon, just the right amount of sweetness, a hint of bourbon, thyme and balsamic vinegar to tie it all together. Simply perfect.

If you have leftover bacon marmalade (the recipe makes a generous amount per person) it stores extremely well in the fridge! I’ve been using mine all summer. Be sure to warm it up before serving to maximize flavor and help it spread easily. Your guests will certainly be impressed!

This bacon marmalade goes especially well piled on a burger served with a glass of sangria.

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Bacon Marmalade

Bacon, brown sugar, and bourbon marry together to become the ultimate burger topping. This also makes a great appetizer with cheese and crackers.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 45 minutes

Total Time 50 minutes

Servings 8 people

Ingredients

• 1 lb thick-cut bacon, cut into 1/4" strips
• 3 medium sweet yellow onions, quartered and thinly sliced
• 1 shallot, diced
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/3 cup water
• 1/4 cup bourbon
• 1 tsp thyme (fresh or dried)
• 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and cook bacon until crispy, approximately 10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove the bacon from the pan and set aside. Keep 2 tbsp of fat in the pan and remove the rest for another use. 

2. Add onions and shallot to pan and cook until they begin to caramelize, approximately 15 minutes. (Keep the onions covered while cooking so they release a lot of juice.) 

3. Lower heat slightly, add brown sugar to pan, and cook uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring frequently. The brown sugar granules should be completely dissolved, and the mixture should be thick and caramelized. 

4. Add water, bourbon, and thyme and cook 10-15 minutes until thick. Turn off heat and stir in balsamic vinegar. Add salt and pepper to taste.