First time I saw bacon jam was at a local butchery in Ithaca, NY and I didn’t even buy it! When teleportation exists, I’m going back there and kicking myself in the ass cuz that was just plain wrong of me. Now I know better and buy cool ingredients on impulse like my mom would a nice pair of shoes.
Fast-forward two years later: I was shopping for cute baby gifts at Tuesday Morning and just so happened to wander into the food section. Lo and behold, a jar of hot pepper bacon jam placed right at eye-level for me to find! It was destiny—the good people at Terrapin Ridge Farms made sure of that.
Easy entertaining is their mantra and it’s a darn good one. Open the jar, pour it into a fancy serving bowl, serve it with crackers, and VOILA! An instant appetizer, guaranteed to wow your guests. Terrapin Ridge products are perfect for people (like me) who want to experience the bold taste of different new flavor combinations without going to a restaurant or tackling risky kitchen experiments. I also tried their Blueberry Bourdon Pecan Jam and was not disappointed.
Once you have spreadable pig in your life, there’s no going back. Period (sorry, vegans). Add bacon flavor to almost any dish without having to whip out the frying pan and drown yourself in bacon fat…on second thought, that doesn’t sound half bad! Other bacon jam brands out there include onions, bourbon, even coffee in their recipes. It’s now my mission in life to try them all.
Join me?
T <3
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BASICS
Brand: Terrapin Ridge Farms
Origin: Clearwater, Florida
Varieties: apple maple • hot pepper berry
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HEALTH
Ingredients: sugar • roasted red peppers • jalapeño peppers • water • bacon • lemon juice • pectin • salt • distilled vinegar • citric acid (for preservation) • smoke • brown sugar • dextrose (sugar from corn) • turmeric
Calories: 60 per Tablespoon
Replaces: bacon • fruit jams • hot pepper jelly
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SHOP
Where: Check the condiment section of your local grocery store. Trader Joe’s sells their own bacon jam product. I found mine at discount retailer Tuesday Morning.
Online: Terrapin Ridge • Amazon • Yummy Bazaar
Other Products: passion fruit jalapeño jelly • raspberry peach chipotle sauce • champagne mustard
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PREPARE
Make Your Own: This recipe from Chef John at Food Wishes has the most positive reviews out of any other. I trust his culinary genius, but feel free to roam the web for other recipes that work for you.
Instructions: Open the jar and microwave for a couple seconds until warmed through. Serve as is or mix with cream cheese for an easy dip.
Store: Unopened jars in the pantry will last 6-9 months. Open and refrigerated jars will last about 3-4 months.
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EAT
Taste & Texture: sticky • sugary • smokey • mild heat • slightly sour
Uses: pair with cheeses & crackers • glaze on meats, fish & veggies • spread on sandwiches, hamburgers & hot dogs • topping on pancakes & waffles • make vinaigrettes, sauces, or marinades • serve with breakfast egg dishes • topping for oatmeal • topping for ice cream • mix with yogurt • pastry & cake filling
Recipes:
Bacon Jam Burger (via Terrapin Ridge Farms)
Brussels Sprouts with Bacon Jam (via Terrapin Ridge Farms)
What do you know about Bacon Jam?
There’s a restaurant near me that serves a bother with caramelized onions and bacon jam that is just about the best thing ever.
Hi Laura! By “bother” do you possibly mean biscuits? Because that sounds SINfully good. I just had Chipotle Bacon Jam at a biscuit place in Cincinnati…SO….GOOD!
Oh my gosh stupid predictive keyboard! They serve a burger with bacon jam!
Haha! We’ve all been there. But ooooh baby, a burger with bacon jam, mm MMM! Bacon jam on EVERYTHING!