Apple Bacon Jam

*This post has been sponsored by AppleWeek contributors, including Rainier Fruit.  All views and opinions shared are my own.*

Apple and pork are the perfect companions, so why not pair them together with one of my favorite pork products - BACON!  This Apple Bacon Jam is a great condiment to keep on hand.  It can amplify your favorite burger or your grilled cheese sandwich, or it can be a stand alone appetizer on top of some crackers or bread.

It's Day 2 of #Apple Week and I had to share another recipe today because it is Johnny Appleseed's Birthday!  How perfect is that!  I thought it would also be a perfect day to share a recipe that highlighted the delicious Honeycrisp Apples I received from Rainier Fruit.  Honeycrisp apples are one of my favorite varieties of apples because they are perfect for baking and cooking, as well as eating raw.  They are a great universal apple with a sweet, yet tart flavor, and they were a perfect addition to my Bacon Jam!

Apple Bacon Jam

1.5# Bacon

1 Onion

2 Honeycrisp Rainier Apples

1/4 cup Brown Sugar

1 Tbsp Hot Sauce

1 1/2 cups Apple Cider

1/4 cup Apple Cider Vinegar

1/4 cup Pure Maple Syrup

Salt & Pepper, to taste

Cut bacon into 1" slices and cook in frying pan until lightly browned and beginning to crisp, around 20 minutes.  Take bacon out of pan and add chopped onion in bacon fat.  Fry til soft, around 5 minutes.

Transfer the bacon and onion to a pot and add the chopped apples, brown sugar, hot sauce, 1 cup apple cider, vinegar, maple syrup, salt and pepper.  Simmer, uncovered, for 1 1/2 hours adding 1/4 cup of apple cider every 30 minutes and stir.  After the mixture has become syrupy, let it cool for 15 minutes and place in food processor and blend to a "jam" texture.

Refrigerate in airtight container.

This Apple Bacon Jam is perfect for entertaining, tailgating, and holidays.  It is so versatile that I'm sure you can come up with even more ideas and ways to use it.  What would you like to serve the Apple Bacon Jam with?  Remember to Comment for a Cause!

Be sure to sign up for the #AppleWeek Giveaway and check out the other great recipes being shared today below!

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Apple Almond Butter Manchego Grilled Cheese from A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
Apple Almond Chicken Salad from Books n' Cooks
Apple Bacon Jam from Corn, Beans, Pigs and Kids
Apple Cinnamon Rolls from Sew You Think You Can Cook
Apple Fritter Pie from Dad What's 4 Dinner
Apple Nachos from Simple and Savory
Apple Pecan Chicken Salad from The Chef Next Door
Apple Turnovers from A Day in the Life on the Farm
Applesauce Cake with Soft Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting from Cooking With Carlee
Autumn Apple Sipper from Culinary Adventures with Camilla
Bavarian Apple Oatmeal Streusel Cheesecake from All That's Jas
Caramel Apple Cupcakes from Amy's Cooking Adventures
Grilled Apple Tossed Salad from Jolene's Recipe Journal
Mini Apple Muffins with Oatmeal Streusel Topping from Family Around the Table
Nutmeg Apple Conserve from Feeding Big
Red Cabbage with Apple from Palatable Pastime
Roasted Apple and White Cheddar Soup from 4 Sons 'R' Us
Sauerkraut & Sausage with Apples from House of Nash Eats