Bacon and Cranberry Jam
Bacon and cranberry jam is a sweet-savoury condiment made with smoked bacon, onions, dried cranberries, cider vinegar and maple syrup. The Thermomix TM7 chops, grinds and simmers everything unattended, giving a sticky, glossy preserve perfect with cheese boards, burgers or toast.
About this recipe
Bacon and cranberry jam made in the Thermomix TM7 is one of those sweet-savoury condiments that instantly elevates a cheese board, burger or slice of warm toast. If you have been searching for a bacon jam recipe for your all-in-one kitchen machine, this version brings together smoky bacon, soft caramelised onions, plump dried cranberries, cider vinegar and maple syrup into a sticky, glossy preserve with a deep sweet-and-sour character. A pinch of smoked paprika and a touch of instant coffee add an intriguing savoury depth that store-bought jams simply cannot match. The TM7 handles every step in one bowl: the blades chop the onions uniformly, grind the coffee granules and paprika to a fine powder, and the precise heating function then simmers the mixture slowly without sticking or scorching, something that demands constant stirring on a hob. This makes it an ideal weekend project, a fantastic edible gift for Christmas, or a quick relish to prepare ahead of a drinks evening with friends.
Preparation tips
- For the best texture, chop the smoked bacon fairly small before adding it to the mixing bowl so the finished jam spreads easily and every spoonful carries cranberry, onion and bacon together.
- Sterilise your jam jars and lids before filling them with the hot cranberry jam, then seal immediately and store in a cool, dark cupboard; once opened, keep the jar refrigerated and use within a couple of weeks.
- If you prefer a less sweet jam, reduce the maple syrup slightly and add a splash more cider vinegar; a pinch of extra smoked paprika intensifies the savoury, smoky character beautifully.
Recipe variations
- Vegetarian version: replace the smoked bacon with smoked paprika-spiced diced mushrooms or smoked tofu, keeping the cranberries, onions, maple syrup and cider vinegar for a similarly sticky, tangy plant-based jam.
- Festive version: add a cinnamon stick, a star anise and a grate of fresh orange zest during simmering, then remove before jarring, for a Christmas-themed cranberry and bacon jam perfect with a seasonal cheese board.
Thermomix TM7 Benefits
- Fine chopping - The Thermomix chops the onions evenly in seconds so they soften uniformly without burning in the jam. [Chopping]. [Multi-Function]
- Fresh grinding - Grinding the instant coffee and smoked paprika in the TM7 releases deeper aroma than pre-ground powders. [Grinding]. [Multi-Function]
- Precise heating - Precise temperature control lets the TM7 simmer the cranberry and bacon mixture slowly without scorching the sugars. [Heating]. [Precision Control]
- Built-in scale - The integrated scale of the Thermomix weighs the maple syrup and cider vinegar directly in the bowl, mess-free. [Weighing]. [Built-in Scale]
- Hands-free stirring - The TM7 stirs and cooks the jam unattended while you toast bread and arrange the cheese board. [Mixing]. [Hands-Free]
Ingredients
- garlic cloves
- onions
- smoked bacon
- vegetable oil
- light brown sugar
- cider vinegar
- maple syrup
- dried cranberries
- instant coffee
- smoked paprika