Bacon Jam with Onion, Balsamic, and Thyme

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lbs bacon (thick-cut works best)
• 2 sweet onions, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 10 tablespoons balsamic vinegar (1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2–1 teaspoon dried thyme

Steps

1. Cut the bacon into bite-size pieces.
2. Cook it in a large heavy skillet (cast iron is great) over medium heat until crispy but not burnt.
3. Pour the bacon into a strainer over a bowl to drain the fat. Put 2 tablespoons of the bacon grease back in the skillet.
4. Turn the heat to low or medium-low and add the onions. Cook them slowly, stirring every 5–10 minutes, until they're deep brown and soft. This takes a long time, and that's where the flavor comes from.
5. Add a splash of the balsamic and scrape up the browned bits from the pan. Then stir in the rest of the balsamic, the brown sugar, salt, pepper, and thyme.
6. Let it bubble a few minutes until it starts to thicken. Turn off the heat and stir the bacon back in. Cool about 10 minutes.
7. Pulse it in a food processor or blender until it's as chunky or smooth as you like.
8. Store it in a jar in the fridge. Warm it up before serving.