Bagel Breakfast Sandwich with Bourbon Bacon Jam
This awesome Bagel Breakfast Sandwich is everything you’ve ever wanted in a breakfast sandwich! Both sweet and savory, this breakfast sandwich recipe starts with a good ol’ toasted everything bagel. From there, we add some smoky crispy bacon, a fried egg (cooked to your desired doneness), 2 slices of tomato, a handful of peppery arugula, and some sweet apple chutney. But here’s where it really gets good – we smother this thing in some homemade bourbon bacon jam! Yes I said BACON JAM! The bourbon bacon jam combines the outrageously good flavors of caramelized onions and bacon to create a topping that is savory, smoky, salty, and sweet! I mean, does it get any better than that?!
The Apple Chutney
In this recipe for Bagel Breakfast Sandwich, I call for an apple chutney. If you’re wondering what apple chutney is, it is basically slow-cooked apples that are cooked down to become very soft, and combined with spices, usually cinnamon. This breakfast sandwich isn’t too strict, and the apple chutney can easily be replaced with many other substitutions.
These apple chutney substitutions can be within the ‘apple’ family, such as apple butter, or can even vary to other fruits. I quite enjoy a fig chutney or a fig jam, or even pear chutney would be amazing as well. Once, I have even found a fig and apple chutney, which absolutely blew my mind!
What is Bacon Jam?
If you’ve never tried bacon jam, or for that matter even heard of it, be prepared to have your life changed! This stuff is INCREDIBLE. While technically not jam and actually a relish, bacon jam is a topping that is made of slow cooked bacon, slow cooked onions, sugar, vinegar, and spices or herbs. In slow cooking the bacon and onions together it forms a sort of jam-like thick texture that is heavily flavored with smoky, savory flavors from the bacon and deeply sweet flavors from the caramelized onions and sugar. The texture, as described above, makes it absolutely perfect for adding on top of sandwiches or burgers of any sort!
How to Make Bacon Jam
While the bourbon bacon jam does take a little bit of time to make, it is by no means difficult. The process starts with adding chopped bacon to a heavy pot and frying it until it becomes crispy (but not burning). Remove the bacon and set it aside, and discard all but 1 tbsp of the bacon grease. Add in the butter, chopped onions, and salt, and sauté for about 5-10 minutes, until the onions look very soft and begin to turn golden. Then, we throw the bacon back in, alongside the brown sugar, bourbon, maple syrup, and vinegar. This all then cooks for about 30 minutes (stirring every once in a while), until it becomes a deep golden color and has thickened up to a consistency similar to jam. Throw in the chopped fresh thyme, and you have yourself the condiment of all condiments! This bourbon bacon jam can be kept in you fridge for about 2-3 weeks, or can easily be frozen for future use!
How to Assemble the Bagel Breakfast Sandwich
Once the bacon jam has been made, this Bagel Breakfast Sandwich is an absolute breeze to make! Start with your toasted bagel, on one half spread the chutney, and on the other spread the bourbon bacon jam. Throw on some thick slices of old cheddar cheese, your fried egg, crispy bacon, tomato slices, and a handful of arugula, then sandwich it all together by placing on the top of the bagel!
Substitutes and Variations
• If you do not have bourbon or wish not to use it, you can substitute it for sherry vinegar.
◦ Avocado would also be amazing on this breakfast sandwich too.
• Any savory bagel would be great, such as sesame or cheese. Even regular or whole grain could work here as well!
◦ Any sweet chutney can work on this breakfast sandwich as well.
Get the Recipe: Bagel Breakfast Sandwich with Bourbon Bacon Jam
Ingredients
Bacon Jam
- 1 lb Good Quality Bacon,, chopped
- 2 Small Sweet Onions,, diced small
- 1/2 cup Brown Sugar
- 1/4 cup Bourbon
- 2 tbsp Maple Syrup
- 2 tbsp Sherry Vinegar
- 1 tbsp Quality Balsamic Vinegar
- ½ tsp Finely Chopped Fresh Thyme
Bagel Breakfast Sandwich
- 1 Everything Bagel,, sliced in half and toasted
- 1 tbsp Apple Chutney
- 1 tbsp Bacon Jam
- 1 Egg,, fried
- 2-3 Slices Crispy Bacon
- 2 Tomato Slices
- Arugula
Instructions
Bacon Jam
- Add bacon to a large pot over medium heat, fry until crispy. Remove bacon from the pot and set aside. Discard all but 1 ½ tbsp of bacon grease.
- Add in onions and fry over medium heat for about 10 minutes. The onions should be very soft and turning brown in color. Return bacon to pan, and add in brown sugar, bourbon, maple syrup, sherry vinegar, and balsamic. Bring to a boil, and then turn the heat to medium-low. Cook for about 20 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes, or until the mixture is thick and dark, and the onions have a jam-like texture. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours before using. Can be stored in the fridge for 2-3 weeks or in the freezer for a few months.
Bagel Breakfast Sandwich
- Spread bacon jam onto the top half of the bagel, and the chutney onto the bottom half. Assemble the sandwich by layering the egg, bacon, tomato, and arugula onto the bottom of the bagel. Add the top on, and enjoy immediately.
Related Posts
Love bourbon? Check out my Browned Butter Bourbon Banana Bread, BBQ Chicken Sandwich with Honey Bourbon BBQ Sauce. Or if you’re looking for something even more boozy check out my Apricot and Mint Bourbon Smash.
Looking for more breakfast? Try my Tiramisu French Toast, Savory Bacon Gruyere Breakfast Scones, or Buttermilk Belgian Waffles.
