itle: Chorizo Jam: A Bold, Smoky-Sweet Condiment from The Heat Lab
If you’re looking for a condiment that packs bold, smoky, and slightly sweet flavors into every bite, look no further. Our chorizo jam is the ultimate combination of cured meat richness and balanced sweetness, with just enough heat to keep things interesting.
When we first came across this concept on social media, we knew we had to try it. There’s something undeniably special about cured and smoked meats—they’re the pinnacle of culinary ingenuity. They possess a unique combination of depth, umami, and intense, rich flavors that are almost impossible to replicate with fresh ingredients alone. Preserving these flavors in a versatile, spreadable form was a challenge we couldn’t resist.
Our culinary philosophy at The Heat Lab is rooted in pushing boundaries and experimenting with bold, unconventional combinations. Transforming chorizo into a jam not only showcases our dedication to flavor innovation but also highlights our commitment to creating products that elevate everyday meals. After refining the recipe through experimentation, the result is a jam that immediately became a staple in our kitchen. Whether spread on burgers, slathered on sandwiches, or added to a charcuterie board, it’s a game-changer. We believe that this jam not only honors the traditional flavors of Spanish chorizo but also brings something entirely new and exciting to the table.
Materials and methods
What You’ll Need:
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500g chorizo
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1 large onion
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5 cloves of garlic
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Juice of 1 lemon
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250g red pepper (roughly 2 large ones)
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¼ cup of The Heat Lab’s Hot Honey
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2 tbsp maple syrup
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1 tbsp brown sugar
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Salt and pepper to taste
How to Make It:
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Finely dice the chorizo, onion, garlic, and red pepper.
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In a pan over medium heat, sauté the chorizo until the fat renders. Add onions and garlic, cooking until softened.
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Add the red pepper and continue cooking until they break down.
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Stir in The Heat Lab’s Hot Honey, maple syrup, brown sugar, and lemon juice. Let it simmer until thick and jammy.
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Season with salt and pepper. Taste and adjust as needed.
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Transfer to a jar and store in the fridge.
Results and Discussion: The initial concept of chorizo jam involved a basic blend of chorizo, garlic, and onions. While this combination delivered a strong savoury base, it was evident that the jam required additional layers of flavour to achieve a more complex profile. Through a series of trials, we experimented with tomatoes, carrots, and red peppers as potential supplementary ingredients. The red peppers emerged as the most favourable option, offering a natural sweetness and vibrant colour while aligning with the Spanish culinary heritage of chorizo.
The decision to incorporate The Heat Lab’s Hot Honey was both practical and brand-driven. As a product that seamlessly blends sweetness and heat, it was an ideal choice to balance the intense, smoky and savoury flavour of the chorizo. The addition of maple syrup and brown sugar further diversified the sweetness, imparting a rich, caramel-like undertone that complemented the bold meatiness. To counterbalance this sweetness, the juice of one lemon was introduced, offering a mild acidity that prevented the jam from becoming cloying. This balance proved essential, allowing the jam to maintain palatability even when used generously.
Our final product demonstrates a versatile balance of heat, sweet, and savoury notes, making it suitable for a wide range of culinary applications. Its robust flavour profile has been positively received in our kitchen, and its adaptability allows for easy customization. Swapping the hot honey for regular honey, for example, produces a milder variation without sacrificing the jam’s characteristic depth.
Our chorizo jam has become a top condiment at The Heat Lab, and we’re pretty sure it’s about to be one of yours too. Let us know how you use it