If you love spicy food, then these tasty cANDIED jalapenos are for you! Canning them is optional.
Have you ever tasted candied jalapenos? My first experience with them was several years ago when one of my sisters-in-law served some that she had purchased. Oh, my goodness! I was instantly hooked by the sweet and spicy taste sensation!
So this year, I decided to make my own candied jalapenos.
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I made sure I planted plenty of jalapeno plants in my pepper bed this spring, and they have given me lots of peppers already this summer.
I’ve already made a batch of green pepper jelly, and 2 batches of candied jalapenos. And the plants just keep on producing!
Lucky for me and for anyone who knows me, candied jalapenos made a great gift! Once people taste them, they will beg you for more!
And they are so easy to make.
I can mine to have a longer shelf life, but you can skip the canning part if you desire. You can simply store them in your refrigerator for up to 3 months. (Be sure to put a use by date on the jars if you do not can them!)
I seriously doubt that you will have any left at the end of 3 months, though! They are THAT GOOD!
Now is a perfect time to make cowboy candy because jalapenos are abundant at farmers’ markets and at a good price.
Or, find gardeners who are growing some and are totally in the dark about candied jalapenos. Volunteer to take excess jalapenos off their hands!
You don’t have to be tough like a cowboy to eat them, though. They are indeed spicy, but the sugar in the recipe tempers the hotness.
Steps in making candied jalapenos
First, start with fresh rinsed jalapeno peppers. You will need about 3 pounds of peppers for this recipe which would be equal to 16-20 jalapenos per pound depending on the size of your peppers.
While wearing disposable gloves, cut off and discard the stem ends. (Don’t touch your face or eyes while working with the peppers!)
If you want less heat, you can core out some of the seeds and membrane, but I leave it all.
Slice the peppers into 1/8-1/4 inch slices.
In a large pot, mix together 2 cups cider vinegar, 6 cups white granulated sugar, 1/2 teaspoon turmeric, 1/2 tsp celery seed, 3 teaspoons granulated garlic and 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper.
Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer the solution for 5 minutes.
Add the pepper slices and simmer for exactly 4 minutes.
Using a slotted spoon, transfer the cooked peppers into clean, sterilized pint canning jars to within 1/4 inch of the rim of the jar. Pack the peppers as tightly as you can into the jar.
Turn up the heat under the pot with the remaining liquid and bring to a full rolling boil and boil it hard for exactly 6 minutes.
Turn off the heat and use a ladle to pour the boiled syrup into the jars with the jalapenos. Remove any air pockets with a clean knife or bubble remover (found in canning kits.)
Wipe the rim of each jar with a damp paper towel and place a lid and screw band on each jar. Tighten the screw band to fingertip tight.
You will have some leftover syrup but do not dispose of it. Save it in jars too as it makes a delicious glaze for grilled meats.
If you are not canning this recipe , you may stop at this point. Allow your jars to cool completely and then place them in the refrigerator.
Water bath canning directions are included in the printable recipe card below, in case you’d like to do so.
It is best to wait at a week or so for best flavor before opening a jar and indulging.
How to use candied jalapenos
One of the very best and easiest ways to use candied jalapenos is to spread a little cream cheese or goat cheese on a cracker and then add few slices of the candied jalapenos. What a quick and tasty appetizer to have on hand for unexpected guests!
Other ways to use them are:
- on sandwiches
- on burgers
- on nachos
- on deviled eggs
- mixed into cornbread
- chopped and combined with cheese to create a cheese ball
- as a cocktail garnish
The extra syrup can be used to glaze grilled meats, make BBQ sauce, and spice up cocktails.
Candied Jalapenos
These sweet and spicy candied jalapenos are addictive and have many uses. They may be canned or stored in the refrigerator. This recipe yields between 4 and 5 pints.
Ingredients
- 3 pounds fresh jalapeno peppers about 16-20 peppers per pound
- 2 cups apple cider vinegar
- 6 cups white granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon celery seed
- 3 teaspoons granulated garlic
- 1 teaspoon cayenne
Instructions
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Rinse the jalapeno peppers.
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Wearing disposable gloves, cut off the stem ends from all the peppers.
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Cut peppers into uniform 1/8-1/4 inch slices and set aside.
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In a large pot, bring cider vinegar, white sugar, turmeric, celery seed, granulated garlic, and cayenne to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
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Add the pepper slices to the pot and simmer for exactly 4 minutes.
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Use a slotted spoon to transfer the peppers to sterilized pint sized canning jars. Pack the peppers in tightly to within 1/4 inch of the jar rim.
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Turn up the heat under the pot with the remaining liquid and bring to a full rolling boil. Boil hard for exactly 6 minutes.
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Use a ladle to pour the boiling syrup into the jars over the jalapeno slices.
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Remove any air pockets with a clean knife or with a bubble remover.
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Wipe the rims of the jars with a damp paper towel, center on a lid, and screw on a band until finger-tip tight.
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If you do not wish to can the jalapenos, allow the jars to cool and then store in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.
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If processing, place the jars in a canner and cover with water by 2 inches. Bring the water to a full rolling boil and process the jars for 15 minutes.
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Use canning tongs to transfer the jars to a counter top covered with a thick, dry kitchen towel. Allow them to cool for 24 hours.
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When fully cooled, wipe the jars with a clean, damp washcloth and check to see if each jar has sealed properly. Store in a cool, dark place for up to one year.
Recipe Notes
You will have quite a bit of syrup left after filling the jars. It has many wonderful uses. Store the leftover syrup in the refrigerator for up to 3 months or you can process it, if canning the peppers, so that it will last 1 year.
I guarantee that after making these, you’ll be planting jalapeno pepper plants in the future!
If you make these candied jalapenos, please come back, rate the recipe, and tell me what you think of them!
If you like jalapenos, check out my Sausage and Cheese Stuffed Jalapeno Peppers.
Christy Lewis says
These are so delicious. We all love them, especially my hubby and also our family & friends. I can’t tell you how many times I have made this recipe! Thank you so much for sharing. I take the leftover brine and make pepper jelly. The hubby likes that also. 🙂 My husband planted 18 jalapeño plants just for the purpose of making lots of this cowboy candy & jelly! God bless you & your family.
Jane Windham says
Thank you for coming back to give the recipe a rating! Yes, I agree! These are so good!
Malissa says
I have had Cowboy Candy several times but never made my own until now! We love it stirred up in cream cheese with crackers. This recipe is great! We even added some cherries just before jarring the peppers and it added some color and will make beautiful Christmas 🎁 gifts!
Jane Windham says
That is such a great idea to add the cherries for a bit of color! Thanks for the idea!
Malissa says
I had eaten Cowboy Candy before but this was first time making it and man its delicious!!! We like to stir it up with cream cheese and eat with crackers. We made a batch and added a few cherries to add some extra color and sweetness, it is going to make beautiful Christmas gifts!!!
bj says
I’m in Texas, too, and have never even heard of them…I am making jars to go in Christmas stockings for the cowboys in our family. Thanks so much for the recipe. I just signed up to follow you thru email….
Gretchen says
Hi, can you can the leftover syrup using the water bath method or do you just put it in the fridge? I’m hoping to can it if possible! Also, how long would you process one cup jelly sized jars in the water bath?
I l have everything prepped and am super excited to test these babies out!! Yum!!
Sandy says
Thanks for sharing Jane. I know these would be a hit with my husband and son. I am going to do some of these this weekend.
Jane Windham says
Oh, if they like anything the least bit spicy, they will love these!
Robyn Henningsen says
Can’t wait to try these! Your Tomato Jam has been a hit at our house and with our neighbors (Christmas Gifts). I’m sure this will be a keeper !!
Jane Windham says
Thanks for reminding me that I need to make more of the tomato jam, Robyn!
Stacey @ Poofing the Pillows says
I think these would be very popular in my household! Never would have thought of this, Jane, but it sounds amazing!
Jane Windham says
I’m surprised that you’ve never had these, Stacey, being from Texas!