Candied Jalapenos are an easy to make sweet and spicy jalapeño pickle that make sandwiches, salads, tacos, and everything sing! These are a long time favourite recipe of our family and readers alike!
Find out why everyone loves Candied Jalapenos so much, and if you need independent verification, read the many happy reviews in the comment section below the post.
Once upon a time, my friend Katie casually mentioned eating a sandwich made with Candied Jalapeños. She enthusiastically sang the praises of what she described as an addictive jar of goodies.
I spent a couple of weeks working on how to recreate these. After carefully examining close to thirty recipes on Candied Jalapeños, also known as cowboy candy (who KNEW there were so many people candying jalapenos?) I called my local Cooperative Extension office to pick the brain of their home food preservation specialists.
Since jalapeños are a low-acid food, some precautions need to be taken when canning them. You have two choices for safely canning peppers of any kind; you can pressure can them or you can acidify (i.e. add vinegar, lemon juice, etc…) the liquid in which you pack the peck of pickled peppers.
I opted for acidifying the pepper liquid instead of pressure canning. I wanted to maintain some of the texture of the peppers through the process and I knew pressure canning Candied Jalapeños would turn them to flavorful mush.
The result was gobsmackingly, head-spinningly, brain-addlingly delicious. Sweet, spicy and savory, Candied Jalapeño rings are way too easy to eat on just about everything.
I’ve stashed them in sandwiches, chopped them up on baked beans, tucked them into tacos, used the syrup to brush meat on the grill. You’ll find them perched on top of a cream cheese laden cracker and all sorts of other evil things at our house.
There are even a significant number of readers in the comments section who advise putting the syrup on vanilla ice cream! Have you tried this?
For such a simple thing to can, these pack tons of flavor. You’re going to want to make as many Candied Jalapenos as you possibly can simultaneously.
Because once that first jar is cracked open you’re not going to be able to stop eating them. And I mean that.
Cowboy Candy Recipes
These are one of the things that I can annually without fail. Knowing that we have a few dozen jars of these makes my family happy at mealtime and makes holiday gift giving easier.
Do you hate canning? Or are you too afraid of canning to try?
For those of you who may be freaking out slightly or massively over the idea of canning, rest easy. You do not actually have to can these: you can refrigerate them instead.
To skip the canning portion simply do this. Follow all of the instructions up to the actual canning portion, then stash the jars of candied jalapenos in the refrigerator for up to three months.
If you can them, they’ll last for a year. That said, if an alternative is all that stands between you and making them, use your chill chest!
Candied Jalapeno Recipe
This is one case where there is no substitute for fresh peppers. Many folks have asked whether they can substitute frozen or canned jalapeños for the fresh ones in the recipe.
The bad news is that you cannot swap in an already cooked or frozen pepper in this cowboy candied jalapeño recipe. When you cook or freeze any produce, you are beginning the process of breaking down the cell walls.
If you cook them in the syrup again (which is necessary!), you’ll break down the walls even more. The extra cooking will make for mushy peppers, which we are trying to avoid.
Are Candied Jalapeños Hot?
Yes. They are.
One of the fun mysteries of jalapenos is you never quite know how hot your peppers are until you cut into them. I’ve read that the more tan veins a jalapeno has, the hotter it is, but I’ve not proven that to my satisfaction yet.
That said, how how your candied jalapenos will be is a little bit of a toss-up unless you know how hot your peppers are. Please remember that they’re going to be lava hot as soon as you’re done cooking them, but they’ll mellow a bit as they age.
On that note, wear gloves when working with the peppers. I’m not calling you a wimp.
It’s just that jalapeños have a notoriously wide range of heat on the Scoville scale. Trust me when I tell you that it’s a rude surprise when you process 3 pounds of wicked hot ones without wearing gloves!
This recipe is designed to be made with jalapeño peppers, but many readers have substituted serranos, habaneros, bell peppers, banana peppers, and all sorts of other peppers with good results. Please feel free to get creative here!
You can safely use any fresh pepper you’d like as long as you keep to the 3 pound quantity. Several readers have also reported chopping the peppers instead of slicing for candied jalapeno relish and I can confirm this is delicious!
How many jalapeño peppers are in 3 pounds? There isn’t perfect answer to this because the peppers vary so much in size naturally.
Three pounds of jalapeños is approximately 60 peppers. You’re much better of going by weight, though, because of the wide range of sizes in peppers.
Cowboy Candy Recipe
Let’s address slicing the peppers, because we’re going to be going through 3 pounds, folks. The quickest, easiest way to do so is with a slicing blade on a food processor, standing the peppers on their ends in the feed chute.
No food processor? Use a mandolin! No mandolin? Just take your time and slice by hand with a very sharp knife and gloved hands.
I’ve been asked many times whether you should discard the seeds. We like them so I don’t bother with removing them.
Contrary to the old wives’ tales, seeds do not contain the heat of a pepper. It is the membrane inside the pepper packs the most punch.
Since you’re not removing that, don’t sweat the seeds. Come for the cowboy candy recipe, stay for the bad jokes.
Cowboy Candy
Please do not reduce the sugar in our cowboy candy recipe. It is there both to improve the texture of the pepper and syrup as well as to help preserve the peppers.
I originally added turmeric to the recipe just to help improve the colour of the finished peppers. But I ended up loving the very subtle warm hint of mustard flavour the turmeric adds to the party, so it stayed.
I’m keen on using Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar, but any undiluted cider vinegar will work in our cowboy candy recipe. In a pinch, you could substitute white distilled vinegar, but it will have a slightly sharper taste to the syrup.
While I positively love granulated garlic in this recipe because it doesn’t clump like garlic powder does, you can substitute garlic powder if needed. It’s important to realize that granulated garlic is a much coarser product than powder so please remember to reduce it by half.
In other words, instead of using 3 teaspoons of granulated garlic, you’d use 1 1/2 teaspoons of garlic powder. Alternatively, if you have dried garlic flakes, you can use those. In this case, you’ll use 2 tablespoons of flakes in place of 3 teaspoons of the granulated garlic.
And finally, a word about the celery seed and cayenne pepper. The celery seed adds a little special umami to our cowboy candy that can’t be added any other way.
Don’t worry if you’re not a celery fan, these don’t eat like celery pickles. They’re a subtle addition that brings a little extra savouriness and they’re relatively easy to find in even moderately stocked grocery stores.
The cayenne pepper, unlike many other ingredients, is optional. It’s true that cayenne pepper packs a real punch heat-wise, but it’s a different heat and a different flavour than the super fruity fresh jalapeno brings.
Cayenne is earthy and a little smoky, and I really enjoy that in our candied jalapenos. If you’re looking to mitigate some of the heat, feel free to omit this.
Candied Jalapenos Recipe
Quite a few folks have asked WHEN exactly to start timing the boiling of the peppers. You begin timing them once the liquid has returned to a full rolling boil. That means that the liquid does not stop boiling when you stir it.
As soon as it reaches a full rolling boil, reduce the heat to a simmer and let it simmer gently for 4 minutes. To clarify further, you will not be boiling them hard for 4 minutes, you will bring them to a boil then drop the heat and simmer.
Many, many people have asked me whether they messed up the recipe because their peppers look all shriveled after simmering them in the syrup, packing them in jars, and canning them. The short answer is no.
But truly they WILL look shriveled when you jar them up if you’ve simmered them properly. They will re-plump as they spend their 4 weeks of rest time in the jar between processing and opening.
Yes, I said 4 weeks. My husband has been known to crack a jar at the two week mark out of desperation for candied jalapenos, but he will absolutely agree with me that they improve immensely in flavour and texture when left to mellow for at least 4 weeks after processing.
Try to be patient. You’ll be rewarded.
How to serve cowboy candy:
We love candied jalapenos a.k.a. cowboy candy on cream cheese and crackers, obviously… But we also love them in sandwiches, on Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs, salads, taco soup, tortilla soup, tacos, and pizza. or chopped up in dips!
The sky is the limit. I kind of suspect my husband would eat them on breakfast cereal if he didn’t know I’d wonder about his sanity.
You will need this equipment to make Candied Jalapenos
large stainless steel stockpot
long handled stainless steel slotted spoon
And this equipment is helpful but not strictly necessary
rubber gloves or disposable gloves
food processor with a slicing disc
Connect with Foodie with Family
facebook | pinterest | instagram | twitter
Are you worried it will be too difficult? I promise it isn’t!
In fact, I have this video to show you just how easy the process is! Check it out!
Candied Jalapenos
Wearing gloves, remove the stems from all of the jalapeno peppers. The easiest way to do this is to slice a small disc off of the stem-end along with the stem.
Discard the stems. Slice the peppers into uniform 1/8-1/4 inch rounds using either a chef’s knife or a food processor fitted with a slicing blade. Set these aside.
In a large pot, bring cider vinegar, white sugar, turmeric, celery seed, granulated garlic and cayenne pepper to a full rolling boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
Raise the heat to HIGH, add the pepper slices, bring the contents of the pot to a hard boil, then reduce the heat once more and simmer for exactly 4 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the peppers, loading into clean, sterile canning jars to within 1/4 inch of the upper rim of the jar.
Return the pan full of syrup to the burner and once again turn heat up under the pot. Bring the syrup to a full rolling boil. Boil hard for 6 minutes.
Use a ladle to pour the boiling syrup into the jars over the jalapeno slices. Insert a chopstick or butter knife in down to the bottom of the jar two or three times to release any trapped pockets of air.
Adjust the level of the syrup if necessary. Wipe the rims of the jars with a clean, damp paper towel and fix on new, two-piece lids to finger-tip tightness.
Place jars in a canner carefully and cover with hot water by 2-inches. Bring the water to a full rolling boil.
When it reaches a full rolling boil, set the timer for 10 minutes for half-pints or 15 minutes for pints.
Let the jars rest in the hot water for 5 minutes, then use canning tongs to transfer the jars to a cooling rack.
*If you have leftover syrup, and it is likely that you will, you may can it in half-pint or pint jars, too. It’s wonderful brushed on meat on the grill or added to potato salad or, or, or… In short, don’t toss it out!
Leave them to cool, undisturbed, for 24 hours. When fully cooled, wipe them with a clean, damp washcloth then label.
Allow to mellow for at least two weeks, but preferably a month before eating.
Candied Jalapenos
Rate RecipeIngredients
- 3 pounds fresh firm, jalapeno peppers, washed
- 2 cups cider vinegar
- 6 cups white granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon celery seed
- 3 teaspoons granulated garlic
- 1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Wearing gloves, remove the stems from all of the jalapeno peppers. The easiest way to do this is to slice a small disc off of the stem-end along with the stem. Discard the stems.
- Slice the peppers into uniform 1/8-1/4 inch rounds. Set aside.
- In a large pot, bring cider vinegar, white sugar, turmeric, celery seed, granulated garlic and cayenne pepper to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Raise the heat to boiling again, add the pepper slices, return to a hard boil, then reduce the heat again and simmer for exactly 4 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the peppers, loading into clean, sterile canning jars to within 1/4 inch of the upper rim of the jar. Turn heat up under the pot with the syrup and bring to a full rolling boil. Boil hard for 6 minutes.
- Use a ladle to pour the boiling syrup into the jars over the jalapeno slices. Insert a cooking chopstick to the bottom of the jar two or three times to release any trapped pockets of air. Adjust the level of the syrup if necessary. Wipe the rims of the jars with a clean, damp paper towel and fix on new, two-piece lids to finger-tip tightness.
- *If you have leftover syrup, and it is likely that you will, you may can it in half-pint or pint jars, too. It’s wonderful brushed on meat on the grill or added to potato salad or, or, or… In short, don’t toss it out!
- Place jars in a canner, cover with water by 2-inches. Bring the water to a full rolling boil. When it reaches a full rolling boil, set the timer for 10 minutes for half-pints or 15 minutes for pints. When timer goes off, use canning tongs to transfer the jars to a cooling rack. Leave them to cool, undisturbed, for 24 hours. When fully cooled, wipe them with a clean, damp washcloth then label.
- Allow to mellow for at least two weeks, but preferably a month before eating. Or don’t. I won’t tell!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
did you make this recipe?
Make sure to tag @foodiewithfam on Instagram and #hashtag it #foodiewithfamily so I can check it out!
Want more Food Preservation recipes like Candied Jalapenos? Try these!
- Homemade Claussen Knock-off Pickles
- Cherry Habanero Lime Jam
- Easy Fast Kimchi
- Fire Cider Health Tonic and Homeopathic Remedy
- Instant Hummus in a Jar
- Best Thing Tomatoes
- How to Freeze Rice
- Ginger Peach Preserves
- Three In One Pears
- Root Beer Syrup
- Zesty Corn Relish
- Habanero Peach Jam
Originally posted May 23, 2010, updated in 2015, 2017, and June 2022.
Reader's Thoughts...
Brent says
Rebecca, throughout my culinary careers I have found that those who teach and share for nothing other than the sheer joy of doing so are some of the most talented among us. I must say that based on that understanding your talent eclipses most. This recipe is just what I have been searching for. Although I have been known for my other culinary items my true love is baking artisanal breads. I have not yet tried these but I think with a small variation in added spices these will be what I need. Normally I would perfect the item I am wanting to try these in before talking about it but in the interest in furthering your work and getting others to come up with creative ideas I am going to let you and your readers know what I am aiming for. Candied Jalapeño Cinnamon Rolls! The bakeries here in the Houston Texas area specialize in donuts and kolaches. You rarely see cinnamon rolls. I think these will appeal to the Texas palate and who knows this may be my next big hit!
Kris says
OMG! I think I found a way to use some of the jalapenos that are coming out my ears LOL. My jalapenos are producing like crazy this year and while I love to share, short of leaving them on neighbors doorsteps you can only give away so many before people start treating you like a zucchini bearer, haha.
Thank you Thank you for this great recipe. I’m going to make some today. I have at least a bushel of jalapenos ready to pick.
alice says
Hi, I have made these candied jalepenos many times; they are delicious and I have directed many folks to your website. So, how I forgot to boil the syrup hard the last 2 batches I made, I really don’t know, but I did. Do you think it will be safe to eat? I did everything else the same. Do you think it will be too hot because there is no syrup, just thin sugar water? I have not tasted it yet. Thank you for all your great recipes.
Rebecca says
Hi Alice! I think it should still be safe… Use the normal safeguards: store without rings on the jars, check the seal carefully when you open it, etc… As for how it will taste, I honestly don’t know. I imagine it’ll be slightly different but not inedibly so! 🙂
alice says
Ok, thank you so much. I had tasted some of them shortly after I had canned them, and they were like eating fire. That jar has been in the fridge since- I just tasted them and like before, I think they melted my dang taste buds. But my husband can take them to work and give them out- I have 2 double batches.
Thank you for getting back to me so soon- you are awesome!
Shannon says
OMG this turned out so good! I was looking for a recipe for what my friend calls jalapeno candy… a recipe she won’t share! I thought I’d give this a try as it looked similar.
Sooooo much better! A bit less sugar I think than what my friend uses so the syrup is a little thinner which I like.
I didn’t make it 2 weeks. Barely made it beyond a week, and I doubt we’ll make it to a month before all the jars are empty. What a great way to use all those peppers from all those plants I keep putting in the garden each year!
Leslie says
I made these with some jalapenos grown by a neighbor. His are extra HOT and wow, we are just blown away by how good these are!
dok9874 says
Have you ever used the leftover syrup to make some more candied jalapenos? Or can you? I have two extra pints that I processed at the same time as the last batch I made.
Tami says
Just made my first batch and I was wondering the same thing, about using the leftover syrup to make another batch. The “heat” of the syrup would probably be more intense.
Rebecca says
As I mentioned in a previous comment, I don’t think I’d chance it. You run the risk of offsetting the acid balance in the end product which is what keeps bacterial/microbial/fungal growth in check!
brinda says
Because there is so much left over sauce, can I double the amount of jalapeños for this recipe without messing up the balance?
Greer says
I just have a handful of jalapenos from the garden, but have TONS of banana peppers. How would these taste made with only banana peppers?
Rebecca says
I’ve only done this with jalapenos and habaneros, so I couldn’t say for a certainty, but I’d sure give it a try!
Eric says
I think I’m going to try these with almost-ripe Jalapenos, almost-ripe Cayenne and ripe Cajun Belle peppers. The flavors should meld nicely and be slightly hotter. Thank you for the recipe. These look great!
Makiyah Potts says
How can I make a smaller batch of these using say 1 to 2 pounds? What needs adjusting, the sugar, vinegar, or both?
Roxanne says
I’m so happy to find this recipe!! Rebecca, with the cayenne and the seeds, would you call them extra hot? Making them as gifts and a bit worried about scaring my friends. We Californians might not be as tough as the average Texan… 🙂
Rebecca says
I’m probably not a great person to ask, Roxanne, because we pile chile garlic sauce and sriracha and gochujang and whatnot over most of what we eat. I’d say it’s definitely hot. Beyond that, we need a recognizable benchmark for comparison. Do you like Tabasco? Frank’s Red Hot? It’s probably hotter than those.
Roxanne says
Benchmark – good idea. Yes I like Frank’s Red Hot, Tobasco and Sriacha but I’m the spice-lover of the family! If I’m aiming to please typical jalapeno-eating people but not ones who venture into serranos and habaneros, would you say 1/2 tsp cayenne then? I thought I read that between the cooking and the sugar, the heat isn’t as intense as raw jalapenos. Which would mean I need some cayenne to put some heat back.
And can I just tell you how unbelievably impressive your blog is! Not only are you thorough, creative, chatty and an amazing photographer – but the diversity in your menus is awesome!! I am Asian by birth but a wanna-be Italian/Mexican and cook just about everything. Your blog is simply perfect!!
Rebecca says
If you let it age, it is definitely milder than raw jalapeno. If you try eating it straight from the pot it’ll melt yer face off. 🙂 Okay, benchmark-wise, my husband says he’s not even sure it’s hotter than sriracha, but qualifies it. He says it’s about as hot as typical canned jalapenos (the pickled ones), but it’s sweeter so it’s easier to devour them. Those are his words. The sweetness masks the heat a bit. Maybe you should make a batch of them both ways to try them. I promise, they won’t be wasted…
Roxanne says
Thank you Rebecca – I am cooking these within the next two days and just drooling at the thought. There is a restaurant in Phoenix (the Grind) which puts these on burgers, between brioche and with arugula and “fried ratatouille” (fried shoestring onions, peppers, eggplant). It is to die for and I don’t even eat burgers. I am eternally grateful to you for this recipe and will be making your naanwich in exactly one month when the batch is done!
Kairana says
I have made these numerous times in the last few months, mostly for Christmas gifts, but I took a jar to church tonight and poured it over a couple of blocks cream cheese and served it with wheat thins. I had at least 4 people ask me fo the recipe. Thank you for sharing this.
Lyn Ashby says
I live in Australia and Jalapenos are hard to come by so I grew some. As with many homegrown things I ended up with far more jalapenos than I could ever use until I found this recipe and WOW I wish I had ten times more. It is absolutely delish! The leftover sauce is amazing too, fabulous in salad dressing among other things.
Katie W says
These are a big hit in our neighborhood, thank you!! I ended up with extra syrup so I reserved some to add to cocktails and reserved even more syrup to create a jelly (came out honey-like viscosity) which is great with a cheese platter.
Thanks again! Will be making more in the next week.
D B Dean says
I have made candied jalapenos half a dozen different ways. Mostly its different because I may have had a few glasses of wine as I coke them….so I end up putting in a bit of this or that as I cook.
I can say absolutely pre sliced and frozen, canned or anything does not work. You get mush…and the flavor is never right. You must use fresh jalapenos…its a lot of work, but well worth the result.
This AM on my way into work I had a brain flash – using agave nectar and tequila in the recipe…not sure how to do it yet. Any ideas from those who cook more often is welcome.
Deana says
I can’t wait to make these. Two questions, however, I read most of your posts and may have missed this answer. Did you remove most of the seeds and ribs of Jalapenas? I saw some seeds in your jars, but wanted to make sure. I froze several bags of whole jalapenas from my garden last year. Do you think frozen jalapenas would work as well, cutting them after defrosting?
Rebecca says
Hi Deana! I did not remove any seeds or ribs, but that’s optional if you want to tame them a bit. As for using frozen jalapenos, I’m afraid I don’t think it’ll work very well. When you freeze peppers, you destroy the cell walls in them. That’s fine for cooking into soups, stews, chilis, breads, etc…, but probably will turn out mushy if you try to process them in this way.
Natalie says
Can you use jalapenos that come already sliced to save on some prep time.
Rebecca says
That would depend on whether they’re fresh jalapenos or already processed in some way, I suppose. I’ve never seen pre-cut ones!
olivia says
can you just put them in jars, because i don’t have anything to use for canning?
Rebecca says
Olivia- You can absolutely jar them instead of canning them, but they’ll need to be stored in the refrigerator!
Jan says
I am just learning how to can and your recipe is my first. Can’t wait.. sounds yummy! Sooooo…. I followed the directions to the tee. But I am hoping, you can help me with a couple of questions.
Thank so much! Jan
1. Do you de-seed or is this optional?
2. Do you can the syrup with the jars of peppers? (that is what I did)
3 shelf life on peppers and syrup
Rebecca says
Wow! I’m so glad to be part of your canning start! Lets address your specific questions.
1. Optional! I never seed, but we like spicy stuff in a big way.
2. Yes. If you mean what I think you do. Do you mean processing the extra syrup along with jars of the peppers in syrup? That’s a yes!
3. At least a year if they’re stored with the rings off at a steady cool temperature without tons of light exposure and if the seal remains good. I will say we have NEVER had a jar around longer 6 months for anything other than testing purposes. We eat them FAR too quickly to worry about shelf life 🙂
Jan says
Thank you so much for answering my questions. I greatly appreciate it!
The 30th is 2 weeks, can not wait to try… all the best Jannie
jan says
Oh My Gosh….. you were not kidding. These are delicious!! I made them mostly for my son’s, they like hot stuff. Me not so much, after trying I was putting these on everything. I even started growing jalapenos
. Yum Yummy Thumbs up thank you!!
Dana says
Am new to canning and I tried this last night my jalapenos arw still green will they turn more yeklow after sitting for a month
Rebecca says
It’s hard to say- all batches look just slightly different because all peppers are slightly different!
Natalie says
Have you ever used pickled sliced jalapenos instead of fresh? Just trying to save some prep time.
vickie says
yes you can, that is what i do…… i use about 2 cups of the jallepenos and then 3/4 cup of the liquid in the jar and 2 cups of sugar and boil that all together until it makes a syrup that somewhat coats the spoon. This is a small batch, just right for a small family. then i pack it in my ball freezer jar and store in the fridge.
Kendra says
This are great. Just made my second batch tonight. I didn’t remove the seeds and membranes this time so I’ll be interested to see how hot these are. I have a question about how long to simmer the peppers. The recipe reads to simmer exactly four minutes, but it took me at least 4 minutes to bring the syrup up to a simmer. So should I bring the liquid up to a simmer and then start timing it?
Also, your bacon jam is a huge it in our home now too!
Suzette says
I was browsing around on Pinterest and came across this recipe which greatly intrigued me. I definitely want to try this as we are crazy for heat in my house (the main reason we moved to Florida!!) and I think we would LOVE these. I have never canned anything before so I was doing some research which left me wondering….do I need to purchase a canner or can I just use a stockpot and, if not, what would be the difference?
Monica says
Do these have to be refrigerated after you make them or can they be left out and stored in a pantry..
R J says
if you can them they can be stored up to a year on the shelf – not canning 2-3 weeks in fridge (if they last that long) 🙂