Easy Jalapeno Pepper Jelly

Are you looking for an amazing appetizer for the holidays or any type of gathering? Easy Jalapeno Pepper Jelly is served over cream cheese with your favorite crackers. It’s sweet with just the right amount of heat.

Last fall, we constructed a greenhouse on our farm, and this is our first season to grow vegetables in the new greenhouse. Can I just tell you that it was awesome! We grew squash, zucchini, tomatoes, okra, cucumbers, and peppers: many vegetables and so many ways to preserve them for the winter.

My husband wanted plenty of peppers  this year. He likes pepper sauce and fresh peppers to eat with dinner at night. We eat a lot of peppers. Cheesy Stuffed Jalapeno Peppers and Bacon Ranch Jalapeno Poppers are amazing. So we planted about 10ish pepper plants-a mixture of jalapeno, cow horn, cayenne, sweet banana, hot banana, and habanero. Needless to say, we had plenty of peppers. I think next year I may plant even more.

Pepper Jelly is a favorite in my family. It is wonderful on a cracker with cream cheese. If you have never tried it–you are missing out on something great!

If you are worried about the heat, take out the seeds from the peppers. This will tame it down quite a bit. Be sure to always use gloves when cutting hot peppers. The burn is real!

My son started hinting around months ago for some pepper jelly. I ran out last year, so I was sure to make some with our first picking of peppers this season. Now, as the season is ending, I have about 22 jars of jelly in my pantry. Will it last through the winter? Probably not! We tend to go through it rather quickly.

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What Peppers Do I Use For Pepper Jelly?

This is the best recipe to use up all of those peppers from the garden. I always use bell pepper and jalapeno peppers, and I use a mix of other peppers I have from the garden. **Always wear gloves when working with hot peppers.

*Jalapeno Peppers
*Bell Peppers
*Mixed Pepper–cow horn, hot/sweet banana, cayenne, and your favorites

Ingredients Needed for Pepper Jelly

Bell Pepper
Jalapeno Pepper
Mixed Hot Peppers of Choice
Sugar
Vinegar
Ground Cayenne Pepper
Liquid Pectin–Certo

How Do I Make Pepper Jelly?

Making Jalapeno Pepper Jelly is easy. Honestly, you will be surprised at how easily this jelly comes together. Even if you have never canned anything in your life before, you can do this!

There are a few steps involved with making this recipe. First, Choose the size jars you wish to use. I have used 4 ounces, 6 ounces, and 8-ounce jars for this jelly. For this batch, I used 4-ounce jars and made 11 jars of pepper jelly.

*Prepare your jars, lids, and rings and sterilize according to manufacturer instructions. Follow instructions on the jar package for sterilization of jars and lids. Wash in hot soapy water then place the jars in a large pan on the stovetop. Heat over medium heat to allow the jars to get hot. Keep the jars in hot water until you are ready to fill them with the jelly. You will need hot jars for the hot jelly.

*While your jars are getting hot, begin your jelly.
**Wash and finely dice your peppers. Remove the seeds to cut down on the heat. Be sure to use gloves when handling hot peppers.
*In a large stainless steel saucepan, combine peppers, vinegar, cayenne pepper, and sugar. Stir—Cook over medium-high heat stirring continuously. Bring to a boil.
*Boil for 10 minutes.
*Stir in Liquid Pectin and boil for 5 minutes longer. Stir continuously.
*Remove from heat and skim off foam.
*Ladle into hot sterilized jars. Wipe the rims of the jars and seal—process in a water bath canner for about 10 minutes. **See below for tips on how to water bath your jelly.

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Tips:

*  Follow instructions on the jars for sterilization of jars and lids. Wash in hot soapy water then place the jars in a large pan on the stovetop. Heat over medium heat to allow the jars to get hot. Keep the jars in hot water until you are ready to fill them with the jelly. You will need hot jars for the hot jelly.

* Remove from the water bath and cover with a towel and allow to sit for 24 hours. Check each jar to make sure it has sealed and if any jars do not seal-place into the refrigerator.

How Do I Water Bath Pepper Jelly?

Prepare the boiling water canner/pot with enough water to cover the jars by at least an inch. Bring the water just under a boil.

Pour the hot pepper jelly into the sterilized jars, leaving 1/4 inch of headspace. Wipe the jar rims, add the lid, and screw on the bands.
Place the jars onto the canning rack, ensuring the jars are 1-2 inches below the water. Make sure your water is hot before adding your jars.
Bring the water to a boil and boil for about 10 minutes.
Remove the jars from the canner and place on a towel and cover. Leave alone and allow them to sit for 24 hours to ensure the lids seal.

** **Do not add hot jars to cold water. This will cause the jars to crack.

How to Serve Pepper Jelly

Jalapeno Pepper Jelly is the most popular served with cream cheese and crackers as an appetizer for a party. Just place a block of cream cheese on a platter, pour the pepper jelly over the top, and add crackers to the side. This jelly always disappears when I serve it at a party, ball game, or as an appetizer at a cookout. And it makes a delicious snack.
Try adding a spoonful to the top of grilled chicken breast. I promise it will take it to the next level.
Fantastic when added to a ham or chicken sandwich. Yum!

Make Pepper Jelly for Christmas or Birthday Gifts

This is a wonderful gift to give as a Christmas present or as a birthday gift. Cut a piece of fabric for the top, add a bow, and a box of crackers to a gift bag.

A coworker, neighbor, friend, or church member would enjoy Homemade Jalapeno Pepper Jelly as a gift. Homemade gifts are the best! I would love to get this as a gift.

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More Appetizers:

Seasoned Fire Crackers

Homemade Pimento Cheese

Cream Cheese Buffalo Chicken Crescent Rolls

Easy Jalapeno Pepper Jelly

Gina Abernathy

Easy Jalapeno Pepper Jelly is served over cream cheese with your favorite crackers. It’s sweet with just the right amount of heat. Great for appetizers, or as a snack.

5 from 4 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Course Appetizer, Snack

Cuisine American

Servings 10 4 ounce jars

Ingredients

  

• 1 cup Bell Pepper minced
• 1 cup jalapeno peppers minced
• 1 cup Hot Peppers Peppers of choice–hot banana, cow horn, habanero, cayenne
• 1 1/2 cups white vinegar 5% Acidity
• 6 1/2 cups white sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon Ground Cayenne Pepper
• 1 6 ounce container Liquid Pectin

Instructions

 

• Prepare your jars, lids, and rings and sterilize according to manufacturer instructions. Follow instructions on the jar package for sterilization of jars and lids. Wash in hot soapy water then place the jars in a large pan on the stovetop. Heat over medium heat to allow the jars to get hot. Keep the jars in hot water until you are ready to fill them with the jelly. You will need hot jars for the hot jelly.
• *While your jars are getting hot, begin your jelly. **Wash and finely dice your peppers. Remove the seeds to cut down on the heat. Be sure to use gloves when handling hot peppers.
• *In a large stainless steel saucepan, combine peppers, vinegar, cayenne pepper, and sugar. Stir—Cook over medium-high heat stirring continuously. Bring to a boil. *Boil for 10 minutes.
• *Stir in Liquid Pectin and boil for 5 minutes longer. Stir continuously. *Remove from heat and skim off foam.
• *Ladle into hot sterilized jars. Wipe the rims of the jars and seal—process in a water bath canner for about 10 minutes.

Notes

*Follow instructions on the jars for sterilization of jars and lids. Wash in hot soapy water then place the jars in a large pan on the stovetop. Heat over medium heat to allow the jars to get hot. Keep the jars in hot water until you are ready to fill them with the jelly. You will need hot jars for the hot jelly.

*Remove from the water bath and cover with a towel and allow to sit for 24 hours. Check each jar to make sure it has sealed and if any jars do not seal-place into the refrigerator.

Keyword Jalapeno Pepper Jelly