Hot Pepper Jelly Recipe

If you want to try out a unique and versatile condiment, try the hot pepper jelly recipe. It’s sweet, tangy, and packed with heat. These go perfectly with cheese boards, grilled meats, and glaze for shrimp and chicken. 

Unlike a normal jelly, hot pepper jelly balances sweetness and heat. So you can easily pair it up with your appetizers and main dishes. Also, you can customize the ingredients and turn it from roasted pepper jelly to pineapple hot pepper jelly recipes or hot banana pepper canning recipes. 

Now, let’s just get to know how to make the hot pepper jelly first.

Why You Must Try This Recipe at Home

We all need hot jelly pepper in our kitchen for various reasons. Like, you can spread it on your cracker, use it as a dip, or as a glaze for meats. In short, the hot jelly pepper is very versatile and can be used in many ways.

Even at parties, this jelly is going to be the showstopper. Thanks to the balance of heat and sweetness it has. However, this recipe is beginner-friendly and requires simple ingredients and steps. Since this recipe includes hot peppers, you can easily store it for months, because hot peppers are shelf-stable. Whether you like spicy or sweet flavors, or just want a homemade gift idea, this hot jelly recipe is a must-try for you.

Ingredients and Substitutions You Need for Hot Pepper Jelly Recipe

You don’t need any fancy ingredients for the hot jelly pepper recipe. The ingredients used here are very simple, yet they play a vital role in flavor and maintain consistency.

Ingredient	Amount	Substitution/Notes
Red bell peppers	3 (large)	Use yellow or orange bell peppers for color variation
Hot peppers (jalapeno, banana, or chili)	5 to 6 (small)	Adjust the heat level as per your preferences. Use banana peppers for a mild heat and habaneros for extra heat.
White vinegar	1 cup	Use apple cider vinegar to get a fruitier taste
Granulated sugar	4 cups	Use brown sugar or honey for a bit of flavor change.
Liquid Pectin	1 packet	Powdered pectin, only in proper conversion
Salt	½ tsp	It’s optional, only to enhance the flavor

• Bell peppers are going to give a natural sweetness to the jelly. 
• Hot peppers are the star ingredient here. So choose the one that suits your heat level.
• Vinegar will add a tang to the jelly and balance the sweetness. 
• Sugar will let the jelly set properly and preserve afterwards. 
• Pectin will provide a jelly-like texture.
• You can try some fruit add-ins like pineapple. That can be a pineapple hot pepper jelly recipe that’s both sweet and spicy.

How To Make Hot Pepper Jelly: 5 Simple Steps

So, we have all the ingredients with us. Let’s now start making our hot pepper jelly recipe.

Step 1

Wash all the peppers first. Remove the seeds and stems from bell peppers and hot peppers. If you like more heat, you can keep the seeds of the hot pepper. Wear hand gloves if possible. Or else, your hands will feel irritated. Then chop the peppers. 

Step 2

Put the chopped peppers into the blender, and blend them until they become minced. But it shouldn’t turn into a puree.

Step 3

Then transfer the blended peppers into a saucepan. Add vinegar, sugar, and salt to it, and stir everything. Let the mixture boil over a medium heat 

Step 4

Now add liquid pectin and stir the mixture again. Let it boil for another 1 to 2 minutes or until it thickens.

Step 5

Once the jelly cools down, transfer it to a sealed glass jar. You can easily store it for 2 to 3 weeks. 

Chef’s Note

Follow these steps below if you want your pepper jelly sauce to be better than ever.

• Wear hand gloves while preparing the peppers. This is to protect your eyes and skin from irritation.
• If you want a mild spice level, remove the seeds from the peppers. But if you want a higher spice level, keep the seeds. 
• Use a food processor to finely chop the peppers. And it won’t even turn the peppers to a puree.
• Sugar burns quickly. So keep moving the mixture. 
• Use sterilized jars for everything, especially to keep them longer than ever.

Additional Suggestions

Your pepper jelly will stand out if you pair it up with some particular dishes and serve it in a particular way. Let’s know how.

Dish	How to use Pepper Jelly
Cheese Board	Spread on crackers with some cream cheese
Grilled shrimp or chicken	Use as a glaze while grilling
Sandwiches	Add on turkey or ham as a spicy-sweet layer
Appetizers	Mix with cream cheese to make it a dip
Breakfast	Spread it on toast or bagels

Frequently Asked Questions 

How Long Does Hot Pepper Jelly Last?

Hot jelly pepper can last up to 2 to 3 years if stored in the fridge. Or else it can stay good for up to 1 year.

Can I Make Hot Jelly Pepper With Banana Peppers?

Yes, you can use banana peppers to make hot pepper jelly. In that case, it will be hot banana paper canning recipes.

What Can I Pair With Hot Pepper Jelly? 

With hot pepper jelly, you can try cheese boards, grilled meats, shrimp, sandwiches, and breakfast toast.

Can You Reduce the Sugar in the Recipe?

Sugar is important in this recipe, as it helps in forming texture and preserving. But if you want, you can slightly reduce the amount of sugar if you are on a low-sugar diet.

Conclusion 

Hot pepper jelly is truly a delightful condiment that has sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors. In short, it has everything to brighten up a dish. You can spread it on toast or use it as a pepper jelly sauce for meats, shrimp, and veggies. Also, the recipe is super easy to make. Just have some peppers, sugar, pectin, salt, and vinegar, and 40 minutes in your hand. You can even customize the ingredients, like including pineapple for a fruity twist. 

No matter if you are a beginner or experienced, the hot jelly pepper recipe is easy for all. Try it out, serve it to your friends and family, and let us know how it was!