The Ultimate Sweet & Spicy Candied Jalapeños Recipe Everyone Loves

Candied jalapeños redefine ordinary ingredients into extraordinary culinary experiences with their electrifying sweet-heat personality.

These vibrant peppers undergo a magical redefineation through careful caramelization, creating a condiment that dances between sugary indulgence and fiery intensity.

Their complex flavor profile challenges traditional taste expectations, offering a sophisticated blend of warmth and sweetness.

Adventurous home cooks adore how these peppers elevate simple dishes from mundane to memorable.

Each bite delivers a surprising contrast that awakens the palate and challenges culinary boundaries.

Rich with nuanced complexity, candied jalapeños become an unexpected star in your kitchen repertoire.

Candied Jalapeños: A Sweet and Spicy Addition

• Spice Up Your Snacks: These candied jalapeños deliver a perfect sweet-heat kick that transforms ordinary dishes into extraordinary flavor experiences.
• Simple Preservation Magic: The recipe requires minimal ingredients and basic cooking skills, making it an accessible gourmet preservation technique for home cooks of all levels.
• Versatile Condiment Superstar: Use these sweet-spicy peppers as a zesty topping for tacos, sandwiches, burgers, charcuterie boards, or mix into cream cheese for an instant flavor boost.
• Slow-Developed Deliciousness: The two-week refrigeration process allows complex flavors to meld, creating a sophisticated condiment that gets better with time and develops deeper, more nuanced taste profiles.

Essential Ingredients for Candied Jalapeños

• Jalapeños: Fresh, crisp peppers that provide the base heat and flavor for the candied treat, choosing firm and bright green or red peppers for best results.
• White Vinegar, Apple Cider Vinegar: Sharp liquids that create the pickling foundation, helping to preserve and balance the sweetness of the candied peppers.
• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Sweet components that caramelize and create a sticky, glossy coating for the jalapeños, providing depth of flavor and preserving texture.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and helps balance the sweetness and heat of the peppers.
• Whole Peppercorns, Mustard Seeds: Aromatic spices that add complexity and subtle background notes to the candied jalapeños.

How to Make Candied Jalapeños

Step 1: Prepare Jalapeño Rounds

Wash jalapeños thoroughly and slice them into uniform, thin circles using a sharp knife. Remove seeds for a milder flavor if desired.

Step 2: Create Flavorful Syrup

• White sugar
• Brown sugar
• Apple cider vinegar
• Turmeric
• Mustard seeds

Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to dissolve sugars completely.

Step 3: Cook Jalapeño Slices

Add jalapeño rounds to the simmering syrup. Boil for 4 minutes, ensuring each slice is well-coated and slightly softened.

Step 4: Transfer to Sterilized Jars

Carefully transfer the jalapeño slices into clean, sterilized glass jars using a slotted spoon.

Step 5: Reduce and Finish Syrup

Continue boiling the remaining syrup for 6-7 minutes until it thickens slightly. Allow to cool for a few minutes.

Step 6: Cover Jalapeños with Syrup

Pour the warm syrup over the jalapeño slices in the jars, making sure they are completely covered.

Step 7: Seal and Store

Seal the jars tightly with lids. Refrigerate for at least 2 weeks to allow flavors to develop and meld together. These candied jalapeños will keep in the refrigerator for several months.

Pro Tips for Candied Jalapeños

• Choose Firm Peppers: Select fresh, crisp jalapeños without soft spots or blemishes for the best texture and flavor.
• Protect Your Hands: Wear disposable gloves while slicing peppers to prevent skin irritation from capsaicin.
• Control Spice Level: Remove seeds and membranes for milder candied jalapeños, or keep them for extra heat.
• Sterilize Jars Carefully: Wash jars and lids in hot, soapy water or run through dishwasher to ensure food safety.
• Store Strategically: Keep sealed jars in the refrigerator for up to 2 months, allowing flavors to develop and intensify over time.

Storing and Reheating Candied Jalapeños

• Refrigerator Storage: Seal candied jalapeños in airtight glass jars and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 weeks. Keep the jars away from direct sunlight and temperature fluctuations to maintain their crisp texture and vibrant flavor.
• Freezing Option: Transfer cooled candied jalapeños to freezer-safe containers, leaving a small space at the top. Frozen candied jalapeños will keep well for 2-3 months without losing their zesty kick.
• Reheating Method: These spicy treats are best enjoyed cold or at room temperature. If you prefer them warm, gently heat in a small saucepan over low heat for 1-2 minutes, stirring carefully to prevent burning the delicate sugar coating.

Pairing Candied Jalapeños with Your Favorite Dishes

• Spice Up Charcuterie Boards: Candied jalapeños add a zesty kick to cured meats, cheeses, and crackers, creating a perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors.
• Elevate Breakfast Dishes: Sprinkle these tangy peppers over scrambled eggs, breakfast tacos, or avocado toast for a morning flavor explosion that wakes up your taste buds.
• Cocktail and Appetizer Companion: Pair with craft margaritas or bloody marys, using the candied jalapeños as a garnish or mixing them directly into the drink for an extra punch of heat and sweetness.
• Gourmet Sandwich Enhancer: Layer these pickled peppers on grilled cheese, pulled pork sandwiches, or burger toppings to transform ordinary meals into extraordinary culinary experiences.

Flavor Variations of Candied Jalapeños

• Fiery Sweet Honey Blend: Replace white sugar with local honey and add a cinnamon stick for a warm, rich undertone that complements the jalapeño's heat.
• Smoky Chipotle Infusion: Incorporate ground chipotle powder into the syrup for a deep, smoky flavor that enhances the jalapeño's natural spiciness.
• Citrus Zest Kick: Mix in orange or lime zest during the syrup simmering process to introduce a bright, tangy element that cuts through the sweetness.
• Bourbon Pepper Preserve: Splash a small amount of bourbon into the syrup for a complex, spirited undertone that adds depth to the candied peppers.

Candied Jalapeños Recipe

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4.7 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 33 minutes
• Yield: 10 1x

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Description

Candied Jalapeños offer a fiery dance of sweet and spicy flavors that elevate any dish with Mexican-inspired charm. Sugary caramel coating turns hot peppers into a tantalizing condiment you cannot resist adding to tacos, sandwiches, or charcuterie boards.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 20 large jalapeños (about 454 grams)
• 2 cups (400 grams) granulated sugar
• 2 cups (440 grams) packed brown sugar
• 2 cups (473 milliliters) apple cider vinegar

Spices and Seasonings:

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• ¼ teaspoon celery seed

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Instructions

1. Carefully slice fresh jalapeño peppers into uniform 1/4-inch (0.6 centimeters) rounds, removing stems and discarding the seeds for a milder flavor or keeping them for extra heat.
2. In a medium stainless steel saucepan, combine white vinegar, granulated sugar, and brown sugar with whole spices like mustard seeds and peppercorns, creating a fragrant pickling base.
3. Gently heat the syrup mixture over medium heat, stirring continuously until sugars completely dissolve and liquid becomes smooth and slightly thickened, approximately 4-5 minutes.
4. Introduce the prepared jalapeño rounds into the simmering syrup, allowing them to cook and absorb the sweet-tangy liquid for 4-5 minutes, ensuring they remain crisp and vibrant.
5. Using sterilized glass canning jars, carefully transfer the jalapeño rounds, distributing them evenly and leaving minimal space between pepper slices.
6. Return the remaining syrup to high heat, boiling vigorously for 6-7 minutes to concentrate flavors and create a glossy, rich consistency.
7. Allow the syrup to cool slightly, then meticulously pour over the jalapeño rounds, ensuring complete coverage and minimal air pockets.
8. Securely seal the jars with clean lids, then refrigerate for a minimum of 2 weeks to allow flavors to develop and meld, creating complex, pickled jalapeños perfect for garnishing or snacking.

Notes

• Wear gloves to protect your hands from spicy jalapeño oils that can irritate skin and cause burning sensations.
• Allow cooling time after pouring hot syrup, preventing potential glass jar cracks and ensuring safe handling.
• Refrigeration helps develop deeper flavor profiles and intensifies the sweet-spicy candied jalapeño taste.
• Store sealed jars in dark, cool spaces to maintain optimal texture and prevent potential spoilage.
• Perfect as a zesty condiment for tacos, burgers, sandwiches, and charcuterie boards, adding unexpected heat and sweetness.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 18 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Appetizer
• Method: Canning
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 10
• Calories: 1376 kcal
• Sugar: 456g
• Sodium: 0mg
• Fat: 0g
• Saturated Fat: 0g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 464g
• Fiber: N/A g
• Protein: N/A g
• Cholesterol: N/A mg