Hot Pepper Jelly

Homemade hot pepper jelly combines spicy and sweet for the perfect bite! Make this jalapeno jelly with all jalapenos or tone down the heat with bell peppers to suit your taste.

Why this recipe works:

Hot pepper jelly may not sound like your typical fruit jelly or jam but give it a try in this jalapeno jelly recipe. Use it to top brie, goat cheese, and other cheeses, as a spread on a sandwich, or as a condiment with grilled meats and vegetables.

Making homemade preserves is a rewarding activity. Of course you can buy hot pepper jelly at the store, but why? Making jelly at home is a simple process once you get the basics down.

Recipe Ingredients

Let’s look closer into the ingredients:

• Peppers: A straightforward ratio of peppers in this small batch recipe is 6 jalapenos to one bell pepper. You can mix this up by using some red and some green so get a vibrant assortment of colors in your jalapeno jelly. Look in the notes below for other suggestions of types of peppers to use in this recipe. You’ll see in the photo I used a combination of peppers from my local farmer’s deliver.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: vinegar adds a tang in this jelly that brightens each bite. Apple cider vinegar is preferred, although you could choose other types if that is all you had available.
• Sugar: The sweet side of pepper jelly comes from the sugar. Jellies are often high in sugar. Sugar helps the jelly set and achieve that jelly-like texture. If you’d like to use less sugar, you may have a runnier jelly.
• Onion: A sweet onion is recommended but you can use what you have available.
• Liquid Pectin: I often use Certo Liquid Pectin which you can find on Amazon. (affiliate link)

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How to Make Hot Pepper Jelly

1. Prepare the ingredients. Take care to wear gloves when chopping hot peppers.
2. Add the chopped peppers and onions to a small food processor.
3. Pulse into small pieces.

Next, we’ll move on to making the jelly. Use a large saucepan. When you make homemade jelly, you’ll learn quickly that the mixture boils vigorously and will expand quickly in the saucepan. A heavy bottomed pan with high sides is ideal.

1. Place the finely chopped peppers and onions into a large saucepan. Add the apple cider vinegar (image 1) and then add the sugar (image 2). Stir well as you bring to a boil over medium-high heat. (image 3) Cook for 2 minutes after you reach boiling, stirring constantly.
2. Pour the entire pouch of liquid pectin into the hot jelly mixture.(image 4) It’s best to do this off the heat. Then, move the pan back to the heat and bring to a boil for one more minute. (image 5) At this time use a thermometer to check for the gel point of your jelly. (image 6)
3. Ladle the jelly into prepared, clean jars leaving 1/4 inch headspace at the top. Seal with two piece mason jar lids. Set aside to cool and then refrigerate OR immediately process in a water bath canner.

Tips and Tricks for jelly success!

Notes on growing your own peppers:

Is your garden bursting with vegetables and fruits this summer? I hope so! My gardening space consists of a few small containers on the back deck.  There are a few herbs, a tomato plant and a hot pepper plant. Some plants I grew from seeds but this hot pepper plant was already on its way to success when I purchased it.

For me, it is an accomplishment to keep ANY plant alive; it’s simply a skill I don’t seem to possess…but I keep trying!  Hot pepper jelly is an ideal way to use your garden’s bounty of hot peppers.

Or you could easily buy some jalapenos at the grocery store—either way this recipe is an easy way to make a special hot pepper jelly.

Here’s my pepper jelly web story!

Pin this Homemade Jelly Recipe

Here are more homemade jam and preserves recipes you’ll enjoy!

Making homemade preserves is the perfect way to use fruits and vegetables from your garden. Find all of my Canning Recipes here. Or check out some of my favorites:

• Cara cara orange marmalade – a celebration of citrus!
• Lemon Curd in the Vitamix – the simple and fast way to make homemade lemon curd
• Lime Curd  – change it up and make this lime fruit spread for a delicious topping
• Orange marmalade – a great starting recipe for homemade marmalades