Jalapeno Jelly is the best Christmas Gift that can be made in the fall. Our city had it’s the first frost last week. I headed to the garden to see the damage.
While I don’t have much growing right now, I did notice my wilted jalapeño plant had about 10 good sized peppers still on it.
I immediately picked them and looked online for recipe ideas. I knew I had to use these jalapenos quickly, so I decided to make some homemade gifts, we made Christmas Red and Green Jalapeño Jelly.
If the idea of canning scares you, stop now. Jams and Jelly’s don’t have to be processed so it is super easy and I am giving you step by step photos to help you along.
I used to make jams after season berry picking. Not sure why I stopped. Making jams and jellies is pretty easy and you can preserve the flavors of summer well into the winter as well as gift them to friends.
How to Make Jalapeno Jelly Recipe
You might be wondering what can you possibly do with jalapeño jelly? It makes an amazing and quick appetizer poured over a block of cream cheese and served with crackers.
The colors of this jelly are perfect for holiday entertaining.
How to serve Jalapeno Jelly?
We love it on top of a block of cream cheese served with crackers. Simple right? The perfect go-to appetizer. Also, try our Bacon & Cheese Dip
Look at these wonderful but spicy veggies from the garden, we just could not throw them away. When handling them, use plastic gloves as you don’t want to touch your eyes…
Is Jalapeno Jelly Hot?
This will depend on how many of the seeds and ribs you decide to include in the recipe. The more seeds the hotter.
Process all the peppers in the food processor to achieve the small bits you will see through the glass.
Do I need any special equipment to make this Jalapeno jelly recipe?
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Using a candy thermometer has the mixture reach 220 degrees. This should take about 3-5 minutes. If you don’t reach this temperature, there is a good chance the jelly won’t set.
Meanwhile, in a pot of boiling water, sterilize the mason jars and lids. This recipe filled five 8oz mason jars.
Fill the jars with the jelly mixture, allowing 1/4 inch space from the top. Clean off the rims of the jars and tighten with lids.
How Do I Know if the Jelly Jars Sealed?
It was suggested in some notes that you should rotate the jars every 30 minutes for 2 hours so the peppers distribute evenly. While we were sitting at dinner, that glorious pop of the lids went off.
The kids were not sure why I was so thrilled. If you don’t get the pop you will need to reheat the jars and jelly and try again or just refrigerate the jelly immediately.
Christmas Jalapeño Jelly Recipe
Print out our jalapeno jelly stickers to adorn your gifts.
Don’t you just love the colors of this jelly? Perfect for the holidays. Food gifts are always so welcomed, especially ones that can be stored until you are ready to use it.
Your friends will be thrilled to have a go-to appetizer in the pantry.
Pin this for when you want to know how to make Jalapeno Jelly
Be sure to watch the video on how to make Chistmas Jalapeno Jelly Recipe
Christmas Jalapeño Jelly
A spicy Christmas jalapeño jelly that is filled with green and red flecks of pepper. Is wonderful over a block of cream cheese served with crackers.
Ingredients
- 1 cup chopped red bell pepper
- 1/2 cup chopped jalapeño pepper, include seeds of 1 or 2 peppers for kick
- 5 cups white sugar
- 1 1/2 cups apple cider vinegar, I used 3/4 cup White vinegar 3/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 6 fluid ounce container liquid pectin
Instructions
- Remove stems, veins and most of the seeds of the bell and jalapeño peppers. (leaving a few if you prefer a little spicer) Mince peppers in a food processor.
- In a 5-quart pot over high heat, combine bell peppers, jalapenos, sugar and vinegar. Bring to a rolling boil; boil until it reaches 220* F on a candy thermometer . Remove from heat and cool for 5 minutes.
- Stirring constantly, add the pectin and let mixture continue to cool for 2 minutes more. Now stir for 1 minute.
- Pour into hot, sterilized jars and top with sterilized lids. Secure lids with bands and allow jars to cool slowly, creating a vacuum seal.
- For the first 2 hours, flip the jars over every 30 minutes. This allows for a consistent distribution of the pepper flakes.
Nutrition Information
Yield 8 Jars Serving Size 8 ozAmount Per Serving Calories 519Total Fat 0gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 0mgSodium 12mgCarbohydrates 132gFiber 1gSugar 127gProtein 0g
This is the count per container
I love pepper jelly, and your batch looks delicious (especially on that cheese!). I make a big batch every summer to give as gifts later on in the year. This year I made blueberry pepper jelly, and last year I did apricot pepper jelly – so yummy!! Btw – I’m jealous of your late first frost! It snowed here in Calgary in October 🙁
Love the idea of homemade foods as gifts. This is wonderful. Happy holidays!
Looks great! I bet this is a hit at all the parties!
Aren’t these preserves beautiful? I love this one although it goes by the name “chelly” in our home (aka chilli jam lol). I love it on cheese toasties (grilled cheese sandwiches) and of course, with all the cold cuts from Christmas. I love your photos and am fascinated by canning – it’s not something we do in the UK but I’d really like to give it a try 😀