This classic Jalapeno Jam is the perfect blend of sweet and spicy. Even if you are not a fan of heat, I promise that this jam will change your mind. It is great to share and bring to parties or store in cute little jars and give them as gifts.
Combining jalapenos and red bell peppers creates a well-balanced jam that is the perfect base for customization. It's smooth, spreadable, and perfect to add to any dip or burger.
If you like homemade jam recipes, you will love strawberry jam with jalapenos and homemade rhubarb jam.
Why You'll Love This Spicy Jam Recipe
- Bold flavors: The spice from the jalapenos, acid from the vinegar, and sweet bell peppers come together to create a flavor bomb.
- Great shelf life: This spicy jam lasts quite a while in the refrigerator and can be frozen.
- Budget-friendly: Fresh peppers are very inexpensive and the other ingredients are staples.
Ingredients
All you need are 5 simple ingredients to make this easy hot pepper jam recipe.
- Jalapeno peppers: You don't need to mince the peppers because they will be added to a food processor. Jalapenos add great heat and flavor to any dish they are used in. You want to have about four cups of jalapenos.
- Red peppers: I like to use a combination of jalapenos and sweet peppers for balance. You can use green peppers as well but they are a bit less sweet than the red.
- Apple cider vinegar: The acidity from the vinegar adds a fruity element and also highlights the other ingredients.
- Powdered pectin: I use Sure Jell powdered pectin. You can make this jalapeno jam without pectin if you prefer but it helps with the consistency.
- Sugar: The sugar and pectin work together to thicken the jam and it adds sweetness to balance the spice.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Honey: Swap all or some of the sugar or honey for a richer flavor.
- Passion fruit: Add passion fruit to this jam for some tropical flair.
- Ginger: Use grated ginger for freshness, depth, and a little more spice.
- Different hot peppers: Swap the jalapenos for serranos or habaneros! You can even use a variety of peppers.
Try these crispy fried jalapenos if recipes like this speak to you.
How to Make Jalapeno Jam
Here are the instructions on how to make this jalapeno pepper jam recipe. It's so easy that you will never purchase store-bought again!
Step 1: Chop peppers. Wash, dry, and cut the peppers into large chunks.
Step 1: Pulse the peppers. Add the pepper chunks to a food processor and pulse them until they are finely minced.
Step 3: Combine the ingredients. In a large pot, add the peppers, vinegar, and sugar. Stir the ingredients together until they are well mixed.
Step 4: Boil and simmer. Turn the stove to medium-high heat and bring the jam mixture to a boil. Then, reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer for about 10 minutes. Be sure to stir it occasionally to ensure it cooks evenly.
Step 5: Add pectin and boil. After the mixture has simmered, stir in the powdered pectin. Make sure it has dissolved completely. Raise the heat back to medium-high and bring the jam to a boil. Let it boil for 1-2 minutes and stir it constantly during that time.
Step 6: Remove from heat. Take the pot off the heat and pour it into the jars. Allow it to cool to room temperature. Place the jars in the refrigerator until you are ready to use them.
⭐️ Hint: If you are unsure if the jam has reached the right consistency, perform a gel test. Chill a plate and place a small amount of hot jam on it. Let it cool for a couple of minutes and check to see if it has set to your liking. Boil longer if not and repeat the test if necessary!
If you love the spicy flavors of this homemade jam you may also enjoy our jalapeno bacon jam. Our raspberry jalapeno jam is really good too and so is our cranberry jalapeno jam.
Serving Suggestions
- Make jalapeno jam cream cheese dip by combining this jam with a block of cream cheese for a unique appetizer. It's great with crackers or tortilla chips.
- Enjoy it as a spicy spread on a Grilled Cheese and Egg Sandwich or a Crab Cake Sandwich for subtle heat.
- Use it as a spicy dip for Air Fryer Tyson Chicken Tenders or Easy Taco Egg Rolls.
- Serve it with Raspberry Buttermilk Cake for a fun twist.
- It's a great addition to charcuterie boards and dip spreads!
- The jars make a great gift around the holidays or an addition to a gift basket.
If you're a lover of jalapeno recipes like this, you really should check out our jalapeno mac and cheese. It's easy to make and even easier to eat.
Recipe Tips
- Adjust the pepper ratio for heat level: Increase the bell peppers and decrease the jalapenos for milder heat.
- Double the recipe: This jalapeno pepper jam recipe is easy to double for a party appetizer.
- Refrigeration: Store this pepper jam in airtight jars in the refrigerator for up to 1 month. Store the cooled jam in the freezer for up to 6 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator when you're ready to use it. When freezing be sure to leave some space at the top to allow for it to expand.
Recipe FAQs
This is typically the same as fruit jam and jelly. Jalapeno jelly has a smoother texture than jam. This is because the pieces are either strained out or very finely pureed. You won't have whole pieces like you will in a jam.
You must use fresh jalapenos in this recipe. Pickled jalapenos are very soft and have a strong vinegar taste. They will become very mushy if cooked down into a jam.
Either will work great! Green has a fresh and more crisp taste because they are unripe peppers. You will get more heat and complex flavor from red jalapenos because they are picked fully ripe. Choose your pepper based on preference or use a combination for a unique jam.
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More Delicious Jalapeno Recipes
Do you like spicy peppers? Here are some recipes you may also like to try!
Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.
Jalapeno Jam
Ingredients
- 16 large jalapenos or 4 cups finely minced
- 1 red bell pepper cut into chunks
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1.75 ounce package Sure Jell powdered pectin
- 5 cups white granulated sugar
Instructions
- Prepare the jalapenos and red bell pepper by washing, drying and chopping into chunks.
- Place in the food processor and use the pulse/chop setting until the peppers are finely minced. You need 4 cups of finely minced peppers total for the jam.
- In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, combine the minced jalapenos and red bell pepper and apple cider vinegar, and sugar. Stir well to combine.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and let the mixture simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- After simmering for 10 minutes, stir in the powdered pectin until it's completely dissolved.
- Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture back to a rolling boil. Boil for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly.
- To check if the jam has reached the desired consistency, you can perform a gel test. Place a small amount of the hot jam on a chilled plate and let it cool for a minute. If it sets to your desired consistency, it's ready. If not, continue boiling for another minute and test again.
- Once the jam has reached the desired consistency, remove the pot from the heat. Skim off any foam that may have formed on the surface.
- Carefully ladle the hot jam into jars, and store in the fridge.
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Notes
- Adjust the pepper ratio for heat level: Increase the bell peppers and decrease the jalapenos for milder heat.
- Double the recipe: This jalapeno pepper jam recipe is easy to double for a party appetizer.
- Refrigeration: Store this pepper jam in airtight jars in the refrigerator for up to 1 month. Store the cooled jam in the freezer for up to 6 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator when you're ready to use it. When freezing be sure to leave some space at the top to allow for it to expand.
Maeghan says
Made this recipe exactly as it's written. It turned out amazing, served with cream cheese and crackers and it was a big hit. Will definitely make again.
Karin and Ken says
Glad to hear it. Thank you for taking the time to let me know. All the best. Karin