Pickled Habanero Peppers

If you're a fan of bold, spicy flavors, pickled habanero peppers might just become your new go-to condiment. These vibrant peppers pack a punch of heat you can add to recipes or enjoy them on their own as a fiery snack.

Next time you're in the mood for something spicy, consider giving pickled habanero peppers a try. Add a little heat and flavor to your meals – your taste buds will thank you.

This pickled peppers recipe was inspired by my other spicy pepper recipes including this smoked jalapeno, dried jalapeno, and jalapeno powder.

Why You Will Love This Pickled Peppers Recipe

• Great Flavor. Discover an intensely flavorful combination of sweet, spicy and tangy that will delight your taste buds.
• So Many Ways to Use Them. Serve these versatile pickled peppers as a topping for eggs, tacos, nachos, pizza, quesadillas, burgers, sandwiches, or by themselves as a snack.
• Great for Gift Giving. A jar of homemade pickled habanero peppers makes the perfect gift for anyone who enjoys spicy food.

Ingredients

Here's a look at the simple ingredients needed to make pickled habanero peppers.

• White Vinegar: A crucial ingredient for pickling, vinegar helps to preserve the peppers' texture while adding tanginess. Apple cider vinegar is also a popular choice, although you can also use white wine vinegar or other types of vinegar depending on your preference.
• Coarse Salt: Coarse salt is ideal and essential for pickling, as it helps to preserve the food and enhance its flavors. Canning salt (also called pickling salt) is recommended, as it dissolves more easily and contains no additives but kosher and sea salt will also work well.
• Pepper: A flavor enhancer for your pickled pepper. You can also use black peppercorns instead for a mild, earthy spice.
• Habanero Peppers : These fiery peppers, with a Scoville rating ranging from 100,000 to 350,000 units, provide a spicy kick. Choose fresh, firm peppers for the best results from your local market or garden. Most commonly they are orange but can come in a variety of colors which varies depending on the maturity and ripeness of the fruit.
• Sugar: Adding sugar helps balance the taste and spiciness by adding a touch of sweetness. Adjust the amount depending on your taste preference.
• Garlic: Add minced, whole or smashed garlic cloves into the pickling mixture for a subtle flavor addition.
• Mustard Seed: Adds a lightly sweet, tart and savory flavor to your pickles.

See the recipe card below for the exact quantities of each ingredient.

Substitutions and Variations

• Different Peppers: You can use just about any spicy pepper in this recipe. So feel free to experiment with jalapeno peppers, for milder flavor, serrano peppers, sweet bell peppers, ghost peppers, carolina reaper, or evenuse a blend.
• More Heat: If you can handle heat feel free to include pith and seeds with your sliced habanero peppers inside the jar when pickling.
• Add More Vegetables: Add thinly sliced red onions with your habanero peppers for more flavor. Carrots or cauliflower also work great too.
• Add Water To Pickling Brine: This dilutes the acidity and makes the brine more tasty if you plan on using it in dressings or sauces. We don't add water because we just enjoy the pickles.
• More Flavors: Add fresh or dried dill or fresh ginger to complement the spicy, tangy flavors of pickled habanero peppers. Use whole or ground allspice to give your pickled habanero peppers a hint of earthy warmth.

How to Make Pickled Habanero Peppers

Here's a look at the main steps for making these homemade pickled hot peppers at home.

⭐️ WARNING! Be sure to wear gloves whenever working with habaneros. Also be sure not to get any of the juice in your eyes.

Step 1: Prep the Habaneros

• Wash the habanero peppers under running water.
• Use a sharp knife to remove the stems and seeds.
• Slice the peppers into desired size.
• Pack the habaneros into a large jar or two small jars.

PRO TIP: Select jars with tight-fitting lids, like mason jars, to create an airtight seal that keeps the flavors intact.

Step 2: Pickle the Habaneros

1. Add the remaining ingredients to a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Allow the mixture to boil for about 3-5 minutes.
2. Pour the hot mixture over the peppers until they're fully submerged in the brine.

3. Allow them to cool before placing the lid on. Refrigerate peppers for three days, shaking a couple times each day so the flavors to blend perfectly.

⭐️ Hint: Remember, wear gloves and don't touch your eyes. Regardless, wash your hands immediately after handling.

If you love recipes like this, you may also enjoy our homemade hot pepper sauce.

How to Serve with Pickled Peppers

• Enjoy With Classic Toppings: Try them with ketchup, our onion ketchup, spicy mayo sauce, garlic mayo, relish, mustard, honey mustard mayo, or sauerkraut.
• Add to Sandwiches. They're great added to sandwiches like a sub or one of our grilled cheese recipes, salads with a creamy dressing, taco breakfast burritos, air fryer shredded chicken tacos, hot dogs, and best old fashioned burgers for an extra kick of heat.
• Chop and Blend. Add them to homemade tomato salsa, hot sauces, one of our best dips, or as a topping for fajita nachos with steak, quesadillas, and sour cream chicken enchiladas.
• Make a Relish: Finely chop habanero peppers, onions, and garlic. Combine these ingredients in a saucepan with vinegar mixture. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for a few minutes. Allow relish to cool before transferring it to a jar and storing it in the refrigerator for up to a month.

Tips

• Storing: Make sure the peppers are fully submerged in the pickling liquid and they'll last for up to a month in the fridge. These aren't canned so make sure to store them in the fridge.
• Wear Gloves: To avoid possible skin irritation and don't touch your face as getting some in your eyes will definitely hurt. Wash your hands immediately after handling.
• Ventilation: Due to the spiciness of habanero peppers, the fumes can be overwhelming while you're preparing so make sure the area is well-ventilated or even keep a fan close by in case you need it.
• Use Clean Jars: Make sure your jars and lids are clean is crucial to prevent possible bacterial growth during pickling.
• Leave Space at the Top: When filling your jars with peppers and pickling liquid, always leave about ½ inch of space at the top to allow for expansion.

FAQ

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Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.