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    Home » Recipes » Appetizer Recipes

    Pickled Habanero Peppers

    Published: Dec 31, 2023 · Modified: May 13, 2025 by Karin and Ken · This post may contain affiliate links. 6 Comments

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    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.

    Jars of pickled habanero peppers on the table and a small bowl of habaneros in the background.

    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.

    Ingredients to make pickled habanero peppers on the table.
    • 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.
    Pouring the vinegar into a saucepan with the rest of the pickling ingredients.
    Pouring the brine over the habaneros.
    1. 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.
    Pickled habanero peppers in a mason jar.

    ⭐️ 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.

    A fork lifting up a few rings of pickled habaneros.

    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

    What is the Scoville rating of pickled habaneros?

    The Scoville rating of pickled habaneros can range from 100,000 to 350,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU), depending on the heat level of the original habanero peppers and the pickling process. Since pickling involves the addition of vinegar, the heat might slightly mellow, but they'll still pack a punch.

    Do pickled habaneros get hotter over time?

    Pickled habaneros may get slightly hotter over time as the capsaicin, which is responsible for the spiciness, continues to develop and permeate throughout the pickling liquid. However, this increase in heat is generally minimal, and the overall flavor will remain fairly consistent.

    What is the difference between pickled habaneros and jalapenos?

    The main difference between pickled habaneros and jalapenos lies in their heat level. Habaneros are hotter than jalapenos, with a Scoville rating between 100,000 and 350,000 SHU, while jalapenos range from 2,500 to 8,000 SHU. The taste is also different, as Habaneros have a fruity, slightly smoky flavor, whereas jalapenos have a milder, tangy taste.

    Jars of pickled habanero peppers on the table with a bowl of habaneros in the background.

    Video

    YouTube video

    More Spicy Recipes

    Do you like spicy food? Here some of our favorite recipes you may also like to try,

    • Bowl of spicy beef stew in a white bowl with a slice of lime.
      Spicy Beef Stew (Slow Cooker)
    • A bowl of spicy Italian sausage pasta on the table with a spoon in the bowl.
      Spicy Italian Sausage Pasta
    • Spicy Shrimp Dip
      Spicy Shrimp Dip
    • Spicy Maple Syrup

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

    Jars of pickled habanero peppers on the table with a bowl of habaneros in the background.

    Pickled Habanero Peppers

    Karin and Ken
    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.
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 5 minutes mins
    Chill 3 days d
    Total Time 3 days d 15 minutes mins
    Course Condiment
    Cuisine American
    Servings 20
    Calories 26 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 15-20 habanero peppers seeds removed and sliced
    • 1 cup white vinegar
    • ½ cup sugar
    • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
    • 1 tablespoon coarse sea salt
    • 1 teaspoon mustard seed
    Get Recipe Ingredients

    Instructions
     

    • WARNING! Be sure to wear gloves whenever working with habaneros. Also be sure not to get any of the juice in your eyes.
    • Pack habaneros into a large jar or two small jars.
    • Add remaining ingredients to a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil.
    • Allow mixture to boil for about 3-5 minutes.
    • Pour hot mixture over peppers.
    • Allow to cool a bit before covering.
    • Refrigerate peppers for three days, shaking a couple times each day. This will allow the flavors to blend perfectly.

    Video

    Notes

    • 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.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 26kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 0.2gFat: 0.1gSaturated Fat: 0.01gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.03gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.04gSodium: 350mgPotassium: 27mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 71IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 3mgIron: 0.1mg
    Keyword pickled habanero peppers, pickled habaneros, pickled peppers
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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    Comments

    1. Savi says

      January 07, 2024 at 5:23 am

      5 stars
      Perfect recipe Easy to follow and tastes great on everything I could not ask for more Thank you. This recipe is going in my arsenal

      Reply
      • Karin and Ken says

        January 07, 2024 at 8:29 am

        I’m so happy to hear you enjoy this recipe too. You made my day! All the best. Karin

    2. Tammy says

      January 07, 2024 at 5:21 am

      5 stars
      Threw in some jalapeños too. Loved the colors and flavor is out of this world. Thx for sharing 💕

      Reply
      • Karin and Ken says

        January 07, 2024 at 8:30 am

        I love adding other peppers myself! So glad you’re enjoying this recipe as much as we do. All the best. Karin

    3. Thomas says

      January 07, 2024 at 5:19 am

      5 stars
      Easiest recipe and they turned out great. I’m using them on everything. Love the heat. Thx for sharing. Love your recipes

      Reply
      • Karin and Ken says

        January 07, 2024 at 8:30 am

        Thank you! I try my best. This recipe is super easy and I’m so glad you enjoy it. All the best. Karin

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    Welcome!

    We are the kitchen divas: Karin and my partner in life, Ken.

    We have been attached at the heart and hip since the first day we met, and we love to create new dishes to keep things interesting. Variety is definitely the spice of life!

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