Homemade Cowboy Candy (Candied Jalapenos)
Homemade Cowboy Candy or candied jalapenos are one of those side dishes you never knew you needed! They are the perfect combination of a sweet and spicy treat. This is one of my favorite ways to preserve jalapeno peppers.
Jump to RecipeOur jalapeno peppers have been doing great this year. These little spicy peppers grow so well in our garden. I have been fermenting them and pickling them. Today’s harvest was a bit smaller, so, I decided the easiest way to preserve them is to make some cowboy candy aka candied jalapenos.
Essentially, it’s pickled hot peppers with sugar and a few spices added. It’s a great way to preserve the bounty.
I made a 2 pound batch today which yielded 4 half pints or 2 pints.
When growing a garden it is essential to learn the art of preserving your harvest.
It can be hard to eat all of the jalapenos out of the garden before they go bad.
Making homemade cowboy candy (candied jalapenos) is a perfect way to make sure they are good for months to come!
One of the best treats is to chop some cowboy candy and add to cream cheese to spread on sourdough bagels! https://therosehomestead.com/sourdough-bagels/
What you will need for this recipe
Jalapenos
I am using fresh jalapenos from the garden but store-bought jalapenos will work fine for this homemade cowboy candy recipe.
Apple Cider Vinegar
I use an organic apple cider vinegar with the mother.
White Distilled Vinegar
Sugar
I use a raw sugar but any sugar you have on hand will work fine.
Garlic Powder or Fresh Garlic
Either of the above will work well in this cowboy candy recipe.
Turmeric
I use a ground turmeric powder. It lends a wonderful color to the cowboy candy and is very delicious in this application.
Cayenne Pepper
This is totally optional, but it gives just a bit of kick to the candied jalapenos!
Special Equipment Needed:
Water Bath Canner
You will need a water bath canner. These are readily available in local stores and online.
You can also use your pressure canner to water bath can by taking out the rubber plug and not using the pressure weights.
For this day, I used a very large stock pot with a canning rack in the bottom.
Basic Canning Equipment
You will need a jar lifter, a lid magnet, and a set of tongs.
Step by Step Instructions for making Homemade Cowboy Candy or Candied Jalapenos
Preparing the Jalapenos
Wash your peppers and slice into uniform rounds.
You can remove the seeds if you wish. I highly suggest wearing gloves.
Your hands may burn for a while if not.
Cooking the Jalapenos
In a non-reactive pot (I use an enameled dutch oven) put 2 cups apple cider vinegar and 1 cup of distilled white vinegar, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp turmeric, 1/4 tsp cayenne, and 2 cups of sugar.
You can add up to 4 cups of sugar so taste along the way for sweetness.
We don’t really like super sweet food, so, 2 cups were perfect for our taste.
Bring this vinegar mixture to a boil and simmer for a few minutes.
Add the jalapeno slices and continue to simmer for 5-10 minutes.
Preparing the water bath canner, jars, and lids
In the meantime, get your water bath canner filled with hot water and bring to a boil.
Place clean mason jars in an oven set to 180 degrees to sterilize them and place the lids in a small pot of boiling water to sterilize as well.
Canning the Cowboy Candy
After the jalapenos have simmered for 5-10 minutes, take a slotted spoon and scoop them out.
Put them into the sterile canning jars.
Once you have filled your jars, ladle the syrup over the peppers up to 1/4 headspace in the jar.
Take a butter knife or chopstick and stir to remove any air bubbles at the bottom of the jar.
Wipe the rims of the jars with a damp paper towel and put the sterilized lids on top, as well as the ring to finger tight.
Bring water in the large pot to a full rolling boil.
Carefully place the jars in the water bath canning with a jar lifter.
**Make sure your canning rack is in the water bath canner**
Processing the Cowboy Candy
Process half pints for 10 minutes and pints for 15 minutes.
Once the time is up, take canner off the burner and allow to sit for 5 minutes.
After 5 minutes, use your jar lifter to move the jars to a cooling rack. Leave them undisturbed for 24 hours at room temperature and check for a good seal.
Once you have made sure they are sealed after 24 hours, you can remove the rings and store the jars.
If any jars did not seal, simply place in the fridge to enjoy right away!
The cowboy candy will last in the fridge for up to 2-3 months. If you have leftover syrup, it can be store in the fridge for up to a month.
If you have several jars that do not seal you may want to get a new batch of canning lids.
Also make note that you clean the tops of the jars very well before putting the lids on.
I know that some people have great success using honey in canning. I personally have not tried this recipe with honey. Keep in mind you can adjust the amount of sugar to your liking.
I prefer to take the rings off after 24 hours and making sure they are sealed properly. Then I store mine in a cool dark place until I need them. I DO NOT STACK MY HOME CANNED FOODS.
As you can see it is relatively easy to water bath can Cowboy Candy (Candied Jalapenos).
Jalapenos are easy to grow and usually produce in abundance.
This recipe will use up quite a few of your fresh jalapenos and will make a wonderful addition to any meal!
Serving Suggestions
Cowboy Candy is the perfect topping for a pizza!
We love adding the candied jalapenos to our grilled cheese sandwiches for a sweet and spicy topping.
Try adding these as a topping for your tacos and kick up taco Tuesday to another notch!
Any soup or chili will be amped up in flavor with the addition of these delectable treats!
Cowboy candy is not only delicious but a very versatile ingredient in your cooking.
Of course, you can always just eat these by themselves for an amazing snack!
These little tasty treats are absolutely delicious as a topping for hot dogs!
Cowboy Candy (Candied Jalapenos)
Equipment
- 1 Water Bath Canner
Ingredients
- 2 pounds fresh jalapeno peppers
- 2 cups apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup white distilled vinegar
- 2-4 cups sugar add the sugar to taste
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Slice the peppers in uniform slices
- Wash lids and jars. Add jars to 180 degree oven to sterilize and the lids in a small pot of simmering water to sterilize, as well.
- Add hot water to your water bath canner, making sure the canning rack is in place, and bring to a boil.
- In a non-reactive pot, add all the ingredients except the jalapenos. Bring to a boil and simmer for 5-10 minutes.
- Add jalapenos and continue to simmer for 5-10 minutes.
- Take jars out of the over carefully.
- Using a slotted spoon, add the peppers to the jars.
- Once jars are filled, ladle the syrup over the peppers to 1/4 head space.
- Take a butter knife or chopstick and stir gently to remove air bubbles.
- Wipe tops of jars and place the lids on.
- Add the ring to only finger tight.
- Carefully put the jars in the canner while water is at a gentle boil using a jar lifter.
- Process half pints for 10 minutes and pints for 15 minutes.
- After the allotted time, remove canner from the burner and allow to sit for 5 minutes.
- Remove jars with jar lifter and place on a cooling rack undisturbed for 24 hours.
- After 24 hours, check for a good seal. Remove rings and store in the pantry.
- Any jars that didn't seal need to be placed in the fridge to consume right away.
How long does the Cowboy Candy last when canned. Not just placed in the refrigerator, but actually canned to be placed on the shelf?
Up to a year. But, I have let it go longer it will be fine as long as there is a good seal.
Mary, thank you for a thorough and delicious recipe. I can’t wait to make this for a few special gifts this Christmas. It’s the perfect “handmade with love” item. We all love those!! I adore your Mary Rose/The Rose Homestead You tube channel as well as following you on Rumble. I’ve learned so much from all of your tutorials. I hope you know your videos are a huge blessing for me.
Looking forward to trying this, however I need to know your elevation. I’m at 3,100 and want to see if I need to add time.
Thanks,
Julie H
Our elevation is 1,129 ft.