Johnny Jalapeno's Cowboy Candy
Sweet, spicy, and irresistibly addictive, Johnny Jalapeño's Cowboy Candy is the ultimate preserve for anyone who loves bold flavors. This recipe transforms fresh jalapeño peppers into glossy, candied rounds simmered in a sweet and tangy syrup infused with apple cider vinegar, garlic, turmeric, and just a hint of cayenne for optional heat. Perfect for jazzing up sandwiches, burgers, or charcuterie boards, these sweet heat-packed treats are a delightful blend of sugar and spice. With just 20 minutes of prep and cook time, these jars of homemade cowboy candy are easy to make and ideal for gifting or long-term storage. Let the flavors deepen for two weeks, or dig in right away for a burst of fresh jalapeño zing!
Try SnapCalorie's FREE AI assisted nutrition tracking free in the App store or on Android.
Scan with your phone to download!
Ingredients
- 1 pound Fresh jalapeño peppers
- 2 cups Granulated sugar
- 1 cup Apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 0.5 teaspoon Ground turmeric
- 0.5 teaspoon Celery seed
- 0.25 teaspoon Cayenne pepper (optional for extra heat)
Directions
Step 1
1. Rinse the jalapeño peppers thoroughly under cold water. Wear gloves to protect your hands and slice the jalapeños into 1/4-inch thick rounds. Remove the stems but leave the seeds, as they contribute to the heat.
Step 2
2. In a medium saucepan, combine the granulated sugar, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, ground turmeric, celery seed, and cayenne pepper (if using). Stir well to mix.
Step 3
3. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has completely dissolved and the syrup begins to simmer.
Step 4
4. Reduce the heat to low and add the sliced jalapeños to the saucepan. Simmer the jalapeños in the syrup for 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure even coating.
Step 5
5. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the jalapeños to clean, sterilized jars, leaving about 1/2 inch of headspace at the top.
Step 6
6. Increase the heat under the saucepan and bring the syrup to a rolling boil. Allow it to boil for about 5 minutes to thicken slightly.
Step 7
7. Carefully pour the hot syrup over the jalapeños in the jars, ensuring all slices are covered and the headspace remains at 1/4 inch.
Step 8
8. Wipe the rims of the jars with a clean, damp cloth to ensure a good seal. Secure the lids and bands tightly.
Step 9
9. Allow the jars to cool to room temperature before refrigerating or processing in a water bath canner for long-term storage (10 minutes for half-pint jars).
Step 10
10. For best flavor, let the jars rest for at least 2 weeks before consuming, but they can be enjoyed immediately for a fresher taste.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (1097.8g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 1725.1 |
| Total Fat 2.0g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 0.5g | 0% |
| Cholesterol 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium 31.3mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 435.4g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 13.7g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 419.7g | |
| Protein 4.9g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 0IU | 0% |
| Calcium 92.6mg | 0% |
| Iron 2.7mg | 0% |
| Potassium 1377.6mg | 0% |
Source of Calories