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Red Green Pepper Jelly. I know it sounds weird, but trust me on this one. It's sweet, savory, spicy, incredibly delicious and amazingly addictive.
Let me tell you, it wasn't just a solution but rather, an amazing find!
Besides a bit of chopping, the jelly didn't take long to stir together and, after a brief cooking time it was ladled into jars. After taking photos of the gorgeous concoction, I set out a plate of crackers and a small portion of cream cheese with the Red Green Pepper jelly spooned over the top.
"WOW"! That's what we both said when we took the first bite, and then repeated the same "WOW" with each succeeding bite. It's sweet, savory, spicy, incredibly delicious and amazingly addictive (we polished off that small bowl you see in the picture lickety-split). You just HAVE to try it!
My husband said that when he heard the name "Pepper Jelly", he didn't think he'd like it. Guess what? he's a convert... he loved it! ... and he agrees, "You HAVE to try this'!
There's a zillion different uses for this yummy stuff. Traditionally, pepper jelly is used as a simple, delicious appetizer served, like I did, with cream cheese and crackers, but it also makes a wonderful glaze for grilled shrimp, pork or chicken. Try it mixed with a bit of soy sauce and fresh ginger for a finishing sauce for pan-seared salmon. Or how about warm corn bread, fresh from the oven with a pat of sweet cream butter and a spoonful of pepper jelly? That's about as good as it comes. I'm sure once you make it, you'll find a myriad of ways to use the yummy stuff. Oh, and if you're thinking of giving me a Christmas present, I'd be happy as a pig in mud with a jar of this jelly and a bag of crispy crackers - that wasn't a hint or anything! 😉
P.S. You might want to ask someone to buy you just one jalapeño (and hope they come back with a pile of them, like my son did) or just load up on them yourself next time you're at the market. Make a few batches of this yummy jam now, 'cause you're going to love having it; for holiday entertaining and as delightful gifts for teachers, friends, neighbors, hostesses, etc. Oh, and you said you like delicious spicy? Then try this Venezuelan Guacamole called Guasacaca, it's so delicious!
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Red Green Pepper Jelly
Ingredients
- 1 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
- ½ cup finely chopped jalapeño pepper
- 5 cups white sugar
- 1 ½ cups apple cider vinegar
- 3 ounces liquid pectin, 1 packet, I used Certo brand (comes in a box with 2 packets)
Instructions
- Remove stems, veins and most of the seeds of the bell and jalapeño peppers, depending on how hot you like things.
- In a large pot over high heat, combine bell peppers, jalapenos, sugar and vinegar. Bring to a full rolling boil; boil for 1 full minute, stirring continuously. Remove from heat.
- Add the pectin and stir continuously for 3 minutes.
- Pour into clean jars to within an inch of the top. Cover tightly and allow to cool at room temperature for 24 hours.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to a month otherwise store in freeze
Notes
Nutrition
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I made this recipe this week, but decided to make it a bit spicier. I use two jalapeno, two Serrano, and I Habinero. Yup, it's nice and spicy but oh so good. I think with a cracker and some cream cheese it will be perfect. My sister and neighbor loved it. Thank you for all the great recipes.
That's great, DoLee! Thanks for letting us know!
Good day:
Recently found your recipes for various pepper jellies. Today, my wife and I made Red Green Pepper Jelly, but we encountered a problem you may be able to address so we don't encounter the same issue with future attempts at these recipes.
When we placed the finished product in the jars for storage, most of the pieces of bell pepper and jalapeno pepper floated to the top of the jar rather than dispersing throughout the jelly as one would expect to happen. In prepping the vegetables, they may have been cut to more of a mince than a fine chop. Could that be the cause of the floating?
Thank you in advance for your response.
Dennis
Hi Dennis,
Are you canning the jam or storing it in the refrigerator or freezer?
I have this problem with water bath canning. How can I fix it?
If you give the jars a shake occasionally as they are cooling, it will help distribute the veggies throughout the jelly. (Once the jelly sets it's too late although you can give it a good stir once the jar is opend the peppers will stay suspended.)
Do you have labels for the Red Green Pepper Jelly
Not at this time.
You don't put it back to a second boil with the pectin? In step 3? It's cooling for 5 in step 2 and then still cooling in step 3 OR is step 3 supposed to be cook?
Hi Heather, sorry that was confusing. I have simplified and clarified the directions. Hope you enjoy the jelly!
I forgot I made this last year. My daughter and husband requested it last week. We enjoy the jelly on crackers with cream cheese. Thanks for another scrumptious recipe!
Can I use powdered sure jell?
Hi Kathy, I would probably look up a recipe that calls for powdered pectin. Powdered and liquid pectin are not interchangeable without altering the ingredient amounts.
Hi! Great recipe, thanks! My jelly didn't solidify. I followed the directions, put it in 8oz jelly jars, then left on counter all night. Any thoughts on where I went wrong or tips?
Hi Lori,
Jams and jellies are funny. Every now and then, I have the same problem. Here's how Kraft recommends fixing the problem: http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/remake-directions-for-certo-freezer-jam-jelly-108039.aspx
I've done this and it does work.
This is amazing on hamburgers
I love pepper jelly! The ones from the grocery stores just aren't that good. I have searched for a good recipe. They all seem so timeconsuming. Can't wait to try yours!
Your recipe looks amazing. I love pepper jelly but have never made it myself. I have one question concerning the pectin. It states - (3 oz. liquid pectin, 1 packet, I used Certo Brand.) Should it have stated 3 oz. liquid pectin OR 1 packet or do I use the liquid plus 1 packet? I assume it's either or but wanted to confirm before I try it.
Hi Dianna, that is correct - it's one packet which is 3 ounces of Certo. It comes in 6 ounce packages with 2 packets in each one.
Do you know if you can use raw apple cider vinegar? I currently have that in the house from a pickle recipe. Not sure if there's a difference or not. Thanks!
I think the raw cider vinegar would be just fine. I might not look as pretty and clear as usually raw cider vinegar is fairly cloudy.
Oh, another one! Great!
YEH!!!! Enjoy!
I couldn't find the pectine last minute, so I used gelatine.
I just kept on stiring every few minutes untill it set enough to stay suspended.
It looked great! Thanks!
Dominique,
The peppers may float to the top as you cook it but once you add the pectin and stir, it will thicken a bit and the peppers will stay suspended in the liquid. Hope you enjoy it!
I am making the jelly as we speak, but how do I prevent the chili's from floating to the top?
HELP!!!!
Chris,
This is just what I've been looking for! I'm going to make some tomorrow 🙂 Thanks for sharing. I host a weekly link party if you like to join in at http://www.michellestastycreations.com it runs Thursday - Sunday night. Have a great weekend 🙂
Michelle
Definitely going to make this, Chris. A perfect and festive holiday gift. I have some shrimp in the freezer that is just begging to have a "go" with this. Love this Post.
Thanks Aimee! Your pepper jelly is absolutely gorgeous! I love your ideas for variations too!
I am a pepper jelly gal myself from long back. My grandfather taught me how to make it. It is a staple in our house. Sometimes I make it with only green bell peppers so it's more sweet (which is how the kids like it). Here's my recipe...
http://fromchapelhilltochickenville.blogspot.com/2010/12/sparkling-green-pepper-jelly.html
By the way, I love your new header - so pretty and classy. It would make a beautiful tag for your pepper jelly!!
Chris, it looks like Christmas in a jar and would make perfect holiday gifts, like you said! I'm so making this. I can just taste that cream cheese blending with it on a cracker. *drool*
Oh, this jelly looks amazing! What a perfect holiday gift...I can see adding a tag with your simple recipe! A gift I'd love to receive!
Wandered this way via Lisa's blog and am so glad I did. I love pepper jelly (especially on crackers) but never realized I could make it on my own. Thanks for the encouragement 🙂
I've been looking for an idea for Xmas gifts for dear friends who love to cook. I think I found it! Thanks for sharing.
I'm right there with ya. Peppers froze in the hoop house b/c I forgot to cover up the door. I picked a five gallon bucket of peppers before they totally wilted. There's mor pepper jelly in our future.
I think my first thought was also, "What do I want with pepper jelly?" But now I"m thinking that you have totally convinced me that this is a MUST try! I remember my mom having some sort of pepper jelly when I was younger, but I never tried it. I have had something similar over cream cheese, like you mentioned, and I do remember loving it. I think I must make this!! Now I know what to do with next years crop!
I love pepper jelly. I am so going to try this! I love love the photography. Great job, made me crave a bite...uh, jar.
Nom nom nom Chris! My chili plant has just started flowering so maybe I could adapt this one for it's spicy fruits. I'd be happy with anything homemade for Christmas but edible especially!
We love this stuff, but I've never made the jelly, just a jam version last year. I'm so glad you posted this, I think I have to make it immediately. There is nothing like the taste of pepper jelly and cream cheese on a cracker!
How perfect for holiday appetizers!
I am a big fan of pepper jelly - especially the traditional cream cheese and cracker combo! I am printing, pinning, copying, drooling and anxiously awaiting the moment I can make this! Yum!!!!
Fantastic!
It's fab as a glaze on pork chops or chiken on the grill too. a great appitizer as a topper on crackers and cream cheese
You are so right Madonna, it is very addictive. My husband said that I didn't even have to bother cooking dinner, that he would just eat this stuff 🙂 It was probably a good thing that we ran out of crackers so I had to prepare something a bit more nutritious for dinner 🙂
Thanks from Scott also regarding the photos. He is having so much fun as he learns more and more.
BTW, do you have a blog? There is not a link on your comments but I did want to visit you if you have a blog.
I wish I lived closer enough, so I could just stop by and taste some of your pepper jelly! They are awesome!
Thanks, Chris!!! This is one of my husband's most favorite jellies to snack on New Year's Day. Guess I will be making us several jars 😀
Hi, this is something new to me, it sure look interesting. It look extremely good and tempting. The jelly color look beautiful. Excellent click, very professional! Keep up the good work.
Have a lovely week ahead.
I do love a good hot pepper jelly! Looks wonderful!
So the red pepper gives it that amazing jewel-like color? It's gorgeous, Chris. I was reading some of the uses for it from your facebook question and I loved the one about as a glaze on meatloaf. Kaching!
This makes a quite beautiful jelly!!!! Even if I can't eat pepppers, I'm quite curious to taste it, just a little bit!
My first thought when I seen the pictures was to serve this with cream cheese. Great minds think alike don't they! I would love to have several jars for us and some to give as gifts.
Did I hear my name??? I love pepper jelly and yours turned out pretty! Yvonne at StoneGable adds it to her fajitas too. Enjoy:@)
Chris, can't wait to get into a jar of this!! I searched for a recipe several years ago and was just not happy with the result. Now I am happy!!!
I have wanted to make this for the longest time but, have never seen the "perfect" recipe. Well, thanks to you, I've found it! I am so making this! First, I'd love to have some for when guests come over and second, I'd love to make some as gifts. Thanks for the wonderful idea and the pictures are just lovely!
I love pepper jelly served on top of cream cheese. Another good suggestion is to try it with peanut butter. ..yum.
You always come up with the best idea! 😉 Pictures are amazing...as usual I must say. Thanks for sharing the idea, it's one I'm taking. Have an excellent day, Steph
Trader Joe's has this during the holiday. I did not realize it was a seasonal product only so I only bought one jar. I have become addicted to it. I put it on roasted chicken and it is delish. Now I can make my own and have many jars for the price of one. Thank you Chris.
Scott, your pictures just get better and better. My family is laughing that I get so excited about pictures of fruits and vegetables.
This would go well with some cheese! It looks delicious!
I LOVE Pepper Jelly, but I never made it! One of my favorite, favorite appetizers is pepper jelly and cream cheese. Oh my! I am sooooo making this! I can't wait!!! Thank you for the wonderfulr recipe!