Hot Pepper Jelly

This pepper jelly recipe is a delicious way to use up seasonal produce. The sweet and spicy jelly has a beautiful color and just the right amount of heat.

How to Make Pepper Jelly

You'll find a detailed ingredient list and step-by-step instructions in the pepper jelly recipe below, but let's go over the basics:

Pepper Jelly Ingredients

These are the simple ingredients you’ll need to make this hot pepper jelly: 

• Peppers: This pepper jelly calls for a combination of red bell peppers, green bell peppers, and jalapeño peppers. 
• Apple cider vinegar: You’ll need a cup of apple cider vinegar for this pepper jelly recipe. 
• Pectin: A package of powdered pectin is all you’ll need for six 8-ounce jars.
• Sugar: Five cups of white sugar lends sweetness and helps the pectin set up. 

How to Make Hot Pepper Jelly

Here’s a brief overview of what you can expect when you make this homemade pepper jelly recipe: 

1. Prepare the jars and water canner. 
2. Boil the peppers, vinegar, and pectin, then stir in the sugar. 
3. Follow the detailed water bath canning instructions in the below recipe. 

Learn more: How to Can: A Beginner's Guide to Canning and Preserving

Test Kitchen Tips 

“Pepper jelly is a Southern party staple,” according to culinary producer and test kitchen expert Nicole McLaughlin (a.k.a. NicoleMcMom). “It’s the best thing ever.” Here are a few of her favorite tips and tricks for making hot pepper jelly: 

• This recipe is easy to customize, Nicole says. If you like your pepper jelly on the spicy side, use all jalapeños and omit the bell peppers. 
• Some reviewers say they chop their peppers in the food processor, but Nicole prefers chopping by hand for the most aesthetically pleasing pepper jelly. 
• If you’re gifting the pepper jelly, consider using 4-ounce containers (instead of six 8-ounce containers) to make 12 miniature gifts at once. 

What to Do With Hot Pepper Jelly

If you’re in need of delicious serving inspiration, we’ve got you covered. Explore our entire collection of 13 Recipes Made Sweet and Spicy With Pepper Jelly. Here are a few of the crowd-pleasing ideas you’ll find: 

• Pepper Jelly Glazed Chicken
• Cheesy Thumbprint Appetizers with Hot Pepper Jelly 
• Hot Pepper Jelly Barbecue Sauce 

How to Store Pepper Jelly

When properly canned, the unopened pepper jelly should last for up to one year in a cool, dark place. Once opened, transfer the jar to the refrigerator and use within a few weeks. 

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

“I used smoked Anaheim peppers instead of jalapeños,” says Karen Wood-Cox. “Otherwise, I made it as written. The flavors were amazing and the consistency was spot on. Thank you for the recipe!”

“I made this with a variety of peppers, hot and sweet, from my garden,” according to tenn cook. “It tastes great and the recipe worked just as written.”

"Amazing recipe!" says diane h. "I didn't make any changes and made sure to boil the sugar as stated and it came out perfectly!"

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams