My Homemade Pepper Jelly Recipe takes just 20 minutes to make. It's a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors, and the gorgeous color makes this versatile jelly a popular home-crafted holiday gift. Pepper jelly is a classic addition to charcuterie boards over cream cheese or goat cheese.
Make it your way! This foolproof liquid-pectin recipe can be mild and sweet or as spicy as you like.
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I always grow a variety both hot peppers and sweet peppers in my garden, and I've been making this pepper jelly recipe for years, as well as my mango habanero hot sauce, and my cayenne pepper sauce. Family and friends always expect and look forward to receiving these sparkly, festive jars as holiday gifts.
Karen says ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "I have made this the last 4 years, for quick Christmas gifts for co-workers. They all request it now!"
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Why you'll love homemade pepper jelly
- Simple and quick. With just four ingredients and twenty minutes, this recipe is one that you'll want to make again and again.
- Versatile. Pepper jelly is a pantry staple that you'll love having on hand for entertaining, gifting, and so much more.
- Customizable. Use more hot peppers for a hot pepper jelly, or less for a sweeter version.
Ingredient Notes
Ingredient quantities and complete instructions are in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.
- Peppers. Depending on what I have in the garden, I use three colors of peppers (green peppers, red peppers, and yellow peppers) if possible, to achieve the festive color of my homemade pepper jelly. However, feel free to use whatever garden peppers you have. You can stick with just one color, like red bell peppers if you want a red pepper jelly, or a green jalapeno jelly. Use a mix of sweet and hot peppers for a spicy jelly.
- Sugar. It might be tempting to decrease the amount of sugar in this recipe, but I don't recommend it. I have tested this recipe using less sugar and it didn't set properly. The sugar is needed for the pectin to form the gel which makes the jelly set. Sugar also supplies the sweetness to balance the spice. This homemade pepper jelly recipe has been made countless times exactly as written and turns out perfectly every time.
- Apple Cider Vinegar. I prefer to use this vinegar for this recipe, but you can also use white vinegar.
- Pectin. For this jelly recipe, I use liquid pectin. Powdered pectin and liquid pectin are not the same and can't be interchanged on a 1:1 ration. Cooking time will also be different. You can usually find liquid pectin in grocery stores or online.
How to make it, step by step
- In a large pot, combine the diced peppers, sugar, and apple cider vinegar. Bring to a full boil while stirring constantly. Boil for one full minute. Stir in the liquid pectin, bring back to the boil and boil for another full minute.
- Ladle the hot jelly into hot, sterilized jars.
- Add lids and screw bands.
- Process the jars in a boiling water bath canner for 10 minutes. Remove and allow to cool. You should hear the pop of the jars sealing and the jelly will set as it cools.
My top tips
- Spice level. I often make hot pepper jelly, too. If you would like your jelly to have a spicy kick, simply replace some of the peppers with jalapeno peppers or other spicy peppers, depending on your desired heat level. And if you don't have hot peppers, you can add a pinch or two of dried red pepper flakes in the cooking process.
- Dicing peppers. A food processor works great for this job. If you chop peppers by hand, be sure to wear gloves for the hot ones.
- Canning. This is a canning recipe, so you can make this jelly in the summer at harvest time, and have the jars on hand in your pantry all year round. If you prefer not to process the jelly in a hot water bath, you can keep it in air tight containers in the fridge, for up to a month. You can also freeze it. Just wait until the pectin is set and the jelly is completely cool to put the jars in the freezer. You can freeze for up to a year. Thaw in the fridge over night.
- Sterilize jars. It's important to sterilize your jars: Wash them in hot, soapy water, rinse well, and then boil for 10 minutes.
- Filling jars. Use a wide mouth canning funnel to fill the sterilized jars with a ladle. Wipe the rims clean with a damp paper towel before applying the lids. Lids should be new and cannot be used again for canning.
- Water bath. Keep the water that you used to sterilize the jars at a simmer while you make the jelly. Bring it back to a boil, then add the filled, sealed jars to the same water for processing.
- Use a timer. Use a timer when cooking the jelly in order to get the timing exact for perfectly set jelly.
- Processing time. Again, use a timer so the jars are processed for the full ten minutes.
- High altitude. You will need to increase the water bath processing time for high altitudes.
- 1,001- 3,000 feet Increase by 5 minutes
- 3,001- 6,000 feet Increase by 10 minutes
- 6,001- 8,000 feet Increase by 15 minutes
- 8,001-10,000 feet Increase by 20 minutes
Frequently Asked
The diced peppers in your jelly will float to the top of the jars. To keep this from happening and suspend them throughout the jelly, turn the jars upside down and then upright a few times during the cooling time. As the jelly cools and gels, the particles will stay suspended.
You should hear a popping noise from each jar as it cools and seals. The center of the lid should be concave and should not spring back when you press it with a finger. If it does, the jar isn't sealed and should be refrigerated.
First, check the expiry date on the pectin that you used. Expired pectin can result in runny jelly. To fix, wait 24 hours, then pour it into a pot and boil it again, adding pectin and continuing to boil as per the recipe. You will then need to process the jars again after filling.
I recommend making this recipe in two batches. Don't double the recipe because cooking time will change, and there's a good chance the jelly won't set properly.
How to Use Your Pepper Jelly
As I mentioned, these pretty jars make excellent homemade gifts, for holiday gifts or hostess gifts. This jelly is an easy appetizer served over a wheel of brie or a block of cream cheese, and a perfect addition to a charcuterie board. It's great to have on hand for impromptu entertaining. Cheese and crackers get an instant upgrade when you add some pepper jelly.
Some other ways to use Pepper Jelly:
- Glaze for grilled salmon, pork, or chicken or baked ham.
- Sauce for chicken wings or meatballs (toss the hot wings or meatballs in jelly for a restaurant-style appetizer).
- Spread on a turkey sandwich (so good!).
- Dip for egg rolls or spring rolls (Just heat in the microwave).
- Spread on toast or biscuits.
- Topping for pancakes or waffles.
- Shake with a little vinegar for a delicious, tangy salad dressing.
Did you make this recipe? Please leave a rating in the comments below and let us know how it turned out. Did you make any changes? We would love for you to share and your feedback is important! Thank you for visiting The Food Blog!
Recipe
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Homemade Pepper Jelly Recipe
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups sweet peppers preferably three colours, finely diced
- 3 cups sugar
- ¾ cups apple cider vinegar
- 1 pouch liquid pectin 85 ml
Instructions
- In a large saucepan, combine the diced pepper mixture, sugar and vinegar.
- Over medium-high heat, bring to a full rolling boil, stirring constantly, and boil for one full minute.
- Stir in liquid pectin, bring back to a boil, and boil hard for one full minute.
- Remove from heat and ladle into hot, sterilized jars.
- Put on lids and twist screw bands just finger tight.
- Process in boiling water bath (in a canning pot with a rack) for 10 minutes.
- Allow to cool, in which time you should hear the pop of the sealing jars, and your jelly will thicken.
Notes
- Yield. This recipe makes 3 cups of pepper jelly, so you can use 3 half-pint jars (8 ounce), or 6 four ounce jars.
- Spice level. I often make hot pepper jelly, too. If you would like your jelly to pack some heat, simply replace some of the peppers with jalapeno peppers or other hot peppers, depending on your desired heat level. And if you don't have hot peppers, you can add a pinch or two of dried red pepper flakes in the cooking process.
- Dicing peppers. A food processor works great for this job. If you dice the peppers by hand, be sure to wear gloves for the hot ones.
- Canning. This is a canning recipe, so you can make this jelly in the summer at harvest time, and have the jars on hand in your pantry all year round. If you prefer not to process the jelly, you can keep it in air tight containers in the fridge, for up to a month. You can also freeze it. Just wait until the pectin is set and the jelly is completely cool to put the jars in the freezer. You can freeze for up to a year. Thaw in the fridge over night.
- Sterilize jars. It's important to sterilize your jars: Wash them in hot, soapy water, rinse well, and then boil for 10 minutes.
- Filling jars. Use a wide mouth canning funnel to fill the sterilized jars with a ladle. Wipe the rims with a damp paper towel before applying the lids. Lids should be new and cannot be used again for canning.
- Water bath. Keep the water that you used to sterilize the jars at a simmer while you make the jelly. Bring it back to a boil, then add the filled, sealed jars to the same water for processing.
- Use a timer. Use a timer when cooking the jelly in order to get the timing exact for perfectly set jelly.
- Processing time. Again, use a timer so the jars are processed for the full ten minutes.
- High altitudes. You will need to increase the water bath processing time for high altitudes.
- 1,001- 3,000 feet Increase by 5 minutes
- 3,001- 6,000 feet Increase by 10 minutes
- 6,001- 8,000 feet Increase by 15 minutes
- 8,001-10,000 feet Increase by 20 minutes
- The diced peppers in your jelly will float to the top of the jars. To keep this from happening and suspend them throughout the jelly, turn the jars upside down and then upright a few times during the cooling time. As the jelly cools and gels, the particles will stay suspended.
Cheryl Brutkoski says
This is the best Pepper jelly I have ever made .took it to a 80th Birthday party
and everyone loved it and wanted more!!! Before the busy season of major
canning I am going to make my pepper jelly soon ..I grew my own Jalapeno
peppers this year so I am excited to use them sparingly .. Thanks for the great
recipe ..2 year of using it ..
Cheryl Brutkoski
Colleen Milne says
Hi Cheryl! I love this comment! Thank you so much and keep growing peppers and making jelly! You're awesome.
Leslie says
I love that you can adjust the spice level on this pepper jelly..such a great way to get exactly what you want!
Kelly says
As a Southern girl, I've always been a huge fan of pepper jelly. Love it spooned over cream cheese for an easy appetizer!
Colleen Milne says
Glad you loved it, Kelly!
Aurora says
Such an easy recipe to follow. The sweet and spicy combination was just right for me.
Colleen Milne says
This is great to hear, Aurora! Thanks for commenting.
Karen says
Just made a small batch with the first of my peppers from the greenhouse! Looks absolutely gorgeous and I cannot wait to enjoy it!
Colleen Milne says
Hi Karen! How lucky you are to have a greenhouse! Enjoy your pepper jelly!
John Eskesen says
I love it followed the instructions exactly and turned out
perfect I made 4 500 ml jars and it is great
Colleen says
Hi John, I'm so glad the pepper jelly turned out perfect for you! Thanks for sharing!
Ashley Trammell says
Used this recipe my first time trying to make pepper jelly and it turned out perfect! Thank you so much for sharing your recipe and well written notes!
Colleen says
Hi Ashley, You're welcome! It's great to hear that the recipe worked out perfectly for you. Thanks so much for coming back to comment!
Kathy says
I added 1 small jalapeño pepper and used 4 different color peppers
Came out perfect
Amber says
Made exactly as you wrote your recipe. Delicious! Thank you!
Colleen says
Hi Amber! This is great to hear. Thanks for commenting and enjoy your pepper jelly!
Lyanna J McMahon says
Cab I use powder pectin instead of liquid?
Colleen says
Hi Lyanna, thanks for this question. I don't recommend it. If you are following a recipe, like this one, for jam or jelly, always use the form of pectin that the recipe specifies.
The cooking methods used are different for the two different forms of pectin, so they are not interchangeable.
Elissa says
I tried it and it works just fine. For the single recipe I used 1 box of powdered suregel and it set beautifully!
Winona Short says
I noticed the peppers have to be spooned in separately before the juice. Otherwise the first jars have more peppers than the last. Great recipe!
Colleen says
Good tip, Winona! Thanks for sharing. Glad you loved this recipe!
Nell says
Can you use powered pectin if you can’t find the liquid pectin?
Colleen says
Hi Nell, I haven't tried to substitute powdered pectin in this recipe, so I'm not sure if it would work. If you try it, and it works, it would be great if you could come back and comment. That would answer the question for everyone!
Nell says
Why did all my peppers float to the top?
Colleen says
Hi Nell, I answered this question in the notes on the recipe card. "The diced peppers in your jelly will float to the top of the jars. To keep this from happening and suspend them throughout the jelly, turn the jars upside down and then upright a few times during the cooling time. As the jelly cools and gels, the particles will stay suspended".
Audrey says
I was looking for a way to use some peppers from my garden. These also make great little gifts for friends and neighbors!
Colleen Milne says
Glad you found this recipe, Audrey! Your friends and neighbors will love getting this pepper jelly as gifts!
Karen says
I have made this the last 4 years, for quick Christmas gifts for co-workers. They all request it now!
Colleen says
Hi Karen, this is wonderful to hear. This pepper jelly is one that's requested a lot around here, too. Your comment is appreciated, thank you for sharing and Merry Christmas!
Penny says
Not all of my peppers are ready yet. Can I freeze the peppers that are ripe while I wait for the others to ripen?
Colleen says
Hi Penny! I have not tried this recipe with frozen peppers, so I cannot advise. I think with the high water content in peppers, it would be a gamble. We would love to hear back, though, if you do try it and how it worked out.
Emily says
Do any measurements need to be changed to double the recipe or should I just straight double everything?
Colleen says
Hi Emily, thanks for this question. I haven't tested it and I don't usually recommend doubling the recipe for jams and jellies. Doubling the recipe increases the cooking time, by a lot. This means the jelly will be overcooked and won't taste as fresh. It will also affect the texture. Instead, it's best to follow the recipe exactly, and then make another batch. Happy jelly making!
Trayce says
My jelly did not thicken. It’s pepper drink not jelly. I’m so upset and sad. Now what do I do? Can I pour it back in a pot tomorrow and cook like normal for about 15-20 minutes? Or dump it all??
Colleen says
Hi Trayce. I'm so sorry that your jelly didn't set. If you followed the recipe exactly, and your pectin was not expired (always check the expiry date), it should have worked out fine. But yes, you can cook it again. Here is a link to instructions: What to do when your jelly doesn't set Good luck!