These candied jalapenos (also known as cowboy candy) are the ideal sweet-and-spicy condiment to spice up your favorite cuisine. They are fiery jalapeno slices in a sugary glaze. Serve with cream cheese and crackers, over sandwiches and hamburgers, or even in salads, grilled meat and baked beans!
You’re in for a treat, my buddy, if you’ve never eaten a candied jalapeño. They really strike the ideal mix between sweetness and spice.
The jalapeño is transformed into this delectable little jewel by the sugar, which softens its intense heat.
What is Cowboy Candy?
Cowboy Candy is unique in its own right. A powerful condiment is made by marinating hot jalapeño peppers in a sweet sugar glaze. Although they soften, the jalapenos keep their spiciness, which is countered by the glaze made of sugar.
Although you may easily quadruple or triple this recipe to produce huge batches of Cowboy Candy, it is considered a small-batch recipe. If you enjoy making pickling recipes, you probably already have many of the components on hand.
In essence, they are jalapenos that have been cut into slices, then cooked and sweetened in a simple seasoned syrup. They are the ideal fast sweet treats or garnishes since they are the optimum balance of sweet and spicy.
Additionally, the process of canning aids in their preservation. The phrase has been used for years, but the recipe is so well-liked that a tiny business even registered the common name as a trademark. This handmade variation is much better.
Isn’t it true that handmade is always better? Oh, and it’s cheaper to make this candied goodness than to buy it, and really simple to make!
What is Cowboy Candy Made Of?
To produce this delectable condiment, only a few basic ingredients and a few spices are required.
Jalapenos: There are around 20 jalapenos required for this dish.
Apple cider vinegar: Tenderizes the peppers and adds a tangy taste.
Sugars: A mixture of brown sugar and granulated sugar in equal amounts counteracts the spiciness and vinegar.
Garlic powder, celery seed, cayenne pepper, turmeric, and other seasonings all go well with the hot jalapeno taste.
Cowboy Candy (Candied Jalapeños)
Sweet, spicy, and totally addictive, Cowboy Candy is a Southern classic that turns fresh jalapeños into a sticky, irresistible treat for burgers, sandwiches, tacos, or snacking straight from the jar!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients
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20 large jalapeños
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2 cups granulated sugar
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2 cups brown sugar
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16 oz (2 cups) apple cider vinegar
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1 tsp turmeric
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1 tsp garlic powder
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½ tsp cayenne pepper
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¼ tsp celery seed
Instructions
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Prep the Jalapeños:
Wearing gloves, slice off the jalapeño stems. Cut peppers into ¼-inch thick rounds. Set aside in a large bowl. -
Make the Syrup:
In a large pot, combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, turmeric, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and celery seed. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. -
Cook the Jalapeños:
Add the sliced jalapeños to the simmering syrup. Increase heat and bring just back to a simmer. Cook for exactly 4 minutes—no longer! (This keeps the peppers crisp.) -
Pack the Jars:
Using a slotted spoon, transfer the jalapeños into clean, sterilized jars, filling to within ¼ inch of the rim. -
Reduce the Syrup:
Turn the heat to high and boil the syrup for 5–7 minutes to thicken slightly. Remove from heat and let cool for about 3 minutes. -
Fill the Jars:
Carefully ladle or pour the hot syrup over the jalapeños in each jar, making sure the peppers are fully submerged. Use a chopstick or skewer to gently remove any air bubbles. -
Seal:
Wipe jar rims with a clean, damp paper towel. Apply two-piece lids and seal the jars finger-tight. -
Cool & Store:
Let jars cool to room temperature, then refrigerate. -
Let Them Mature:
For best flavor, let the cowboy candy chill for at least 2 weeks before opening (a month is even better). Keep refrigerated and use within 2 months for peak flavor and safety.
Notes:
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Optional canning: If you want to store at room temperature, follow safe water bath canning procedures (see trusted sources for details).
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Cowboy Candy is amazing on cream cheese crackers, burgers, and pulled pork sandwiches—or just by the spoonful!
Share the image below to your Pinterest board if you like this Cowboy Candy Recipe!
Why is this recipe the best?
There are quite a few recipes online, but I’ve noticed that most of them are lacking in some crucial steps when making. Don’t get me wrong, making it is easy, but you must get the timing and the ingredients right for the best results.
This simple homemade recipe for candied jalapenos, often known as cowboy candy, is great for snacks or desserts since it’s sweet with just a hint of spice.
They have a nice balance of spice and sweetness. They are essentially sliced jalapenos preserved in a seasoned simple syrup and are excellent for cornbread, guacamole, and cocktail garnishes.
Tips for Making The Candied Jalapeños (Cowboy Candy)
These are the tips for candied jalapenos that will be useful.
Cool things down. The seeds and membrane from the jalapenos can be removed to lessen the heat a little bit if you like them to be a little less sweet and spicy. After removing the stems, twist and remove the seeds from each jalapeno by inserting a long peeler inside. After that, cut into rounds.
Avoid burning your nose or eyes. While chopping the jalapenos and moving them from the liquid to the jars, we strongly advise using gloves to protect your hands from the powerful odors.
If the peppers seem shriveled, don’t be alarmed. After boiling in the hot syrup, the peppers will shrink, but they will grow again after a few weeks of cooling in the tightly sealed jars.
How do you make use of Candied Jalapeños syrup leftovers?
You may also can syrup in half-pint or pint jars if you have any remaining, which is likely to happen. It tastes well in potato salad, as a coating over barbecued ribs, as a simple syrup in margaritas, etc.
How to store Candied Jalapeños (Cowboy Candy)
Store Candied Jalapeños in the refrigerator. When made as instructed, cowboy candy keeps for up to two months in the refrigerator.
Canning Candied Jalapeños: You may go one step further and can the cowboy candy for a longer shelf life. To do this, put the full, sealed jars in a canner with two inches of water on top of them. The water should come to a full rolling boil. Set the timer for 10 minutes for half-pints or 15 minutes for pints after it comes to a full rolling boil.
Use canning tongs to move the jars to a cooling rack once the timer goes off. Give them 24 hours to cool without being disturbed. Once completely cooled, label them and wipe them down with a clean, moist rag. They may stay fresh for up to a year in the pantry.
Nutrition
- Calories: 170 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 41g
- Protein: 1g
- Fat: 1g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 1g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g
- Sodium: 2mg
- Potassium: 89mg
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 42g
- Calcium: 23mg
- Vitamin A: 175IU
- Vitamin C: 18mg
- Iron: 1mg
