Zesty Pickled Jalapeños
Transform your ordinary jalapeños into a zesty, flavorful condiment with this easy pickling recipe! Perfect for spicing up tacos, sandwiches, or nachos, these pickled jalapeños provide a delicious kick that enhances your favorite dishes. Not only is this recipe a fantastic way to preserve fresh peppers and cut down on food waste, but it's also a budget-friendly option for home cooks new to canning. With a perfectly balanced brine of vinegar, sugar, and spices, you'll be able to enjoy the vibrant taste of pickled jalapeños year-round. Simple enough for any kitchen, this recipe yields three jars of vibrant, tangy peppers that make a great homemade gift or pantry staple.
N/A
Servings
40
Calories
6
Ingredients
Ingredients
Jalapeño peppers
6 cups (washed and sliced to 1/4-inch (about 15 peppers))
White vinegar
2 1/2 cups (none)
Cold water
2 1/2 cups (none)
Granulated sugar
2/3 cup (none)
Sea salt
2 tablespoons (none)
Garlic cloves
2 large (crushed)
Instructions
1
1. Before starting, wear latex gloves to protect your hands from the heat of the jalapeños. Slice the jalapeño peppers to 1/4-inch thickness, discarding the ends. Rinse the sliced peppers in a colander under cold water to remove excess seeds and set aside to drain.
2
2. In a large saucepan, combine the white vinegar, cold water, granulated sugar, sea salt, and crushed garlic cloves. Stir well and bring the mixture to a full boil over medium-high heat. Ensure that the salt and sugar have completely dissolved in the brine.
3
3. Once boiling, add the drained jalapeño slices to the brine. Reduce the heat to medium and allow the peppers to cook for approximately 10 minutes. They should become tender yet maintain a slight crispness.
4
4. Prepare your jars by ensuring they are clean and sterilized. Using a slotted spoon, fill each jar with the cooked jalapeño slices, leaving about half an inch of headspace at the top.
5
5. Pour the hot brine over the jalapeños in the jars, ensuring that the peppers are completely submerged while maintaining the half-inch headspace.
6
6. Wipe the rims of the jars with a clean cloth to remove any residue, then place the prepared lids on top and apply the screw bands until they are fingertip-tight.
7
7. Process the jars in a boiling water bath for 10-15 minutes to ensure they seal properly. Remove jars from the water bath and allow them to cool completely at room temperature.
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8. Once cooled, check the seals by pressing down in the center of each lid. If it doesn't pop back, the jar has sealed properly. Store the jars in a dark, cool place, and allow the pickled jalapeños to sit for at least 24 hours before enjoying for optimal flavor.
Nutrition Information
0g
Fat
0.3g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Zesty Pickled Jalapeños?
Zesty Pickled Jalapeños are a flavorful condiment made by pickling fresh jalapeño peppers in a brine of vinegar, sugar, and spices, perfect for enhancing tacos, sandwiches, or nachos.
How many jalapeños do I need for this recipe?
You will need approximately 6 cups of sliced jalapeño peppers, which is about 15 medium-sized peppers.
What thickness should the jalapeño slices be?
The jalapeño peppers should be sliced to a thickness of 1/4-inch.
Why should I wear latex gloves when preparing this recipe?
Wearing latex gloves is recommended to protect your hands from the heat and oils of the jalapeños, which can cause irritation.
What type of vinegar is used in the brine?
This recipe uses 2 1/2 cups of white vinegar for the pickling brine.
How much sugar is required for the pickling mixture?
The recipe requires 2/3 cup of granulated sugar.
What kind of salt is best for these pickled jalapeños?
This recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of sea salt.
How many garlic cloves are added to the brine?
Two large crushed garlic cloves are added to the mixture for flavor.
What is the first step in preparing the peppers?
The first step is to slice the peppers to 1/4-inch thickness, discard the ends, and rinse them in a colander under cold water to remove excess seeds.
How long do the jalapeños need to cook in the brine?
The peppers should cook in the boiling brine for approximately 10 minutes until tender yet slightly crisp.
How much headspace should be left at the top of the jars?
You should leave about half an inch of headspace at the top of each jar.
How many jars does this recipe yield?
This recipe yields approximately three jars of pickled jalapeños.
What is the calorie count for these pickled jalapeños?
There are approximately 40 calories per serving.
Is there any fat in this recipe?
No, this recipe contains 0g of fat.
How much protein is in a serving?
There is approximately 0.3g of protein per serving.
How long should the jars be processed in a water bath?
Process the jars in a boiling water bath for 10 to 15 minutes to ensure a proper seal.
How do I check if the jars have sealed properly?
Once cooled, press down on the center of the lid; if it does not pop back, the jar has sealed properly.
Where should the finished jars be stored?
The jars should be stored in a dark, cool place.
How long should I wait before eating the pickled jalapeños?
Allow the peppers to sit for at least 24 hours before eating to allow the flavors to develop optimally.
Can I use these jalapeños as a gift?
Yes, these vibrant, tangy peppers make a great homemade gift or pantry staple.
What heat setting should be used for boiling the brine?
The brine should be brought to a full boil over medium-high heat.
Should the peppers be submerged in the brine?
Yes, ensure that the peppers are completely submerged in the hot brine within the jars.
What should I do if the lid pops back when pressed?
If the lid pops back, the jar has not sealed properly and should be refrigerated or re-processed.
What is the preparation method for the garlic?
The garlic cloves should be crushed before being added to the saucepan.
Do I need to rinse the peppers after slicing?
Yes, rinsing them under cold water helps to remove excess seeds.
What is the texture of the peppers after cooking?
The peppers should be tender but still maintain a slight crispness.
Why is it important to wipe the rims of the jars?
Wiping the rims removes residue that might prevent the lid from forming a proper airtight seal.
How much water is used in the brine?
The brine uses 2 1/2 cups of cold water.
How tight should the screw bands be placed on the jars?
The screw bands should be applied until they are fingertip-tight.
Is this recipe suitable for those new to canning?
Yes, this is a budget-friendly and simple option specifically noted for home cooks new to canning.