Description
Are you ready to elevate your canning game? Explore our cowboy candy recipe canning tips for sweet success. Discover the secrets today!
Ingredients
For this cowboy candy recipe, gather the following:
- 3 pounds fresh, firm jalapeño peppers
- 2 cups apple cider vinegar
- 6 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon celery seeds
- 3 teaspoons granulated garlic
- 1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper (optional for extra heat)
- Canning jars with new lids and bands (approximately 5-6 pint jars)
Instructions
Wear gloves—seriously! I learned this lesson the hard way when I once rubbed my eye after slicing three pounds of jalapeños. Not my finest moment! Set up your canning station with clean jars, a large pot for processing, and all ingredients measured and ready to go.
Wash jalapeños thoroughly and remove stems. For milder cowboy candy, remove seeds and membranes (I usually remove about half the seeds for a medium heat). Slice jalapeños into 1/4-inch rings.
In a large, non-reactive pot (I love my enameled Dutch oven for this), combine the apple cider vinegar, sugar, turmeric, celery seeds, garlic, and cayenne if using. Bring to a boil, stirring until sugar dissolves completely.
Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes, allowing the syrup to thicken slightly and the spices to infuse their flavors.
Add the sliced jalapeños to the syrup and return to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for exactly 4 minutes. This is the perfect timing for cowboy candy recipe canning—the peppers will soften slightly while retaining their vibrant color and some texture.
Using a slotted spoon, pack the jalapeño slices into sterilized jars, leaving 1/4-inch headspace. When all jalapeños are in jars, ladle the hot syrup over them, maintaining the 1/4-inch headspace. Remove air bubbles by running a plastic knife or specialized canning tool around the inside of each jar.
Wipe rims clean with a dampened paper towel, add lids, and secure with bands finger-tight.
Process jars in a water bath canner for 10 minutes (adjust for altitude if necessary). Remember to start timing once the water returns to a full boil.
When processing time is complete, remove jars and allow them to cool undisturbed for 24 hours. You’ll hear that satisfying “ping” as each jar seals!
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Canning
- Method: Canning
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 35
Keywords: cowboy candy recipe canning, candied jalapeños, sweet and spicy jalapeños, homemade cowboy candy, jalapeño canning recipe, preserving jalapeños, water bath canning, sweet pickled jalapeños, spicy condiment recipe