All red pepper jelly fans, put up your sticky, jelly covered hands!
There are some projects around the home that are just so stinkin’ satisfying. Okay, maybe not in the thick of it, but when you stand back and look at what is accomplished. I’m not thinking things like laundry. To me that will never be satisfying… but organizing and labeling a messy closet, or preserving a handy little gift for later… now we speak my language. I’m by no means a pro behind a canner, but red pepper jelly is something that’s pretty simple to DIY.
Not into that? We also LOVE Epicure’s Red Pepper Jelly! – yup, you can purchase this pretty and delicious concoction, and you can have it shipped right to your door. Exciting times ahead.
(note: while Epicure IS available in the USA, this jelly is unfortunately not part of the available line. The Arrabbiata Sauce mix is though)
I would go that route; purchasing and shipping boxes to my door… but, the thing about Red Pepper Jelly is that the more you have, the more you use. The more you use it the more you want it -this may sound a bit like I’m describing the cycle of addiction. ‘nuf said.
How do we use our Red Pepper Jelly?
One recipe makes about 7 jars of this lovely confection. I almost always double the recipe. Typically in canning this is a big shameful cheat with dreadful consequences, but this great recipe lets you get away with it no problem. So that’s about 14 125ml jars. While I don’t feel that’s too much at all, I do feel I should suggest a few other uses as well:
- The obvious Brie and Red Pepper Jelly: Bake brie cheese in the oven, and served with crackers and red pepper jelly.
- Flavored Cream Cheese and Red Pepper Jelly. Don’t worry- it’s deceptively easy… warm cream cheese with Herb & Garlic Dip mix stirred in, and Red Pepper Jelly on top. Easy peasy.
- Add a dollop to stir fry.
- Melt in microwave and use as a glaze for meat
- Use as a spread on sandwiches
- Birthday Gifts: Picture it- a pretty jar of your own homemade Red Pepper Jelly; some crackers, a cute little cheese knife, and a good cheese platter. Wine. Fancy Cheese, Herb & Garlic Dip Mix
- End of year teacher gifts
- Wrap up pretty for hostess gifts
- Save a few extras for the beggers who plead for a jar after they’ve tried your fancy fare. They will love you.
You might just want to make more than a double recipe 😉 Between a friend, my sister, and I, we’ve made over a hundred jars of this beautiful spread. I’m no homesteader, but this is something that always seems to work out.
I prefer to make my jelly in these jars– it’s the perfect size to take along for appetizers or charcuterie boards. You can go ahead and use a larger size- the method is the same; but we have found it isn’t necessary.
Are you new to canning?
It’s exciting times once you start to realize what you can make. It’s not expensive to start, but there are a few must-haves:
A big pot with a metal rack, or a canner is essential if you are using the hot water bath method. If you are a fan of thrift stores and garage sales, keep your eyes open- otherwise you can purchase one from amazon and have it delivered right to your door 😉
A simple set of canning tools is a must have for us too! We the handy gadget on the far right does not get enough appreciation. This lid wand is as magical as it sounds: it is a magnetized stick that lifts your hot lids right out of the water. No more messing around with a fork or hot fingers! Canners experienced and new love it!
Red Pepper Jelly
Make your own red pepper jelly at home with this easy recipe. Great for stocking stuffers and teacher's gifts!
One recipe makes approx 7 125ml jars.
This recipe calls for Arrabbiata Pepper Blend, but can be substituted with dried chili pepper flakes if needed.
Ingredients
- 3 Red peppers Enough to make one cup juice when blended
- 3 cups White Sugar
- 1/8 tsp Butter helps prevent foaming
- 1/2 cup Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 tblsp Arrabbiata Pepper Blend Or substitute for dried pepper flakes
- 1 pouch Certo Liquid Pectin
- Cheese Cloth for straining
- Jars, cleaned and sterilized
Instructions
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Prepare jars and lids: sterilize, and warm seals in hot (not boiling) water.
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Remove stems and cores from peppers. Roughly chop- they are going in the blender, so don't worry about keeping it fancy. Blend in high powered blender.
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Drain pepper mixture over cheesecloth. Do NOT squeeze the cheesecloth, as this will result in a cloudy jelly. I usually wrap the cheesecloth with an elastic and hang it on a cupboard knob to drip out.
Reserve pulp
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Measure 1 cup of pepper juice; sugar; butter; vinegar; and Arrabbiata mix or dried chili pepper mix into large saucepan
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Place on high heat, and bring quickly to a boil
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Once boiling, stir in liquid pectin
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Return to a boil for a full minute, stirring constantly. Do not stop stirring... you'll regret it 😉
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Skip off any foam, and pour immediately into warm sterilized jars
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Add approx 1 tsp pepper pulp to each jar, if desired (we think it looks prettier when there's a few flecks)
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Seal while still hot. Process in hot water bath for 5 minutes or until sealed.
Recipe Notes
Canning 101:
Canning jars and rings can be reused from previous years. Seals must always be fresh.
Wash canning jars in hot, soapy water (or toss through the dishwasher).
Prepare your water bath. This can be done with a fancy canning pan, or even just a pan with a metal rack in the bottom. There should be enough water to cover the jars, but not so much that when the jars are added it will boil over. Ahhh physics.
Sterilize jars (boil for 15 minutes). Once liquid is prepared, pour into sterilized jars.
Seal with lid, and screw on ring.
Pop into the water bath for 5 minutes. At the end of the 5 minutes your jar should be sealed.
Set on towel for 24-48 hours.
This jelly recipe sounds great. I have made similar jelly recipes over the years, with varying success. Doubling a batch did not yield satisfying results when I tried it once. Sterilizing jars in the oven is not foolproof, neither is the “hot jar method” for canning. Preparing food for canning is too much work to risk spoilage. I would never give this as a gift if it’s safety was in doubt. Also, there are 3 standard jar sizes but you omit stating which size to use for this particular recipe. Some recipes use the half-pint or 250 ml size, I use the 125 ml size.
Hi Carrie
Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. I use the 125 ml jar size— good call, that really should be on there! Enjoy!