Pepper Jelly Recipe

Green pepper jelly recipe or jam is a great appetizer to serve. A little spicy and sweet served with crackers or chips is so yummy. As for the ingredients you can use different types of green peppers as you wish too which is great.

Green Pepper Jelly Recipe

If you have a vegetable garden in your backyard you may be growing just what you need. At the store the ingredients are not expensive at all, making this a cheap party appetizer. Buy store brand cream cheese to save a few extra dollars and if you are having a crowd make a double batch just as easily.

in Pressure Cooker

We will show you how to make this in a pot on your stovetop but if you’d rather make Instant Pot jam you can use the timing in that post for that method too.

What is pepper jelly made of?

1. Poblano peppers are the main base
2. Red and green bell peppers, green is typically used above all other colors
3. Spicy peppers such as; roasted jalapeños, thai peppers, banana, anaheim, serano or hatch chiles (you could dice up canned or use fresh)
4. White vinegar oe apple cider vinegar
5. White sugar, give or take depending on how spicy you need
6. If you want it really brilliant you can add green food coloring, just a drop
7. Liquid Pectin used as a thickener
   1. I used powdered, liquid pectin would just use 2 Tbsp instead of 1 packet
8. Mason jars are best to use for storage

Substitutions

We’re going to use a variety of different types from the produce section for this, some spicy like smoked chiles and some with some sweetness. You can use whatever color of bells you like, or what is on sale at the time. Remember that some shades are sweeter than others so you can naturally adjust the sugar levels this way.

Sugar free option

Need a sugar free version because you or a family member is a diabetic? Splenda is a great option but remember to use use half the amount. So instead of the 5 cups of white sugar you’d use 2.5 c. instead….or it would be sickeningly sweet.

What is the difference between pepper jam and jelly?

Jelly is strained to get out all of the chunks out so it is smooth. Jam leaves those chunks in so you have more texture in the mixture. Both have the same basic flavors but the texture is different. You could use an immersion blender for somewhere in the middle,.

What to use it for

On top of baked salmon or even pork chops is great. You could put it in a food processor and spread it on crackers or on bagels!

How long does it last?

It depends on how you store it. If yours is homemade like this and you store it in a sanitized glass jar sealed tightly it will last about 2 – 3 months. If you know how to can jam the shelf life will extend to years, but once opened it goes back to a few months in the fridge.

Green Pepper Jelly and Cream Cheese Recipe

• Remove seeds and membranes to tame the heat, then finely chop peppers and put into a large pot with vinegar and sugar.
• Boil over medium high heat to soften so they will blend together to smooth.
• Add pectin for a few more minutes stirring constantly. Skim off foam and pour into jars.
• Allow to cool, remove foam again, and pour over the top of a block to serve as an appetizer

If you want to can you’ll need boiling water and tongs, there is a link to how to can in the recipe card below you can follow. This will allow your jam to last for years this way.

Tips

If you’re going to use this on top a block of cream cheese you may want to heat it beforehand. Just warm a large saucepan to warm it up just a bit. Then pour on and this will allow the underneath to melt just a bit and make it easier to spread. Want to add some fresh heat? Dice jalapenos and sprinkle on the top.

This is one idea of course. Many times I will make a batch of Crockpot stuffed bell peppers or make air fryer fajitas with them.