Cowboy Candy (also known as candied jalapenos) tastes great on cream cheese covered crackers (as an appetizer), or on grilled burgers or hot dogs! It’s easy to can them for long term storage.
Cowboy Candy (also known as candied jalapenos) tastes great on cream cheese covered crackers or burgers! It's easy to can them for long term storage.

The first time I heard of “cowboy candy”, I wasn’t sure that it was something I would enjoy. I like semi-spicy food, but didn’t know if I could handle candied jalapenos! Boy… was I wrong! It is definitely NOT too spicy at all, is actually sweet, and is a FABULOUS appetizer!

This recipe for cowboy candy is preserved for long term storage by canning it through a water bath process (only takes 15 minutes of cooking time).

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How Much Cowboy Candy Does This Recipe Make?

The recipe as written below, makes 2 pints of this delectable treat, which comes out to about 64 Tablespoons of cowboy candy total!  One Tablespoon is a great topping for a cream cheese topped cracker, so you can see how a couple jars of cowboy candy will go far!

It is also very easy (and recommended) to double or triple this recipe, so you can have LOTS of jars of candied jalapenos in the pantry to serve as a quick fix appetizer! Guess what? Cowboy candy is also wonderful as a topping for grilled hamburgers or hot dogs! YUM!

So How Do I Make Cowboy Candy?

Prepare canning jars and water bath canner, according to USDA canning guidelines. Very basically, you will need to sterilize jars and flat lids, place a rack on the bottom of the canner (to keep jars off bottom), and bring the water in the canner to a simmer.

Thinly slice the jalapeno peppers. You “might” want to wear gloves for this part, but if you don’t, be sure to wash hands thoroughly after slicing, and do not rub your eyes… just sayin’.

Jalapeños are thinly sliced before adding them to the pan.

When I took these photos several years ago, I was ONLY making 2 pints, because it was my first time trying this particular recipe, and I wanted to make sure we liked the cowboy candy before making more.

Make The Sauce For The Cowboy Candy

In a large pan, bring the apple cider vinegar, sugar, mustard seed, garlic powder, turmeric, celery seed, and cayenne pepper to a boil, on medium heat. Once the mixture begins boiling, turn the heat down to low, and simmer the syrup for 5 minutes.

A syrup is made to sweeten and season the candied jalapeños.

Add all of the sliced jalapenos into the syrup, and stir to combine. Continue to cook the cowboy candy on low heat for 5 more minutes.

Thinly sliced jalapeños are added to and cooked in the thick syrup to make cowboy candy

Now the jalapeños are ready to begin canning process for long term storage.

Canning Jars Of Cowboy Candy For Long Term Storage

Divide the cowboy candy into the hot, sterilized canning jars. To do this, add the jalapenos first, then add any remaining liquid from the pan. Fill the jars, being sure to leave 1/4″ headspace on each jar. Insert a plastic utensil a couple of times into each jar, to remove any air bubbles. Wipe the jar rims with a moist towel or cloth to remove excess residue, add a prepared flat lid, and then add the screwband, tightening to fingertip tightness.

Place jars onto rack in canner and make sure there is enough simmering water to cover the top of each jar by 1-2 inches. Process the cowboy candy jars for 15 minutes, after the water comes to a gentle, rolling boil.

Jars are processed in a boiling water bath canner for 15 minutes.

Once you have finished canning the jars of cowboy candy, carefully remove each jar from the boiling water using canning tongs.

Place boiling hot jars onto a dish towel (placing them directly on counter could crack the jars due to temperature variances). Let the jars cool for at least 8 hours before disturbing them. Wipe jars clean, label them, test the seal to make sure the jars have sealed correctly, and store in pantry.

Here is a jar of cowboy candy after it has been canned for long term storage.

Serving Cowboy Candy As An Appetizer

If you want to serve these candied jalapenos as a wonderful appetizer or snack, simply spread some cream cheese (whipped or regular) onto a cracker, and top it with a Tablespoon of cowboy candy. Take a big bite, and enjoy!

The cowboy candy, served on top of a cream cheese covered cracker, is a great appetizer!

I really hope you will try this delicious recipe for cowboy candy!  It is SO GOOD when served as an appetizer (so easy, too), and is a delicious topping on a juicy hamburger or grilled hot dog! Have a wonderful day, and may God bless you as you journey through it!

Looking For Other Recipes For APPETIZERS?

You can find all of my appetizer AND canning recipes in the Recipe Index, located at the top of the page. A few favorite appetizer recipes include:

Interested In More Recipes?

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Recipe Source: www.sbcanning.com/2010/10/cowboy-candy-check-this-out.html

0 from 0 votes
Cowboy Candy (candied jalapenos)
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
35 mins
 

Cowboy Candy (also known as candied jalapenos) tastes great on cream cheese covered crackers or burgers! It's easy to can them for long term storage.

Category: Appetizer, Canning and Preserving
Cuisine: Southwest
Keyword: cowboy candy
Servings: 2 pints
Calories Per Serving: 30 kcal
Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Ingredients
  • 1 pound fresh jalapeños , sliced thin
  • 2/3 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons mustard seed
  • 1 Tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1/4 teaspoon celery seed
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
  1. Prepare canning jars and water bath canner, according to USDA canning guidelines. Very basically, you will need to sterilize jars and flat lids, place rack in canner, and bring the water in the canner to a simmer.

  2. Thinly slice the jalapeño peppers. You "might" want to wear gloves for this part, but if you don't, be sure to wash hands thoroughly after slicing, and do not rub your eyes... just sayin'.

  3. In a large pan, bring the apple cider vinegar, sugar, mustard seed, garlic powder, turmeric, celery seed, and cayenne pepper to a boil, on medium heat. Once the mixture begins boiling, turn the heat down to low, and simmer the syrup for 5 minutes. Add all of the sliced jalapeños into the syrup, and stir to combine. Continue to cook the cowboy candy on low heat for 5 more minutes.

  4. Divide the cowboy candy into the hot, sterilized canning jars. To do this, add the jalapeños first, then add any remaining liquid from the pan. Fill the jars, being sure to leave 1/4" headspace on each jar. Insert a plastic utensil a couple of times into each jar, to remove any air bubbles. Wipe rims clean, then add the prepared flat lid and screwband. Tighten screwband to fingertip tightness. Place jars onto rack in canner and make sure there is enough simmering water to cover the top of each jar by 1-2 inches. Process jars for 15 minutes, after the water comes to a gentle boil.  Once you have finished processing the jars, carefully remove each jar from the boiling water using canning tongs. Place hot jars onto a dish towel (placing them directly on counter could crack jars due to temperature variances). Let jars cool for at least 8 hours before disturbing them. Wipe jars clean, label, and test the seal to make sure the jars have sealed correctly, and then store in pantry. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts
Cowboy Candy (candied jalapenos)
Amount Per Serving (1 Tablespoon)
Calories 30 Calories from Fat 9
% Daily Value*
Fat 1g2%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Sodium 1mg0%
Potassium 29mg1%
Carbohydrates 7g2%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 7g8%
Protein 1g2%
Vitamin A 70IU1%
Vitamin C 10.2mg12%
Calcium 2mg0%
Iron 0.1mg1%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Here’s one more to pin on your Pinterest boards!Cowboy Candy (also known as candied jalapenos) tastes great on cream cheese covered crackers or burgers! It's easy to can them for long term storage.

Cowboy Candy (candied jalapenos)

19 Comments on Cowboy Candy (candied jalapenos)

  1. I doubled the recipe, got 2 1/2 pints and a lot of leftover syrup. I had a row of carrots left in the garden so I cut them up, and used the remaining syrup over the carrots and canned 3 pints! I’m really excited to see how both turn out!!

  2. Hi
    I have about an inch or 2 of syrup in the bottom of the jars and jalapeño have risen to top after boiling. Hope this is normal? If I did not add enough jalapeños will it still be ok? I plan to open in 2 weeks , hope they are fantastic

    • Hi there… probably not enough jalapenos, but they should still be fine. Hope you enjoy them! I just ran out of them, and have them on my “to do list”.

  3. I can 8 lbs of jalapenos at a time using your recipe. I double the liquid, and can it also. It makes the best marinade in the world!

  4. Just made this recipe. It’s great. My husband loves it and puts it on everything. Very spicy. I didn’t can just put in jar in fridge since we will eat it all up shortly.

    • Hi, Lea Ann… you know… I have never used it for anything else, to be honest. I usually have just enough “liquid” to can the cowboy candy, and use it all up.

    • I did also so I used the juice to make Christmas Jalapeño. Just add chopped green and red peppers with more jalapeños.

  5. I’ve been researching recipes for candied jalapeños, and a few have suggested to wait 3-4 months before opening the jars! I don’t have that long…..can these be used within a few weeks?

    • Good morning, Lisa! Sorry for the late response… I’ve been on vacation out of the country for the past two weeks. I have enjoyed the candied jalapenos after only a few weeks, and even once had a jar that we used two years later. Both tasted the same to us! I truly hope that helps. Have a wonderful day.

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