I’m having a hard time falling for this simple denim candy recipe (also known as candied Mexican jal). With a perfect balance of sweetness and spicy, this is the best thing we’ve made in the kitchen lately and they’re almost ready to use!
I really can’t stop sneaking these sweet and spicy chili peppers onto my plate. Every recent dinner in the jar is hanging out. If you have never tried candied jalapeño, consider my gentle nudge attempt.
You don’t need to be a Kanna master to make this denim candy. It’s very simple and can be stored in the refrigerator for several months!
Key Ingredients
- chili: I use fresh jalapeno, but you can try other chili in this recipe. I also let go of the peppers as a whole, not removing seeds or membranes (the peppers with syrup are very hot). If you want a gentle result, you can remove the seeds and membranes where most of the heat is. Mix the hot peppers with the jalapeno as spicy deer candies, or replace them all together.
- garlic: Thinly sliced raw garlic adds flavor and interest. I love garlic with candy slices.
- vinegar: For the best taste, I use apple cider vinegar and distilled white vinegar. Cutting the apple cider vinegar with white vinegar can make the syrup taste too much like an apple.
- sugar: This is a candied jalapeno recipe, so you will see a lot of sugar in the recipe below. Thin sliced chili sit in the vinegar syrup, instead of brine.
- turmeric: When the chili is sitting in the jar, it can improve the color and flavor of the chili. We also use turmeric for bread and butter pickles in this recipe.
The secret of our candied fruit is Sweet and rich syrupsimple apple cider vinegar, white vinegar, sugar and turmeric flavor. After the sugar dissolves, add the sliced chili and garlic. Transfer the peppers to the jar, but place the syrup in the pan for further reduction.
Don’t throw any extra syrup – it’s liquid goldAnd I use it in marinades, dressings, cocktails, and even throw sweet and spicy kicks with fruit.
How to enjoy denim candy
Denim candy can be paired with almost everything! I promise that once you try these candied jalapeños, you won’t be able to stop adding them to the plate. They were great on sandwiches, hot dogs and burgers. I also like them in salads, tacos, corn flakes and scrambled eggs. They can even make homemade potato salads, egg salads and creamy pasta salads taste better.
Candied jalapeno is a deli dish with cheese and marinated meat. I love them on bagels, smoked salmon and cream cheese. I bet they can make macaroni and cheese better, and they are perfect with chili (see my favorite chili recipe or Texas red pepper)
You can even add them to margaritas, other cocktails or non-alcoholic cocktails. I’m sure there are more suggestions (actually, these suggestions are great). I’m glad to try adding them to vanilla ice cream (I’ll keep you in a timely manner). Let us know your favorite way to enjoy them in the comments!
Simple denim candy
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Here is how to make denim candy (also known as candy jalapeno). You don’t need to be the master of this recipe can. Quick and easy, the jar lasts in the refrigerator for months. You may have leftover syrup that can be used in marinade, dressing, cocktail or fruit tossyrup (chopped melon is very good).
We highly recommend wearing disposable food safety gloves when cutting into numerous chili peppers (you need to cut about 20 pieces). Gloves will protect your hands from the oils in the chili peppers, which can sting and burn if you work with many chili peppers.
You will need a 1 quart can or an airtight container.
Make a 1 quart jar
You will need
1½ lbs (680g) jalapeño, about 20 jalapeño
5 garlic cloves, sliced
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
1 cup (236 ml) apple cider vinegar
1 cup (236 ml) distilled white vinegar
3 cups (600g) sugar
1/8 teaspoon turmeric
direction
1Cut the peppers into 1/8-inch and 1/4-inch thick. Then, place them in a mixing bowl and add the sliced garlic.
2Sprinkle the salt over the chili, mix well, and then place on the counter for 20 minutes.
3Add apple cider vinegar, white vinegar, sugar and turmeric to a small pot and bring to a boil. Boil the mixture for 3 minutes.
4Add the chili and garlic and cook for another 3 minutes.
5Using a slotted spoon, scallop the peppers and garlic and place it in a 1 quart jar.
6Cook the vinegar mixture until about 1 pint of liquid (2 cups) (5 to 8 minutes) is lowered.
7Pour the reduced vinegar mixture over the chili and garlic and add a lid to the jar.
8Refrigerate overnight, but if you can wait, it will be better the next day, or even a week later.
Adam and Joanne’s Tips
- storage: Homemade denim candies lasted 3 months in airtight jars in the refrigerator, although my family finished the jars before that! For longer storage space, you can save it with a traditional water bath (I recommend checking out the canned resources for tips).
- The nutrition facts provided below are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
Service size
1 tablespoon (including syrup)
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Calories
82
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Total fat
0.1g
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Saturated fat
0G
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cholesterol
0mg
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sodium
37.8mg
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carbohydrate
20.4g
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Dietary fiber
0.6 g
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Total sugar
19.6g
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protein
0.2g
We are Adam and Joanne, a couple who are passionate about cooking and sharing delicious, reliable recipes since 2009. Our goal? Inspire you to enter the kitchen and cook fresh and delicious meals confidently.
