Description
Pioneer Woman Texas Cowboy Candy is a sweet and spicy pickled jalapeño recipe that perfectly balances heat and sweetness. This homemade treat combines fresh jalapeños with a flavorful syrup infused with apple cider vinegar and spices, resulting in a tangy, crunchy condiment that’s perfect for sandwiches, tacos, burgers, or as a zesty snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Jalapeños
- 1.5 pounds fresh jalapeños (about 30 peppers), stems removed, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
Pickling Syrup
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- 3 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1/4 teaspoon celery seed
Instructions
- Prepare jalapeños: Remove the stems from the fresh jalapeños and slice them into 1/4-inch thick rounds to ensure even pickling and perfect texture.
- Make pickling base: In a large saucepan, combine apple cider vinegar, granulated sugar, garlic powder, ground turmeric, and celery seed. Bring the mixture to a boiling point, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar.
- Simmer initial syrup: Reduce the heat and let the syrup simmer gently for 5 minutes to infuse the flavors thoroughly.
- Add jalapeños and cook: Add the sliced jalapeños to the syrup mixture, bring it back to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer for an additional 4 minutes to soften the peppers slightly while preserving their crunch.
- Jar jalapeños: Use a slotted spoon to carefully transfer the jalapeño slices into clean glass canning jars, leaving the syrup in the pan.
- Reduce syrup: Boil the remaining pickling syrup for 6 minutes to thicken it slightly and concentrate the flavors before pouring it over the jalapeños in each jar.
- Seal and refrigerate: Wipe the rims of the jars clean, seal tightly with lids, and refrigerate. Allow the jalapeños to pickle and develop the flavors for at least 1 to 2 weeks before enjoying for best taste and texture.
Notes
- For extra heat, leave some jalapeño seeds in the slices, or remove them if you prefer milder candy.
- Use clean sterilized jars to ensure longer shelf life and safety.
- Refrigerate the jars after sealing; they can be stored refrigerated for up to 3 months.
- These make excellent gifts in decorative jars.
- Adjust sugar quantity if you prefer a sweeter or less sweet syrup.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Condiment
- Method: Pickling and simmering
- Cuisine: Texan / Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 70
- Sugar: 17g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Texas Cowboy Candy, pickled jalapeños, sweet and spicy peppers, Pioneer Woman recipe, homemade jalapeño candy, spicy condiment
