Make cowboy candy with brown sugar and hot honey for a sweet heat you can add to many dishes.
When I first made this recipe, it was my Hail Mary attempt to use the jalapeños from my singular, exceedingly prolific plant. I harvested all that were ripe, rinsed them thoroughly, put on gloves, and got to work slicing them on a mandolin. More than a couple of times, that jar of candied jalapeños added playfulness to days I was uninspired to cook. A leftover pot of rice gets re-steamed with some soy sauce and an egg, then finished with cucumber and these jalapeños. Boom. Instant excitement. Only have the ingredients to make tuna salad? Finely chopped candied jalapeños bring new life to the familiar.
Candied jalapeños, or “Cowboy Candy,” are said to have originated on a ranch in St. Augustine, Texas, in the 1920s. You may see them in jars at the farmers market or on the shelves of a kitchen supply store. This recipe puts a retro spin on a trendier condiment, hot honey, by using the abundant summer jalapeño harvest to add a clean heat to the spicy honey syrup.
Use these candied jalapeños anywhere you want to add sweet heat. Dishes from pizza and cheeseburgers to deviled eggs and cucumber salad benefit from whole rings of candied jalapeño simply jeweled across the top. If you’re hosting, consider making a batch cocktail that lets this sweet quick pickle shine. My recommendation: spicy margaritas.
This recipe is designed to use a large amount of your garden’s summer pepper harvest, or perhaps a deal at the farmers market.
While I’ve chosen to use only jalapeños here, any spicier or milder chiles, or a combination, could be substituted to experiment with the Scoville level. I love using the half-honey, half-brown-sugar mixture here for the floral honeyed flavor, and I also find it less cloyingly sweet than pure brown sugar. The cumin, coriander, and garlic cut the sheer sweetness even more, and while the garlic is optional, I’d recommend including it.
To preserve, the sliced jalapeños are lightly cooked in the honey mixture, then put in sterilized jars in the fridge to keep for up to 1 month. Yield: approximately 4 pint jars.
- 1-1/2 pounds red or green jalapeños, seeds included, sliced into 1⁄4-inch-thick rings
- 2 cups honey
- 2 cups brown sugar
- 2 cups apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 4 cloves garlic (optional)
- Thoroughly rinse all jalapeños and slice them with a knife or on a mandolin into rings 1/4 inch thick.
- In a medium pot over medium heat, combine the honey, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally until the sugar has dissolved, 5 to 7 minutes. When boiled, the liquid will expand, so be sure to use a large enough pot to account for double the volume.
- Add the jalapeños, cumin, coriander, and garlic (if using) to the honey mixture, bring to a boil once more, then reduce the heat and cook for 7 minutes more or until the peppers look slightly shrunken and glossy.
- Using a slotted spoon, transfer the jalapeños into a sterilized jar and return the liquid to the heat, cooking until it’s reduced to a syrupy consistency, 6 to 8 minutes.
- Carefully pour the syrup over the jalapeños, making certain they’re submerged in the jar. Cool the mixture to room temperature before sealing with the lid. Transfer the jar to the fridge and enjoy them for up to 1 month.
With expertise in food media, the hospitality industry, and farm-to-table cooking, Anna Will brings a written perspective that emphasizes the beauty of seasonal cooking, and local eating. When she’s not knee-deep in a plethora of heirloom beans, she enjoys playing Scrabble, reading cookbooks, and hiking.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is cowboy candy?
Cowboy candy is another name for candied jalapenos. It is a quick pickle condiment that usually contains jalapeño peppers, spices, and brown sugar. Honey can be substituted for some of the brown sugar to reduce sweetness.
What pepper is used in cowboy candy?
Cowboy candy is usually made of jalapeños, but spicier or milder peppers can be mixed in to create the perfect heat level for your pantry.
What can you eat cowboy candy with?
Cowboy candy is a great topping for burgers and pizza, but can also be mixed into recipes like deviled eggs, tuna sandwiches, or cucumber salad. The liquid can also be used for fun cocktails, such as spicy margaritas.
What is the shelf life of candied jalapeños?
When stored in sterilized jars, candied jalapeños can last in the fridge for up to a month.
