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Honey Pickled Jalapeños Recipe: Sweet & Spicy Perfection

Discover the secret to restaurant-quality honey pickled jalapeños! This unique recipe uses honey instead of sugar for complex sweetness that perfectly balances heat and tang.
Course Condiment, Side Dish, Snack
Keyword Jalapeno, Pickled
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Servings 5 large jars

Equipment

  • 1 Large stainless steel pot
  • 1 Sharp knife or mandoline slicer
  • 4-6 Sterilized canning jars (16 oz)
  • 4-6 New canning lids (essential for safety)
  • 1 Wooden spoon (won't react with honey)
  • 1 Canning funnel

Ingredients

  • 1 kg Fresh Jalapeños sliced into ¼-inch rings
  • 3 cups Distilled white vinegar
  • 2 cups Filtered water
  • 4-6 tbsp Honey
  • 4-5 cloves Garlic
  • 1.5 tbsp Salt
  • 1 tsp Black Pepper

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Jalapeños (5 minutes)

  • Select firm, fresh jalapeños for best texture
  • Wash and slice into consistent ¼-inch rings
  • Keep seeds for maximum heat in your honey pickled jalapeños

Step 2: Create the Honey Pickling Brine (5 minutes)

  • Combine the white vinegar, water, honey, garlic, salt and pepper in a large pot
  • Heat to a rolling boil while stirring constantly
  • Stir until honey dissolves completely - no crystallization

Step 3: Perfect the Honey Jalapeño Balance (2 minutes)

  • Add sliced jalapeños to the honey brine
  • Return to gentle simmer - don't boil aggressively
  • Cook for exactly 30 seconds after simmering resumes
  • Remove from heat to preserve texture and honey flavor

Step 4: Hot Pack Your Honey Pickled Jalapeños (10 minutes)

  • Fill jars immediately while mixture is hot
  • Distribute jalapeños evenly between jars
  • Cover with honey brine leaving ½-inch headspace
  • Remove air bubbles gently with clean utensil
  • Wipe jar rims and apply new lids

Step 5: Seal and Age Your Honey Pickled Jalapeños

  • Cool completely at room temperature
  • Check seal integrity before storing
  • Age for 1 week minimum for honey flavors to develop
  • Store up to 2 years in cool, dark location