Let’s Make Banana Pepper Jelly

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Let’s make Banana Pepper Jelly! Home canning pepper jelly is a new adventure for me — but I’m willing to give it a try. My Community Supported Agricultural (CSA) basket was full of large banana peppers. These peppers are mild, with a distinctive flavor. I don’t often use banana peppers in cooking and hate to throw them away. So making jelly seemed like a good solution. The jelly turned out so well that I made a batch of Hot Jalapeno Pepper Jelly, too.Banana Pepper Jelly and Crackers - IMG_0310_1

Finding a Recipe

I’ve home canned many vegetables and fruits–but never peppers. I’m always ready to try something new and rummaged around to find an assortment of hot pepper jelly recipes. All seemed to have something amiss — for example, some recipes added green food color (yuk), some pureed and strained the peppers. The Tabasco Cookbook recipe used only drops of their hot sauce — no peppers at all. Other recipes called for a specific number of peppers without telling the size or measure. I almost gave up; but found that the insert on the box of Sure-Jell Pectin by Kraft had exactly what I needed: — it gave a measure for the peppers by measuring cup volume.Banana Pepper Jelly and Hot Jalapeno Pepper Jelly - IMG_0403_1

Using proper proportions

Using the correct proportions of peppers, vinegar and sugar to pectin is critical to get the jelly to taste right and to “set.” The goal is a peppery taste, but not an overpowering one. Pectin is needed in pepper jelly because peppers don’t have enough natural pectin to “set” like other fruit such as apples or peaches. The recipe has alot of sugar but don’t cut back on the quantity or the jelly won’t set properly. Here are two types of commercial pectin. Either one can be used. for this recipe. I used a box of the powdered Sure-Jell — shown on the left.
 Sure-Jell - Fruit Pectin Boxes - IMG_0230_1

Banana Peppers in Jelly

Banana peppers are mild. So this jelly is not “hot”. But the peppers had a nice bite and the mild flavors blended well in the jelly. The banana peppers in my CSA basket were very large; hence I couldn’t substitute them equally for other peppers — jalapeno peppers, for example. There was an orange banana pepper in the basket, I added it. The recipe also called for a green bell pepper. This made a colorful jelly!Banana Peppers and Bell Pepper - IMG_0229_1

Other Ingredients

The other ingredients in banana pepper jelly are apple cider vinegar and sugar. And that’s basically what jelly is — sweetened fruit. In this case, apple cider vinegar adds a tart flavor. This a very simple recipe!Ingredients - Vinegar and Sugar - IMG_0314_1

Here we go: Getting the canning process coordinated

Most of the challenge of home canning is getting everything coordinated. It’s important to use clean, sterilized jars. I put the canning jars in my dishwasher on hot rinse and high drying heat to sort of sterilize them — this is going on while I’m getting the jelly ready. Another option is to boil the jars in water for at least 10 minutes.

Use a home canner with a heavy bottom and an insert with holes so that the boiling water circulates under the jars. The jelly will process more evenly and the jars won’t crack. I set this huge pot filled with water on the stove to begin to heat while chopping the peppers and making the jelly. What does this all translate to? …a  hot, humid kitchen!Canner with double bottom - IMG_0239

Now there are two burners left. Use one to sterilize the rings and seals and the other to cook the jelly. (The large canner will probably take up 2 burners.)Boiling lids and rings - IMG_0242

Making the Jelly

First seed and coarsely chop the peppers.Food Processor - chopping peppers - IMG_0234

Then pulverize the peppers in a food processor. I didn’t puree the peppers to a pulp but left a few small pieces. After chopping, the yield was 3-1/2 cups of finely chopped peppers. Just the right amount.Chopped Peppers - 2 - IMG_0238

Add the peppers, vinegar and Sure-Jell Pectin to a large pot and bring to a rolling boil. Sir constantly.Cooking chopped peppers with vinegar and pectin - IMG_0240

Add the sugar…keep track of how much you are adding–5 cups for this recipe. Return to a rolling boil and cook exactly one minute, stirring constantly. A rolling boil is one that doesn’t stop boiling as you stir the pot.Adding sugar - IMG_0241

Ladle the hot jelly into the hot, sterilized jars. The funnel, made specifically for canning, fits exactly in a standard canning jar. Leave 1/4 to 1/2 inch at the top of the jar (or add jelly to the bottom of the funnel). If needed, wipe of the top of the jar so the seal will adhere.Ladle jelly into jars - IMG_0243Add the seals and rings. My favorite kitchen gadget — a magnet-devise — lifts the seals and rings out of the boiling water without causing injuries from the steam. Always use new seals — old ones will be bent and won’t seal properly.Adding seals and lids - IMG_0246Add the jars to the canner filled with water. The water should cover the lids by at least an inch. Return to a rolling boil and process for 10 minutes.Jars in Canner - IMG_0249

Remove from heat and let cool. The jars should ‘pop” telling you they have properly sealed. Here’s the finished Banana Pepper Jelly. This recipe yields 6 one-cup jars. (My batch actually yielded 7 jars — a little “lagniappe” or extra in Cajun French).Finished Banana Pepper Jars - IMG_0250Ideas for Using the Jelly

Serve the jelly with cream cheese and crackers. Spread on toast. Use in a salad dressing. Use as a glaze on chicken, fish or pork. There are many ways to use this zippy jelly!Banana Pepper Jelly on Crackers

Hot Jalapeno Pepper Jelly

My Banana Pepper Jelly turned out so well that I decided to make a batch of Hot Jalapeno Pepper Jelly using the recipe on the Sure-Jell box insert. Here are the peppers — jalapeno peppers, green bell peppers and red bell peppers. All the peppers were large — once chopped there was actually enough for two batches of jelly.Jalapeno - Green and Red Bell Peppers for Jelly - IMG_0319_1Here’s the finished Hot Jalapeno Pepper Jelly. I used both 4 oz jars and 8 oz jars. Now this jelly has some bite! It’s delicious.Hot Jalapeno Pepper Jelly - IMG_0396

Recipe

This recipe is from the Sure-Jell package insert and is used with permission from Kraft.(“Courtesy of Kraft Food & Family magazine” at www.kraftrecipes.com“). I have reprinted the recipe verbatim. For the Banana Pepper Jelly, I used five very large banana peppers and one bell pepper. This yielded 3-1/2 cups which was the right amount for a batch of jelly (the recipe uses 4 cups chopped peppers).

Hot Pepper Jelly from Sure-Jell by Kraft

  • Difficulty: moderate
  • Print

Ingredients

  • 2 green bell peppers (1-1/2 cup finely chopped)
  • 2 red bell peppers (1-1/2 cup finely chopped)
  • 10 jalapeno peppers (1 cup finely chopped peppers)
  • 1 cup cider vinegar
  • 1 pkg Sure-Jell Premium Fruit Pectin
  • 1/2 tsp butter or margarine (optional)
  • 5 cups sugar

Method and Steps

  1. Lids and jars must be sterilized. To sterilize the jars and lids, simmer them in boiling water for at least 10 minutes while your jam is cooking.
  2. Use dry measuring cup to measure exact amount of prepared peppers, use liquid cup to measure exact amount of vinegar, into large sauce pan.
  3. Measure the exact amount of sugar into a separate bowl. (DO NOT REDUCE THE SUGAR IN RECIPE SINCE THAT WILL RESULT IN SET FAILURES.)
  4. Stir in 1 pkg SURE-JELL Premium Fruit Pectin into prepared peppers and vinegar in saucepan. Add 1/2 tsp butter or margarine to reduce foaming, if desired.
  5. Bring mixture to full rolling boil (a boil that doesn’t stop bubbling when stirred) on high heat, stirring constantly.
  6. Add sugar to pepper mixture in saucepan. Return to full rolling boil; boil exactly 1 min, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, skim off any foam with metal spoon.
  7. Ladle immediately into prepared jars, filling to within 1/4 inch of top. Wipe jar rims and threads. Cover with two-piece lids. Place jars on elevated rack in canner. Lower rack into canner. (Water must cover jars by 1 to 2 inches. Add boiling water, if needed.) Cover, bring water to gentle boil. Process 10 minutes, adjusting time if necessary as directed on Altitude Chart. Remove jars and place upright on towel to cool completely. After jars cool, check seals by pressing centers of lids with finger. If lid springs back, lid is not sealed and refrigeration is necessary.
  8. Let prepared jars stand at room temperature for 24 hours. Store unopened jams and jellies in cool, dry, dark place up to 1 year. Refrigerate opened jams and jellies up to 3 weeks.

“Photo and recipe provided courtesy of Kraft Food & Family magazine, www.kraftrecipes.com. ; For more information or to sign up for a free subscription, please visit http://www.kraftrecipes.com/foodfamilyarchive/foodandfamilyarchivelanding.aspx.”

Home canning can be rather daunting! But it’s not so bad; and your family and friends will be so impressed….Banana Pepper Jelly and Hot Jalapeno Pepper Jelly - IMG_0401

 

29 thoughts on “Let’s Make Banana Pepper Jelly”

  4. This is a great jelly! Thanks so much for the recipe idea. We used it as a topping for hamburgers tonight. Gave them a nice little kick. 🙂

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  5. This looks amazing. I have a bunch of banana peppers in my garden and would love to try this recipe but I didn’t see any amounts for the vinegar and sugar. Could you send me the entire recipe. Thanks

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    • You are so correct; I see I didn’t post the quantities for the Banana Pepper Jelly. It is 3-1/2 cups chopped assorted banana peppers including 1 green bell pepper, 1 cup cider vinegar, 1 pkg Sure-Jell Premium Fruit Pectin, (1/2 tsp butter or margarine – optional), 5 cups sugar. Follow instructions as written. Yield: six 1-cup (8 oz) canning jars. Hope you enjoy the jelly; much better than any store-bought jelly and a good way to use banana peppers in the garden. And this makes great gifts!

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    • This jelly is amazing! Made one batch on Thursday and will be making another today. We’ve been eating it on hamburgers and with tortilla chips. Even my dad, who is a very picky eater, has raved about it. Thanks so much!

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      • Thanks! Glad you like the jelly; I spent alot of time trying to figure out the proportions and think it turned out well. I had not thought of serving it on hamburgers; will try it. Good idea.

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  6. Pingback: Pickled Peppers and Pepper Jelly – Old Time Farmhouse

    • Hello, I didn’t have this problem with my pepper jelly; the peppers were dispersed throughout the jelly. So, looking at an on-line forum about the problem, these were some helpful suggestions. Usually I don’t post quotes from others, but this time it seems appropriate. i did both coarsely puree most of the peppers and then letting the jelly sit 5 minutes before processing (as listed below), so perhaps this is why my jelly turned out fine.

      1. “After bringing your jelly to a rolling boil for one minute, take it off the burner and allow it to cool for about 20 minutes before putting it in the jars.
      This allows the peppers to cook a little longer and they will distribute throughout the jelly. This also works with your fruit when making jam.”
      2. “I find that if I take the cooked jelly off the heat and gently stir it for five minutes before jarring and processing, this helps prevent the fruit (or peppers) from floating up.
      And then, after processing, I gently turn the jars, or turn them over completely for 10 minutes or so while they are cooling, as per other comments.”
      3. “I know a lot of people leave the peppers in whole, or even in small pieces, but I just puree them instead. I don’t have the problem of them floating to the top, and it still tastes really good.”
      These comments and more are from: https://www.simplycanning.com/canning-pepper-jelly.html

      Hope this helps!

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    • Hello, This recipe is specifically made to use regular sugar, so it won’t work to substitute in “sugar substitutes.” There probably are jelly recipes that are “low sugar”, I just haven’t researched the idea. You would need specific recipes for Stevia, etc. Good luck!

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    • Thanks for checking out my blog and recipe. Hum, apples do contain pectin. However, I’m not sure that adding one apple would be enough to replace the purchased pectin in this recipe, I don’t think I’d try it with this recipe. However, there might be other recipes around. It might be better to make a fruit jelly with just a little jalapeno or banana peppers in it, such as peach/apple/ plum jellies or combinations, now that might be great! But, I have to say I haven’t tried that route. Might be a project for this fall!

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  10. I made the sweet banana pepper jelly just as the recipe called for. I have never made any kind of jelly, and it was my first time canning anything. It tastes amazing if I can say so myself. I grow my own peppers and usually pickle them and eat them right away. This made 2 1/2 pints. 2 pints are put up and enjoying the rest. Not sure how long they’ll last.

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  12. for the hot pepper jelly do I have to use green and red peppers or can I just use hot peppers in the same measurement amount?

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