Ghost Pepper Jelly
Ghost Pepper Jelly is made with one of the hottest peppers on the planet. Tame the heat of these firecrackers by making a delicious hot pepper jelly.
Table of contents
Why you’ll love this easy recipe
If you love hot and spicy foods this is a recipe for you.
A Ghost Pepper clocks in at about 1,000,000 Scoville heat units. Scoville is the scale for measuring the heat in a hot pepper. As a reference point, jalapenos usually rate about 1,000-20,000 Scoville units.
I like hot food, but not so hot that I can’t taste the food. So a great way to tame the heat is to make a simple jelly.
Making jelly is an easy introduction to home canning. The combination of sugar and vinegar in the recipe keeps the mixture safe from spoilage.
Check out my Pickled Jalapeno Peppers and DIY Chipotle Pepper recipes for more ways to preserve hot peppers.
Ingredients
Ingredient Notes
- Sweet Peppers – Sweet peppers (like bell peppers) make up the bulk of the jelly. You can adjust the balance between the amount of sweet and hot peppers according to your taste. If you use a mild pepper like jalapeno you could probably do the entire amount with those.
- Ghost Peppers – You can use any hot pepper for this recipe. I’ve made this recipe with Habanero and Carolina Reapers. As noted above, adjust the number of hot peppers based on your taste.
- Cider Vinegar – Cider vinegar has a nice taste in this jelly. You can use any vinegar as long as it is 5% acidity.
- Sugar – This is a jelly so sugar is needed for body and gelling. The sweetness balances out the heat of the chiles.
- Pectin – For each pouch of liquid pectin you can substitute 2 tablespoons of powdered pectin. But you must adjust the cooking with powdered pectin. See the canning tips section below for details.
Process Photos
See the recipe card for detailed measurements and instructions.
- First things first, when working with Ghost Peppers gloves are a must, and goggles are not a bad idea.
- Combine the chopped peppers with a cup of the vinegar in a food processor.
- Process to a loose puree. When you open the lid of the processor be careful. The fumes from the vinegar and peppers can sting your eyes and nostrils.
- If using powdered pectin see canning notes below. Combine the peppers with the sugar and the rest of the vinegar in a large pan. Boil the mixture for 10 minutes then add the liquid pectin. Boil 1 more minute.
- Pour the hot jelly into sterilized canning jars. A canning funnel makes this process easier.
- Wipe the rim of each jar with a damp paper towel. Any bits of pepper on the rim of the jar can prevent the lid from forming a seal.
- Use canning tongs to transfer the jars to a canning pot filled with boiling water. Process the jars for 10 minutes.
- Using canning tongs, remove the jars from the water. As the jars cool you should hear a “pop” and see the circle in the middle of the lid indented rather than popped up. This means the lid has formed an air tight seal.
- Once the jars are completely cooled unscrew the tops and check that the lids are firmly sealed. If any lids don’t properly seal, refrigerate and use that jelly first.
Notes on Home Canning
- You must use proper canning jars and lids for water bath canning. To sterilize the jars and lids, process the empty jars in boiling water for 10 minutes or run them with the “sterilize” cycle on your dishwasher.
- If you use powdered pectin instead of liquid pectin make the following changes to the recipe; Whisk the pectin with the sugar and put it in the pot before adding the pepper puree. Boil the jelly for 10 minutes as listed in the recipe.
- Check out the Ball Canning website for more detailed instructions on water bath canning.
Storage
- If you make a small batch of jelly and end up with just a jar or two they can be refrigerated. If you are refrigerating the jelly right away you don’t need to process the jars in the water bath.
- As long as you use proper canning jars and you process the jars in a hot water bath to make sure they’re sealed, Ghost Pepper Jelly will keep for a year in the pantry.
How to Serve Ghost Pepper Jelly
This Ghost Pepper Jelly has a nice flavor and a manageable heat level. I’ve tried the jelly on cheese and crackers, on a peanut butter sandwich and we even used it as a condiment for breaded pork chops.
I also put some Ghost Pepper jelly in my Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich Cookies and in Peanut Butter Mousse Pie. WOW, so good!!
I think Ghost Pepper Jelly in a pretty jar, wrapped with colorful ribbon, would make a lovely holiday or hostess gift.
If you love this recipe as much as I do, please consider giving it 5 stars.
Ghost Pepper Jelly Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 ghost peppers (or and chile to taste)
- 12 oz bell peppers
- 16 oz cider vinegar (2 cups)
- 3 lbs granulated sugar (6 cups)
- 2 pouches liquid pectin (see note)
Instructions
- Sterilize 8 half pint or 4 pint jars and lids by boiling for 10 minutes or running through the "sterilize" setting on your dishwasher. Set warm sterilized jars on clean kitchen towel while preparing the jelly.
- Put on gloves. Ghost peppers are hot! Stem, seed and roughly chop 4 ghost peppers and 12 oz bell peppers. In a food processor or blender, puree the peppers with 1 cup of the vinegar.
- Combine the puree with the remaining vinegar and 3 lbs granulated sugar in a saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil (be careful not to breathe in the steam or get it in your eyes!!!). Boil for 10 minutes, keep an eye on the pot as it can easily boil over. Stir in 2 pouches liquid pectin, return to a boil and boil 1 minute, keep stirring.
- Ladle the jelly into the sterilized jars, leave 1/4" head space. Wipe the rims of the jars with a clean, moist paper towel. Place 2 piece lids on the jars. Process in hot water bath for 10 minutes. Check the seals before storing in a cool dark place. If any jars don't seal refrigerate them and use first.
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Hi! I’ve never made jam before and I followied the instructions perfectly when I made this recipe last night, but it seems to be very runny this morning like it didn’t set in the jars. Any advice? Thank you!
Did you use powder or liquid pectin? If you don’t boil the mixture long enough with the pectin the jelly won’t set properly.
Hi! I love this recipe and like others, have a hard time turning down those asking for a jar.
I was wondering if powdered pectin can be used and if so, what alterations need to be made.
Thanks!
Hi Debbie. Yes, you can use powdered pectin. Replace the two pouches of liquid pectin with 1/4 cup of powdered pectin (that’s 2 tablespoons per pouch replacement). Add the powdered pectin with the pepper puree and the vinegar to the saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil. Boil for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add the sugar and bring the mixture back up to a full boil. Boil hard for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
My wife and I just made a batch of jelly using this recipe, we used datil peppers instead of ghost peppers. Super delicious!!
Thanks! I just made a batch using Serrano peppers. I’ve never heard of datil peppers, have to look them up.
I was lucky enough to stumble over this recipe last fall as I was given a few ghost peppers and was looking for ways to use them. Awesome accolades were given from all who tried this, I spent the rest of the year fending off would be ghost pepper jelly thieves.. Although I did end up sharing many jars with friends and family, I’ve also passed this treasured recipe to many lovers of the heat.
This year I grew my own Ghost Peppers as well as some Carolina Reapers, and as I get ready to make a good sized batch this year to share and devour myself I just want to thank you for taking the time to post such a detailed recipe.
I’ve used it with rice, eggs, ribs, chicken wings, cheese and crackers, garlic bread, a dollop in soup…bottom line this Ghost Pepper Jelly goes with anything you can imagine where a nice sweet heat is needed.
Cheers Rick
Thanks Rick. Personally I’m a little afraid of the Carolina Reaper.Are they really that hot? By the way, I also like the Ghost Pepper Jelly on Peanut Butter & Jelly Cookies. So good.
II have made and eaten Carolina Reaper jelly using 5 and another time 12 peppers- the 5 pepper receipe is really good, the other is hot but tasty and serves well with cheeses and meats for those who enjoy a hot jelly. o used green bells for the 5 pepper and red bells for the 12 pepper one Makes great holiday gift.
I don’t normally comment on recipes, but I just have to say that this is THE BEST pepper jelly! It’s spicy and flavorful. I get compliments every time I serve it!
Thanks, Heather!! I love it too. I’ve used it so many ways. On sandwiches, on pork chops and (my new favorite) in Peanut Butter & Jelly Cookies. Thanks for visiting.