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    Home » Canning

    How to Pickle Jalapeños: Easy Canning Recipe

    Aug 24, 2018 · 150 Comments

    Jump to Recipe

    How to Make Pickled Jalapeños

    Pickled jalapeños are easy to make! This recipe is perfect for beginners. It makes two small jars of spicy pickled jalapeños rings.

    How to Make Pickled Jalapeños | Photo of Homemade Canned Pickled Jalapeños

    Today we’re talking about canning jalapeños! If you have an abundance of jalapeños coming out of the garden, this recipe is for you. Don’t despair if you don’t grow jalapeños. Find a local grower, buy a pound or so and you’re set to go.

    This recipe makes shelf stable pickled jalapeños. So you’ll need some familiarity with water bath canning. If you’ve never canned before, check out this tutorial on water bath canning.

    The Basic Steps for Canning Pickled Jalapeños

    Making homemade pickled jalapeños is easy but it does take some time. Here are the 10 basic steps.

    1. Clean the kitchen. This is an important step when canning.
    2. Slice the peppers into rings. Wear gloves while you do this. It prevents burns.
    3. Heat the canning jars for 10 minutes.
    4. Make the brine.
    5. Pack the peppers tightly into hot jars.
    6. Add pickle crisp. (optional but highly recommended.)
    7. Ladle brine into the jars.
    8. Remove air bubbles.
    9. Wipe rims and apply lids and bands.
    10. Process jars in a water bath canner.

    What Do Pickled Jalapeños Taste Like?

    It depends on the style of “pickling” used. This recipe uses a vinegar brine. They taste hot and spicy with a nice vinegar kick. Naturally fermented jalapeños, which aren’t common,  have a distinctly different flavor. They’re pungent and taste strongly of pepper. If you’ve ever purchased pickled jalapeños at the store, chances are you’ve enjoyed a vinegar-brined pepper.

    Selecting the Peppers

    Use firm, unbruised peppers. Discard any peppers that show signs of mold. Clean all peppers thoroughly to remove dirt before canning.

    Can You Use Jalapeños with Lines (Striations) On Them?

    Yes! Homegrown peppers often have lines on them. These striations are normal and usually indicate a hotter pepper. As long as the pepper is firm with no mold, it’s safe to use.

    Can You Use Red Jalapeños?

    Picture of Homemade Red Pickled Jalapeños

    Yes! Fully ripe jalapeños turn red. They are hotter than green jalapeños peppers and work great for pickling. Each year a few dozen jalapeños get away from me in the garden and turn red. When pickling, I make a jar or two of just red jalapeños because….I like the way the look. Again, be sure to only use peppers with no signs of spoilage.

    How to Make Brine for Pickled Jalapeños

    The brine for this recipe is simple to make. For one pound of jalapeños, combine three and a half cups of white vinegar and one cup of water. If you want, add one tablespoon picking salt and bring the mixture to a boil. (The pickling salt keeps the canned jalapeños from turning cloudy. If you don’t want to buy a box of canning salt, you can use Kosher salt. Just expect a cloudy appearance in your jars.) Adding salt is optional but it adds a nice flavor.

    As with all canning recipes, don’t adjust the brine. Peppers are low in acid. The ratio of vinegar to water keeps you safe. Use a vinegar that contains 5% acidity. 

    How to Pack the Jars

    After heating your clean pint jars, it’s time to pack them. Notice I said “pack”. You really want to get as many pepper rings into the jar as you can. Of course, take care not to overly force the slices into the jar–there’s no need to crush or bruise them.

    After adding as many slices as you can, use a clean chopstick to poke the slices down. You can often get an extra handful or so of slices into the jar after poking them down with a chopstick.

    How to Make Pickled Jalapeños Crisp and Crunchy

    One of only problems with homemade pickled jalapeños is they can turn out mushy. No one wants a mushy pepper! To keep the pickled jalapeños crisp and crunchy, use Pickle Crisp by Ball or Mrs. Wage’s Xtra Crunch. Both products are calcium chloride, which is a type of salt that keeps canned produce firm, among other things.  To use, add 1/4 teaspoon per pint to keep the peppers crisp.

    I didn’t use pickle crisp one year. (To be honest, I was being lazy. I didn’t want to run out and buy a jar.) That year, we ate peppers that tasted amazing but were mushy. The next season, I bought the pickle crisp. It made a huge difference! If you want crisp jalapeños peppers, get yourself a jar.

    How to Make Pickled Jalapeños Less Hot and Spicy

    Some folks ask how they can make their pickles jalapeños less hot and spicy. I hate to be the bearer of bad news here but…the level of heat and spice depends on the peppers themselves. You can try slicing the peppers in half and removing the seeds. This tends to reduce the heat level. However, expect your peppers to still be hot. This step takes a bit of time and, since you’ll need to slice the peppers in half to de-seed, you won’t get round rings.

    How to Use Pickled Jalapeños

    My answer to this is on everything! Seriously, I love these things so much. A better answer is that you can use pickled jalapeños on tacos, burrito bowls, nachos, pizza, or any place you want a little heat.

    Homemade Canned Pickled Jalapeños in a jar.
    4.88 from 31 votes
    Print

    Pickled Jalapeños

    Homemade Pickled Jalapeños are easy to make! This simple recipe, which uses the waterbath canning method, makes tasty and crisp homemade pickled jalapeños slices. 

    Keyword pickled jalapenos
    Prep Time 50 minutes
    Cook Time 10 minutes
    Total Time 1 hour
    Servings 2 pints
    Calories 18 kcal

    Ingredients

    • 1 1/2 pounds jalapeños peppers
    • 3 1/2 cups white vinegar (MUST be 5% acidity)
    • 1 cup water
    • 1 tablespoon pickling salt, optional
    • Ball® Pickle Crisp or Mrs. Wages Xtra Crunch, optional

    Instructions

    1. Slice Peppers: Wash peppers and cut off steams. Slice peppers into 1/4-inch thick rings. Wear gloves for this step to avoid burning your hands. And do NOT touch your eyes or any other sensitive body parts.
    2. Heat Jars: Place a rack into the bottom of a large pot. Fill pot with enough water to cover jars. Submerge jars in water. Bring water to a simmer, 180 degrees. Simmer jars for 10 minutes. (Since the peppers process for 10 minutes, you don’t need to boil the jars.)
    3. Prepare the Brine: While the jars heat, combine vinegar, water, and salt medium saucepan. Boil for five minutes.
    4. Pack Jars. Remove jars from the water. Pack the peppers into hot jars, leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Add 1/4 teaspoon Pickle Crisp to each jar, if desired.
    5. Add Brine. Ladle brine into jars, leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Using a wooden chopstick, bubble tool, or soft rubber spatula, remove air bubbles. Measure headspace. Add more brine if needed.
    6. Clean Rim and Apply Lids. Wipe rim with clean, damp cloth. Place lid on jar. Screw on band to "fingertip tight." You should feel some resistance but you don't want to crank the band on too tight. 
    7. Process Jars. Lower jars into pot. Water should cover jars by 1 to 2-inches after all jars are in the pot. Cover the pot. Return water to a boil. Process for 10 minutes. (Start the timer once the water returns to a boil.) Be sure to maintain a rolling boil during the entire 10 minute processing time.

      When processing time completes, turn off the burner and remove lid. Wait 5 minutes before removing jars from the pot. Lift the jars out of the water straight. Avoid tipping the jars. Place hot jars on a towel-lined counter or wood cutting board. Allow jars to cool for 24 hours.

    8. Check Seals. Press the center of the lid. It should not move. Remove outer ring. Gently try to lift the lid off the jar. It should not move. Wipe jars. Label. If any jar didn’t seal, place into the refrigerator and enjoy within a week or so. 

    9. Store: Place jars in a cool place out of direct sunlight. For best flavor, wait six weeks before enjoying the peppers. 

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Roger McCaleb says

      October 11, 2018 at 4:10 pm

      Peppers turned out great! It’s the same way my Mother did hers! Thanks

      .. RM from Elberta,AL ? Roll Tide

      Reply
    2. Rob Roloff says

      January 27, 2019 at 10:36 am

      Your recipe sounds great I’m going to try it I have done peppers in the past and instead of slicing them in half I use a apple peeler I cut the end off of the pepper and take the apple peel and put it down inside and rotated around and pull out this the internal parts with the seeds works pretty good and goes pretty quick and you still get nice sliced rings

      Reply
    3. Rudy says

      May 06, 2019 at 8:39 pm

      Can this recipe be tripled or quadrupled?

      Reply
      • Elizabeth says

        November 04, 2019 at 2:26 pm

        Yes! Just take care to triple all the ingredients so that the brine remains safe.

        Reply
    4. Scarlett says

      June 17, 2019 at 8:38 pm

      I don’t have 5% vinegar. Can I use less of 9% vinegar?

      Reply
      • Elizabeth says

        August 21, 2019 at 3:27 pm

        I don’t recommend making any adjustments to the brine as that might affect the safety of the finished peppers. Sorry.

        Reply
      • Hilary says

        August 29, 2019 at 2:42 pm

        5 stars
        Yes you can! Sugar is pretty a pretty common pickling addition, does not sacrifice safety, and helps to cut the heat for hot peppers! Ball has a recipe that is pretty close to this one, but it does include sugar (and garlic- and also has a more proportionate vinegar/water ration although I much prefer this recipe for a variety of reason :)). Anyway, If you adjust their recipe for one of this size it’s about 1 teaspoon sugar added! https://www.freshpreserving.com/home-style-pickled-jalapeños—ball-recipes-br3547.html

        Reply
    5. James M Barnett says

      June 17, 2019 at 10:20 pm

      Can u add sugar,, got from old timer,,1/4cup sugar to brine,,,

      Reply
      • Elizabeth says

        August 21, 2019 at 3:27 pm

        I don’t recommend making any adjustments to the brine as that might affect the safety of the finished peppers. Sorry.

        Reply
      • Hilary says

        August 29, 2019 at 2:44 pm

        5 stars
        Yes you can! Sugar is pretty a pretty common pickling addition, does not sacrifice safety, and helps to cut the heat for hot peppers! Ball has a recipe that is pretty close to this one, but it does include sugar (and garlic- and also has a more proportionate vinegar/water ration although I much prefer this recipe for a variety of reason :)). Anyway, If you adjust their recipe for one of this size it’s about 1 teaspoon sugar added! https://www.freshpreserving.com/home-style-pickled-jalapeños—ball-recipes-br3547.html

        Reply
      • Matt H says

        December 04, 2019 at 12:33 pm

        Sugar will not alter the PH of the brine, so it is safe to add. However, I have made this recipe twice and sugar is not needed. It’s amazing what the flavor of the final product is considering how simple the brine is. I highly recommend using the pickle crisp (calcium chloride).

        Reply
    6. Denise says

      June 27, 2019 at 4:58 pm

      How long do they keep shelf life? Canning Jalapeños?

      Reply
      • Elizabeth says

        August 21, 2019 at 3:25 pm

        If you waterbath preserve the peppers according to the directions, they may be stored in the jar for up to one year.

        Reply
    7. Timothy says

      August 01, 2019 at 9:33 pm

      how long can you store the jalapeno peppers

      Reply
      • Elizabeth says

        August 03, 2019 at 3:28 pm

        If you waterbath preserve the peppers according to the directions, they may be stored in the jar for up to one year.

        Reply
    8. Jacquelyn jo Bockius says

      August 02, 2019 at 12:36 am

      We have so many jalapenos this summer and canning them is the way to go. I don’t want to see food wasted. I grow organically to enjoy the veggies knowing they are not adulterated by toxic chemicals. But when you have too many of them they should be stored for when veggies won’t grow. We love this simple recipe and taking the seeds out of them first tames the heat and allows us to eat them to our heart’s delight. These pickled jalapenos are great to snack on too. It’s difficult to stop eating them they are so good.

      Reply
    9. Jacob Siegel says

      August 02, 2019 at 10:05 pm

      Do you have to cook the Jalapenos in the brine first or do they get put in the jar raw?

      Reply
      • Elizabeth says

        August 03, 2019 at 3:26 pm

        They don’t require cooking. They go into the jar raw. Since the jars are processed for 10 minutes, they soften during processing. (Using pickle crisp helps keep them a bit firmer.)

        Reply
    10. C says

      August 03, 2019 at 12:56 pm

      I think your suggestion that you don’t have to separately sterilize the jars is misguided and potentially unsafe. You should always start with sterilized jars. Follow Ball or similar canning best practices to avoid spoiled food and food poisoning.

      It would be helpful to include the number of jars and size jars this recipe makes. Maybe it is there and I missed it.

      Reply
      • Elizabeth says

        August 03, 2019 at 3:23 pm

        Hello! Safe canning is a top priority for me. I always follow the National Center for Food Preservations guidelines. Here’s what they have to say about sterilzing jars:

        “In order to actually sterilize jars, they need to be submerged in (covered by) boiling water for 10 minutes. When the process time for canning a food is 10 minutes or more (at 0-1,000 feet elevation), the jars will be sterilized DURING processing in the canner. Therefore, when process times are 10 minutes or more at this altitude, pre-sterilization of jars is not needed. It doesn’t hurt your product to do it anyway, but it does require additional time and energy and is unnecessary.”

        You can read more here.

        And here’s what Ball Jars has to say on the subject: Sterilizing Ball® jars and lids is not necessary for home canning. Processing in your canner for 10 minutes or longer will sterilize the jars and lids. However, we do recommend that you pre-heat your jars to avoid thermal shock breakage that may occur as a result of drastic temperature changes while filling the jars with hot food.

        You can read more on Ball’s site. (It’s listed under FAQs at the bottom of the page.)

        As for the yield, it’s listed with the recipe. This recipe makes two pints.

        I hope that helps.

        Reply
        • Lynn M Edwards says

          July 30, 2020 at 11:19 am

          I always put my jars in the dishwasher right before canning. They are hot and will be fully sterilized in the canning process. the altitude where I am is 6400 ft, so I have to adjust the caning time anyway.

          Reply
    11. Frances Harris says

      August 07, 2019 at 5:42 pm

      I look forward to trying this recipe. I like the way you answer all the questions.
      I’m going to the store and buy that ingredient to make it firm or crunchy.
      Thank you
      Frances

      Reply
    12. Michael Thornton says

      August 26, 2019 at 5:27 pm

      5 stars
      Hello pickled 17 pints of jalapenos using your recipe they turned out wonderful,. I am glad I stayed with the 3 cups vinegar to 1 cup water the taste is awesome. Just a note if someone has a hard time finding Mrs wages extra crispy as I did, in the bag it is called Mrs wages pickle lime for extra crispy. Thanks again for the great recipe. Now I need one for dill pickles

      Reply
      • Elizabeth says

        August 26, 2019 at 6:41 pm

        Hello! Pickling lime and pickle crisp are two different ingredients. Please be sure to check the package to ensure it was used correctly.

        Reply
      • Marshall says

        November 05, 2020 at 11:46 pm

        5 stars
        Pickling lime is calcium hydroxide (hydrated lime food grade), which is highly alkaline and likely to increase the pH of your brine. Pickle Crisp is calcium chloride. They should not be substituted.

        Reply
    13. barbara hunter says

      September 04, 2019 at 8:42 am

      5 stars
      can I use this recipe for whole jalapenos. How would I do this

      Reply
      • Elizabeth says

        September 05, 2019 at 11:56 am

        I haven’t canned them whole. I believe you simply leave them whole. For a complete how-to, I’d use “Food in Jars” recipe. I hope this helps! https://foodinjars.com/recipe/unfancy-pickled-jalapeno-peppers/

        Reply
        • Cindy johnsin says

          October 05, 2019 at 2:56 pm

          Will do thanks

          Reply
      • Holly Campbell says

        July 22, 2020 at 2:22 pm

        5 stars
        Easy recipe. I love pickled peppers!

        Reply
    14. Tori says

      September 06, 2019 at 4:32 pm

      Hi – can I use this recipe for different types of hot peppers?

      Reply
      • Elizabeth says

        November 04, 2019 at 1:54 pm

        I don’t recommend altering the recipe. It was developed for jalapeño peppers. So I can’t say if it would safely work for other peppers.

        Reply
      • Matt H says

        December 04, 2019 at 12:22 pm

        Yes, it is recommended that you use 4.6 PH or lower brine when pickling peppers. This recipe comes in at 3.6 PH so it will work for other peppers as well.

        Reply
    15. Cyndi says

      September 07, 2019 at 2:38 am

      4 stars
      I used this recipe to pickle our (abundance of) homegrown jalapeños this afternoon. I don’t have much solo canning experience (this is only my 3rd go) but the recipe was easy enough & all of my jars sealed, so that’s a good start! ????. I did dice the jalapeños vs just cutting them into strips, since my husband likes them that way!

      The instructions indicated that they should meld for 6 weeks before enjoying, so I’ve marked my calendar for late October. We can hardly wait to sample them!!!

      Reply
      • Elizabeth says

        November 04, 2019 at 1:22 pm

        Hope you’ve had a chance to sample them!

        Reply
    16. Jamie Hirshey says

      September 07, 2019 at 9:36 am

      5 stars
      This was my first canning experience ever and your directions were very clear. The only thing I will do differently is preheat the jars in the oven. My gas stove takes forever to heat the water up. I made 7 pints, but I should have stuffed more peppers down in each one lol. The hardest part will be waiting at least 6 weeks to try them.

      Reply
    17. John Moore says

      October 01, 2019 at 3:43 am

      You can leave them whole, but poke a hole in the side of each pepper before adding to the jar. ( Allows brine to penetrate and pickle the whole pepper, inside and out)

      Reply
    18. Michael says

      October 10, 2019 at 7:38 pm

      How can you put 4 cups of liquid plus the peppers in only 2 pint jars?

      Reply
      • Elizabeth says

        October 10, 2019 at 7:48 pm

        Michael–
        There’s often some leftover brine but it really isn’t much. The amount of brine used varies depending on how thick you slice the peppers. It’s better to have a small amount left than be short when canning. Hope this helps!

        Reply
      • Mary says

        October 15, 2019 at 6:28 am

        Evaporation happens when boiling the brine, so it results in less than 4 cups of liquid when ready to can it.

        Reply
    19. Mary H says

      October 11, 2019 at 10:55 am

      Can I add sliced carrots and onion to the recipe? If yes, do I sauté them first?

      Reply
      • Elizabeth says

        November 04, 2019 at 1:44 pm

        I don’t recommend changing the recipe as it can alter the ph, making the finished product unsafe.

        Reply
    20. Marie says

      October 30, 2019 at 9:31 pm

      4 stars
      Confused on your directions regarding the brine. You state we should use 1:1 vinegar and water to avoid botulism. Yet you then go on to use 3:1. Did I miss something or is this recipe creating botulism?

      Reply
      • Elizabeth says

        October 31, 2019 at 9:13 am

        Marie,
        This recipe is 3 1/2:1 vinegar to water. So it contains more vinegar than required, keeping you safe from botulism.

        Reply
    21. Mary says

      November 17, 2019 at 2:31 pm

      Can you just put the jar in the fridge and skip the water bath?

      Reply
      • Elizabeth says

        November 18, 2019 at 9:47 am

        Yes! It will last in the fridge for a few weeks.

        Reply
    22. Joann says

      February 02, 2020 at 9:09 am

      Is pickling canning salt the same thing as pickle crisp?

      Reply
      • Elizabeth says

        February 06, 2020 at 12:42 pm

        No, they are two different ingredients. Picking/canning salt is salt that does not contain any iodine and/or anti-caking agents. It keeps brine clear. Pickle crisp is calcium chloride.

        Reply
    23. BC says

      June 28, 2020 at 4:23 pm

      4 stars
      I tried this today and I have a question. If my jalapeños are now floating and the brine is left at the bottom, did I do something incorrectly?

      Reply
      • Elizabeth says

        June 28, 2020 at 5:09 pm

        Nope! That’s right! They tend to float if the jar wasn’t packed too tight, which is fine. Overy the next week or so, they might absorb enough canning liquid and fill out the jar. This has happened to me many times.

        Reply
    24. Jojo says

      June 29, 2020 at 1:47 pm

      I’ve used this recipe many times & it always turns out great! The most difficult thing for me is step one: clean your kitchen! LOL!

      Reply
      • Elizabeth says

        June 29, 2020 at 2:24 pm

        Hahahaha. Same!

        Reply
    25. Arianne says

      July 04, 2020 at 10:18 pm

      Hi! Our plants have produced several jalapenos this year, so I’m excited to pickle them, but we don’t have 1.5 lbs. Can I divide the recipe as long as I keep the vinegar and water proportionate?

      Reply
      • Elizabeth says

        August 10, 2020 at 11:21 am

        Yes!

        Reply
        • Too embarrassed says

          September 19, 2020 at 3:42 pm

          4 stars
          Recipe was easy enough. However, I was cautious in tightening the bands before the finishing process. Should have been less cautious as I tightened to slight resistance and stopped. Both jars leaked and I ruined my batch. I’m going to crank them down a bit more on the next go around.

          Reply
          • Elizabeth says

            September 19, 2020 at 8:08 pm

            Yes. Getting the right tightness of the bands was something I struggled with when I first started canning. I totally understand!

            Reply
    26. Arianne says

      July 06, 2020 at 1:20 pm

      Hi! I’m so excited to make these, and I definitely understand the purpose of not messing with the recipe. Can I halve it, though? Our plants have been prolific, but I don’t quite have 1.5 lbs of jalapenos yet.

      Reply
      • Elizabeth says

        July 06, 2020 at 1:46 pm

        Yes! You can absolutely cut it in half! To be honest, I often make a full batch of brine and then use the leftover for quick pickled onions. (Slice a red onion and pour the brine over. Place in the fridge overnight. Done!)

        Reply
    27. Janice M Henry says

      July 14, 2020 at 11:27 pm

      iT SOUNDS LIKE EVEN AFTER CANNING THE PICKLED JALAPENOS YOU MUST KEEP THEM IN THE REFRIGERATOR. IS THIS TRUE?

      Reply
      • Elizabeth says

        July 16, 2020 at 1:20 pm

        No. It may be stored on the shelf/ in a cabinet.

        Reply
    28. Cathy Miller says

      July 31, 2020 at 4:41 pm

      We want to pickle quart jars of jalapeños. We are using Ball brand Kosher Dill Pickle Mix that includes pickle crisp granules. Our question is how much of the above product is to be used in each quart?

      Reply
      • Elizabeth says

        August 10, 2020 at 11:17 am

        Hi Cathy,
        That’s a totally different product. So I can’t recommend a replacement. Sorry!

        Reply
    29. Janessa says

      August 01, 2020 at 1:37 am

      Can I add a clove of garlic to each jar?

      Reply
    30. Michael says

      August 01, 2020 at 10:06 pm

      5 stars
      What is the taste difference between day 1 to 6 weeks post canning? Are they less vinegary after the 6 weeks? My first time making them and curious on what the difference will be.

      Reply
      • Elizabeth says

        August 02, 2020 at 4:10 pm

        Like cucumber pickles, they do have a vinegar bite but the heat intensifies and the vinegar does mellow after a few weeks. I hope this helps!

        Reply
    31. Tammy says

      August 02, 2020 at 3:49 pm

      Hi I just tried this recipe for the first time. When I removed them from the boiling process they look pretty cloudy in the jar. Is this normall?

      Reply
      • Elizabeth says

        August 02, 2020 at 4:09 pm

        Hello! I’m not sure what you mean by “removed them from the boiling process.” Let me know and we can troubleshoot!

        If you didn’t use canning salt, the brine can look cloudy. That’s normal.

        Reply
    32. vicki says

      August 04, 2020 at 10:23 am

      5 stars
      One thing I have read in my Kerr canning book is to always discard the tiny blossom end of peppers because it contains an enzyme that will soften the peppers when canning. Also, Pickle Crisp works!

      Reply
    33. Bonnie Pfeiffer says

      August 04, 2020 at 11:38 pm

      I made your jalapeño recipe and went great, jars sealed but now the brine seems cloudy are they safe. I did not use distilled water?

      Reply
      • Elizabeth says

        August 05, 2020 at 1:27 pm

        Excellent question! Since you just canned them, my guess is that either you have hard water (the minerals in the water can cause the brine to be cloudy) or used regular salt. Regular salt is safe! But it contains fillers to prevent clumping that can give your brine a cloudy appearance.

        It could also just be some bits and bobs of the jalapeno slices floating around. Give it a day or so and it might settle.

        You should worry about a cloudy brine if it turns cloudy after weeks of storage or if the brine is bubbling. If that’s happening, discard.

        Reply
    34. David says

      August 06, 2020 at 11:51 am

      I have smaller jars that are for jellies and jams i think. Can i use this recipe and technique for them as well or does something need to be adjusted? I am the only one that eats them and if I use pint size jars I will end up throwing away a bunch after a jar has been opened.

      Reply
      • Elizabeth says

        August 06, 2020 at 5:31 pm

        Hi David,
        Smaller jars are totally fine! I do this when I have some bits and bobs of peppers hanging around. The processing time must remain the same for safely. Enjoy!

        Reply
    35. Belinda Hinkle says

      August 06, 2020 at 4:44 pm

      I would like to can the jalapenos in smaller jars but don’t know how much pickle crisp to use. Any ideas if I put the jalapenos in a jelly jars?

      Reply
      • Elizabeth says

        August 06, 2020 at 5:34 pm

        There are several jelly jar sizes available. So I can’t say. The standard amount is 1/8 teaspoon for a pint. I’d scale down from there. (I’ve actually done this. I measure out 1/8 teaspoon and divide in half, as needed.)

        I hope that helps!

        Reply
    36. Kari Swan-McKittrick says

      August 11, 2020 at 2:11 pm

      I haven’t tried the recipe yet because I have a question. I only have 1 pound of jalapenos. Can I adjust the recipe to make all of the ingredient correctly proportional, in this case do 2/3 for all? Is that safe?
      Thanks.

      Reply
      • Elizabeth says

        August 11, 2020 at 2:18 pm

        Yes! Or you could do what I do: make a full batch of brine. Use what you need and then use the leftover for refrigerator pickles or pickled red onions.

        Reply
    37. Mandy says

      August 13, 2020 at 9:49 am

      5 stars
      My rating is for the written recipe as well as the result. Thank you for a good blog without hem the excessive wordiness that so often precedes a recipe! Good detailed instruction and a great canned product!

      Reply
      • Patrick says

        October 09, 2020 at 7:19 pm

        We just used your recipe for our garden-grown jalapenos. I wanted them to be crispy so I added straight, food-grade calcium chloride that I use for homebrewing beer water treatment. I might have used a bit much. About 1 tbsp for 5 half-pint jars in your recommended amount of brine. What do you think?

        Reply
        • Elizabeth says

          October 12, 2020 at 2:38 pm

          Oooh. Good question. It’s not an ingredient I’m familiar with, so I really don’t have an answer. Sorry!

          Reply
    38. Elaine Kastrinos says

      September 08, 2020 at 5:49 am

      I use fresh grape leaves in my fill pickles and they stay crunchy forever. Can I use them in the peppers instead of pickle crisp. The leaves do not flavor the pickles

      Reply
      • Elizabeth says

        September 08, 2020 at 11:23 am

        From what I’ve read, grape leaves don’t provide the same crisping effect as pickle crisp.

        Reply
    39. Rocco Cappiello says

      September 08, 2020 at 2:01 pm

      I’m having a problem finding pickle crisp. any suggestions?

      Reply
      • Elizabeth says

        September 08, 2020 at 3:53 pm

        Canning supplies and ingredients are so hard to find this year! You aren’t alone! There isn’t a good replacement for pickle crisp. I’ve made mine without it and they’re softer but not inedible. If I couldn’t find it, I’d just make the recipe without.

        Reply
    40. Dagrainger says

      September 12, 2020 at 2:39 pm

      For those of you that lime the taste of dill (I do), just add some garlic and dill to to your jar with the peppers, and you have dilled pickled jalapeños… super delicious on a cheeseburger,or really anything… LOL.

      Reply
    41. Jubal Harshaw says

      September 13, 2020 at 2:04 pm

      5 stars
      Excellent write-up! This is my first time canning jalapenos but I’m cautiously optimistic. I’m batting 1000 on all of my other canning attempts. Sadly, I only had Amber pint jars left so I can’t see the finished product nor look for any telltale problems. I read that sea salt would be a suitable substitute but again I can’t look for cloudiness. Thanks again!

      Reply
    42. Denise Naegle says

      September 19, 2020 at 7:27 pm

      5 stars
      My jalepenos were really small so I canned them whole. They turned out great.

      Reply
    43. Erica says

      October 07, 2020 at 8:20 pm

      Do I replace the salt with pickle crisp or add it in addition to?

      Reply
      • Elizabeth says

        October 12, 2020 at 2:38 pm

        The pickle crisp is used along with salt.

        Reply
    44. Lauren says

      October 25, 2020 at 11:13 am

      5 stars
      I haven’t tried this yet, but of all the recipes I’ve read this one is the most clear! I have seen some other recipes that add garlic cloves. Would adding garlic cloves to this recipe be okay? Thanks!

      Reply
      • Elizabeth says

        October 25, 2020 at 12:33 pm

        Hi Lauren,
        Glad you found the recipe helpful! I don’t advise adding a garlic clove because garlic is low ph and can change the recipe.

        Reply
    45. Debbie S says

      November 23, 2020 at 11:49 am

      5 stars
      I have had incredible amounts of peppers this summer and have frozen lots! Is it possible to use them?

      Reply
    46. Romano Castillo says

      March 10, 2021 at 4:56 am

      What if I used sea salt or pink salt? And what if I didn’t use a Pickle Crisp? Does it affect the shelf life? Thank you!

      Reply
      • Elizabeth says

        March 10, 2021 at 3:08 pm

        If you use sea salt or pink salt, the brine might look cloudy.

        If you don’t use pickle crisp, the peppers tend to be very soft. It’s fully explained above.

        Enjoy!

        Reply
    47. Larke says

      June 09, 2021 at 11:45 pm

      Question. If I don’t want to process it do I stop at step 6? Will the lack of boiling affect the final product? What I’m hoping for is a crunchy pickled jalapeño that I can put straight in the fridge and eat within a couple of weeks.

      Reply
      • Elizabeth says

        June 10, 2021 at 10:22 am

        Hi Larke,
        Yes! That would work great! Be sure to store them in the refrigerator if you don’t process them.

        Have fun!

        Reply
    48. Pearl Salgado says

      July 15, 2021 at 9:05 pm

      Can I add carrots and onion with the peppers

      Reply
      • Elizabeth says

        July 18, 2021 at 11:55 am

        No. Adding ingredients like carrots or onions can make the recipe unsafe.

        Reply
    49. Jill says

      July 26, 2021 at 6:27 pm

      I just tried this jalapeño recipe for the first time. I followed your directions and I think I did everything correctly, but both my jars didn’t seal correctly. Any suggestions what I did wrong?

      Reply
      • Elizabeth says

        August 07, 2021 at 11:23 am

        Oh this is always such a bummer. I’m sorry this happened to you. There are a lot of reasons jars don’t seal.

        Sometimes the band wasn’t applied correctly. If it’s too loose, the lids don’t seal.

        I’ve also gotten a bad batch of lids.

        Since your jars didn’t seal, store those peppers in the fridge and enjoy them soon.

        Reply
      • Christine Kelly-Boyd says

        September 10, 2021 at 12:56 am

        5 stars
        Jars can processed a 2nd time.They recommend doing it within 24 hours after the first attempt. Before reprocessing it is recommended to remove lids, *check your headspace*. Remove or add brine if needed. Incorrect headspace can cause sealing problems.Then take a clean towel, I use a fresh paper towel, dip in hot water & clean the top of your jars. Put *new* lids on. Then the rings which its recommended they be hand tight. If too tight they say it can hinder the sealing of the lids. Make sure water is boiling, not just hot & add your jars. Process for the time recommended for your altitude as higher altitudes require more time. The only negative thing I’ve read is the produce *may* be a bit more cooked. Another thing I learned is DON’T jostle the jars while or after pulling out of water. Set them out lids UP (NOT upside-down!) Let them sit undisturbed until they are completely cool, room temp.You may not hear the pop but if the lid is concave somewhat on top & is hard, doesn’t flex when you push on the dimple area you’re good to go!! P.S. I learned these things the hard way! LOL!

        Reply
    50. Julie Tibbetts says

      August 05, 2021 at 6:34 pm

      Hey there, I just tried this recipe with my garden jalapeños. 5 pints full, but was short the brine by one half cup. I just added water to the jar that needed it, will that little bit of water affect the outcome?

      Reply
      • Elizabeth says

        August 07, 2021 at 11:19 am

        Yes. Any adjustments to the brine can make the peppers unsafe.

        Reply
      • Chris says

        September 08, 2021 at 2:40 pm

        5 stars
        Yes, U changed the acidity in the jar. Just put them in the frig & they’ll be safe to eat.

        Reply
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    Elizabeth Barbone

    Elizabeth Barbone is the founder and recipe developer behind Cook Fast, Eat Well. A food writer for over 15 years, she's built a reputation for creating easy recipes that work.

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    Homemade Canned Pickled Jalapeños in a jar.
    Pickled Jalapeno Slices in jar.