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Cowboy candy is a spicy and sweet condiment made from jalapeño peppers. The jalapeños are sliced and simmered in a mix of sugars, vinegar, and spices until they’re glossy and deliciously zesty. They’re the perfect addition to burgers, sandwiches, hot dogs, you name it!
Looking for more tasty condiments to spice up all of your favorite dishes with? Try these: jalapeno jelly, pickled carrots, or refrigerator pickles!
What is Cowboy Candy?
Cowboy candy is a spicy-sweet condiment that’s made from jalapeño peppers. The jalapeños are sliced and then candied in a mix of sugars, vinegar, and spices. If you’ve never tried cowboy candy before, I can see how it may seem like an unusual combination of flavors, but trust me on this one. It’s amazing! You can use it as a topping for nachos, in salads, on burgers, or even in appetizers to add a flavorful kick to your favorite dishes.
This is one condiment you won’t be able to get enough of. Swap out your typical relish and use cowboy candy instead! It has sweetness, spice, and everything nice! You’ll be addicted after you try it. It makes any dish taste gourmet and gives it the best complex flavor.
Ingredients in Cowboy Candy
Each of these ingredients adds its own flair to cowboy candy, creating that perfect blend of spicy, sweet, and a little extra something that makes it so tasty!
- Jalapeno Peppers: Slice them up! Then when they’re cooked, they bring the heat that gives cowboy candy its spicy flavor.
- Granulated Sugar: This is the sweet stuff that balances out the spicy jalapeños.
- Brown Sugar: Adds a cozy, caramel-like sweetness to the mix.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Adds a little tanginess, keeping the flavor exciting and complementing the sweetness of the sugars.
- Garlic: For a savory kick.
- Chili Powder: Adds more spice and a deeper chili taste. Adjust depending on how hot you want your cowboy candy to be.
- Turmeric Powder: Adds a golden color and also gives the cowboy candy a subtle earthy flavor.
- Celery Seed (Optional): If you like a hint of crunch and a gentle celery taste, this is your guy. Optional, but adds a nice twist!
How to Make It
Now that you’ve got all of the ingredients lined up, here’s how to make a tasty batch of cowboy candy. You’re going to want to put this spicy-sweet condiment on everything!
- Prepare Jalapenos: Cut off the jalapeño stems then slice them into uniform 1/8-1/4 inch rounds. Set aside. I recommend using gloves when working with hot peppers!
- Sugar Mixture: In a medium saucepan, add the sugars, vinegar, garlic and spices. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves, about 6 minutes.
- Cook Jalapenos: Add the jalapeños, reduce the heat to medium and simmer until the peppers start to look shrunken and glossy, about 6-8 minutes.
- Add to a Jar: Transfer the jalapeños to a pint-sized mason jar or glass container using a slotted spoon.
- Cover With Syrup: Use a ladle to pour the leftover syrup over the jalapeños until they are submerged. Don’t fill them too much with the syrup because it will spill over when you add the lid.
- Store in the Fridge: Cool to room temperature before covering with a lid and refrigerating.
Tips and Variations
Make your own perfect batch of cowboy candy with these simple tips! Everyone will wonder what the secret ingredient is when you add it to your favorite meals.
- Adjust the Spice Level: Control the spiciness by adjusting the amount of jalapeños you use. You can also use less chili powder or omit it entirely.
- Using Different Peppers: Get creative and use a mix of peppers like serrano, poblano, or even bell peppers to add different flavors and heat levels. This is a great way to use up leftovers in the fridge.
- Other Sweeteners: Try using honey or maple syrup instead of granulated or brown sugar to experiment with different flavors.
- For Smoky Flavor: Add a dash of liquid smoke or smoked paprika to give your cowboy candy an irresistible taste!
How Long Does Cowboy Candy Last?
The good news is, cowboy candy has a nice, long shelf life! Keep it in an airtight jar in the fridge. It will stay good for 2-3 months, or 6 months to a year if it has been properly sealed and canned.
Ways to Use Cowboy Candy
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Cowboy Candy
Ingredients
- 12 large whole jalapenos
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 3/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon tumeric powder
- 1/4 teaspoon celery seed, optional
Instructions
- Cut off the jalapeño stems then slice them into uniform 1/8-1/4 inch rounds. Set aside. I recommend using gloves when working with hot peppers!
- In a medium saucepan, add the sugars, vinegar, garlic and spices. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves, about 6 minutes.
- Add the jalapeños, reduce the heat to medium and simmer until the peppers start to look shrunken and glossy, about 6-8 minutes.
- Transfer the jalapeños to a pint-sized mason jar or glass container using a slotted spoon.
- Pour the remaining syrup over the jalapeños until they are submerged. Don't fill them too much with the syrup because it will spill over when you add the lid.
- Cool to room temperature before covering with a lid and refrigerating.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Are the jalapeños very hot or do they lose some heat preparing them this way?
Thank you so much
They lose a little heat and the brown sugar helps to balance out the flavor. Make sure you remove all of the seeds if you don’t want it to be too spicy!
Will it make a difference in heat if the seeds are removed?
Have a friend whose father has been making this tasty concoction for as long as I can remember. So true that it can help just about any outdoor BBQ staple, from burgers to deviled eggs and even potato salad. My favorite way to eat them personally though is with Rit’s crackers, a smear of cream cheese and top them with a couple peppers and the syrup. I recommend having twice the amount of ingredients around because we always seem to see this delight run out well before anyone has had their fill! Enjoy!!