What is tabasco pepper jelly?

Tabasco pepper jelly is a sweet and spicy condiment made from tabasco peppers, sugar, vinegar, and pectin. It has a jam-like texture and pairs well with cream cheese, biscuits, crackers, and more. Let’s take a closer look at what tabasco pepper jelly is and how it’s made.

What are the origins of tabasco pepper jelly?

Tabasco pepper jelly originated in Louisiana in the 1980s. It was created by Jane and Norman Flaniken, owners of Pepper Plantation in St. Martinville, Louisiana. According to legend, the couple was trying to come up with a new product using their abundant tabasco pepper harvest. After various experiments, they landed on the idea of turning tabasco peppers into a sweet jelly-like condiment. It became a hit at local farmer’s markets and the recipe was later published in maritime cookbooks in the late 1980s.

From its humble beginnings at a small family farm, tabasco pepper jelly has exploded in popularity across the United States. It’s now produced commercially by various food companies and sold in grocery stores nationwide. It has a beloved cult following, with numerous recipe variations cropping up over the years.

What are the key ingredients in tabasco pepper jelly?

While recipes can vary slightly, there are four core ingredients that go into traditional tabasco pepper jelly:

• Tabasco peppers – This spicy pepper is key. It gives the jelly its signature hot, vinegary kick.
• Sugar – Granulated sugar is used to sweeten the jelly. Without it, the jelly would be far too spicy and acidic tasting.
• Pectin – This gelling agent is what gives tabasco jelly its thick, spreadable texture once cooled.
• White vinegar – The vinegar provides acidity to activate the pectin and balance out the sweetness.

Some recipes will also include a touch of fresh lemon juice, which helps brighten up the flavor. Other extra ingredients like onions, garlic, or herbs may be added as well. But the four core ingredients are essential to making traditional tabasco pepper jelly.

How is tabasco pepper jelly made?

Making tabasco pepper jelly is a multi-step cooking process, but it’s relatively easy to DIY at home. Here is an overview of the basic steps:

1. Chop and seed fresh tabasco peppers. You’ll need around 5-8 peppers per batch. The seeds and membranes are very spicy, so removing them helps control the heat level.
2. Cook the peppers and sugar together. This draws out the juices and incorporates the sugar.
3. Add vinegar, lemon juice, and pectin. Pectin will activate when introduced to the acidic environment.
4. Bring the mixture to a rapid boil for 1-2 minutes to fully activate the pectin.
5. Remove jelly from heat and skim off any foam that develops on top.
6. Pour or ladle jelly into sterilized jars or containers and allow to fully cool/set before storing.

The ratio of tabasco peppers to sugar will determine the final sweetness and spice level. For a milder jelly, use fewer peppers and more sugar. Some recipes call for up to 6 cups of sugar for 5-8 peppers.

What’s the ideal consistency of tabasco pepper jelly?

When properly set, tabasco pepper jelly should have a thick, cohesive texture similar to jam. It should easily spread on crackers and biscuits without being too sticky or runny. Here are some signs your jelly has hit the right consistency:

• The jelly coats the back of a spoon thickly.
• It has a soft but not runny texture when scooped or poured.
• The jelly holds its shape when served and does not splatter easily.
• When a spoon is scraped through the set jelly, it leaves a clear trail that holds its shape.

If your jelly is too thin, try cooking it for an extra minute or use a bit more pectin next time. If it’s too firm, you may have overcooked it or used too much pectin. Finding the ideal set is part of the fun of mastering this recipe!

What are some recommended uses for tabasco pepper jelly?

Here are some of the most popular ways to eat and serve tabasco pepper jelly:

As a condiment:

• Serve on crackers with cream cheese or brie.
• Use as a glaze or dipping sauce for chicken, meatballs, or pretzels.
• Spread on sandwiches in lieu of traditional condiments like mustard or mayo.

In cooking and baking:

• Mix into burger or meatloaf as a spicy binder.
• Swirl into biscuit or roll dough before baking.
• Whisk into vinaigrettes, barbecue sauce, or bloody mary mix.
• Fill into peppers, phyllo cups, or mushroom caps to bake.

As a gift:

• Package in a mason jar tied with a bow.
• Include with a homemade bread or cheese basket.
• Pair with wine, olive oil, or other gourmet food gifts.

What are some recipe variations for tabasco pepper jelly?

While the classic recipe sticks to just tabasco peppers for heat, many cooks like to experiment by using a blend of hot peppers. Some popular tabasco jelly variations include:

Recipe	Pepper Blend
Habanero Tabasco Jelly	Tabasco + habanero peppers
Jalapeño Tabasco Jelly	Tabasco + jalapeño peppers
Ghost Pepper Tabasco Jelly	Tabasco + ghost peppers
Red Pepper Tabasco Jelly	Tabasco + red bell peppers
Green Pepper Tabasco Jelly	Tabasco + green bell peppers

Herbs like cilantro, rosemary, thyme and spices like cumin, cinnamon, or cardamom can also be added to create unique flavor profiles. Feel free to get creative and make this jelly your own!

What are some tips for canning tabasco pepper jelly?

To store and preserve tabasco jelly for long periods, canning is recommended. Here are some tips for safely canning tabasco jelly at home:

• Use sterilized canning jars and lids. Wash jars and screw bands in hot, soapy water then boil for 10 minutes before use.
• Use new lids each time. Lids should pop downward after processing to indicate a full seal.
• Leave 1/4 inch headspace at the top of the jars before sealing.
• Process the sealed jars in a water bath canner for 5-10 minutes to kill bacteria and fully seal.
• Adjust canning time for your altitude if needed. Higher elevations require longer processing.
• Label jars with contents and date. Store in a cool, dark place up to 1 year.

Refrigerate any jelly not processed for canning. Properly canned jelly should keep up to a year unopened.

Is it possible to make tabasco pepper jelly spicier or milder?

One of the great things about homemade tabasco jelly is you can customize the spice level. Here are some tips if you prefer a spicier or milder jelly:

For spicier jelly:

• Use more tabasco peppers, up to 10-12 per batch.
• Add extra hot peppers like habaneros or ghost peppers.
• Include some seeds and membranes when chopping the peppers.
• Add a teaspoon of cayenne powder or crushed red pepper.
• Reduce the sugar slightly to make the spice more pronounced.

For milder jelly:

• Use fewer tabasco peppers, down to 3-4 per batch.
• Omit extra hot peppers like habaneros.
• Remove all seeds and membranes when chopping.
• Increase the sugar to balance out the spice.
• Replace some of the vinegar with lemon juice to dilute the acidity.

Taste the jelly before and after setting to make sure the spice level suits your preferences. Adjusting the ingredients is an easy way to tweak heat to your liking.

Conclusion

With its unique sweet-spicy kick, tabasco pepper jelly has earned its place as a favorite Southern condiment and artisanal food gift. While the original Louisiana recipe calls solely for tabasco peppers, cooks can riff on the classic using habaneros, jalapeños, or other hot peppers. The jelly’s texture, spreadability, and versatility also make it fun to incorporate into appetizers, baked goods, sauces, and more. Whether you prefer it mild or extra spicy, whipping up a batch of DIY tabasco pepper jelly is a delicious way to give everyday meals a little Cajun flair.