Red pepper jelly is a sweet and spicy condiment made from red bell peppers, vinegar, sugar, and pectin. Its unique flavor profile of sweet, tangy and spicy makes it a versatile ingredient to serve with a variety of dishes. When pairing meat with red pepper jelly, the key is to find meats that can stand up to the jelly’s bold flavor.
Pork
Pork is an excellent meat choice to serve with red pepper jelly. The mild sweetness of pork is complemented nicely by the sweet-hot kick of the jelly. Here are some of the best pork options:
- Pork chops – Brush both sides of boneless pork chops with red pepper jelly and grill or pan-fry until cooked through. The char from grilling or searing adds great flavor.
- Pork tenderloin – Coat pork tenderloin with a layer of red pepper jelly and mustard. Roast in the oven until cooked through.
- Ham – Top slices of baked ham with a spoonful of red pepper jelly for a quick and easy appetizer.
- Bacon-wrapped smoked sausages – Roll smoked sausages in bacon, bake until crispy and then brush with melted red pepper jelly just before serving.
Chicken
The versatile flavor of chicken also pairs well with the sweet and spicy taste of red pepper jelly. Try these chicken recipes using red pepper jelly:
- Chicken wings – Toss chicken wings in red pepper jelly to coat then bake or grill until crispy.
- Chicken sandwiches – Spread red pepper jelly on chicken breast sandwiches for a flavorful condiment.
- Chicken skewers – Alternate pieces of chicken and pineapple on skewers, brush with red pepper jelly and grill.
- Chicken meatballs – Mix red pepper jelly into the ground chicken before making into meatballs and baking.
Beef
The hearty flavor of beef stands up well to the intense taste of red pepper jelly. Consider these beef dishes paired with the jelly:
- Meatloaf – Spread red pepper jelly on top of meatloaf and bake until glazed.
- Steak – Brush steaks with red pepper jelly during the last few minutes of grilling.
- Meatballs – Mix red pepper jelly into the ground beef before making meatballs. Bake until cooked through.
- Hamburgers – Top hamburgers with a spoonful of red pepper jelly for a flavorful condiment.
Lamb
The rich, savory taste of lamb makes an excellent match for the sweet and spicy red pepper jelly. Try these tasty lamb recipes using the jelly:
- Lamb chops – Coat lamb chops in red pepper jelly and crushed pistachios then grill until done.
- Lamb shanks – Braise lamb shanks in red wine until tender, then coat with red pepper jelly before broiling to caramelize.
- Ground lamb kabobs – Mix red pepper jelly into ground lamb before forming kabobs. Grill kabobs until cooked through.
- Lamb meatballs – Make bite-sized lamb meatballs with red pepper jelly mixed into the meat. Bake until browned.
Game Meats
The unique flavors of game meats like venison, bison and boar also work well when paired with red pepper jelly. Try:
- Venison tenderloin – Coat venison tenderloin with a layer of red pepper jelly and rosemary. Roast in the oven.
- Bison burgers – Brush bison burger patties with red pepper jelly during the last few minutes on the grill.
- Boar chops – Marinate wild boar chops in red pepper jelly, soy sauce and garlic. Pan sear until cooked through.
- Elk meatballs – Make bite-sized elk meatballs with red pepper jelly mixed into the ground meat before baking.
Seafood
The sweet flavor of red pepper jelly also complements richer-flavored seafood like salmon, tuna and shrimp:
- Salmon – Top baked or grilled salmon fillets with a spoonful of red pepper jelly.
- Tuna steaks – Brush tuna steaks with red pepper jelly and grill to create a flavorful glaze.
- Shrimp – Toss peeled shrimp with melted red pepper jelly and bake until pink and cooked through.
- Crab cakes – Top crab cakes with a dollop of red pepper jelly for a dynamic flavor combination.
Vegetarian/Vegan Options
For vegetarian or vegan dishes, red pepper jelly can lend its sweet spiciness to items like:
- Tofu – Coat cubes of firm tofu with red pepper jelly and roast in the oven.
- Seitan – Brush seitan steaks or cutlets with red pepper jelly during grilling or pan-frying.
- Eggplant – Top slices of grilled eggplant with a spoonful of red pepper jelly.
- Tempeh – Marinate tempeh in red pepper jelly, maple syrup and chili sauce, then bake until glazed.
What meats pair best with red pepper jelly?
After reviewing a variety of options, the meats that seem to pair best with red pepper jelly are:
- Pork chops
- Pork tenderloin
- Chicken wings
- Steak
- Lamb chops
- Salmon
These meats have flavors and textures that complement the sweet-spicy taste and jam-like consistency of red pepper jelly. The jelly glazes well on meats that can be grilled, roasted or baked. The hints of smokiness and caramelization from high-heat cooking also brings out more flavor. Both white and red meats pair deliciously with red pepper jelly.
What are the best preparation methods?
Based on the top meats that go well with red pepper jelly, the most effective preparation methods include:
- Grilling – The high dry heat of grilling caramelizes the sugars in the jelly to form a tasty glaze on meats like pork chops, chicken wings, steak and salmon.
- Baking – Baked meats like lamb chops, pork tenderloin and meatloaf develop a nice crusty exterior while keeping the interior moist and juicy.
- Roasting – Roasting uses dry oven heat to caramelize the jelly on bigger cuts like a whole pork loin or turkey breast.
- Broiling – Quick high heat from broiling can melt jelly into a glaze for quick-cooking items like ham slices or kabobs.
Applying a layer or glaze of red pepper jelly before or mid-way through cooking allows the meat to take on big flavor. Combining grilling and broiling works well too. Marinades and coatings incorporating red pepper jelly on meats also impart taste.
What are good meal ideas?
Serving red pepper jelly-glazed or infused meats at a meal opens up many possibilities for delicious food pairings. Here are meal ideas for breakfast, lunch, dinner and appetizers using meats with red pepper jelly:
| Meal | Food Pairings |
|---|---|
| Breakfast | Red pepper jelly glazed ham, biscuits, fried eggs, fruit salad |
| Lunch | Pulled pork sandwiches with red pepper jelly, coleslaw, baked beans |
| Dinner | Seared lamb chops with red pepper jelly glaze, roasted potatoes, sautéed greens |
| Appetizer | Red pepper jelly and cream cheese spread, crackers, smoked sausage slices |
For breakfast, the sweet and salty combination of red pepper jelly ham with biscuits and eggs is a winning combination. For lunch, pulled pork dressed with jelly makes for flavorful sandwiches. A dinner of lamb chops with velvety red pepper jelly glaze is elegant yet easy. For appetizers, a creamy dip paired with crackers and sausages is perfect for a party.
What are some recipe ideas?
Here are just a few recipe ideas centering around meats paired with red pepper jelly:
Pork Tenderloin with Red Pepper Jelly Glaze
- 1 pork tenderloin (about 1 lb)
- 1⁄4 cup red pepper jelly
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1⁄4 tsp dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Coat pork tenderloin with mustard. Sprinkle with thyme, salt and pepper.
- Roast for 20 minutes until almost cooked through.
- Remove from oven and coat evenly with red pepper jelly.
- Return to oven and roast 5 more minutes until glazed.
- Let rest 5 minutes before slicing to serve.
Grilled Steak with Red Pepper Jelly Butter
- 2 tbsp red pepper jelly
- 2 tbsp butter, softened
- 1 lb sirloin steak
- Salt and pepper
- Mix together red pepper jelly and butter.
- Season steak with salt and pepper.
- Grill steak over high heat 3-5 minutes per side for medium rare.
- Top steak with a spoonful of red pepper jelly butter.
- Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
Baked Chicken Wings with Red Pepper Jelly Glaze
- 3 lbs chicken wings
- 1⁄2 cup red pepper jelly
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1⁄4 tsp cayenne pepper
- Toss wings in oil, chili powder, garlic powder and cayenne pepper.
- Bake at 400°F for 30 minutes, flipping once.
- Remove from oven, coat thoroughly in red pepper jelly.
- Return to oven and bake 10 more minutes until glazed.
These recipes highlight classic ways to use red pepper jelly with pork, beef and chicken. The jelly adds sweet heat and flavor to nicely complement the savory meats. Use these as a starting point and get creative with red pepper jelly recipes!
Conclusion
Red pepper jelly is a versatile condiment that pairs deliciously with a variety of meats. Pork, chicken, beef, lamb and seafood like salmon all benefit from the sweet-spicy flavor of the jelly. Grilling, roasting, baking and broiling allow the jelly to caramelize into a glaze, creating dynamic flavor fusions. From casual meals to special occasion dinners, serving meat dishes with red pepper jelly incorporated is a sure way to spice up any meal.