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In The Kitchen

22 Ways To Use Pepper Jelly

March 21, 2016

Who says you can only enjoy Pepper Jellies during the holidays? You've most likely been served Pepper Jelly at a party on crackers and cream cheese. And let's be honest, everyone loves this combination. There is nothing quite like the spicy kick from the Pepper Jelly mixed with the cheesy salty goodness of crackers and cheese.

Pepper Jelly on cream cheese and crackers

But what else can you do with pepper jelly? This is such a versatile product that there are probably hundreds of different ways you can use it, depending on your taste preferences.

We have a lot of great ideas for how to use Pepper Jelly during the rest of the year. I've even included links to recipes below!

Here I have listed 22 ways to use Pepper Jelly - other than the fan favorite crackers and cream cheese. Now the only question you have to ask yourself is what flavor of pepper jelly do you want to use?

**Make sure to click on the link at the bottom of the article for a 1-Page Printable Version! **

Glaze over pork chops while grilling.
Vinaigrette Dressing - Mix 1/2 Cup Olive oil and 2 TBSP Balsamic Vinegar together until mixed well, add in 1/2 Cup Pepper Jelly and mix thoroughly. Season with salt and pepper. Serve over a nice spinach salad or coleslaw. You can use any flavor of jelly.
Ham and Turkey Sandwich - use pepper jelly instead of mustard
Peanut Butter and Pepper Jelly Sandwiches - my kids LOVE this one - especially good with Sweet Red Pepper Jelly.
Cocktail Meatballs - Cook frozen meatballs on low in a crockpot and mix with 1 Jar Pepper Jelly. Heat until meatballs are cooked through. We like to use this with either our Red Hot Pepper Jelly or our Apple Jalapeno Walnut, but works well with any flavor.

6. Serve on Biscuits or Cornbread either with or without butter!

7. Use as a dip for Egg Rolls - melt pepper jelly a bit before serving.

8. Use in Pulled Pork - In crockpot add Pork Butt (3 lbs) and 1 Cup Beef Broth and cook on low for 8-10 hours until you can pull the meat apart - In small saucepan mix together 1 cup of pepper jelly, 1/4 Cup Cider Vinegar, 2 TBSP Brown Sugar, 6 oz Tomato Paste, 1 TBSP Worcestershire Sauce cook until thick about 15 minutes. Mix the pulled pork in with the pepper jelly sauce and serve on buns.

9. Glaze over Pork Tenderloin - cook in oven and at the very end of cooking, add pepper jelly as a glaze.

10. Candied Bacon - Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil (to catch any drips) then place a cooling rack on the sheet. Lay bacon flat on the cooling racks and coat with a glaze of pepper jelly. Bake at 325 degrees for 20 minutes (flip at 10 minutes) or until bacon is crisp.

11. Spicy sandwich spread - mix equal parts mayo and pepper jelly - great with one of our spicier jellies like our Blackberry Habanero Jelly.

12. Mix with ranch dressing and smother on grilled chicken and cook until warm (and chicken is cooked through).

13. Serve over ice cream (one of my favorites!)

14. Bagel, cream cheese and pepper jelly

15. Make thumbprint cookies with pepper jelly instead of regular jam

16. Use as a sauce for hot wings

17. Use as a topping on baked brie

18. Use as a glaze on baked ham - especially the Red Pepper Jelly

19. Warm pepper jelly slightly in microwave and then use as a dipping sauce with chicken tenders.

20. Stir fry veggies and use pepper jelly as the sauce!

21. Make Jalapeno Poppers! You can use any pepper jelly flavor, these make wonderful appetizers while you are waiting for dinner!

22. Mix it up and make a dip! You can really use your imagination on this one, mixing pepper jelly with cream cheese is a simple dip, you can even heat it in the oven at 350 degrees for 20 minutes (or until bubbly) and serve it warm with tortilla chips or crackers. Or try our Golden Pecan Bacon Dip - super yummy!

As you can see there are so many ways to use this versatile product, it has become a pantry staple in our house and I hope that it will be in yours as well. This list is by no means conclusive, I would love to hear if you have any other creative uses.

If you are looking for recipes, check out our RECIPE PAGE for some more ideas!

Enjoy!

Click Here For a 1-Page Printable Version

9 Responses

Jared Craft

January 04, 2021

Hi, I love using my jam on top of my tuna salad for a nice sweet touch with a consistency surprise for the mouth. I also like to add it to my peanut butter chocolate protein bars for an added flavor surprise at first bite! Good in ice cream or with cereal, too.

Dave G

March 03, 2020

I use Habanero Jelly from Kelly’s Jelly in Portland, OR.

Easter Ham. INJECT the ham with the jelly, down alongside the ham bone. Then I use the rest to baste and glaze the ham.

Same for RIBS. I just bought Habanero Honey jelly and cant wait to see how this works!

Alisha Fecteau

November 07, 2019

I just wanted to point out that this is a great way to add flavor to food when you are watching your salt. My recipe uses pectin as a thickener and has way less sugar than fruit jam too.

c.j. anderson

April 09, 2019

Try pepper jelly on your avocado toast for breakfast !

Pamela Good

August 22, 2018

My mother in law spreads cream cheese in a dish topped with the pepper jelly and adds cooked shrimp some cheddar cheese and sliced green onions. Serve with your favorite crackers its delicious

Glenda P Worley

August 22, 2018

Tried pepper jelly recipe. Love it my first time. I did not strain wanted color specks to show. Used jalapenos. Family loves the jelly. My son eats straight from the jar.

Ashley

April 09, 2019

We were gifted a jar of homemade green pepper jelly for the holidays and I very much want to use it but other than serving with cream cheese and crackers, am kind of at a loss. Any ideas for GREEN pepper jelly?

Amy Wellman

March 08, 2018

I was recently given a recipe which I’m making for this Easter dinner a spiral ham with a Red Pepper Jelly and 3x’s strong coffee glaze.

My son who is big on ham and pork was wondering what other uses we could use this for….I said I would Google and see. Low and behold I found your site….We love pork chops , chicken wings, etc etc….Now I’m happy to know that it won’t just sit in my fridge until the next big holiday!

Debby

December 27, 2017

Thank you! Got Marionberry Pepper Jelly for Christmas and didn’t know how to use it. Now will try it on crackers with Gorgonzola Blue Cheese. Will also try on pork chops tonight.