Ghost Pepper Jam Recipe

Wondering what to do with your abundant ghost peppers? Try our sweet and spicy ghost pepper jam recipe. It’s hot with ghost peppers while lemon juice adds a citrusy kick. The bright reddish-orange color makes it appealing to all. 

Ghost pepper is one of the hottest peppers available. But the ghost pepper jam is just bearably hot. Also, you can customize the heat level according to your heat preference. Use it as a simple spread for breads, or glaze grilled meats. Our homemade ghost pepper jam is delicious in every way. 

Ingredients Needed for Ghost Pepper Jam Recipe:

Are you a spicy food lover? You’ve come to the right place. For me, moderately hot jams and sauces enhance the taste of savory recipes even more. Our spicy ghost pepper jam has just the tung-pleasing amount of heat. 

Canning it at home allows you to enjoy this seasonal produce all year. Amazing, isn’t it? The calculated combination of sugar, vinegar, and lemon juice keeps the jam safe for this long. Let’s have a brief look at the ingredients needed. 

Ghost Peppers:

Ghost pepper is the star ingredient in this recipe. But you can recreate the recipe using any hot pepper of your choice. You’ll need ¼ pound of ghost peppers for the recipe.

Sweet Peppers:

Using sweet peppers with ghost peppers is a good way to modify the heat level. I used 1 cup of sweet bell peppers in the fiery ghost pepper jam recipe. Also, you can use a mix of different peppers.

Apple Cider Vinegar:

Vinegar works with the longevity of the jam. Apple cider vinegar is the best to use as it has a nice fruity note that goes well with peppers. You can use white or red vinegar alternatively. Use 1 ½ cup of apple cider vinegar in the recipe.

Sugar:

Sugar serves a twofold purpose in the recipe. First, the sweetness surmises the heat of the ghost peppers. Secondly, sugar forms the body of the jam. Use 3 cups of granulated sugar.

Pectin:

Pectin is a natural gelling agent made from citrus fruits. It comes in both liquid and powder form. I used ½ cup of liquid pectin in the ghost chili jam recipe.

Butter:

The use of butter is optional. I used it to reduce the amount of foam when peppers are simmered. ¼ teaspoon would be enough.

Salt:

Add 1 teaspoon of salt to balance all the flavors in the fermented pepper recipe.

Lemon Juice:

Lemon juice complements the spiciness of ghost pepper and gives the jam a citrusy kick. Use ¼ cup of lemon juice in the recipe.

Essential Tools For Making Ghost Pepper Jam Recipe:

You can use the following tools to make your DIY spicy spread preparation easier. 

Immersion Blender:

An immersion blender works great to chop, blend, or puree vegetables and fruits. Use it to chop the peppers.

Protective Gear Set:

The protective gear set comes with Tear-free goggles, Disposable latex gloves, and a face mask. This will protect your eyes and skin from the heat of the ghost peppers.

Glass Jars With Lids:

Airtight jars with lids are a must for canning homemade ghost pepper jams. Try jars with clamp latch lid for easy use. You’ll need 5 8-ounce jars for the recipe.

Canning Kit:

Canning kits come with a set of handy canning tools. Such as a canning rack, jar wrench, ladle, canning jar funnel, measuring tool, cleaning brush, etc. Trust me, with a canning kit beginners will do canning like a pro.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Ghost Pepper Jam:

Missing a delicious dip for enjoying your firecrackers? Make our flavorful homemade spicy condiment with ghost peppers. It’s fruity, tangy, sweet while full of fresh flavors. What could be a better way to preserve the produce from your garden? 

Our ghost pepper jam recipe is beginner-friendly. It’s multipurpose, you can use it as a dip, spread, or marinade. It’ll effortlessly elevate your snacking. Let’s jump into the step-by-step directions.

Step 1:

Wash both sweet pepper and ghost pepper. Chop them thoroughly. I recommend removing some of the stems and seeds. 

Pro Tip:

Use an Immersion blender for easy chopping. But don’t turn the peppers into puree. Also, use Hand gloves to protect hands from the heat of ghost peppers.

Step 2:

Put butter in a large pan. Add sugar and vinegar to the pan. Bring the mixture to a quick boil and simmer it for about 10 minutes. It’ll make strong fumes. 

Pro Tip:

Use Protective goggles and Face masks to remain safe from fumes.

Step 3:

Add salt, lemon juice, pectin. Boil mixture, stirring constantly, over medium-low heat for 10 minutes. When a tight gel-like consistency is reached, turn off the flame. Skim off any foam from the top layer.

Step 4:

Sterilize jars and lids by boiling them. Pour the hot liquid into 5 clean 8-ounce dry jars, leaving ¼” space at the top of the jars. Screw on the caps when room temperature is reached. Remove any air bubbles with a knife. Wipe off the edges of the jars.

Step 5:

Cover the lids carefully. Process the filled jars in boiling water for 10 minutes. Then lift the jars from the water and let them cool completely on the counter.  Keep the jars at rest for at least 24 hours. Your easy pepper jam is ready to serve. 

Pro Tips:

Use Canning Tongs to safely remove jars from the hot water. A ladder will make the pouring of hot liquid hassle-free.

Recipe Tips & Notes:

• You can use any of your preferred peppers in the recipe to make customized versions. Habaneros and jalapenos are hot pepper options.

• Not a fan of pectin? Sorry to say, this sweet and spicy pepper preserve recipe can’t be made without pectin. Go for powdered pectin if you want. 

• Want to make the jam more fruity? Add orange zest, frozen mangoes, or strawberries in it.

• You can easily make ghost pepper jelly using the same recipe. Strain off the pepper seeds before canning them.

• This spicy fruit and pepper jam already comes in bright red still, you can add a pinch of food color if needed.

• Attach a sticker to the lid and write the name and manufacturing date for easy use.

• You can use sugar substitutes, but the jam might remain runny.

Nutritional Information:

Nutrition Facts
Calories	Fat	Carbs	Protein
97 calories	0.2 g	24 g	0.5 g

Wrapping Up:

Ever imagined ghost pepper could be eaten in such a delectable way? Make our sweet and hot ghost pepper condiment once, and you’ll be a fan. Ghost pepper jam is a surprisingly versatile condiment that can be used in many ways. 

Spread to your morning toast, or use it as a glaze for anything on the grill. Your family will thank you for making this. Also, you can use it as a gift on Christmas, Halloween, or other occasions. So, what are you waiting for? Go fill some jars today! Good luck!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Decided to spice up your meals with spicy ghost pepper preserves? Here are some frequently asked questions.

1. How to Control the sweetness and Heat Level in Ghost Pepper Jam?

To decrease the level of heat, remove all the seeds and stems from the peppers before chopping them. Control the sweetness by adding more or less sugar.

2. What Foods Pair Well with Ghost Pepper Jam?

Our Ghost pepper jam is amazing as an appetizer, glaze, or dip. Try it on seared chicken, pork chop, or salmon. Use it as a spread to make sandwiches, pizza, and burgers. My favorite way is to have it with ice cream and cheese crackers.

3. How to Store and Preserve Ghost Pepper Jam?

Your ghost pepper jam will stay fine for up to one year in the pantry. It will remain fresh in the refrigerator for several months without a water-boiling process. Don’t move the jams for at least 12 hours after you’ve made them, or you risk breaking the jam. Store in a cool, dry place.