Tart cranberries and spicy peppers mingle in this sweet and spicy Cranberry Pepper Jelly. Everyone goes crazy for this spicy jam at the very first bite!
When I realized I had been buying cranberry pepper jam almost every time I was at the grocery store, I knew it was time to make my own version of this jam.
I first tasted this jam with brie and fancy wafer crackers. Then I poured the jam over a simple block of cream cheese and served it with Ritz crackers. My kids went nuts over that.
Next, I spread this pepper jam on the Best Ever Ham Sandwich. When you layer this Cranberry Pepper Jam with creamy goat cheese, salty ham, and fresh arugula, it’s the sandwich that everyone is going to be talking about.
Cranberry Jalapeno Jam
I don’t think I’ve ever mentioned an upcoming recipe that has been as highly anticipated as this recipe for pepper jam.
I mentioned that I would soon be sharing the recipe when I first shared that awesome ham sandwich recipe a few weeks ago. In the time since, I’ve received countless emails, messages, and snaps asking when I’ll be sharing the recipe for cranberry jalapeno jelly.
I’ll apologize now for the delay, because the recipe just wasn’t perfect until this version. And when I say it is perfect, I mean it. It is absolutely positively PERFECT now.
Side note: if you love sweet heat combinations and cranberries as much as we do, you definitely need to put this cranberry jalapeno dip or my creamy cranberry dip on your must-try list too!
Spicy Jam
When you’re working with cranberries, I’ve found that it’s really easy to make a cranberry sauce. As evidenced by this classic homemade cranberry sauce and this spicy hot pepper cranberry sauce, we love our cranberry sauces.
However, for this jam, I wanted something more jelly-like than cranberry sauce, sweet with a solid hint of heat. This cranberry pepper jelly recipe delivers it all.
(If you’re looking for a little more heat in your jam, the finely minced jalapeno and serrano peppers in this recipe can be increased by an additional ½ cup without affecting the final result.)
If you haven’t yet tried a pepper jam recipe, you’re in for a real treat. That sweet heat combination is truly irresistible. This Habanero Peach Jam is another favorite here.
This time of year, there’s no end to the cranberry recipes that we love. Lucky for me, I learned many years ago to buy as many fresh cranberries as possible each holiday season and toss the bags straight into the freezer.
This makes it possible to make the crazy popular Cranberry Christmas Cake and the Nantucket Christmas Cranberry Pie all year round. Cranberry Almond German Pancakes and Cranberry Pecan Brownies in July? Yes, please!
As soon as apple season hits, this Cranberry Apple Tart needs to happen as well. There are so many ways in which we use cranberries throughout the year. And this Winter Spice Cranberry Cake? It’s not just for wintertime.
Sweet, tart, and full of cranberries, apples, raisins, and spices, cranberry chutney is sure to become a must-have on the holiday table.
You’re going to love all of these recipes, so stock up on cranberries ASAP and be set for all of next year!
Kitchen Tip: I use this pot, this pectin, these jars, and these jars when making this recipe.
Pepper Jam Recipe
- Combine the cranberries, bell peppers, jalapenos, serranos, and vinegar in a large deep pot. Bring to a boil over high heat. While the mixture comes to a boil, shake together the calcium water according to the package directions. In a small bowl, stir together 1 cup of sugar and 1 tablespoon of Pomona’s pectin.
- When the mixture on the stove is boiling, add the calcium water and sugar/pectin mixture. Stir and bring to a boil again. When the sugar and pectin have dissolved, about a minute of simmering, add in the remaining 5 cups of sugar all at once. Stir to combine and bring to a roiling boil. (A rolling boil will continue to boil across the entire surface even while stirring.)
- Allow the mixture to boil for 1 minute and then remove from the heat. Remove from the heat and pour into sterile jars. Process in a hot water bath and then store in a cool dark place for up to a year. The USDA recommends 10 minutes for jam and jellies with pectin.
- Alternatively, this jam may be stored in the refrigerator until ready to use. The jam will keep in the refrigerator for up to a month or alternatively, you can freeze it for up to 6 months.
Why I Use Pomona’s Universal Pectin
You may notice two unusual additions to this recipe; calcium water and Pomona’s Universal Pectin. The calcium water comes in the box along with the Pomona’s, so you don’t have to worry about purchasing them separately.
Because I feel rather strongly about how spectacular Pomona’s pectin is among all others, I’m going to give you a somewhat detailed explanation of why it is that I am recommending this particular pectin product.
Pomona’s Universal Pectin, unlike most other commercial counterparts, does not contain any weird preservatives or fillers. Pomona’s, unlike most other commercial pectins, allows you creative license to scale up or down any recipe to your heart’s content. If you scale up other pectins, the jams or preserves almost inevitably fail.
Pomona’s also allows you to make low/no sugar jams, jellies, and preserves with the same product should you wish to do so. If you want to use a grocery store pectin, you’ll need to buy a separate, specialized kind of pectin for that.
Pomona’s lasts forever and has no expiration date as long as it is properly stored.
Pomona’s may seem more expensive if you just compare the box vs. box prices, but with the Pomona’s you can make between 3 and 5 batches of your favorite jam and with the major brand pectin, you get one batch per box. That makes Pomona’s comparable in all cases and cheaper in most.
*huge thanks to Rebecca Lindamood for her extensive help while developing recipes using Pomona’s and her willingness to share that knowledge so freely. Notes on the use of Pomona’s are very lightly adapted from her words here.
Cranberry Pepper Jelly
Ingredients
- 1½ cups fresh cranberries roughly chopped
- 1½ cups red bell pepper finely chopped, about 1½ peppers worth
- 2 large jalapeno peppers finely minced, about ⅔ cup worth
- 2 serrano peppers finely minced, about ⅓ cup worth
- 2 cups plain white vinegar
- 6 cups sugar divided
- 1 tablespoon Pomona’s Universal Pectin *
- 4 teaspoons calcium water *
Instructions
- Combine the cranberries, bell peppers, jalapenos, serranos, and vinegar in a large deep pot. Bring to a boil over high heat. While the mixture comes to a boil, shake together the calcium water according to the package directions. In a small bowl, stir together 1 cup of sugar and 1 tablespoon of Pomona’s pectin.
- When the mixture on the stove is boiling, add the calcium water and sugar/pectin mixture. Stir and bring to a boil again. When the sugar and pectin have dissolved, about a minute of simmering, add in the remaining 5 cups of sugar all at once. Stir to combine and bring to a roiling boil. (A roiling boil will continue to boil across the entire surface even while stirring.)
- Allow the mixture to boil for 1 minute and then remove from the heat. Remove from the heat and pour into sterile jars. Process in a hot water bath and then store in a cool dark place for up to a year. The USDA recommends 10 minutes for jam and jellies with pectin.
- Alternatively, this jam may be stored in the refrigerator until ready to use. The jam will keep in the refrigerator for up to a month or alternatively, you can freeze it for up to 6 months.
Notes
Nutrition
{originally published 11/1/2017 – recipe notes and photos updated 11/28/22}
Gigi Riojas says
Hi I live in Central America and cannot get Pomona Pectin. I was able to get pectin but cannot find calcium water, could I use plain water and the amount of pectin it asks for?
Mary Younkin says
Hi Gigi, if you are using a different brand of pectin, you won’t need the calcium water. You’re all set with the regular pectin. Happy jam making!
Diane Gilch says
Can you make this, put in dishwasher-clean plastic containers, and freeze? I’m trying to avoid the whole “putting up in jars” process!
Mary Younkin says
I’m guessing that it will freeze nicely, Diane. (Most jam recipes will.) However, I haven’t frozen this particular recipe myself.
victoria lyons says
Just making the Cranberry Pepper Jam right now, have you tried adding finely chopped shallots? Just a thought
Mary Younkin says
I’ve never tried that, Victoria. If you try it, let me know how it works out.
Robert Tillotson says
I’ve used this recipe. I also added 4 superhots, blended, and doubled recipe. It has a solid kick, but the flavor from this recipe makes it perfect.
Mary Younkin says
oh, I bet we’d love it with the extra peppers!
Mary Ellen Van Bommel says
I combined two recipes and came up with a very pretty jelly. I also strained through a food mill.
I plan to sprinkle some fresh jalapeno on top of the jelly just before serving. Will be pretty for the holidays and add more zip—my family loves very spicy dishes.
Mary Younkin says
That sounds awesome, Mary!
Suzi Troxell says
Made this last night to take as gifts to my Bible study group as we enjoy all kinds of pepper jelly. I used the small 4 oz jars as they are perfect over a block of cream cheese. This recipe is fabulous! When you said you worked on it u til perfect…you are absolutely right! The heat was just right, pepper jelly must have a bit of heat but not overpowering! First time to use this pectin and am very happy with it, TY for telling us about it. Do you just keep the calcium water until you make another batch of jelly?
Thanks again for a great recipe! BTW my yield was 14-4 oz jars.
Mary Younkin says
I’m so happy that you love the jam, Suzi. If you’ll be making another batch of jam soon, you can keep the calcium water in the fridge. Otherwise, I toss it.
Aimee says
Well, I bought the Pomona’s Pectin at the Amazon link given. But, the 3 pack was all that was offered for a reasonable price. I didn’t know I would need 5 boxes since each box has a scant teaspoon of the Calcium water powder. It wasn’t enough for the recipe, which calls for 4 teaspoons of the calcium water. And I’m not sure why we need the Pomona’s because the recipe promotes Pomona’s as a way to use less sugar, but this recipe, with the Pomona’s still uses 6 cups of sugar? All that being said, I think giving just a few more directions for making this jelly would be very useful. Mine has not thickened as much as I hoped for, maybe because of the calcium water, but it does taste delicious.
Mary Younkin says
Hi Aimee, you should have way more calcium water than you need for a batch with just what is in one box. I typically put the extra in the fridge or just toss it if I won’t be making more jam right away. You use the powder to make the calcium water and then you’re measuring the calcium water. You can certainly use a different pectin, however “I” truly love Pomona’s and it’s what I’ve had the best luck with for this particular recipe. Anything with cranberries requires a substantial amount of sugar to balances the tartness.
Sherry Jiles says
I made this jam and it was good. Can you double the recipe with no problem? I love the jam.
Mary Younkin says
Unfortunately, jam recipes aren’t always reliable when quantities are changed. I typically make a recipe twice instead of risking it not setting when I’m making jam.
Barbara Ridgway says
Loved this! I added more chilis and was amazing! I used it over pate as well as warm Brie. love love love.
Mary Younkin says
I’m so happy to hear that you like the jam, Barbara.
Donna says
Very good!
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad that you like the jam, Donna!
Barb Greer says
Good taste BUT sugar is crystalized and the jam is super runny.
Mary Younkin says
Crystals can form as a result of undissolved sugar during cooking – typically when the jam is undercooked. And sometimes, when the jelly cooks, sugar crystals may form about the edge of the boiling mixture. The fact that your jam is runny makes me think that it may not have been hot enough to cause it to fully cook and then set.
Tish says
I don’t see how long to process this jam in the recipe (in a water bath canner).
Do you have any recommendations?
Mary Younkin says
Hi Tish, I typically process jams in a boiling water bath for 5 minutes if jars are pre-sterilized. Clean hot jars that are not pre- sterilized may also be used; in that case, process jams in the boiling water bath for 10 minutes.
Carolyn Arthur says
Thanks for the video. It’s beautiful. Loved the, not yet, NOT yet, when it came to the “rolling boil.” I don’t think I get there, NOT that good! Also, needed to see that you used those dry cranberries. Thanks!
Mary Younkin says
I’m glad the video was helpful, Carolyn. The cranberries are fresh berries or fresh berries that I’ve frozen.
Kathy says
I’m glad to come across your recipe. I have made raspberry jalapeno jelly before, but no longer grow raspberries so I’m looking forward to trying this. If I use liquid pectin, would I need one or two pouches – they come two pouches in a box where I am, or should I use the powdered pectin? Thank you for this!
Mary Younkin says
I’ve only made this using powdered pectin, Kathy. However, I know many people have made this with the liquid alternative. Typically, for one pouch of liquid pectin you’d use 2 Tablespoons of powder pectin. I think there are typically 6 tablespoons of powdered pectin in those packets. So, I’m “guessing” you’ll need 3 pouches of liquid by that standard.
Melissa says
Hi there! I wasn’t able to get pamonas and I saw the above post regarding regular pectin. Do you substitute regular powdered pectin in the same amount as the pamonas? Looking forward to making this!
Mary Younkin says
When swapping regular pectin for Pomona’s you’ll need to fiddle with it a bit. There just isn’t a set formula for it as Pomona’s is typically used with lower sugar recipes. When swapping Pomona’s for traditional recipes, I typically use about half as much. So, my best “guess” is that you’ll need roughly half again to double the amount of traditional pectin.
Chey says
Hi, Mary! This may be a silly question, but I really want to be successful with this recipe. Can you please, tell me, are the cranberries measured as 1.5 cups whole berries or 1.5 rough chopped berries…. or does it matter? There is a slight difference in the overall weight, but may not be a biggie. 🙂 … I can hardly wait to make this jam! Thank you for your guidance!
Mary Younkin says
I wouldn’t worry about that slight difference. However, for what it’s worth, I chop after measuring for this recipe.
Susan Stephens says
Could you tell me why you use white vinegar and if it makes a difference in flavor. thanks
Mary Younkin says
The vinegar in this recipe offsets the sweetness of the sugar. The acid in vinegar also helps the pectin set. Happy jam making, Susan!
Patricia South says
I have seen in the comments that there is a video for making the Cranberry Pepper Jam, however, I am can’t find it. Recipe sounds really good and I am looking forward to making it but would love to see the video first. Thanks.
Mary Younkin says
If you’re running an ad blocker, the video unit will not play automatically. There is a video on this page.
Amber Stokes says
I made this for our work Christmas gifts last year. In November, people started asking if I’d make it again. It is such a hit. I did it as directed and we can’t make enough because people love it so much.
Mary Younkin says
I’m so happy to hear that the jam is much loved!
Grandma Peggy says
Are seeds from the chilis included or discarded?
Mary Younkin says
I typically remove them, but either way works.