What to Do with Too Many Jalapeños: 10 Easy Ideas to Make
I love growing peppers, especially Jalapeños. They are versatile and flavorful and add a nice kick to any dish. But this year, I was a bit too successful and ended up with more Jalapeños than I could handle. I didn’t want to throw them away, so I started looking for ways to use them. I found some fantastic ideas that I want to share with you. Whether you like them fresh, cooked, or preserved, there is something for everyone.
Before we get to the ten ideas, you might also want to check out our previous posts where I have covered what to do with chili peppers and what to do with extra hot peppers. Here are ten easy and delicious ways to use up your extra Jalapeños.
Table of Contents
What to Do with Too Many Jalapeños
Here are the ten ideas of what to do with Jalapeños:
1. Make Jalapeño Poppers
One of the most popular and classic ways to use Jalapeños is to make Jalapeño poppers. These are Jalapeños stuffed with cheese, wrapped in bacon, and baked or fried until crispy. They are perfect for appetizers, snacks, or parties. You can use any cheese you like, such as cream cheese, cheddar, or mozzarella. Adding spices, herbs, or bacon to the cheese mixture adds flavor. To make Jalapeño poppers, cut them in half, remove the seeds and membranes, fill them with cheese, wrap them in bacon, and secure them with toothpicks. Then bake them in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or fry them in oil for a few minutes until the bacon is cooked and the cheese is melted. Enjoy them hot or cold with your favorite dipping sauce. Here is atasty recipe: https://www.stjohns.edu/news-media/johnnies-blog/tasty-thursday-jalapeno-poppers
2. Make Hot Sauce
Another great way to use Jalapeños is to make your hot sauce. This way, you can control the heat, the flavor, and the ingredients. You can use fresh or dried Jalapeños or a combination of both. You can also add other peppers, such as habaneros, serranos, or cayenne, for more heat or bell peppers, carrots, or tomatoes for more sweetness. Add some vinegar, salt, sugar, garlic, onion, and spices, such as cumin, oregano, or paprika for more depth and complexity. To make hot sauce, chop the peppers and the other ingredients and simmer them in a pot with water and vinegar for about 20 minutes or until soft. Then blend them until smooth, and strain them if you want a thinner consistency. Transfer the sauce to a jar or a bottle and store it in the fridge for up to a month or in the freezer for up to a year. Here is a good sauce I loved:
3. Dry Them
If you want to preserve your Jalapeños for a long time, you can dry them and use them later. Drying Jalapeños is easy, and you can do it differently. You can use a dehydrator, an oven, or the sun. You can also slice them, dice them, or leave them whole. The drying process can take a few hours to a few days, depending on the method and the size of the Jalapeños. Once dry, you can store them in an airtight container in a cool and dark place for up to a year. You can use them as they are, rehydrate them in water or broth, or grind them into powder or flakes. You can use dried Jalapeños in soups, stews, sauces, marinades, rubs, or any dish that needs heat and flavor.
4. Pickle Them
Pickling Jalapeños is another way to extend their shelf life and enhance their taste. Pickled Jalapeños are tangy, spicy, and crunchy, and they go well with many dishes, such as tacos, nachos, sandwiches, salads, or pizza. You can pickle Jalapeños in vinegar, water, salt, sugar, and spices, such as bay leaves, peppercorns, mustard seeds, or coriander seeds. Add some garlic, onion, or carrots for more flavor and texture. To pickle Jalapeños, you need to slice them or leave them whole and pack them in a sterilized jar. Then, bring the vinegar, water, salt, sugar, and spices to a boil, and pour the hot brine over the Jalapeños, leaving some headspace. Seal the jar and let it cool down. Store the pickled Jalapeños in the fridge for up to a month or in the pantry for up to a year.
5. Make Jalapeño Jelly
If you have a sweet tooth, you can make Jalapeño jelly with your excess Jalapeños. Jalapeño jelly is a sweet and spicy spread that you can use on toast, crackers, cheese, or meat. You can also use it as a glaze, a dip, or a sauce. If you want a brighter color, you can make Jalapeño jelly with fresh or canned Jalapeños, sugar, vinegar, pectin, and food coloring. To make Jalapeño jelly, chop it and blend it with some vinegar until smooth. Then, strain the mixture and discard the pulp. Transfer the liquid to a pot, and add the sugar, pectin, and food coloring if using. Bring the mixture to a boil and cook for a few minutes, stirring constantly. Pour the jelly into sterilized jars and seal them. Store the Jalapeño jelly in the fridge for up to a month or in the freezer for up to a year.
6. Make Jalapeño Cornbread
If you want to use Jalapeños in a baked good, you can make Jalapeño cornbread. Jalapeño cornbread is a savory and moist bread you can serve with chili, soup, stew, or barbecue. Moreover, you can eat it with some butter and honey as a snack or for breakfast. You can make Jalapeño cornbread with cornmeal, flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, eggs, milk, butter, and cheese. You can also add some corn kernels for more texture and sweetness. To make Jalapeño cornbread, chop the Jalapeños and mix with the cheese. Then, combine the dry ingredients in a bowl and the wet ingredients in another bowl. Add the cheese and Jalapeño mixture to the wet ingredients and stir well. Pour the batter into a greased baking pan, and bake in the oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until golden and done. Enjoy the Jalapeño cornbread, warm or cold, with some butter and honey.
7. Make Jalapeño Margaritas
If you want to use Jalapeños in a drink, you can make Jalapeño margaritas. Jalapeño margaritas are refreshing and spicy cocktails you can enjoy on a hot day or for a special occasion. You can make Jalapeño margaritas with tequila, lime juice, orange liqueur, simple syrup, and Jalapeños. You can also add salt, sugar, or chili powder to the rim of the glass for more flavor and contrast. To make Jalapeño margaritas, you need to slice the Jalapeños and muddle them with some simple syrup in a cocktail shaker. Then, add the tequila, lime juice, and orange liqueur, and fill the shaker with ice. Shake well, and strain the drink into a glass, with or without ice. Garnish with lime wedges and Jalapeño slices, and enjoy your Jalapeño margarita.
8. Make Jalapeño Hummus
If you want to use Jalapeños in a dip, you can make Jalapeño hummus. Jalapeño hummus is a creamy, spicy dip served with pita bread, chips, crackers, or fresh vegetables. You can also use it as a spread or a sauce for sandwiches, wraps, or salads. You can make Jalapeño hummus with chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, salt, olive oil, and Jalapeños. Add some cumin, paprika, or cilantro for more flavor and color. To make Jalapeño hummus, chop the Jalapeños and blend them with chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and olive oil until smooth and creamy. You can add some water, if needed, to adjust the consistency. Transfer the hummus to a bowl and drizzle more olive oil on top. Sprinkle some cumin, paprika, or cilantro, and enjoy your Jalapeño hummus.
9. Make Jalapeño Cheese Bread
If you want to use Jalapeños in another type of bread, you can make Jalapeño cheese bread. This cheese bread is a soft and fluffy bread that you can eat as it is, toast it, or make sandwiches with it. You can make Jalapeño cheese bread with flour, yeast, sugar, salt, water, butter, cheese, and Jalapeños. You can add some garlic, onion, or herbs for flavor and aroma. To make Jalapeño cheese bread, chop the Jalapeños and grate the cheese. Then, add the water and butter to the flour, yeast, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Knead the dough for about 10 minutes or until smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl and let it rise for about an hour or until doubled in size. Punch down the dough and knead in the cheese and Jalapeños. Shape the dough into a loaf and place it in a greased pan. Let it rise for another hour or until puffy. Bake the bread in the oven for 35 to 40 minutes or until golden and done. Let the bread cool slightly, and enjoy your Jalapeño cheese bread.
10. Make Jalapeño Salsa
If you want to use Jalapeños and freshly, you can make Jalapeño salsa. Jalapeño salsa is a chunky and spicy salsa that you can use as a dip, a topping, or a side dish. You can make Jalapeño salsa with fresh or canned Jalapeños, tomatoes, onion, garlic, cilantro, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Add corn, black beans, avocado, or mango for more variety and flavor. To make Jalapeño salsa, chop the Jalapeños, tomatoes, onion, garlic, and cilantro. Then, toss them in a large bowl and add the lime juice, salt, and pepper. Mix well and adjust the seasoning if needed. Refrigerate the salsa for at least an hour to let the flavors meld. Serve the Jalapeño salsa with chips, tacos, burritos, or grilled meat or fish.
Summary: What to Do with Too Many Jalapeños
I hope you enjoyed this post and learned new ways to use your Jalapeños. Whether you want to make Jalapeño poppers, pickles, jelly, cheese, bread, butter, or salsa, you can find a recipe that suits your taste and skill level. These dishes are perfect for spicing up your meals and snacks, and they also make great gifts for your friends and family. Which one of these ideas are you going to try first? Let me know in the comments below. And don’t forget to share this post with anyone who loves Jalapeños as much as you do.
