Peach Hot Pepper Jam
Sweet, fruity, and just the right amount of spicy, this peach hot pepper jam is the perfect balance of flavors. Juicy fresh peaches are simmered with jalapeños, sugar, apple cider vinegar, and lemon juice until thick and glossy, creating a homemade jam that's delicious on everything from toast to grilled meats.
After all the love my pectin-free peach jalapeno jam received, I decided to go ahead and upgrade the recipe a little bit- with some extra add-ins. The simpler, original version tastes ridiculously good- but this one's perfect for times when you don't mind putting a bit of extra effort.
The combination of soft, sweet and juicy peaches with the slight spiciness of the jalapenos is just unbeatable, and it really shines through in this jam.
All you'll need is a little more than 30 minutes in the kitchen to make a big batch of this jam that you can use for weeks. I like to make my sweet pepper relish and ginger mango chutney alongside this too! That way, I have a variety of condiments to choose from to pair with my everyday meals.
Quick Look: Peach Hot Pepper Jam
- 🔪 Prep time: 10 mins.
- ⏲️ Cook time: 25 mins.
- 👪 Servings: About 2 cups.
- 📋 Main ingredients: Fresh peaches, jalapeños, sugar, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice.
- ♨️ Cooking method: Simmer → stir → cool → refrigerate.
- ⭐ Difficulty: Easy.
- 🥣 Serving ideas: Serve with cream cheese stuffed dates, crackers, grilled chicken, pork, burgers, or cheese boards.
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What's So Great About the Recipe?
- It's sweet and spicy and such a great way to use up some of that seasonal fruit.
- It's great for entertaining- use it to elevate cheese boards and feature it on your grazing table.
- It is surprisingly versatile. It works wonderfully as a spread, glaze, dip, or sandwich topping- just like spicy tomato jam.
Recipe Ingredients
Fresh peaches: The star of the recipe, adding natural sweetness and juicy flavor.
Jalapenos: I used a mix of green and red jalapenos provide a mild, balanced heat and beautiful color.
Vinegar + lemon juice: To balance the sweetness and preserve the jam.
Butter: To reduce any foam and lend the jam that glossy finish.
Granulated sugar + salt: To help thicken the jam and preserve it. I used it while making my homemade lemon marmalade too.
See recipe card for quantities.
Substitutions & Variations
- Use all red jalapeños for a sweeter, fruitier heat.
- For a bit of heat, add a single habanero pepper into the mix. You can also swap the apple cider vinegar and use spicy pepper vinegar instead.
- Replace some of the peaches with nectarines or apricots.
- Stir in a little grated fresh ginger for a warm, spicy twist. I like adding my Air Fryer ginger powder sometimes.
- Add fresh thyme or rosemary for an herby variation.
How to Make Peach Hot Pepper Jam
Step 1: Finely chop the peaches and the green and red jalapeños.
Step 2: Add the peaches and jalapeños to a saucepan and cook over low heat until the fruit begins to soften.
Step 3: Stir in the sugar, salt, apple cider vinegar, and lemon juice.
Step 4: Continue cooking until the peaches become very soft and begin to fall apart, and the jam thickens.
Step 5: Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the butter until completely melted.
Step 6: Allow the jam to cool before transferring it to a clean glass jar. Refrigerate until ready to use.
💭Top Tip
Finely chopping the peaches and jalapeños helps the jam cook more evenly and creates a smoother, more spreadable texture without needing to blend it.
Tips & Tricks to Nail the Recipe
- Use ripe but firm peaches for the best flavor.
- You can leave some of the jalapeño seeds in if you prefer a spicier jam. Sometimes, I add my homemade jalapeno flakes sometimes.
- Stir the jam occasionally while it cooks to prevent sticking and remember to keep the heat low and slow.
- Don't skip the lemon juice- it helps brighten the flavor. You can also add lemon zest or orange zest for a citrusy zing.
- Allow the jam to cool completely before refrigerating, as it will continue to thicken as it cools.
How to Use Peach Hot Pepper Jam
This jam is incredibly versatile and pairs beautifully with both sweet and savory dishes. Spread it over cream cheese or goat cheese and serve with crackers along with Parmesan cheese salsa or homemade Boursin cheese for an easy appetizer.
You can also use it as a glaze for grilled chicken, pork chops, or salmon, or spread it onto burgers (I love slathering it on my French fries waffle burger), sandwiches, and even grilled cheese. It's also delicious on toast, biscuits, scones, or crostini.
Troubleshooting and FAQs
Store the jam in a clean airtight glass jar in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Always use a clean spoon when serving to help keep the jam fresh.
Yes. Thaw and drain them first to avoid adding excess liquid to the jam.
The jam may need a little more cooking time. It will also continue to thicken as it cools in the refrigerator.
Yes. Store it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before using.
More Essential Condiments and Preserves
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
If you tried this peach hot pepper jam or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
Peach Hot Pepper Jam
Ingredients
- 4 ripe peaches finely chopped
- 2 green jalapeños finely chopped
- 2 red jalapeños finely chopped
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 pinch salt
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon butter
Instructions
- Add the chopped peaches and jalapeños to a saucepan.
- Cook over low heat until the peaches begin to soften.
- Stir in the sugar, salt, apple cider vinegar, and lemon juice.
- Continue cooking until the peaches break down and the jam thickens.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the butter until melted.
- Allow the jam to cool completely.
- Transfer to a clean glass jar and refrigerate.
Notes
- The jam will continue to thicken as it cools.
- Adjust the amount of jalapeños to suit your preferred spice level.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- Delicious served with cream cheese, crackers, grilled meats, or sandwiches.
