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Pepper jelly, with its blend of sweet and spicy, is a surprisingly versatile condiment that can elevate a variety of dishes. I have tons of Ways to Use Pepper Jelly that’s you’ll find delicious and easy!
So, you saw a recipe with pepper jelly and you wanted to try it. It was delicious, but it left you with half a jar of the spicy condiment and now you’re wondering what to do with it. Or, maybe someone gave you a jar as a present – either they made it or they bought it.
Well, fret no more. Here are some amazing ways to use it – and some recipes to knock your socks off!
If you don’t have a jar already you can make some homemade pepper jelly. Because there’s nothing as good as homemade. And it’s really inexpensive to make yourself.
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Please let me know if you have any questions about this recipe. I read all the comments myself and I try to help as soon as I can. I have readers from all levels of comfort and experience in the kitchen on my site, and I’ve tried to answer some of your questions already in the post. But if I’ve missed anything, please feel free to leave a comment and ask.
Crackers and Cheese
There is nothing quite as good as the spicy kick of the sweet and spicy jelly mixed with the creamy cheesy goodness and then smeared on crunchy crackers.
This is probably the simplest appetizer to make too.
Take a block of cream cheese, pour the jelly over the top, and serve with crackers on the side. Wheat Thins are probably my favorite for this, but Ritz, Triscuits, or any other will also work.
And you can mix up the cheeses like in my pepper jelly cheese dip.
Make it fancy with a fancier cheese like brie, goat cheese, or Camembert. You could even make it really fancy with smoked cream cheese.
These pepper jelly cheese balls are another way to make it fancy.
Roll it into puff pastry
Puff pastry is one of my favorite ways to make an elegant appetizer, but it’s still super easy to make.
If you love puff pastry too, you’ll have to try my pepper jelly cream cheese pinwheels.
Puff pastry brie bites are another take on the creamy cheesy flaky snack.
Stuffed jalapenos
Take the simple stuffed jalapeno and smear in some spicy jelly. You can use this stuffed jalapenos recipe for inspiration. Then add a dollop of spicy jelly on top after they’ve baked.
Jalapenos poppers puffs are another fun recipe that you could add the jelly to. After baking the puffs, pipe in a small amount into the center of each puff. Or, simply dollop some on the top of each puff before serving.
Around Halloween use these Jalapeno Poppers Mummies recipe for your spooky jelly!
Asian foods
I find that pepper jelly has a nice flavor like sweet and sour sauce from a Chinese restaurant, so it works for dipping egg rolls and spring rolls into.
You could even add a smear of the jelly into the egg roll before cooking.
Check out these Won Ton Cup appetizers for a fun bite sized appetizer.
Anytime you’re serving won tons or any kind of Dim Sum be sure to serve them with enough pepper jelly for dipping.
Sandwiches
Ohhhh, a smear of jelly into a sandwich can be heaven on a plate. Try it on a simple grilled cheese sandwich.
Or, go for gold with a strawberry turkey and brie grilled cheese.
Sliders are another fun sandwich. Try these pepper jelly ham sliders. Great if you still have some leftover ham from Easter frozen in there too!
Don’t forget some in your next quesadilla, which is kinda like a sandwich, only with tortillas instead of bread.
Great on proteins
Grilled meats, broiled, or baked, try them all with pepper jelly. Whether it’s shrimp, steak, chicken, or pork.
Be the toast of the town
Take your avocado toast to the next level with some pepper jelly. Or, try this recipe for goat cheese toast.
Veg out
Pepper jelly is an easy sauce over most any vegetable. Try it over Roasted broccoli or corn on the cob.
Check out this recipe for Asian Sugar Snap Peas using the spicy condiment.
Dress it up
Pepper jelly makes a great salad dressing too! Think spinach salad with hard boiled eggs and crumbled bacon with a drizzle of sweet & spicy dressing.
Or, try a sweet and spicy coleslaw with the dressing.
Start with ½ cup Pepper Jelly, and thoroughly mix in ½ cup olive oil with 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar. Season with salt and pepper.
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What are some of your favorite ways to use this delicious spicy and sweet condiment?
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