Spice up happy hour with this candied jalapeno margarita salt! With just three ingredients, you can make this homemade cocktail garnish recipe for candied jalapeno margarita salt. Great for DIY favors and gifts!
About a month ago, Kevin and I were shopping for herbs and right next to them were these huge plants already producing hot peppers. On a whim we came home with a jalapeno and a cayenne … So way ahead of schedule we have fresh hot peppers to enjoy. We kept the peppers in their original pots and placed them on the driveway so they get lots of heat and they are LOVING IT!
What to do with a hot pepper harvest? Some cayennes are in my toaster oven dehydrating now and I’ve made two batches of this CANDIED JALAPENO MARGARITA SALT!
When you think of preserving a summer harvest, candying vegetables doesn’t often come to mind… but it’s very similar to making jam. Sugar is an awesome preservative. So this recipe harnesses the sweet power of sugar to make shelf-stable jalapenos without the need for any fancy equipment.
The actual cooking time is pretty short but the drying time takes some patience…so don’t make this recipe 30 minutes before happy hour! After the jalapenos are candied they need to dry in the oven (or dehydrator if you have one) until they are crunchy. This is easily done by placing the jalapenos in a warm oven that is left slightly ajar. But it takes a while- anywhere from 2 to 8+ hours depending on humidity and the thickness of the peppers.
I stick them in the oven and try my darndest to forget about them… because I want to get right to margarita time!!!
You can eat the candied jalapenos as candy…they’re crystallized and the spicy heat is condensed into a powerful wallop! But I much prefer them in this candied jalapeno margarita salt. It’s a spicy-salty-sweet combo that adds a bit of zip to your standard margarita….
Or if you’re feeling really adventurous you can use some of the leftover jalapeno syrup to make a jalapeno margarita. In taste, it mimics the smoky depth of a mezcal, but all you need is regular tequila!
But wait, there’s more! This margarita salt also makes a great DIY gift! You can give them out as party favors or thank you gifts. I used these tins I found at Michaels to package my salt. Each box holds about a quarter of a cup of margarita salt….the perfect amount to start a fiesta!!! If you’d like to make your own, download these free labels (or just the image) to make your homemade food gifts extra pretty!
These spice tins are the perfect gift for craft cocktails aficionados , but this candied jalapeno salt also makes an excellent finishing salt for meats and veggies! Anyone who loves a bit of sweet heat, will love this recipe!
Candied Jalapeno Margarita Salt
Ingredients
Candied jalapenos
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 lb jalapenos
Candied jalapeno margarita salt
- 3/4 cup kosher or sea salt
- candied jalapenos
Instructions
Candied jalapenos
- Wash peppers and cut them into thick rounds, discarding pointy ends and tops.
- Combine peppers, sugar and water in a medium sauce pan and bring to a gentle boil,
- Cook peppers until semi-translucent, about 20-30 minutes.
- Strain peppers, reserving syrup for another use.
- Place peppers on a parchment lined cookie sheet and place in a warm oven to dry. Alternatively, the peppers can be dried in a dehydrator.
- The peppers are done when they are dry and no longer sticky. (Stirring the peppers occasionally can help expose wet areas, speeding the drying process. Time to dry varies based on humidity levels and the temperature of the oven or dehydrator. It can take anywhere from 2 hours to overnight).
Candied jalapeno margarita salt
- Place candied jalapenos in a food processor with half of the salt and pulse until the jalapenos are granulated.
- Add the remaining salt and pulse to mix.
- Place salt in an airtight container.
Notes
- This recipe makes about 1.25-1.5 cups of salt, depending on how finely you grind it.
- Make sure the candied jalapenos are not warm when you grind them!
Nutrition
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Cathleen says
This looks so professional! I am not much of a drinker… actually I think I might have alcohol at MOST once a month if you can believe it! But this is such a great way to use up your jalapenos!
Vintage Kitty says
It’s really a just a spicy salt with a little bit of sugar (much of the sugar is left behind in the syrup). Try it on veggies or meats for a little pop of flavor!!!
Jenni says
This sounds so amazing! And creative! I LOVE that you candied jalapeños! What a great cocktail addition!
Vintage Kitty says
Thanks Jenni! I love to candy everything! I threw out citrus peels today and felt guilty that I didn’t have time to candy them.
Holly says
I love a good margarita, and LOVE jalapeño! What a great combo this is! I love it!
Vintage Kitty says
Thanks Holly! You’re a lady after my own heart!
Sam says
Wow what a great idea! I don’t drink but I could use this on mocktails. Looks amazing!
Vintage Kitty says
Absolutely! Thanks Sam!
Tina says
I’m really intrigued by this recipe and concept! It’s so creative, and the way you describe it.. I want to try some now! Thanks for sharing.
Vintage Kitty says
Thanks Tina! Hope you’re intrigued enough to try the recipe!
Kelly Anthony says
Happy hour’s at 5pm, yes? I’ll be right over! OMGoodnessss! This looks so delicious! Totally want to rock this margarita salt at our next party :) YUM!
Vintage Kitty says
Happy hour is whenever you want it to be ;-) Rock it out girlfriend!
Vanessa says
This is genius! My husband and I would be all over those margaritas. And how do you dehydrate in a toaster?!
Vintage Kitty says
My toaster oven has a dehydrate setting. It’s not very fast, but it’s very hands off. Haven’t made the leap to buying a dehydrator yet because I don’t quite grow enough food to make it worthwhile.
Kiki Johnson says
WE LOVE Margaritas and when in Mexico we always go for the spicy kind! I would love this salt for my favourite mezcal mango margarita! Will definitely bookmark!
Vintage Kitty says
OMG that mezcal mango margarita sounds delish!!!!
Anne Lawton says
I love this idea. I have a lot of jalapenos in my garden, this is a great way to use some of them up!
Vintage Kitty says
Thanks Anne! Yeah, mine keep coming in faster than I can use them in recipes! #winnersproblems
lauren says
A. These sound delicious!! B. I love love the packaging! You could seriously sell that. I cannot WAIT to have myself a margarita with this.
Vintage Kitty says
If only West Virginia had better cottage laws I would! We make way more food here than we can eat! I love the whole packaging design process for food gifts too! Thanks for noticing my skillz! xoxo
Eileen Kelly says
Candied Jalapeno Salt Margarita is genius. Fabulous DIY gift for Holidays and hostess gifts
Vintage Kitty says
Eileen, I’m blushing! And yes, great for homemade gifts.
Jessica Knott says
Last week I had friends over visiting my mom’s house since I’m in town visiting for a few weeks. They each brought a special party punch and I missed having something spicy. I’m totally making this before heading home!
Vintage Kitty says
Sounds like a great time! Make sure to save the syrup to put in cocktails too!
Heather says
What??? Love this! What a brilliant idea … super easy to make and I bet this is absolutely delicious and the perfect way to add flavor to your next margarita!
Vintage Kitty says
Thanks Heather. It’s also super cheap. We grow the jalapenos, so just the salt and sugar to purchase. But jalapenos aren’t pricey at a farm market either.
Nicole says
These photos look great! You take really good pictures! I never heard of candied salt but I am definitely interested. PINNED!
Vintage Kitty says
Thanks Nicole. You don’t candy the the salt, just the jalapenos :-)
Dana says
I love this idea for little gifts and I LOVE your packaging! It’s stunning and gifts like this are always so thoughtful.
Vintage Kitty says
Thanks Dana! I agree. I always appreciate a handmade gift over something store bought.
Amy L Lyons says
I love this idea :)! Jalapenos would be so good with a margarita!
Vintage Kitty says
Thanks Amy! Cheers!
Katherine Taylor says
Hi, I made mine last night and they’re still sticky today. Any tips? Thanks!
Vintage Kitty says
They might be underbaked, but if it’s humid out, that could be the cause too. If you have a fan in your oven, try putting them back in with the air on at a low temp.
Tam says
I love your metal tin! Where is it from?
Vintage Kitty says
I think Michaels in the section for wedding favors.