Candied Jalapeños (Cowboy Candy)
By Nichole Dailey
Meet your new favorite condiment. Sweet, sticky, and spicy, candied jalapeños (aka cowboy candy) transforms the ordinary into extraordinary. Top your next cheeseburger or hot dog with some for an epic bite. We also love it dolloped on a brick of smoked cream cheese for the easiest of apps, and it’s a great addition to a Bloody Mary. But maybe the best use for them is our Cowboy Candy Ribs, which tosses tender smoked ribs with the jalapeños and crisped bacon. (Look for the recipe on our site.) This makes 3 cups and will last, covered in the fridge, for a couple of months, so you’re bound to find many great uses for it.
Prep Time
5 Min
Cook Time
25 Min
Pellets
Hickory
Ingredients
This recipe serves:
12
Activating this element will cause content on the page to be updated.Units of Measurement:
main
| 10 | jalapeños |
| 1 1/2 Cup | light brown sugar |
| 1 Cup | apricot preserves |
| 1/4 Cup | apple cider vinegar |
| 2 | garlic cloves, minced |
| 1/2 Teaspoon | freshly ground black pepper |
Steps
1
Preheat the Traeger with the lid closed to 225°F; this will take about 15 minutes.
225 ˚F / 107 ˚C
2
Slice the jalapeños into ¼-inch thick rings and spread them out on a wire rack. Place the rack directly on the grill grate and smoke for 25 minutes.
3
Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, preserves, vinegar, garlic, and black pepper.
4
Transfer the smoked jalapeños to the saucepan, then place the pan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally and adjusting the heat so that the mixture is simmering, until syrupy and thick, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a heatproof container. You can use the cowboy candy right away. Cover and refrigerate what you don’t use; it will keep for up to 2 months. Enjoy!
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Smoked Recipes
Stuck on what to smoke on a Traeger? Discover some of our favorite smoked recipes from ribs to salmon.
321 Ribs
Our famously easy 321 ribs will make your rib game the envy of the neighborhood. This super simple recipe takes all the confusion out of making baby back ribs without sacrificing any of the flavor. You'll begin this method by smoking your ribs for 3 hours, then cooking inside foil for 2 hours. Finish by removing your ribs from the foil, brushing on BBQ sauce, and then cook for another hour.
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