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    Home » Recipes » Side Dishes

    Easy Refrigerator Pickled Jalapenos

    First Published: May 27, 2022 . Last Modified: January 4, 2025 lisa12 Comments This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe
    pickled jalapenos with text overlay for pinterest

    Refrigerator pickled jalapenos are easy and take only minutes to make. There is no canning involved, and they keep in the fridge for several months. Sweet and spicy pickled jalapenos are perfect for putting on burgers, tacos, sandwiches, salads and more.

    Refrigerator pickled jalapenos in mason jars.

    I am a big fan of refrigerator pickles. My fear of canning has driven me to perfect the art of creating pickles made in brine and stored in the refrigerator.

    Whenever I have a bag of pickling cucumbers, I make several jars of my Sweet and Spicy Refrigerator Pickles. They taste so much better than store bought, and my family cannot get enough of them.

    In the late summer, a single jalapeno plant can almost explode overnight, leaving us with an abundance of peppers. It's the perfect time to grab a few mason jars and make these easy refrigerator pickled jalapenos. The process takes just a few minutes, and I can give them as gifts to all my friends.

    Even if you aren't growing jalapenos, they are inexpensive and readily available at the store. You can save money by making a jar of refrigerator pickled jalapenos instead of buying them.

    Ingredients

    Ingredients for how to make pickled jalapenos.
    • Jalapeno Peppers – sliced into rings. If you want them less spicy then remove the seeds.
    • Water
    • White Vinegar – While you can use apple cider vinegar, it can discolor the final product. The vinegar is the base of the "brine" or pickling liquid.
    • White Sugar – Adds a little sweetness. You can use honey or monk fruit if you prefer.
    • Garlic – a few whole peeled garlic cloves for flavor.
    • Sea Salt – Sea salt and kosher salt do not contain iodine or anti-caking agents. Do not substitute table salt.

    See recipe card for quantities.

    How to Pickle Jalapenos

    Sliced jalapenos on a cutting board.
    1. Peel the garlic cloves and slice the jalapeno peppers into rings.
    A sauce pan with sliced peppers, garlic, sugar, salt, vinegar and water.

    2. Combine the peppers and garlic in a saucepan with the water, vinegar, sugar and salt. Bring to a boil, then immediately cool for 10 minutes.

    Pouring brine into a jar of pickled jalapenos.

    3. Use a slotted spoon to scoop the sliced jalapenos into jars. Cover with the pickling liquid.

    Top view of a jar of pickled pepper slices.

    4. Cover and store in the fridge for 24 hours to chill. Consume within 1 to 2 months.

    See recipe card for full instructions.

    Hint: This will make enough for two jars. Divide the garlic evenly between the jars to continue to impart flavor.

    Substitutions

    • Peppers - Jalapenos typically have a milder spice level. You can experiment with different types of peppers for mild to super spicy pickled peppers.
    • Sugar - If using white sugar is a concern, you can use honey, maple syrup or monk fruit sweetener in place of the sugar. It may alter the final color of the peppers though.

    Variations

    These pickled peppers are already fun to eat, but here are a few suggestions to personalize this recipe.

    • Spicy - Use serrano or habanero peppers instead of jalapenos.
    • Colorful - Use several kinds of peppers in various colors for a beautiful jar of pickled peppers.
    • Kid friendly - Use mild banana peppers.
    • Herby – Add fresh herbs such as dill or thyme to the jars for even more flavor.

    Equipment for Pickling Jalapenos

    You will need two pint-sized mason jars and lids for this recipe. Since this is just a refrigerator pickle and you will not be water bath canning, you can reuse a clean lid.

    two jars of jalapenos

    Storage

    These pickles should be stored in the fridge. You can keep them for 1 to 2 months. I make them in small batches, so we eat them up before they need to be tossed.

    Top tip

    When you have an abundance of jalapeno peppers in your garden, these pickled peppers make an amazing gift. This recipe is easy to double or triple.

    Serving Suggestions

    Refrigerator pickled jalapenos are spicy with a touch of sweetness. They are perfect for snacking on and taste great on a cracker smeared with cream cheese. You can pile them on nachos, burgers and tacos. Here are a few suggestions if you want to pair them up with something.

    • Grill The Perfect Burger for your BBQ!
    • Chicken Fajita Skillet Tacos
    • How to make Spicy Shrimp Tacos with Cilantro Slaw
    • Chili Cheese Dogs from Recipes from a Pantry

    FAQs

    Are jalapenos spicy?

    Jalapenos peppers are generally considered mildly spicy but can vary in their heat level depending on the time of the year and the growing conditions. Removing the seeds and ribs can tone down overly spicy peppers.

    How long do homemade pickled jalapenos last in the fridge?

    Vinegar and salt are natural preservatives without going through the canning process. These quick pickled jalapenos will keep in the fridge for about 2 months.

    Can I eat them immediately after making them?

    Yes, you can but they are best after they have been sitting in the pickling liquid for 24 hours.

    jars of jalapenos with text overlay for pinterest

    If you like these homemade Pickled Jalapenos, please leave a 5-star rating.

    RECIPE

    Print Recipe Pin Recipe SaveSaved!
    5 from 8 votes

    Easy Refrigerator Pickled Jalapenos

    These sweet heat jalapenos slices are easy to make and go great on burgers, sandwiches and salads.
    Prep Time10 minutes mins
    Cook Time5 minutes mins
    cooling time30 minutes mins
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 12 servings
    Calories: 24kcal

    Equipment

    • 1 medium sauce pan
    • 2 mason jars with lids

    Ingredients

    • 6 jalapeno peppers, sliced
    • 1 ¼ cup water
    • 1 ¼ cup white vinegar
    • ¼ cup white sugar
    • 4 cloves garlic, peeled
    • 1 tablespoon sea salt

    Instructions

    • Slice jalapenos and remove seeds if desired.
    • Combine the water, vinegar, sugar, garlic, salt, and sliced jalapenos in a medium pot on medium to high heat. Mix all the ingredients until the sugar and salt are dissolved. Once it begins to boil immediately remove from heat and set aside for 10 minutes.
    • Place the jalapenos into the mason jars and then pour the juice over the jalapenos. Allow the jars to cool for 20 minutes.
    • Store in the refrigerator. The jalapenos will be ready to eat in 24 hours. They can be kept fresh in the fridge for about 1 to 2 months.
       

    Nutrition

    Calories: 24kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 584mg | Potassium: 22mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 76IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 1mg

    Thanks for stopping by! Subscribe to Jersey Girl Cooks if you would like more recipes and cooking tips sent to your email. You can also order my Super Easy Cookbook for Beginners and follow me on social media - Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.

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    Comments

    1. Erin says

      September 03, 2022 at 2:28 pm

      5 stars
      10/10 for taste!!! But fair warning, good ventilation is needed! LOL

      Reply
      • lisa says

        September 04, 2022 at 11:40 am

        Glad you liked them! Jalaepenos can be weird with heat. Some can be hotter than others..lol.

        Reply
    2. Marta says

      April 01, 2024 at 2:57 pm

      5 stars
      Love that these pickled jalapeños are so easy to make. We top our nachos and hot dogs with them all the time.

      Reply
    3. Yu says

      April 02, 2024 at 12:31 am

      5 stars
      My husband loves these pickled jalapenos; they are always his "must-have" on his hamburger.:) I made this earlier this evening, and the cooking process was easy! Thank you for posting this delicious recipe!

      Reply
    4. Bernice says

      April 03, 2024 at 4:46 pm

      You know, I used to make batches and batches of pickles but now that the kids are on their own, no one eats them. I'm going to start making smaller batches of refrigerator pickles for just the two of us. I would love to try these jalapenos on a banh mi sandwich or on nachos!!

      Reply
    5. veenaazmanov says

      April 04, 2024 at 9:53 pm

      5 stars
      I am already drooling. This is so easy to make and perfect to have a bottle in my Refrigerator. I love the combination you mentioned to enjoying these pickled Jalapenos.

      Reply
    6. DK says

      April 05, 2024 at 4:26 am

      5 stars
      Yes - I love these pickled jalapenos! I put them on burgers and pizzas and they are always delicious!

      Reply
    7. Dennis says

      April 06, 2024 at 7:50 am

      5 stars
      Your pickled jalapenos were easy to make and were the perfect addition to my chicken nachos! Thanks for sharing your recipe.

      Reply
    8. Veronika says

      April 06, 2024 at 1:22 pm

      Love these! I always buy them but they're so easy to make. I often make quick pickled red onions and these jalapenos were just as easy!

      Reply
    9. Leslie says

      April 06, 2024 at 3:23 pm

      5 stars
      This pickled jalepenos recipe was way easier than I had anticipated! I love that I can store these for 1-2 months..so perfect!

      Reply
    10. Jacqueline Debono says

      April 07, 2024 at 4:47 am

      5 stars
      I used to buy ready pickled jalapenos but making them myself is so much better. So glad I found your recipe!

      Reply
    11. Sharon says

      April 09, 2024 at 11:44 am

      I love the balance of heat and tanginess, and the fact that I can make them at home is a game-changer.

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Lisa

    I love creating recipes and cooking for my family and friends. It's great to bring everyone to my kitchen to talk, laugh and eat. I also like to spread my love for cooking to others. So grab an apron and let's do it together. I promise my recipes will be easy and delicious!

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