Smoked Cowboy Candy
Smoky candied jalapeños made with brown sugar, apricot preserves, honey, and apple cider vinegar. The jalapeños are smoked first, then simmered in a sticky sweet-and-spicy glaze.
Equipment
- Smoker Preheated to 250°F
- Wire Rack For smoking the sliced jalapeños
- Saucepan For making the glaze and simmering the jalapeños
- Heat-Safe Glass Jars For cooling and refrigerated storage
Ingredients
Smoked Cowboy Candy
- 3 lbs fresh jalapeños sliced into 1/4-inch thickness
- 2 cups Light brown sugar
- 18 oz apricot preserves
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp Coarse black pepper
- 2 tbsp Minced garlic
Instructions
- Slice the Jalapeños: Slice the jalapeños into even rounds, about 1/4-inch thick. Leave the seeds and membranes intact for more heat.
- Arrange on a Wire Rack: Spread the jalapeño slices across a wire rack in a single layer. This allows to circulate around the slices and makes transferring them on and off the smoker easier.
- Smoke the Jalapeños: Preheat the smoker to 250°F. Smoke the jalapeños for 45 minutes, rotating the wire rack as needed if your smoker has hot spots. They should be slightly softened but still hold their shape.
- Make the Glaze: Add the light brown sugar, apricot preserves, apple cider vinegar, honey, minced garlic, and black pepper to a saucepan over low heat. Cook for 5-10 minutes, stirring until the sugar dissolves and the glaze comes together. Add the smoked jalapeños and stir to coat.
- Simmer the Cowboy Candy: Simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. The jalapeños should become tender while still holding their shape, and the glaze should become thick, glossy, and sticky.
- Jar and Refrigerate: Transfer the cowboy candy and glaze to clean, heat-safe jars. Let cool for about 10-15 minutes before covering, then refrigerate. For the best flavor, chill overnight before serving.
Notes
Yield: About 3 pint jars. Nutrition information is estimated per 2-tablespoon serving.
Nutrition
Calories: 71kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 0.4gFat: 0.1gSaturated Fat: 0.03gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.03gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.01gSodium: 8mgPotassium: 95mgFiber: 1gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 328IUVitamin C: 35mgCalcium: 14mgIron: 0.2mg
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