Refrigerator Pickled Jalapeños

No canning! These easy Refrigerator Pickled Jalapeños are tangy, spicy, and ready in no time. Plus, with so many ways to enjoy them, there are endless possibilities to use them. 

Vinegar poured into jars with sliced jalapenos.


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These Pickled Jalapenos are perfect to use as toppings for tacos, nachos, Bacon Jalapeno Wonton Cups, burgers, Bacon Jalapeno Mac and Cheese, and more! My husband has been known to eat them right from the jar- they're that good. So many awesome ways to enjoy these things! If Dill pickles are more your thing, try these Garlic Jalapeno Dill Refrigerator Pickles.

Why make these pickled jalapenos

Since we aren't pressure canning them or water bath canning them, they really are super simple to make and perfect for beginners looking to make their own pickled peppers. They will keep fine in the refrigerator for about 2 months, that is if they last that long. I add them to my Beef and Bean Taco Cups , nachos, hot dogs, chili, burgers. .

No need to dirty up the kitchen with a bunch of contraptions or whip out the jar lifter and other tools for this quick pickled jalapeño recipe. Plus, if you have your own backyard garden and have a surplus of jalapeño plants growing nicely come harvest time, this is the perfect way to make use of them.

Simple Ingredients

All of the ingredients for these pickled jalapenos.
  • Sliced Jalapeño peppers: Red or green both work.
  • White vinegar: I recommend sticking with white vinegar.
  • Smashed garlic cloves: You could leave these out if you prefer. 
  • Granulated sugar: Helps balance out the vinegar.
  • Salt: I use kosher salt, but table salt will also work.

How to make these pickled jalapenos

Jalapenos being cut into slices, vinegar boiled with garlic and all placed into jars.
  • Step 1: Protect your hands from the jalapeno oils by wearing gloves, rinse peppers, and cut them into thin slices on a cutting board. 
  • Step 2: Add water, vinegar, garlic, salt, and sugar to a medium saucepan. Bring to a rolling boil and whisk to dissolve the sugar. Once dissolved, remove from heat to let cool
  • Step 3: Transfer sliced jalapenos to pint jars. 
  • Step 4: Add the pickling liquid to each jar.
a jar of pickled jalapenos with a lid on it.

Recipe Tips

  • Use fresh, firm jalapeños. Soft or wrinkled peppers won’t pickle as well.
  • Slice your jalapeño slices evenly. This helps them soak up the brine.
  • For best results, enjoy these pickled peppers within 6 months of making them. 
  • Add more sugar or a spoonful of honey for a sweeter brine and to help cut the heat.
  • Toss in sliced onions, whole black peppercorns, mustard seeds, carrot slices, or fresh herbs like dill or oregano to add extra flavor.
  • You can change up this homemade pickled jalapeños recipe a bit by using other types of peppers. Try banana peppers, serranos, or a mix for a colorful jar of peppers.

Recipe Faq's

How soon can I eat them?

They’re tasty after a few hours, but the flavor in my opinion, is best after 24 hours of chilling.

Do I need to boil the jars?

Nope! No need to sterilize the jars. Always clean the jars and make sure they've been rinsed well with hot water before starting. These are quick refrigerator pickles, so no special equipment or hot water bath is needed. You just make the pickled jalapeno slices, cool, and refrigerate.

Can I make these less spicy?

Yes, when cutting the peppers for this easy recipe, remove the seeds and membranes to bring down the heat level. Plus, the sugar mellows out the spiciness anyway. 

A jar of pickled jalapenos with a fork removing one.

Refrigerator Pickled Jalapeños

4.41 from 25 votes
Written By: Wendie
No canning necessary! Refrigerator Pickled Jalapeños are tangy, spicy, and ready in no time. Plus, with so many ways to enjoy them, there are endless possibilities to use them. 
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 3 pint jars

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 pounds Jalapeño Peppers Sliced
  • 2 cups white vinegar
  • 2 cups water
  • 6 cloves garlic smashed
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons kosher salt

Instructions
 

  • Cut jalapenos into thin slices, and use gloves to protect your hands from the oils.
  • In a medium saucepan combine water, vinegar, garlic, salt, and sugar. Bring to a boil whisking until sugar and salt are dissolved about 5 minutes. Remove from heat, let cool 15 minutes.
  • Slice jalapeños and add them to the jars ( I use 3-4 pint jars). Add the pickling juices to the jars, make sure you get some garlic cloves into each jar. Let cool to room temperature then add the id and place in the fridge.
  • Store in the fridge for up to six months.

Notes

Try and wait a couple of days before digging in. A week should give you great flavor.

Nutrition

Serving: 1grams
Did You Make This Recipe?Please leave a comment below or pin it to your Pinterest account!
Course Appetizer, How to
Cuisine Mexican
4.41 from 25 votes (23 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




18 Comments

  1. OMG these are so delicious! I made them last weed and waited for two days to taste them. Since then I've eaten them every day. I'm about to make another batch. They're that good and won't last long in my fridge!

  2. I would wait at least a couple of days for everything to soak in. They get better with time 🙂

  3. I actually combined this recipe with another one, I did away with the sugar and put my jalapeno slices into the brine after it came to boil, brought back to boil, cut off the flame, wait 15 mins then put into jar, set aside till room temp with just a paper towel over the top so no flying fur, hair or dust can get into the jar. We'll see how well it turns out in a couple days. I think it'll be great.

  4. Yes use white vinegar. It depends on what size jars you use. I usually use pint sized jars and get 3-4 jars out of it.

  5. Do you think these would work if u just cut these jalapeños in half , longways? TIA

  6. 5 stars
    These Jalapenos, are wonderful. My husband really LOVES them and I do too. Not too spicy and you can use them in a lot of different recipes. It's a keeper!