Pickled Sausage and Jalapeños

If you’re a fan of bold, zesty flavors with a spicy kick, you’re going to love our Pickled Sausage and Jalapeños. This deliciously tangy and spicy treat is perfect for snacking, topping your favorite dishes, or adding some extra heat to your meals. With a blend of smoky sausage, fresh jalapeños, and a flavorful brine, this recipe is a must-try for any spice lover. Let’s dive into how to make this crowd-pleasing pickled delight!

Ingredients

• 1 pound smoked sausage, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 4-5 fresh jalapeños, sliced
• 2 cups white vinegar
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 2 cloves garlic, smashed
• 1 tablespoon mustard seeds
• 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
• 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
• 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme

Instructions

Step 1: Sterilize the Jars and Lids

1. Boil the jars and lids in water for 10 minutes to sterilize them. This ensures your pickles stay fresh and safe to eat.

Step 2: Prepare the Sausage

1. Cut the smoked sausage into 1-inch pieces. This size is perfect for pickling and snacking.

Step 3: Prepare the Brine

1. In a large pot, combine vinegar, water, sugar, salt, garlic, mustard seeds, fennel seeds, black peppercorns, coriander seeds, paprika, red pepper flakes, bay leaves, and thyme.
2. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring until the sugar and salt are fully dissolved. This brine will infuse your sausage and jalapeños with incredible flavor.

Step 4: Pack the Jars

1. Layer the sausage pieces and sliced jalapeños into the sterilized jars, packing them tightly but leaving enough room for the brine to circulate.

Step 5: Add the Brine

1. Pour the hot brine over the packed ingredients, ensuring they are fully submerged. Leave about 1/2 inch of headspace at the top of each jar.

Step 6: Seal the Jars

1. Wipe the jar rims clean, place the lids on, and screw the bands until fingertip-tight. This will create a proper seal during processing.

Step 7: Process the Jars

1. Submerge the jars in a boiling water bath and process for 10 minutes. This step ensures the pickles are shelf-stable and safe to store.

Step 8: Cool and Store

1. Remove the jars from the water bath, allow them to cool to room temperature, and check for proper sealing. Store in a cool, dark place.

Step 9: Allow Flavors to Develop

1. Let the pickled sausage and jalapeños sit for at least a week before consuming to allow the flavors to fully develop. The wait is worth it!

Prep time | Cooking time | Total time

30 minutes | 10 minutes | 40 minutes + 1 week for flavors to develop

Servings

Approximately 6 servings

Enjoy Your Pickled Delight!

This **Pickled Sausage and Jalapeños** recipe is the perfect combination of tangy, spicy, and savory flavors. It’s great for adding a zesty kick to your meals or enjoying as a flavorful snack. We hope you love this pickled treat as much as we do! Don’t forget to share your creations with us on social media or in the comments below.