A Hot Take: The Top 5 Peppers for Perfect Canning And Pickling

Peppers come in all sizes, shapes, and colors, and range from sweet to fiery hot. Different kinds of peppers can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads to sandwiches to pizza toppings.

But did you know that peppers are also great for canning and pickling? In this article, we'll introduce 5 kinds of peppers great for canning and pickling!

 

 Banana Pepper 

What does a banana pepper look like?

Banana peppers are medium-sized peppers, 4 to 6 inches long. This type of pepper is usually yellow or green but can mature to orange or red.

 

Why does banana pepper good for canning and pickling?

Banana peppers are sweet and mild, making them a great choice for pickling. They are typically harvested when they are yellow or green and can be pickled whole, sliced, or stuffed with cheese, sausage, or other ingredients.

Banana peppers can be processed in a water bath canner and are delicious on sandwiches, in salads, or as a snack.

How hot is a banana pepper?

SHU (Scoville Heat Units): 0 – 500

 

 Jalapeño Pepper 

What does a Jalapeño pepper look like?

Jalapeño peppers are thick-walled, medium-sized pepper. Most are 2-3 inches long, but some jalapeños are up to 6 inches long. They are usually harvested when green but will mature to red.

Why does Jalapeño pepper good for canning and pickling?

Jalapeños are firm and hold up well in pickling solutions. They have a medium heat level, making them a popular choice for spicy pickled vegetables.

Jalapeños can be pickled whole, sliced, or stuffed and can be added to sandwiches or used as toppings for nachos or burgers.

How hot is a jalapeño pepper?

SHU (Scoville Heat Units): 2,500 - 6,000

 

Cherry Pepper

What does a Cherry Pepper look like?

Cherry peppers have small, uniform pods, averaging 2 to 7 centimeters in both diameter and length and are round to slightly ovate in shape and attached to dark green, fibrous stems.

Why does Cherry pepper good for canning and pickling?

Cherry peppers are small and round, making them a great choice for pickling whole. They can also be sliced and pickled with other ingredients to create a spicy and flavorful condiment.

Cherry peppers are traditionally stuffed with cheese or vegetables and are pickled in vinegar and salt solutions. They make a great addition to antipasto trays and salads.

How hot is a Cherry Pepper?

SHU (Scoville Heat Units): 2,500 - 6,000

 

Hungarian wax pepper

What does a Hungarian wax pepper look like?

Hungarian wax peppers are similar in appearance to banana peppers, creamy yellow, and elongated in shape. They're red-orange when fully ripe but most often used at the yellow stage.

Why does Hungarian wax pepper good for canning and pickling?

Hungarian wax peppers are usually harvested when they are yellow or red and have a mild to medium heat level. They are great for pickling or canning whole, sliced, or stuffed.

Hungarian wax peppers can be pickled in vinegar and salt solutions or canned in a water bath canner. They are delicious on sandwiches, in salads, or as a pizza topping.

How hot is a Hungarian wax pepper? 

SHU (Scoville Heat Units): 5,000 - 15,000

 

Anaheim pepper

What does Anaheim pepper look like?

Anaheim peppers are medium-sized pepper about 6-10 inches long. They ripen from green to red.

Why does Anaheim pepper good for canning and pickling?

Anaheim peppers are mild to medium in heat and have a thin skin, making them great for roasting and pickling. They have a sweet and slightly earthy flavor and can be pickled whole, sliced, or roasted and added to salsas and salads.

Anaheim peppers are traditionally used in Mexican cuisine and are also great for stuffing with cheese or meat before pickling.

How hot is the Anaheim pepper?

SHU (Scoville Heat Units): 500 - 2500

 

Peppers are a great addition to any garden, and with the right varieties, you can enjoy them all year round through canning and pickling. Banana peppers, jalapeños, and cherry peppers are just a few of the many garden pepper varieties that can be pickled or canned for later use.

So why not try growing some of these varieties in your garden this year and enjoy the fruits of your labor for months to come?