If you’ve been following along with Hey! I Can Do That, you know my garden has been showing off this year! We’ve made spaghetti sauce, pizza sauce, and pickled jalapeños — and now, we’re putting even the scraps to good use with this Jalapeño Simple Syrup.
This recipe is a great way to make sure nothing goes to waste. For this post, I used jalapeño tips and tops left over from my Pickled Jalapeño Pepper Post (you can find that recipe here).
And if you don’t grow your own peppers, don’t worry! You can freeze your jalapeño ends and scraps as you cook throughout the year, then pull them out when you have enough to equal about one jalapeño.
It’s really quite simple — just like the name implies!
Note: My pictures show a doubled recipe since I had plenty of scraps on hand.
🍳 What You’ll Need
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 jalapeño, sliced – or the scraps (tips, tops, and insides) from one jalapeño
Optional flavor add-ins:
- A squeeze of lime juice
- A few mint leaves for a refreshing twist
🔥 How to Make Jalapeño Simple Syrup
- Combine ingredients:
Add water, sugar, and jalapeño scraps to a small saucepan. Stir gently until the sugar is completely dissolved. - Heat and remove:
Once the syrup begins to bubble lightly, remove it from the heat and allow it to cool completely. - Strain and store:
Once cool, pour the mixture through a fine sieve strainer to remove the jalapeño pieces.
Store the syrup in a mason jar or another heat-safe bottle. - Refrigerate:
Keep it in the fridge for 2–3 weeks — if it lasts that long!
🍹 Ways to Use Jalapeño Simple Syrup
This syrup adds the perfect sweet heat to all kinds of dishes and drinks:
- Stir it into margaritas, lemonades, or iced tea
- Brush it over grilled pineapple, chicken, or shrimp
- Drizzle over cream cheese and crackers for a quick appetizer
- Mix with lime juice and salt for a spicy-sweet cocktail rim
- Add a splash to glazes or salad dressings for an extra kick
🌶️ From Garden to Glass
I love recipes that use every bit of what we grow — nothing wasted and everything delicious.
This Jalapeño Simple Syrup is one of those “Hey! I Can Do That!” moments that turns leftovers into something you’ll want to make again and again.
It pairs perfectly with my Pickled Jalapeño Brine Recipe if you want to keep the spice train rolling!
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