Trader Joe’s is a popular grocery store chain known for its unique, affordable products. With over 500 stores across the United States, Trader Joe’s offers a wide selection of grocery items, prepared foods, and household products. One type of product that Trader Joe’s is known for is their jellies and jams. In particular, many customers wonder if Trader Joe’s sells hot pepper jelly.
What is Hot Pepper Jelly?
Hot pepper jelly is a sweet and spicy condiment made from peppers, sugar, vinegar, and pectin. Some of the most popular types of peppers used to make hot pepper jelly include jalapeño, habanero, and Serrano peppers. The jelly has a bright, sweet flavor paired with a slow, lingering heat from the peppers.
Hot pepper jelly is versatile and can be used in many ways:
- Served alongside cream cheese and crackers as an appetizer
- Used to glaze meat like chicken or pork before cooking
- Stirred into a vinaigrette or salad dressing
- Spread on sandwiches in place of traditional condiments like mustard or mayo
- Swirled into dips and cheese balls
- Topping for baked brie
- Served with goat cheese
The balance of sweet and heat makes hot pepper jelly a unique condiment. It adds flavorful kick to many dishes and snacks.
Hot Pepper Jelly at Trader Joe’s
The good news is yes, Trader Joe’s does sell hot pepper jelly! They carry a few different varieties at various times throughout the year. Some of the hot pepper jellies that can be found at Trader Joe’s include:
Trader Joe’s Habanero Pepper Jelly
This jelly combines habanero peppers along with red bell peppers for a tasty blend of heat and sweetness. Habanero peppers rate 100,000-350,000 on the Scoville scale so they provide a good amount of spiciness. The jelly has a gorgeous orange-red color.
Trader Joe’s Spicy Pepper Jelly
Trader Joe’s Spicy Pepper Jelly brings the heat with a blend of habanero, jalapeño, and red Fresno peppers. Reviewers describe this jelly as very hot but with an addictive, fruity flavor.
Trader Joe’s Scotch Bonnet Pepper Jelly
This jelly features the exotic Scotch bonnet pepper which originates from the Caribbean islands. Scotch bonnets range from 100,000 to 350,000 Scoville units making this jelly extremely hot. The jelly has a tropical flavor profile.
Trader Joe’s Green Tomato and Serrano Pepper Jelly
This unique jelly combines tart green tomatoes and hot serrano peppers. It has a nice blend of sweet and heat. The serrano chili peppers used range from 10,000 to 23,000 Scoville units.
Nutrition Information
Trader Joe’s hot pepper jellies are flavorful condiments but they do contain sugar and sodium like other jellies and jams. Here is the nutrition information per 2 tablespoon serving for two popular varieties:
Trader Joe’s Habanero Pepper Jelly
| Calories | Total Fat | Sodium | Total Carbs | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 70 | 0g | 125mg | 18g | 0g |
Trader Joe’s Scotch Bonnet Pepper Jelly
| Calories | Total Fat | Sodium | Total Carbs | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60 | 0g | 85mg | 16g | 0g |
As you can see, both varieties provide about 60-70 calories per serving and 16-18 grams of carbohydrates, coming mostly from natural sugars in the peppers and added sugar. The sodium content ranges from 85-125mg per serving.
While hot pepper jelly does contain sugar and sodium, the small serving size of 2 tablespoons makes it easy to incorporate into a healthy diet when used moderately. The jelly can add lots of flavor and heat for few calories.
Prices of Trader Joe’s Hot Pepper Jellies
Here are the current prices for Trader Joe’s hot pepper jellies:
| Hot Pepper Jelly Variety | Price |
|---|---|
| Habanero Pepper Jelly | $3.49 |
| Spicy Pepper Jelly | $3.49 |
| Scotch Bonnet Pepper Jelly | $3.99 |
| Green Tomato and Serrano Pepper Jelly | $3.49 |
The prices range from $3.49 to $3.99 per jar. The jellies are sold in 10 ounce jars. This is very affordable compared to other gourmet jellies and jams, which can cost $5-10 for a similar sized jar.
Trader Joe’s hot pepper jellies provide great value. You get a high quality, flavorful condiment at a bargain price compared to alternatives. The jars also make nice gifts for fellow spicy food lovers.
How to Use Trader Joe’s Hot Pepper Jellies
Trader Joe’s hot pepper jellies are extremely versatile. Here are some creative ways to use up a jar of this flavorful condiment:
Cheese Board
A cheese board is a perfect place to feature hot pepper jelly. Try pairing it with creamy goat cheese, sharp cheddar, or mild ricotta. The sweet and spicy jelly complements the salty cheese wonderfully. Add crackers, nuts, and dried fruit for a well-rounded cheese board.
Meat Glaze
Use hot pepper jelly as a glaze for chicken, pork, or beef before cooking.Brush the jelly on raw meat then bake, grill, or pan fry. The sweet and spicy coating gives amazing caramelized flavor.
Cream Cheese Spread
Mix a few tablespoons of hot pepper jelly into a block of softened cream cheese. Spread on bagels, toast, or biscuits for a sweet and spicy breakfast or snack.
Salad Dressing
Whisk 1 part hot pepper jelly with 2 parts extra virgin olive oil and the juice from half a lemon. Toss with mixed greens, carrots, chickpeas, and avocado for a flavorful salad.
Grilled Cheese
Spread hot pepper jelly on sourdough bread before adding cheese to make an amazing grilled cheese sandwich.
Dip
Stir hot pepper jelly into Greek yogurt or mayonnaise to liven up boring dips. It also pairs well with artichokes, spinach, and other vegetables for a unique chip dip.
Conclusion
In summary, yes Trader Joe’s does sell several varieties of tasty and affordable hot pepper jelly. Their hot pepper jellies provide the perfect combination of sweet flavor and spicy heat. They can be used in many ways like on cheese boards, as a meat glaze, or stirred into dips and dressings. Hot pepper jelly is a versatile condiment that adds a kick of flavor for just a few calories per serving. Next time you visit Trader Joe’s, consider grabbing a jar of hot pepper jelly to spice up meals and snacks.