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A tantalizing blend of sweet and spicy, this Jezebel Sauce Recipe is the South’s go-to condiment, perfect for enhancing pork, chicken, or even a humble block of cream cheese on crackers!
You’ll also want to bookmark these recipes for cheesy smoked Gouda fritters and oven roasted herbed pork tenderloin to enjoy with sweet and fiery Jezebel Sauce!
Table of Contents
Meet the Sauce That Changed the South
Emerging along the Gulf Coast in the 1950s, Jezebel Sauce quickly became a cherished staple in Southern kitchens. Its intriguing name, borrowed from a biblical queen known for her fiery disposition, hints at the sauce’s spirited kick!
What Makes Jezebel Sauce a Southern Classic
- Balance of Flavors: The combination of sweet pineapple preserves and apple jelly with zesty horseradish and dry mustard creates a harmonious blend that’s both sweet and spicy.
- Versatility: This sauce complements a variety of dishes including as a glaze for ham, a dipping sauce for shrimp and chicken, or slathered over a block of cream cheese for eating with crackers.
- Ease of Preparation: With readily available pantry ingredients and a simple mixing process, this recipe is both quick and straightforward.
Ingredients for Perfect Jezebel Sauce
To prepare this flavorful sauce, you’ll need only six ingredients.
- jarred apple jelly
- jarred pineapple preserves
- medium heat prepared horseradish
- dry mustard
- black pepper
- crushed red pepper
See the recipe card below for full ingredient information and quantities.
Variations
- Fruit Preserves: Substitute pineapple preserves with peach or apricot preserves for a slightly different taste.
- Heat Level: Adjust the amount of horseradish and crushed red pepper to control the spiciness to your preference.
- Mustard: Use Dijon mustard in place of dry mustard for a milder flavor.
How to Make Jezebel Sauce
Gather and measure all of the ingredients before you begin.
1
Combine Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together a 5-ounce jar of apple jelly, a 5-ounce jar of pineapple preserves, 1/3 cup prepared horseradish, a teaspoon and a half of dry mustard, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper until smooth.
2
Refrigerate
Transfer the mixture to an airtight container or jar and refrigerate overnight or until ready to serve.
Recipe FAQs
Jezebel sauce is a versatile Southern condiment perfect for glazing ham, pork tenderloin, or chicken wings, serving as a dip for shrimp and crackers, or spreading on sandwiches and cheese platters. It also works as a marinade or a tangy topping for cream cheese. Its bold sweet and spicy flavor makes it a must-try.
Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, Jezebel Sauce can last up to two weeks.
Yes, Jezebel sauce can be canned using the water bath canning method, even without vinegar, due to the acidity from the fruit preserves. Properly sealed jars can be stored at room temperature for up to 12–18 months.
Freezing is not recommended as it may alter the texture and flavor of the sauce.
Serving Jezebel Sauce
Serve this lively sauce over a block of cream cheese accompanied by crackers for an easy appetizer. Glaze a ham, serve as a dipping sauce for fried chicken or wings, a marinade for shrimp, or as an island-inspired topping on a classic pimento cheese cheeseburger or crispy chicken sandwich. It’s also delightful drizzled over roasted pork tenderloin, adding a zesty flavor profile most eaters find unexpectedly intriguing.
Drink Pairings: A crisp pilsner or light wheat beer complements the sweet and spicy notes of Jezebel Sauce without overwhelming its flavor. For wine lovers, a chilled Riesling or Gewürztraminer provides a sweet contrast that balances the sauce’s heat. If cocktails are more your style, a classic mojito with refreshing mint and lime offers a cooling effect against the sauce’s spiciness.
Expert Tips
- Smooth Consistency: Ensure all ingredients are thoroughly mixed for a uniform texture.
- Flavor Development: Despite being ready to consume immediately, allowing the sauce to refrigerate overnight enhances the melding of flavors, resulting in a more robust flavor profile.
- Serving Suggestion: For best flavor, bring the sauce to room temperature before serving.
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Jezebel Sauce, The Sweet & Spicy Southern Favorite
Ingredients
- 1 5-ounce jar apple jelly
- 1 5-ounce jar pineapple preserves
- 1/3 cup prepared horseradish, medium heat, more to taste
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dry mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper, more to taste
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine the apple jelly, pineapple preserves, horseradish, dry mustard, black pepper, and crushed red pepper. Using a whisk, stir vigorously until the mixture is completely smooth and well blended, ensuring the flavors meld together for the perfect balance of sweetness and heat.1 5-ounce jar apple jelly, 1 5-ounce jar pineapple preserves, 1/3 cup prepared horseradish, 1 1/2 teaspoons dry mustard, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- Pour the mixture into an airtight container or jar and place it in the refrigerator. While the sauce can be used immediately, allowing it to chill overnight helps the flavors meld together, resulting in a more balanced and robust taste.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Dear sweet Jenny,
THANK YOU! I had placed this luscious everything sauce way back in the recesses of my mind! It is delicious on absolutely everything! You’re my today’s heroine!
Nikki, RIGHT?? I always forget about this sauce and then I have an epiphany and serve it and say to myself, ‘I have to pop this up on NEA one of these days!’ Here ’tis! Soooo good 😉 Jenny