These preserved chillies in oil is another must-have in my arsenal of hot sauces and sambals. It’s perfect for jazzing up just about anything!.
Chillies are a beloved ingredient in cuisines around the world. Their heat and flavor can transform dishes from bland to bold. However, fresh chillies have a short shelf life and will only last about a week in the fridge. Preserving chillies is an easy way to enjoy their flavor year-round. There are several methods for preserving chillies at home. With a little time and effort, you can enjoy home preserved chillies for months on end.
Why Preserve Chillies?
There are many great reasons to preserve chillies at home:
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Have chillies on hand anytime Preserved chillies last for months in the pantry or freezer so you always have them when you need them, No more last minute runs to the store!
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Preserve seasonal abundance: Got a bumper crop of chillies from your garden or the farmer’s market? Preserve the bounty so you can enjoy it out of season.
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Customize heat and flavor: Tailor preserved chillies to your preferred level of spiciness and flavor.
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Make great gifts: Home preserved chillies make thoughtful edible gifts for fellow spice lovers.
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Save money Preserving chillies at home costs just a fraction of what you’d pay for store-bought preserved varieties
Drying Chillies
Drying is one of the simplest ways to preserve fresh chillies The process removes moisture, concentrating flavor and heat Dried chillies last for 6 months or longer stored in an airtight container.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to drying chillies at home:
Step 1: Wash and Dry Chillies
Rinse chillies under running water to remove any dirt or debris. Gently pat them dry with paper towels. For hot varieties, wear gloves to avoid skin irritation.
Step 2: Remove Stems and Seeds (Optional)
For milder dried chillies, cut off stems and scrape out seeds and membranes before drying. The majority of a chilli’s heat is concentrated there.
Step 3: Arrange on Drying Racks
Place chillies on cooling racks or wire racks so air can circulate completely around them. Line racks with paper towels to catch any drips.
Step 4: Dry in a Warm, Dry Area
Set racks of chillies in a sunny window, on top of the fridge, or in a food dehydrator. Drying time varies from 2-7 days. Chillies are fully dry when brittle.
Step 5: Store in Airtight Containers
Once chillies are cracker dry, store them in airtight containers in a cool, dark place. Glass jars or resealable plastic bags work well.
Freezing Chillies
Freezing is one of the easiest ways to preserve fresh chillies for 4-6 months while maintaining texture and flavor.
Follow these simple steps:
Step 1: Wash and Dry Chillies
Rinse chillies under running water and pat dry. Remove any damaged or bruised chillies.
Step 2: Slice Larger Chillies
For larger chillies like jalapeños and poblanos, slice open lengthwise and scrape out seeds and membranes (to reduce heat).
Step 3: Spread on Baking Sheet
Arrange chillies in a single layer on a baking sheet or tray lined with parchment paper.
Step 4: Flash Freeze
Place the baking sheet in the freezer for 1-2 hours until chillies are completely frozen.
Step 5: Transfer to Freezer Bags/Containers
Remove rock-hard frozen chillies and transfer to freezer-safe zip top bags or airtight containers. Squeeze out excess air before sealing.
Step 6: Freeze for Up to 6 Months
Store frozen chillies in the freezer where they will keep for 4-6 months.
Pickling Chillies
Pickling preserves chillies in a brine infused with vinegar, salt, and aromatics. It yields plump, flavorful chillies with a tangy crunch. They will keep for up to a year in the fridge.
Here’s how to pickle chillies at home:
Step 1: Prep Chillies
Rinse and dry chillies. For whole pickled chillies, slice a small slit into each. For pickle slices, cut chillies into disks.
Step 2: Make the Pickling Brine
Bring vinegar, water, salt, and sugar (optional) to a boil. You can add other aromatics like garlic, spices, or peppercorns.
Step 3: Pack Jar
Pack washed chillies tightly into clean canning jars leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Pour hot brine over chillies to cover completely.
Step 4: Remove Air Bubbles
Use a chopstick to poke around jar to remove any trapped air bubbles. Add more brine if needed to cover.
Step 5: Seal Jars
Wipe rims clean. Place lids on jars and screw on bands until finger tight.
Step 6: Process in Boiling Water Bath
Submerge sealed jars in a pot of boiling water to process for 10-15 minutes.
Step 7: Cool and Store
Remove jars and allow to cool untouched for 12-24 hours. Store cooled jars in the fridge for up to 1 year.
Preserving in Oil
Covering chillies in oil helps prolong their shelf life. They’ll keep for 2-3 months refrigerated.
Follow these steps:
Step 1: Wash and Dry Chillies
Rinse chillies under running water. Pat them thoroughly dry with paper towels.
Step 2: Roast (Optional)
Roast chillies until blistered and charred to intensify flavor. Broil or grill for best results.
Step 3: Pack Jar
Fill a clean jar with your roasted or fresh chillies, leaving 1 inch of headspace.
Step 4: Cover with Oil
Pour neutral oil like grapeseed or vegetable oil over chillies until fully submerged.
Step 5: Seal and Refrigerate
Secure the lid and store jar in the fridge for 2-3 months. Add oil as needed if it solidifies.
Storing Preserved Chillies
Follow proper storage guidelines to get the maximum shelf life out of your preserved chillies:
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Store dried and pickled chillies in cool, dark pantries or cupboards. Keep away from direct sunlight and heat.
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Refrigerate chillies preserved in oil in the fridge.
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Freeze any chilled preserves that you won’t use within a month or two.
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Look for signs of spoilage like mold, off odors, mushy texture, or fizzing lids before consuming. Discard any jars with issues.
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For best quality and safety, use prepared chillies within their recommended shelf life.
Get Creative with Preserved Chillies
A rainbow of preserved chillies awaits you! Try different varieties and preservation methods to create a spicy pantry you can enjoy in recipes like:
- Salsas, hot sauces, and stir fry sauces
- Chili, stews, and curries
- Tacos, fajitas, and Tex-Mex dishes
- Eggs, pizza, sandwiches, and more!
The possibilities are endless when you learn how to preserve chillies at home. With these simple techniques, you can harness the flavor and heat of fresh chillies no matter what the season. Get creative with preservation and enjoy chillies year-round!
Preserved Chillies in Oil
Making these preserved chillies in oil is a very, very easy process, requiring only a few ingredients. It’s a great way to use up summer produce if you grew your own chilies, no matter what color they are.
This is what we’ll be doing:
Using our Preserved Chillies in Oil
You should know that my fridge is always full of different kinds of chili sauces, oils, and sambals. Most of them as Asian or Middle Eastern, like Zhug, Pilpelchuma, Nam Jim Jaew and Sambal Belacan.
What’s wrong is that I don’t really want those things when I want to spice up a Western meal like pizza, pasta, or stew. So today’s preserved chilies in oil are perfect for when I want to make a “blander” chili dish.
I use it:
- on pizza
- in pasta sauces
- to jazz up stews
- over salads or mixed with salad dressing
- to spike mayonnaise (you knew this was coming, right?)
- for topping bruschetta and similar offerings
These preserved chillies in oil make a great foodie gift too!
Before you open the jar, fill it with food and seal it. It will stay fresh for 6 months. Once opened, store it in the fridge and consume within one month.
The oil will thicken and get a little cloudy, that’s perfectly normal. It’ll clear up once it’s at room temperature.
And that’s about it. Shall we get our aprons on?
If you enjoy the recipe, drop me a comment and let me know. And if you are feeling like a star, don’t forget that 5-star rating! If you make this recipe, post it on Instagram and tag me @azlinbloor and hashtag it #linsfood. Lin xx
3 ways to preserve chillies
FAQ
How do you store chillies for a long time?
Is it better to freeze or dry chillies?
What to do with lots of fresh chilies?
How do you make a chilli preserve?
Salted All you need for this preserve is 2 ingredients, 250g fresh chillies and 40g salt. Simply wash and pat dry your chillies, cut off the tops then roughly chop, keeping the seeds in. Next mix the chopped chillies with 30g salt and place in a sterilised glass jar.
How can one store broccoli and for how many days?
Broccoli can be stored in a cool, dry place for perhaps a week. Then it can be frozen. For this, it is recommended to keep it cooked, either boiled or sautéed.
How do you preserve roasted chillies?
When you’re preserving chillies in olive oil you’ll also want to select a good oil. Using a clean jar place the roasted chillies in the jar and top up with olive oil until it’s completely covered. Seal and store in a cool, dark place. The easiest way to pickle chillies is to clean them first. Wash in salty water.
How do you keep fresh chillies fresh?
Give the salt method a shot. It’s simple: clean and chop up your fresh chillies (seeds included), then mix them with salt. Pop it all in a sterilized glass jar and store it somewhere cool and dry before putting it in the fridge. Dive into the world of oil and vinegar. Pack your chillies into a sterilized jar and cover them with olive oil.
How do you eat preserved chillies in oil?
Here’s how to take your preserved chillies in oil to another level: Throw some tasty herbs into the mix. Think rosemary, thyme, or cilantro – these add a whole new dimension to your chilies and make them even more delicious. Get creative with your preserving methods.
How do you store chilli?
Store in an airtight container whole or use a coffee grinder to produce chilli powder. Alternatively, string up your chillies in a Ristra, as pictured right. Either wrap cotton around the stems of numerous chillies to tie in a long bunch, or thread through the stems with a needle and cotton and hang up in a warm, dry place to dry.