If you have never canned before, you should start with this recipe because it is one of the simplest. The peppers are canned using a hot water bath method. This eliminates the need for a pressure canner.
How to Can Banana Pepper Rings
The first thing you need to know is that not all banana peppers are the same. Sweet banana peppers and fiery banana peppers may seem alike, but they taste very different.
One is sweet, while the other is spicy, just as their names suggest.
Banana pepper rings can be canned in the same way regardless of the kind.
When preparing with spicy banana peppers, We strongly advise cutting the peppers with gloves on. Because if you don’t, your hands will be sore for days.
The first step is to thinly slice your banana peppers, cutting them into 1/4-1/2 inch slices. If you like your pepper rings super thin, We recommend using a mandoline slicer.
Next, in a medium-sized sauce pan, bring the vinegar and water, along with the pickling salt, to a boil over high heat.
Fill the Jars
In each sterilized, warm half-pint canning jar, add in half a clove of garlic, 1 1/2 teaspoons of mustard seed (optional), and 3/4 teaspoon of celery seed (optional). Because the spices have no effect on the safety of the canning recipe, they can be skipped if preferred.
Next, fill each jar halfway with cut banana pepper rings, allowing 1/2 inch headspace.
Pour the hot brine into each jar, slightly covering the top of the peppers. To expel any air bubbles, use a plastic utensil and slide it along the interior of the jars.
Make sure to leave at least a half-inch headspace for the jars to seal properly. After wiping the rim, put on the lid and ring and secure them with your fingers.
Lift each jar into a hot water bath canner using a jar lifter. Add water to the jars until the water level is 2 inches above the jars’ rims. Put the lid on and heat until the water is boiling.
Instructions for Canning in a Hot Water Bath
The timer should be set for 10 minutes after the water has boiled (adjusting for altitude as necessary).
The canner should be removed from the heat once the timer has rung. Wait another 10 minutes before removing the jars of banana pepper rings from the water.
Place the jars on a thick towel after removing them with the jar lifter. Let the jars cool for 24 hours before checking to see if they’ve sealed.
If you push on the middle of the jar and the lid moves, the jars did not seal. Put those jars in the refrigerator right now. You can keep the jars for up to 18 months in a cold, dark place.
Enjoy!