Add Cowboy Candy To Your Next Grilled Cheese For Triple The Flavor

Making the best grilled cheese can be serious business. And though the modern grilled cheese didn't take off until the 1920s — when commercially sliced bread and process cheese made it an affordable household staple — one perfect add-on for your next sandwich carries a classic frontier spirit. It's called cowboy candy — sugared and pickled jalapeño peppers — and each slice adds an incredible amount of flavor to your meal.

If you like the sweet and sour mix of bread and butter pickles, and you can handle a decent hit of spiciness, you'll love cowboy candy. When jalapeños are pickled, the brine can mellow their heat, so you won't just get a blast of intense spiciness. You'll get crunchy, vegetal, and herbaceous notes; some nice tang from the vinegar; plus a hit of sweetness. And it goes with just about any cheese you want to put on your sando. Cheddar or Monterey Jack are classic American options. If you want more nuttiness, you can try Gruyère, or give Havarti a go for some nice buttery flavor that would also be delicious with caramelized onions. And adding some spicy chorizo will make it a full meal. 

The history of cowboy candy begins in the Lone Star State. WHH Ranch, which is based in Texas, claims to be the originator of the condiment and the oldest family-owned cannery in the state. These days, you can order a variety of cowboy candy versions from its website.

If you want to make cowboy candy at home, it's not hard to do on your own. You're going to need a mix of sugar, vinegar, and pickling spices. The mixture will cook down into a thick syrup to give the peppers a nice sugary coating that turns a regular spicy grilled cheese into a masterful mix of flavors. For the spices, you can go the standard route with mustard seeds, celery seeds, and turmeric for the tasty bread and butter pickle style. But a little dried or fresh dill will get you closer to a classic dill pickle flavor, and some chipotle pepper powder will add more smokiness. If you want more of a pungent tang, you can add some apple cider vinegar.

When you're making your cowboy candy grilled cheese, think about what cheeses will blend best with the sweet, spicy, savory flavor. Maybe try a nice sourdough or thick Texas toast, and don't be afraid to try some other protein additions. Turn it into a taco-inspired sandwich with some seasoned ground beef, or use up the leftovers from your rotisserie chicken. Just get that cowboy candy for your next grilled cheese, and from there, you can pile on the flavor.