Red Pepper Jam + Goat Cheese Crostini
Serve Red Pepper Jam + Goat Cheese Crostini at your next gathering and watch your guests keep going back for more. There is nothing better than tangy, pungent goat cheese contrasted with this sticky, sweet, and a tad spicy, jam.
Easy Goat Cheese Crostini Topped with Red Pepper Jam
Topped crostini is one of those easy appetizers that everyone seems to love…just like this super quick crab bruschetta! It’s great for a host because, depending on the toppings, they can typically sit out for awhile without the risk of going bad. It can also be quite economical. Set up a toppings bar next to a big basket of crostini and guests can make their own creations with little effort on your part!
Now, I know there are tons of great jams and spreads available at the market. I frequently purchase them myself to incorporate with charcuterie boards. But, making your own is very easy and then you also get bragging rights!
What You Need for Delicious Homemade Red Pepper Jam
Red Bell Peppers — You’ll need 3, or about 1-1/2 pounds of peppers. You could use yellow or orange as well. The sweet peppers will cook down into a brilliant color.
Red Onion — Sweeter than their white or yellow counterparts, they’re perfect for a jam. Although still pungent, the flavor is mellowed through the cooking process.
White Wine Vinegar — With all this sweetness, an acid brings a little balance. White wine vinegar brings a mellow acidity to the party.
Jalapeño — You can omit this if you like, but I appreciate the subtle heat it adds. Control the amount of heat by incorporating all, some or none of the seeds.
Garlic + Thyme — These add flavor and a little more earthiness to the jam.
Making the Jam is So Easy
Not to oversimplify, but all you need to do is chop up your ingredients, then cook them together. It’s that easy.
As you chop the bell peppers, onion, jalapeño and garlic, toss them right into a saucepan. Add white wine vinegar, sugar, fresh thyme and salt. Stir it all together over high heat and wait for it to come to a good boil.
Reduce the heat to a simmer and let it cook, uncovered, for about 1 hour and 30 minutes. You can stir it every so often, just to be sure it’s doing ok.
Once it’s finished cooking, it will have a jammy consistency — thick, sticky and brilliantly red! Transfer it to a jar and allow it to cool. If you’re in a rush, spread it on a plate and pop it in the fridge to cool faster.
Related video: watch how to make red pepper jam in this Instagram Reel!
Time to Assemble the Crostini
Start with your favorite baguette or crusty bread and make thin slices no more than 1/2” thick. Toast them on a sheet pan for 5 to 7 minutes in a 350°F oven.
For easy, spreadable goat cheese, allow it to rest on your counter for half an hour before assembling. Spread some cheese on each crostini, then top with a dollop of jam — a little goes a long way! If you like, pop a tiny sprig of young, tender thyme on each. The flavors mingle into something magical.
Serving Suggestions
Pairings — These Red Pepper Jam + Goat Cheese Crostini pair well with peppered salami or spicy sopressata. Serve it with a crisp sauvignon blanc to balance the sweet richness of this appetizer.
Variations — Not a fan of goat cheese? Substitute whipped feta, creamy burrata or a blend of parmesan and mozzarella melted on the crostini.
For a Cocktail Party — serve these alongside these other scrumptious hors d’oeuvres:
- Crab + Goat Cheese Palmiers
- Spicy Wings with Asian-Whiskey Glaze
- Easy Homemade Hummus (the classic would be great!)
- Cranberry + Brie Donuts
- Bruleed Pear + Whipped Feta Crostini
- White Bean Salad with Spanish Chorizo + Manchego
- Goat + Gouda Pimento Cheese Spread
Red Pepper Jam + Goat Cheese Crostini
Ingredients
- 3 red bell peppers (about 1½ lbs), seeded, diced
- 1 red onion, finely diced
- ¼ cup white wine vinegar
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 jalapeno pepper (optional), finely diced, use none/some/all of the seeds to adjust level of heat
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon kosher
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves , or 3 to 4 sprigs, additional for garnish
- baguette or other crusty bread, cut into thin slices
- goat cheese
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients, except of the bread and goat cheese, into a saucepan over high heat. Give it a good stir and allow it to come to a boil.
- Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for up to 1½ hours until it reaches a thick and jammy consistency. Set aside to cool. If you used whole sprigs of thyme, fish those out and discard.
- Meanwhile, allow goat cheese to rest on the counter for 30 minutes. Toast baguette slices in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes.
- To assemble, spread some goat cheese on a crostini and dollop a bit of red pepper jam on top. Garnish with fresh thyme leaves or tiny sprigs of tender, young thyme.
Notes
Pin for Later to Enjoy Homemade Red Pepper Jam with Goat Cheese Crostini
I could eat goat cheese straight off the knife. So delicious! Great recipe…goat cheese combined with the spice of the peppers plus the crunch of a crostini…yummy!
I know, right! Owning some goats and making cheese is on my bucket list!
This looks like a fabulous thing to serve at a party. I bet it’s a hit. I would love to try it sometime!
Thanks! It’s perfect for grazing + goes a long way.
This was delicious!
❤️
Love this recipe!! Thanks for sharing, I’ll be doing it this weekend!
I love that you made this jam and shared it. I use pepper jam all the time (we invent new ways to use it at home). This recipe is a total winner for me! Using thyme is a new flavor combo, and one I’m sure to love.
If you can get your hands on some baby thyme, it’s lovely and delicate as just a little sprig on top!
These are gorgeous looking – so posh! Definitely something to make with a glass of wine on the side. I love red pepper too, but have never made anything like this so will give this a try soon. Yum!
Thank you! Hope you enjoy…let me know!
Wow, this recipe looks delicious! I enjoy these types of recipes a lot (jam, cheese, and bread). I was surprised by how easy it is to make the jam, too! Oftentimes that can be a difficult task, but it looks very manageable in this case. I can’t wait to try it!
I can’t wait to try this recipe. If I’m honest I’ve never truly made adult appetizers like these. These look super cool and absolutely delicious
I have never heard of red pepper jam before! This sounds like an interesting combo!
Each holiday season, our extended family brings a bunch of appetizers to the different celebrations and there’s ALWAYS a goat cheese and pepper jam combination. I’d LOVE to be the next one to bring something like that – but this sounds SO much better than the pre-made options 😉 I can’t wait to try it out. I know my husband will love it!
I am totally crazy about any appetizers that include goat cheese, so this one is definitely for me! I really like the idea of the pepper jam, and the color is just gorgeous. I can’t wait to serve this at a party.
Red pepper jam and goat cheese are a match made in heaven….and my mouth. So delicious!
That red pepper ham has my mouth watering! These look so tasty and would disappear so quickly!
I was just wondering if anyone has used something like a pita chip or ? Instead of baguette? Any suggestions would be great! Looks delicious!
Great question! My first reaction is that the saltiness of a pita chip might be odd with the goat cheese / jam combo…unless you’re making your own! In that case, that crunch sounds great! But, if you’re looking for a lighter vehicle for the toppings, I’d suggest a simple water cracker or a fruit cracker (like the rosemary & raisin or fig & olive crisps from Trader Joe’s…or anything similar).
Thank you so much! Appreciate it very much!
I love this red pepper jam. Easy to eat it all myself. Came out so delicious and my son and his wife loved it also.
Can I can this in a water bath? I put it in the freezer last time and it was as good as when I first made it.
I thought I could double it by canning it? What do you think?
Hi Sheri…so glad you enjoyed it! (It’s addicting.) Full disclosure, I have NO experience with canning. But, my gut tells me you could definitely double and can it as you would any other jam or jelly. I think it’s a fabulous idea and would love to try it myself. Would definitely make it easier for long term storage…and give away as gifts! Let me know if you try it!
Thank you. I will do that. So delicious
Hi Linda..well I finally got around to canning this in a water bath for 15 minutes and it came out great! I just love this recipe and will continue to make it for friends and family. Thank you so much!!
That’s exciting, Sheri! Happy to hear it worked!