Some of our most beloved Southern Sauces are as smooth as satin, others are cool as seersucker on a summer day. Then- there are Southern Sauces that are as hot as the devil’s back doorknob! Now, I’m not talking hot sauce in a shaker bottle- there’s one Classic Southern Sauce which stands out from the rest- it’s so mysteriously heated- who knows the original might have been conjured up in black cauldrons amongst gnarled roots in a swamp! If you look for any recipe for Jezebel Sauce– It hides out in the delicate pages of Junior League cookbooks from sea soaked southern cities, Charleston to Savannah, Mobile and all the way over to New Orleans.
‘She’s mean as the devil – deceptively sweet with a murderous combination of horseradish and dry mustard that hits every tastebud in its wake.’ Yes, that’s Jezebel Sauce alright!
This Classic Southern Hot Sauce is so scandalous that genteel southern ladies have refused to even call it by wicked name of Jezebel. Disguised with gentle names like ‘Mustard Sauce for Ham’ or ‘Miss Lida’s Wild Boar Sauce’, the recipes rarely call it Jezebel Sauce! Well, I’m here to name names darlin’ and I’m gonna give you the basic recipe. I will repeat this again- just don’t be fooled by it’s sweet mild looks- it’s got a real kick!
Just know that any southern cook worth her salt will either have a change of heart, decide it needs a bit of this or that- and not even have the decency to tell you the precise measurements! If you ask me, they’re real Jezebels! Now, if you think that’s awful, try looking for Classic Southern Jezebel in modern cookbooks! This killer sauce might go by different or more suitable names for public consumption but don’t be fooled! And please remember this is a not a mild mannered sauce! Here’s how you make –
Classic Southern Jezebel Sauce
- 18 ounces of Apple Jelly
- 18 ounces of Pineapple Preserves
- 1 small can of Dry Mustard ( I use Coleman’s)
- 1 small jar of prepared Horseradish
- 1 Tablespoon Of Fresh Cracked Pepper (or less)
Combine all ingredients until blended well. Put in pint jars tightly sealed. Refrigerate. * Keeps indefinitely.
Please note: You must use dry mustard, not that yellow stuff for hot dogs! Even our own recipe is not precise… I have used 12 ounces of pineapple preserves and 6 ounces of apricot preserves. Now, don’t go using horseradish sauce, use prepared horseradish found in the chilled section of your seafood market with the grated texture you’re looking for and higher flavor.
Part of the fun of Jezebel Sauce is watching folks eat it for the first time- they taste the sweetness, then the heat of it moves all the way up- raises the eyebrows, then you’ll hear the whoosh of a sigh as it singes moustaches and often causes watering eyes! Don’t worry, they’ll survive… It’s hot but pleasantly so! And you can always adjust the black pepper! Hysterical. Most recipes say- ‘Cracked Pepper to taste.’ Really? After a full jar of horseradish and half a can of hot dry mustard, you’re feeling guilty about the amount of black pepper? Shut the door, keep out the devil!
I’m still convinced Jezebel Sauce was originally made in cauldrons among the roots in a murky swamp! It could be true. Looks right at home to me…What about that killer phrase? ‘Keeps indefinitely.’ Yet, it really does! Kept chilled there’s no worry and it’s so delicious, you won’t keep it long!
So…what does Jezebel Sauce go with? it’s great with-
- Ham, Roast Pork, Beef or Wild Game.
- It would be amazing to baste a ham with Jezebel Sauce before baking!
- Some say it’s wonderful on black eyed peas.
- Others serve it on Cocktail Buffets over a block of cream cheese.
- Jezebel Sauce is a teaser on thimble size Sausage Biscuits or a sliver of ham in a soft tiny yeast roll for Brunch.
- You might also recognize a similar sauce in a milder form served with Coconut Shrimp. Turn the heat up and this Jezebel is deceptively good as a dipping sauce for fried chicken, and of course with fried fish and seafood of all types!
Jezebel Sauce is a Classic Southern Hot Sauce which is great for gift giving and always unforgettable. Our recipe makes a full quart- so there’s plenty to share. It’s one of those Southern recipes that’s a true secret sauce. You really need to try it at least once in your life. An easy no-cook mixture and a truly memorable Classic Southern Hot Sauce. Oh me! Talking about Jezebel has me feeling a bit guilty myself!
Love y’all, Camellia
* This is not a compensated post. And! All photographs are obviously mine! This post was derived from a blog post we did several years ago- it has been edited and updated a bit- enjoy! * Jezebel was a wicked queen found in the Old Testament just in case you needed a reminder!
Camellia's Cottage 
Whooo! It’s good.
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Yes sir! Thank you Tim! xoxo
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I love this particular posting. It has the South laced throughout it. I dare to declare,dear Camellia, that a bit of hussy just might be peeping through your writing. Love the Jezebel recipe.
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You always make my day! Thank you…darlin’ 😂
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Ohmygosh! I looove jezebel sauce. Seriously, I think I could drink it. lol 💜💕
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Gail, you always make my day! Thank you! Agreed it’s one of my favorite sauces!
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I’ve never made it, but my o my I will now. Sounds fabulous.
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Oh I hope you will and let me know if you love it! Thank you! 🌺❤️🌺
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Phew that does sound very hot. I’m not usually one for hot sauces, but this post definitely caught my eye! Thanks for sharing! I just posted a recipe for some protein flapjacks, It’d be great if you could check out? 😁
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Actually I should have made clear that the horseradish and dry mustard can be adjusted to suit your taste. Yes, I checked out your post! It’s very good! I’m using my iPad and wasn’t able to comment!
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Oh can it? Might try making it, will do my family and i some good to try something new! Ah thanks a lot! Oh could you not? Wonder why it won’t let you, then again I’ve had a few problems with my blog lately. Figuring out how to fix them is always an adventure haha 🤣
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So true, but I sometimes can’t ‘comment’ from my iPad and I’m away from my laptop… no worries just know it all looked great! Yes, adjust the seasonings until you get it a bit hotter than you normally would enjoy because whatever it goes with takes the heat down a bit- let me know…and thanks for stopping by!
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Phew that does sound like it’s a very hot sauce! I’m usually not one for hot sauces but this post definitely caught my eye. Thanks for sharing! I’ve just posted a recipe for protein flapjacks, it’d be great if you could check it out? 😁
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Thank you for sharing! Yummy!
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So kind Laura! Thank you for stopping by! 🌺
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That sounds absolutely amazing! Can a Brit please ask a couple of questions for clarification? Apple jelly – I take it you mean ‘jam’ jelly? And pineapple preserves? Is this another jam/jelly or something else entirely? Thanks! Linda x
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Hi Linda! Forgive my tardy reply! It is truly unique- apple jelly is the’clear’ jelly not jam. And pineapple preserves are often used as an ice cream topping…it has small chunks of pineapple in a thick jam. I feel sure that Amazon carries both if you have difficulty finding either in your stores…the brand I use for the pineapple preserves is Smuckers and Apple Jelly is common here so any brand will do for that- though Smuckers May have it as well. I feel compelled to add that I often use more of the dry mustard also. When added to meats- some of the heat is less so if baked with ham for instance. If you try it- I’d love yo know if you like it- this recipe makes a quart. Great to hear from you! 🌺🌸🌺
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It really does sound delicious – the mustardy, fruity flavour makes me think of the Italian condiment, mostarda di cremona, which I love. I have vast amounts of home-made apple jelly but I’ll have to source some pineapple preserves. Thanks for the advice!
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Oh wow! Southern food is such a mix of cultures- no doubt Jezebel Sauce is a blend! When I was trying to run down the origins… lots of inland southerners had never heard of it- in the coastal states – it was more common. The heat here is truly stifling … yet in food the spice level goes way up ! Something about spicy foods seems to cool the insides! I love this sauce all year round! I hope you find the pineapple preserves, always love hearing from you Linda! 🌺❤️🌺
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Thanks! I’m on the hunt. 🙂
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Yay! 🍍 🍍 🍍
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Well, it’s only taken me a year but in fairness I did have to make my own pineapple preserve! It’s delicious, thank you so much for the recipe, Brenda.
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You are a doll! Thank you! Pineapple preserves are still available here though I need to tweak it enough to have the substitute of homemade! 💛💛💛
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