Dauntsey Sweet Chilli Jam: The Award-Winning All-Rounder

Dauntsey Sweet Chilli Jam is a sweet, gently warming and tangy preserve that works with far more than cheese. It's one of our most popular products and a multiple award winner, made in small batches in our Wiltshire jam kitchen, and it happily partners meats, vegetables, seafood and even some desserts.

Some products quietly sit on a shelf. Others become the jar customers come back for time and time again. Sweet Chilli Jam firmly belongs in the second group. Below you'll find how it tastes, what to pair it with, and two unusual recipes that make the most of every jar.

Key Takeaways

• A balance of sweetness, gentle heat and tang, with enough chilli warmth to excite the palate without overwhelming it.

• Handmade in small batches in our Wiltshire jam kitchen, and one of our most popular, award-winning products.

• A natural partner for mature cheddar, creamy brie and soft goat's cheese.

• Just as good in sandwiches, on burgers and as a glaze for roasted meats.

• Try it baked with salmon or drizzled over grilled halloumi flatbreads (recipes below).

What does Dauntsey Sweet Chilli Jam taste like?

Sweet Chilli Jam tastes sweet first, then warm, with a tangy finish that stops it feeling heavy. The chilli brings enough heat to excite the palate without overwhelming it, so even people who usually steer clear of spicy food tend to enjoy it.

That balance is what makes it so useful. A jam that was all sugar would only really suit toast and cheese. One that was all heat would drown out whatever it touched. Ours sits between the two, which means it can sit beside a delicate soft cheese or stand up to a rich roast without taking over the plate.

It helps to think of it as a condiment doing two jobs at once. The sweetness rounds off salty and fatty foods. The warmth and tang wake up anything that tastes a little flat. That's why a single jar tends to get used for lunches, suppers and weekend entertaining in the same week.

How is our Sweet Chilli Jam made?

Every jar is made by hand in small batches in our jam kitchen at The Old Rectory in Dauntsey, Wiltshire. We cook open-pan, so each batch gets our full attention and we can keep the sweetness, heat and tang in the right balance.

Small-batch cooking is how we make everything, from the classics to our 100-plus seasonal specials. It's slower, but it's the way we like to work. Sweet Chilli Jam is one of the jars that shows it off best: a multiple award winner and one of our most popular products. To see which other jars have picked up awards, browse our award-winning favourites.

Why is Sweet Chilli Jam so good with cheese?

Sweet Chilli Jam works with cheese because its sweetness and gentle heat contrast with the salt and richness of the cheese. Many people first discover it on a cheeseboard, where it pairs beautifully with mature cheddar, creamy brie and soft goat's cheese.

Each of those cheeses gets something different from the jar. With a mature cheddar, the sweetness softens the sharp, salty bite and the chilli adds a little warmth to every mouthful. With a creamy brie, the rich texture calms the heat, so you taste more of the fruitiness and tang. With a soft goat's cheese, the sweetness balances its fresh, slightly sour flavour.

When you're putting a board together, serve the jam in a small bowl with its own spoon so guests can take as much or as little as they like. It sits comfortably next to a jar from our Fruit for Cheese collection and a savoury chutney from our Chutneys & Relishes range. For another cheeseboard favourite, read our guide to what pairs best with Balsamic Fig Jam.

Limiting Sweet Chilli Jam to cheese, though, would be doing it a disservice.

What else can you use Sweet Chilli Jam with?

Beyond the cheeseboard, Sweet Chilli Jam works wonderfully with meats, vegetables, seafood and even some desserts. Its real strength is transforming simple ingredients: a single spoonful can turn an ordinary sandwich, burger or roast into something special.

• Sandwiches: spread a thin layer inside a cheese or cold meat sandwich and lunch instantly feels less ordinary.

• Burgers: a spoonful on top of the patty adds sweetness and warmth in one go.

• Glazes for roasted meats: brush it on towards the end of cooking, so the sugars caramelise without catching.

• Vegetables: stir a spoonful through roasted vegetables while they're still hot from the oven.

• Seafood: the sweet and spicy combination suits fish very well, as the salmon parcels below show.

It's as handy when friends are coming round as it is on a busy weeknight, which is exactly why it has become one of those store cupboard essentials that earns its place again and again. If you like a smokier edge, our Smoky Chilli Jam sits beside it in the same range.

Two unusual ways to enjoy Sweet Chilli Jam

These two recipes take the jam well away from the cheeseboard. One is a simple baked fish supper. The other is a quick, fresh lunch for warmer days.

Sweet Chilli Jam Salmon Parcels

Cooking salmon in a sealed parcel keeps it tender, and the jam melts into a sticky glaze as it bakes.

Ingredients

• 4 salmon fillets

• 4 tbsp Dauntsey Sweet Chilli Jam

• 1 lime

• 1 red pepper, finely sliced

• Fresh coriander

• Baking parchment

Method

1. Heat the oven to 190°C.

2. Place each salmon fillet on its own sheet of baking parchment.

3. Top each fillet with sliced red pepper, a spoonful of Sweet Chilli Jam and a squeeze of lime juice.

4. Fold the parchment into sealed parcels and bake for 15 to 18 minutes.

5. Scatter with fresh coriander and serve with rice or new potatoes.

The jam melts into a sticky glaze, bringing together sweet, spicy and citrus flavours that complement the richness of the salmon beautifully.

Cook's tip: open one parcel before serving and check the salmon flakes easily and is cooked all the way through. Thicker fillets may need the full 18 minutes.

Sweet Chilli Jam Halloumi Flatbreads

This one takes minutes and makes an ideal summer lunch or light supper.

Ingredients

• 225g halloumi, sliced

• 4 flatbreads

• Mixed salad leaves

• Cucumber ribbons

• 4 tbsp Dauntsey Sweet Chilli Jam

• Greek yoghurt

Method

1. Grill the halloumi slices until golden.

2. Warm the flatbreads and spread each one with a little Greek yoghurt.

3. Add the salad leaves, cucumber ribbons and grilled halloumi.

4. Drizzle generously with Sweet Chilli Jam.

5. Fold and serve immediately.

The salty halloumi and cooling yoghurt create the perfect contrast to the sweet warmth of the jam.

Cook's tip: halloumi is at its best eaten hot, while it's still soft, so have the flatbreads and salad ready before it goes under the grill.

Sweet chilli jam FAQs

What is sweet chilli jam used for?

Sweet chilli jam is used both as an accompaniment and as a cooking ingredient. It's a cheeseboard favourite with cheddar, brie and goat's cheese, and it also works in sandwiches, on burgers, as a glaze for roasted meats, and with vegetables and seafood.

Is Dauntsey Sweet Chilli Jam very hot?

No. It has a gentle heat, with enough chilli warmth to excite the palate without overwhelming it. The sweetness and tang balance the chilli, so most people who enjoy mild spice find it very easy to like.

Which cheese goes best with sweet chilli jam?

Mature cheddar, creamy brie and soft goat's cheese are the classic partners. The jam's sweetness softens a sharp cheddar, a rich brie calms the heat, and a fresh goat's cheese balances the sweetness.

Can you cook with sweet chilli jam?

Yes. Brush it over roasted meats as a glaze, bake it onto salmon in parchment parcels at 190°C, or drizzle it over grilled halloumi. It melts into a sticky, glossy coating when heated.

Does sweet chilli jam need to be kept in the fridge?

Once opened, we recommend keeping the jar in the fridge and using a clean spoon each time. Our guide to keeping jam in the fridge after opening explains why.

Where can I buy Dauntsey Sweet Chilli Jam?

You can order Dauntsey Sweet Chilli Jam online in a 270g jar, pick it up from one of our stockists across the UK, or taste it on our stall at farmers' markets and food festivals.

Why Sweet Chilli Jam belongs in your store cupboard

From cheeseboards and sandwiches to seafood and street-food-inspired dishes, Dauntsey Sweet Chilli Jam proves a preserve can be far more than a simple accompaniment. Sweet, warming and endlessly versatile, it's no surprise it has become one of our most loved and award-winning products.

Ready to try it? Buy Dauntsey Sweet Chilli Jam online, or explore the rest of our best-selling jams and preserves.