You Can Order It Your Way: Custom Jams, Pickles & More

There's something a little magical about a jar of jam that was made just for you.

Not just any jam — your jam. The one without seeds because your grandkids won't touch anything with seeds. Or the one with half the sugar because your husband is watching his intake. Or the Cowboy Candy that's just a little hotter than what's in the catalog because you like to feel it.

At Shirley's Canned Goods, we've been making small-batch preserves out of Sweetwater, Tennessee for years. And one of the things we love most about being a small, mother-and-daughter operation is that we can actually do things the way you want them. We're not a factory. We're a kitchen.

So let's talk about what you can ask for.

Seedless Jams — Because Not Everyone Loves the Seeds

Our blackberry jam, raspberry jam, and strawberry jam are all made with real fruit — which means they naturally have seeds. Most people don't mind. But if you're making PB&Js for little ones, or you just prefer a smoother spread, we can strain the seeds out.

The flavor is the same. The texture is silkier. And honestly, it spreads a little easier on toast.

Just mention "seedless" in your order request and we'll take care of it.

Reduced Sugar — All the Flavor, Less Sweet

Traditional jam recipes call for a lot of sugar — it's part of what makes them shelf-stable and gives them that glossy set. But we understand that not everyone wants or needs that level of sweetness.

We can adjust the sugar on most of our jams and pepper jams to make them less sweet. The texture may be a little softer and the shelf life slightly shorter, but the flavor is still there — bright, fruity, and real.

If you're managing diabetes, following a low-sugar diet, or just prefer things less sweet, this is a great option. Just let us know when you request your order.

Custom Heat Levels — From Mild to "Whoa"

This one comes up a lot, especially with our Cowboy Candy and hot pickled items.

Cowboy Candy (candied jalapeños) is one of our most popular products — and it has a real kick. Some people love that. Others want the sweet-savory flavor without quite so much heat. And then there are the folks who want it hotter.

We can do all three.

The same goes for our Hot Dilly Beans, Hot Pickled Green Tomatoes, Hot Salsa, and Hot South-West Salsa. If you want to dial the heat up or down, just say so. We'll work with you.

Seasonal and Unlisted Items — Ask and You Might Be Surprised

Here's something a lot of people don't know: our online catalog is just a snapshot of what we make. There's a lot more that comes and goes with the seasons, or that we put up in small enough quantities that it doesn't always make it to the website.

Fall is especially busy. We're putting up peach pepper jam while the peaches are still good. We're doing fresh batches of spaghetti sauce with late-season tomatoes. We're making pickled banana peppers, cowgirl candy, and a few other things that might not be listed when you check.

If you're looking for something specific — a particular fruit, a certain style of pickle, a jam flavor you remember from a farmers market — reach out and ask. The worst we can say is that we don't have it right now. But a lot of the time, we either have it or we can make it.

Jar Sizes and Quantities

Most of our products come in standard sizes — half pints, pints, and quarts depending on the item. But if you need a specific quantity for a gift, an event, or just stocking your pantry for the winter, let us know.

We can often accommodate larger orders with a little lead time. And if you're buying for a wedding, a holiday gift basket, or a special occasion, we're happy to talk through what makes sense.

How to Place a Custom Order

It's simple. Just fill out our order request form and tell us what you're looking for.

Include:

• What you want (product name, size, quantity)
• Any customizations (seedless, reduced sugar, heat level preference)
• Your timeline (especially if you need it by a certain date)
• Pickup or shipping preference

We'll get back to you within a day or two to confirm availability and work out the details. Payment and pickup or shipping are handled once we've confirmed your order.

We do local pickup in Sweetwater, TN, and we ship regionally. If you're not sure whether we ship to your area, just ask.

Why We Love Custom Orders

Honestly? Custom orders are one of our favorite parts of what we do.

There's something really satisfying about making something specifically for someone. When a customer tells us their mom can't have seeds because of a health condition, or that they want to give a jar of extra-hot Cowboy Candy to their brother-in-law as a joke gift — those are the orders we remember.

We're a small operation. We make everything by hand, in small batches, with real ingredients. That means we have the flexibility to do things a little differently when it matters.

So if you've been looking at our catalog and thinking "I wish they had X" — just ask. We might already make it. And if we don't, we might be able to.

Send us your custom order request and let's make something just for you.