Our Story

At My Grandparents Jalapeños & Pickles, every jar tells a story — one rooted in heritage, resilience, and family tradition.

Our recipes come from my grandmother, Eufemia Perea, whose jalapeños, pickles, and salsa have been passed down through generations. Eufemia was a proud child of the Navajo Nation, raised by a Mexican family during a time when Native children were often taken from their homes to be assimilated. In the Baros family, she learned the Spanish language and, more importantly, the rich Mexican culinary traditions that shaped her kitchen — and our flavor.

Her husband, Juan Perea, was born in New Mexico. By his teens, he was breaking horses for the U.S. Cavalry during World War I, earning a nickname that meant “strong horse.” Years later, he became the Sheriff of Otero County, Colorado, known for his courage and the ever-present pistol on his belt — the same one proudly shown in the photo on our label.

What began in 2000 as a few jars of homemade jalapeños and pickles — gifts for family and friends during the holidays — soon grew beyond our kitchen. By sharing our family’s flavors at farmers markets, food festivals, and county fairs, we built a loyal following. Then, in 2007, Costco invited us to share our products with even more families across the country.

Our mission is simple: to bring back the real taste of pickled jalapeños — the way our grandparents made them. All-natural, hand-packed, and harvested fresh from the fields, every bite honors the flavors and traditions that shaped our family.

A portion of every sale supports the Walking Shield Foundation, which works to improve the quality of life for American Indian families through housing, healthcare, education, and community development programs.

Because for us, every jar is more than food — it’s family history, preserved.