A Guide to Peppers Used in Mexican Cuisine

Entering a Mexican restaurant, your sense of smell is hit with exciting, make-your-stomach-growl scents. The delectable smell of tortillas, juicy meats, and spicy peppers is enough to make anyone hungry right away.

But those peppers, like olives or onions, are a hotly debated food preference for most people. Whether you love or hate the heat of spicy food, take some time to learn what peppers contribute to the characteristic spice of Mexican cuisine.

Jalapeño Peppers

The most popular of peppers used in Mexican food, the jalapeño pepper, is familiar to all of us. This pepper is spicier than some of us are used to, but it is easy to remove some of the spice by removing the seeds. The jalapeño has become a versatile addition to most kitchens – particularly in its chipotle chile form, after it has been dried and smoked.

Serrano Peppers

These peppers are spicier than jalapeño peppers on average. A small pepper, it is easy to cut up a Serrano and add it to anything you are cooking without having large chunks of pepper. After heating this pepper, you may notice some of its spice lessens, becoming sweeter. Make some salsa with Serrano peppers, or add them to a quesadilla for an additional kick.

Habanero Peppers

Not long ago, habanero peppers were considered the hottest type of chile pepper. By far the spiciest pepper on this list, habaneros can be used sparingly in lots of dishes. Like with most other peppers, it is great in salsas, but you can also make a fiery hot sauce using habaneros. Remember to wear gloves though – these hot peppers will give you a nasty burn if you don’t. Keep an eye out for these peppers at the store, commonly orange in color and very small.

Anaheim Peppers

This is the mildest pepper on this list, giving off a taste that is sweeter than it is spicy. This is another pepper that is great for an appetizer or dinner of stuffed peppers. Enjoy some quinoa and feta in an Anaheim pepper for a vegetarian meal or add some meat if you choose. You could also make salsa verde with Anaheim peppers, or you can add them to a mean salad.

Poblano Peppers

Contributing medium spiciness, these have an exciting flavor to them without too much fire. Because you can eat them without feeling a prolonged burn, these peppers are a great option for a stuffed pepper dinner. Poblano peppers are also called ancho chiles in their dried form. You can typically find these green peppers fresh at the store, easily available to spice up any evening.

Spice Up Your Kitchen

This is a brief overview of peppers used in Mexican cuisine, from the mild Anaheim pepper to the burning habanero. All of these can be found in most grocery stores, so you can have fun experimenting with peppers in your own kitchen at home. Or, come try them out in some dishes at Benitos!