Spice Up Your Life: A Pepper Lover’s Guide

November 8, 2023 3 Minute Read

Whether you’re a super spice seeker or just looking to add a little kick to your meal, peppers are the flavorful friend you can count on. From mild and sweet bell peppers to fiery and bold habaneros (or the melt-your-face-off Carolina Reaper), we’ll dive into the world of peppers, explore the Scoville scale, and give you some recipes that embrace the full potential of these little veggies.

A Kaleidoscope of flavor

When it comes to peppers, there’s no mistaking the immense diversity you can find. From the rainbow of colors to their unique flavor profile, peppers offer so many possibilities. Here are some of the more common peppers you’ll find in your grocery isles in ascending order based on heat:

Sweet Peppers (0-1,000 Scoville Heat Units or SHU): Our favorite mild peppers, like bell peppers, add a wonderful crip and fresh taste to any salad, stir-fry, or stuffed.
Anaheim, Poblano, and Banana Peppers (1,000-5,000 SHU): While slightly spicier, these peppers offer a subtle heat that pairs wonderfully with cheese. Think of dishes like stuffed peppers or tacos.
Hatch Chiles (1,000-8,000 SHU): With a similar mild to medium heat level as the previous peppers, hatch chilis add a unique Southwestern flavor. They transform casseroles, are fantastic roasted, and add that distinct flavor to sauces and salsa.
Jalapeños (2,500-8,000 SHU): Well known for their zesty kick, jalapeños are still very versatile. They provide that extra kick in salsa, are a tasty pickled topper, a killer appetizer, and a flavorful addition to a margarita.
Serrano Peppers (8,000-23,000 SHU): If Jalapenos don’t quite offer the heat you’re looking for, these bright green peppers should do the trick. They are beautiful additions to guacamole, sauces, and spicy salsa.
Cayenne Peppers (30,000-50,000 SHU): Welcome to the world of fire. You normally find cayenne peppers in the spice aisle and are great to have on hand for throwing in soups, stews, and spice rubs for that little extra. Here are decadent spiced pecan and spicy, citrus glaze recipes for a little inspiration.
Habanero Peppers (100,000-350,000 SHU): For you inferno lovers out there, habaneros pack a serious punch. A little bit goes a long way in providing that blast of heat in soups, sauces, or lemonades.
Ghost Peppers (Over 1,000,000 SHU): Melt-your-face-off territory! These peppers must be handled with extreme caution, are not for the faint of heart, and should be used very sparingly. Have your glass of milk handy if you’re willing to try the heat.

Which pepper should you choose?

You now know how to tell who’s hot and who's not. So, let’s get to work in the kitchen! Here’s a quick cheat sheet to help you pick the right pepper for the job:

Roasty Toasty: Roasting a pepper brings out the sweetness and adds a little smoke flavor. Just char them over an open flame or broil them until the skin blisters, peel, seed, and pop into your dish.
Stuffed to the Max: Larger peppers like bell peppers or poblanos are great for hollowing out and stuffing. Decide which flavor profiles you want for the inside, bake until tender, and enjoy a one-dish meal.
Let’s Get Saucy: From sauces like marinara to salsa, peppers are that spicy little addition that takes the taste from flat to zing. The only question is, how spicy are you?
Stir-fries: A burst of heat from jalapeños, serranos, or even a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes adds that sizzle your stir fry is crying for.
Pickled Delight: From burgers to nachos, pickled peppers are the flavor-packed finishing touch to a great meal. A simple combination of vinegar, water, sugar, and spice can transform any pepper (from sweet to hot) into a fantastic topper.

What it all boils down to, is peppers, in their vibrant rainbow of colors and spiciness, are culinary adventures waiting for you to explore. From sweet and fresh to fiery and bold, these little wonders can enhance a huge variety of dishes. So, embrace your wild side and start spicing up your life – one pepper at a time!

Ready to put a little zing in your life? Try out some of our pepper-forward recipes.