Hot Chili Peppers

If you’re like most, you probably experience some confusion when searching for certain peppers for recipes. A recipe might call for Poblano peppers, but your grocery store doesn’t carry Poblano peppers they do have Pasilla peppers, is that the same thing? Can they be substituted for each other? And by the way, which one is a pepper and which is a chili?

Right off the bat, when talking peppers, the words chili and pepper can be used interchangeably.

We have listed in alphabetical order the most common peppers called for in recipes and their characteristics.

Anaheim

This is a long green chili (6" to 7") that ranges from light green to red in color. Anaheims are the chilies used for ‘canned green chilies’. They can be mild to hot and can be roasted, peeled or stuffed or eaten raw.

Bell Pepper

Bell peppers come in a rainbow of colors; green, red, orange, yellow and purple. Bell peppers are probably the most versatile pepper because they add flavor but no heat. Red peppers tend to be sweeter. Roasting these peppers will change their flavor and texture from firm and crisp to smoky and soft.

Cayenne

These are slender green to red, crinkled and often slightly curled pods. Cayenne peppers are a favorite in Asian and Cajun cooking. They are from 5" to 10" long and are often dried or ground into powder.

Habanero

These are the hottest of chilies. They can be green, yellow-orange to bright orange. They are shaped light little lanterns and measure 1-1/2" long and 1-1/2" wide.

Jalapeno

Colored green to red they vary from hot to very hot. Generally the smaller the jalapeno the hotter the jalapeno. When jalapenos are smoked or dried they are called Chipotles. They are approximately 2-1/2" long.

Poblano

These are dark green and about 4" to 5" long and about 2-1/2" wide. They are delicious roasted and peeled. Poblanos are also called Pasillas and when dried are called Ancho Chilies.

Scotch Bonnet

Bright yellow, orange, green or red in color. They have a squashed lantern shape and because of this they are often confused with Habaneros. Scotch Bonnets are extremely hot and aromatic. They are 1" to 2" long and 1-1/2 " wide.

Serrano

Shaped like bullets, Serranos have a fresh chili taste and consistent heat. They are commonly green in color and are 1-1/2" to 2" long and 1/2" thick. They are also called chilies Verde’s or green chilies.

Thai

Small, elongated and green to red in color. They are intensely hot and measure 1-1/2" long and 1/4" wide.

Most Common Dried Peppers

Ancho

Anchos are dried Poblanos or Pasillas. They are dark red in color and wrinkled in texture. They have a deep earthy flavor. They are about 4" long and 2" to 3" wide.

Arbol

Bright red and pointed in shape. Arbols are shiny and 3" long and 3/4" wide. Arbols are very hot.

Chipotle

These are dried smoked jalapenos. Chipotles have a rich smoky flavor and about 1-1/2" long and 1/2" wide.

– Glutenfreeda