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Substitute For Jalapenos: 10 Best Peppers + Ratios

Substitute For Jalapenos: 10 Best Peppers + Ratios

If you’re looking for a substitute for jalapenos to replicate their unique flavor in cooking, there are a few options we recommend plus measurement ratios, depending if you are looking for their sweetness, their heat, or both!

One popular choice is green bell peppers with a mild and slightly sweet taste. While they don’t provide the same heat level as jalapenos, they can still add a pleasant flavor to your dishes. That said, they can be very strong and may overwhelm your recipes if you use too much.

Another alternative is serrano peppers, which are hotter than jalapenos but offer a similar flavor profile. They have a bright, tangy taste that can add a spicy kick to your recipes. If you prefer a milder option, remove the seeds and membranes from the serrano peppers to reduce their heat.

If you’re searching for a completely heat-free substitute, use poblano peppers. These peppers have a mild and earthy flavor, making them suitable for those who want to avoid spiciness altogether. Poblano peppers are commonly used in Mexican cuisine and can be roasted or stuffed for a delicious twist.

SubstituteRatio to Jalapenos
Serrano Peppers1:1
Anaheim Peppers1:1
Poblano Peppers1:1
Banana PeppersSame amount or more
Cubanelle Peppers1:1
Shishito Peppers½:1
Thai Bird’s Eye Chilies¼ ratio
Bell PeppersMeasure for measure
Habanero Peppers¼ ratio (use less for heat sensitivity)
Chipotle Peppers in Adobo SauceMeasure-for-measure
A bowl filled with green jalapeño sits on a wooden table.

Remember, when substituting jalapenos with other peppers, consider the heat level and adjust accordingly to suit your taste. If you’re cooking for a crowd, you may want a dish of diced or sliced peppers to go on the side so everyone can season their own plate accordingly.

What is the flavor that jalapenos add to cooking?

Jalapenos add a unique and distinctive flavor to cooking. They have a mild to moderate level of heat, which can vary depending on the individual pepper. The fragrant flavor of jalapenos is often described as bright, tangy, and slightly sweet. They have a crisp and refreshing taste that adds a pleasant kick.

When cooked, jalapenos mellow slightly, becoming less spicy and developing a deeper flavor. The pepper’s heat is balanced by a subtle sweetness. Whether added to salsas, stir-fries, soups, or marinades for grilled chicken and beef, jalapenos bring a vibrant and zesty element to the table. Pickled jalapeno slices are a popular topping for ballpark nachos that add a pop of vinegar, salt, and heat to the cheesy snack.

In addition to their heat and flavor, jalapenos also contribute a unique aroma to cooking. When chopped or cooked, they release a pungent and fragrant scent. 

We always recommend wearing tight-fitting disposable kitchen gloves when working with any hot peppers.

Overall, the flavor that jalapenos add in cooking is a combination of heat, and bright, crisp, sweet flavor. They bring a lively and refreshing element to dishes, making them a popular choice for adding a kick to your favorite recipes.

Best Substitutes For Jalapenos

  • Serrano Peppers: Serrano peppers are similar in heat level to jalapenos but have a slightly fruitier finish. They can be used as a substitute in most recipes that call for jalapenos in a 1:1 ratio.
  • Anaheim Peppers: Anaheim peppers have a milder heat compared to jalapeno peppers, making them a suitable alternative for those who prefer less warmth in their recipe. They are commonly used in dishes like chiles rellenos and salsas. Use in a 1:1 ratio.
  • Poblano Peppers: These are our favorite substitutes for jalapenos. Poblano peppers have a mild to medium heat and are often roasted and used in Mexican cuisine. They are larger and have a slightly sweeter flavor compared to jalapenos. Use in a 1:1 ratio.
  • Banana Peppers: Banana peppers are mild and slightly sweet, making them a good substitute for jalapenos in recipes where heat is not the primary focus. They are often pickled and used in sandwiches, salads, and on pizzas. You can use the same amount or more of banana peppers to replace jalapenos.
  • Cubanelle Peppers: Cubanelle peppers have a mild, sweet taste and are commonly used in Latin American and Mediterranean cuisines. They are a suitable substitute for jalapenos in dishes that require a mild heat level. Use in a 1:1 ratio.
  • Shishito Peppers: Shishito peppers are small, mild peppers often grilled or sautéed. While they are not as spicy as jalapenos, they can add a similar smoky flavor. You may need to locate these in specialty stores or Asian supermarkets. Use a ½: 1 ratio,
  • Thai Bird’s Eye Chilies: Thai bird’s eye chilies are much spicier than jalapenos, so they should be used sparingly as a substitute. However, if you enjoy a high level of heat in your recipes, they can be a good alternative. Best measured in a ¼ ratio.
  • Bell Peppers: Bell peppers, so called for their bell-like shape, are not spicy at all, but they can still be used as a substitute for jalapenos if you want a mild addition. Bell peppers come in green, yellow, orange, red and even purple/brown and add a sweet and slightly tangy taste to dishes. Use these measure for measure.
  • Habanero Peppers: Habanero peppers are significantly hotter than jalapenos, so they should be used with caution. But if you are ready for 100,000+ scoville heat, these are readily available in stores (especially in the southern U.S.) and have quite a kick. Use in a ¼ ratio when substituting these for jalapenos, less if you are sensitive to spicy heat.
  • Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce: Chipotle peppers are jalapenos that have been smoked and dried. They are smoky with a heat that sneaks up on you, and are often sold in rich Mexican adobo sauce. Using chipotle peppers in adobo sauce can add a unique and intense flavor to your dishes. Substitute for jalapenos measure-for-measure.
  • BONUS: Jars of pickled pepperoncini, cherry peppers or banana peppers, whether whole or sliced, make a tasty alternative to pickled jalapenos. Look for “hot” on the labels for a similar level of scoville heat. Use these in a 1:1 ratio, but if substituting pickled for fresh, adjust for the increased moisture in the pickled variety.

The bottom line

From serranos to poblanos and green bell peppers, there are many other peppers you can use instead of jalapeno peppers. 

The availability of these jalapenos substitutes may vary, depending on your location and the time of year. It’s always a good idea to adjust the quantities and taste as you experiment with different substitutes in your recipes.

A close-up photo of sliced jalapenos on a white background.

More About Jalapeños

10 Best Substitutes For Jalapeño + Ratios

10 Best Substitutes For Jalapeño + Ratios

If you're looking for a substitute for jalapenos to replicate their unique flavor in your favorite recipes, here’s what we recommend plus ratios.

Ingredients

  • Serrano Peppers: Serrano peppers are similar in heat level to jalapenos but have a slightly fruitier finish. They can be used as a substitute in most recipes that call for jalapenos in a 1:1 ratio.
  • Anaheim Peppers: Anaheim peppers have a milder heat compared to jalapeno peppers, making them a suitable alternative for those who prefer less warmth in their recipe. They are commonly used in dishes like chiles rellenos and salsas. Use in a 1:1 ratio.
  • Poblano Peppers: These are our favorite substitutes for jalapenos. Poblano peppers have a mild to medium heat and are often roasted and used in Mexican cuisine. They are larger and have a slightly sweeter flavor compared to jalapenos. Use in a 1:1 ratio.
  • Banana Peppers: Banana peppers are mild and slightly sweet, making them a good substitute for jalapenos in recipes where heat is not the primary focus. They are often pickled and used in sandwiches, salads, and on pizzas. You can use the same amount or more of banana peppers to replace jalapenos.
  • Cubanelle Peppers: Cubanelle peppers have a mild, sweet taste and are commonly used in Latin American and Mediterranean cuisines. They are a suitable substitute for jalapenos in dishes that require a mild heat level. Use in a 1:1 ratio.
  • Shishito Peppers: Shishito peppers are small, mild peppers often grilled or sautéed. While they are not as spicy as jalapenos, they can add a similar smoky flavor. You may need to locate these in specialty stores or Asian supermarkets. Use a ½: 1 ratio,
  • Thai Bird's Eye Chilies: Thai bird's eye chilies are much spicier than jalapenos, so they should be used sparingly as a substitute. However, if you enjoy a high level of heat in your recipes, they can be a good alternative. Best measured in a ¼ ratio.
  • Bell Peppers: Bell peppers, so called for their bell-like shape, are not spicy at all, but they can still be used as a substitute for jalapenos if you want a mild addition. Bell peppers come in green, yellow, orange, red and even purple/brown and add a sweet and slightly tangy taste to dishes. Use these measure for measure.
  • Habanero Peppers: Habanero peppers are significantly hotter than jalapenos, so they should be used with caution. But if you are ready for 100,000+ scoville heat, these are readily available in stores (especially in the southern U.S.) and have quite a kick. Use in a ¼ ratio when substituting these for jalapenos, less if you are sensitive to spicy heat.
  • Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce: Our second favorite choice as a substitute for jalapenos, chipotle peppers are jalapenos that have been smoked and dried. They are smoky with a heat that sneaks up on you, and are often sold in rich Mexican-style adobo sauce. Using chipotle peppers in adobo sauce can add a unique and intense flavor to your dishes. Substitute for jalapenos measure-for-measure.
  • BONUS: Jars of pickled pepperoncini, cherry peppers or banana peppers, whether whole or sliced, make a tasty alternative to pickled jalapenos. Look for “hot” on the labels for a similar level of scoville heat. Use these in a 1:1 ratio.

Instructions

  1. Consider what peppers you have on hand to substitute for jalapenos.
  2. Replace jalapenos with the pepper or peppers listed above using the ratios shown, or a combination of two or three to help recreate their unique flavor.

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