About this post
Poblano peppers, or chile poblano in Spanish, are a staple in Mexican cuisine. They are incredibly versatile—whether roasted, stuffed, sliced, or blended into a sauce, poblanos add a mild heat and deep flavor to many dishes.
In this guide, you’ll learn everything about poblano peppers, from how to use them to how to roast and cut them. Plus, you’ll find delicious recipes to make the most of this flavorful chili.
WHAT ARE POBLANOS peppers?
Poblano peppers are believed to have originated in Puebla, Mexico. They are widely used in Mexican dishes and are also popular in the southern United States.
They are about the size of a bell pepper but thinner and more pointed, resembling a large jalapeño. Easily available and inexpensive, poblanos are one of my favorite chili peppers.
How do poblano peppers taste?
Poblano peppers have a slightly smoky and earthy flavor, similar to green bell peppers, but with a mild heat. When cooked, their spiciness diminishes, but their rich flavor remains, enhancing any dish.
For comparison:
- Their heat is comparable to Anaheim peppers.
- Poblanos are less spicy than jalapeños.
- Poblanos are spicier than bell peppers.
are poblano peppers hot?
Are Poblano Peppers Hot?
No, they are mildly spicy. Their heat level varies depending on factors like the varietal, harvest time, and growing region.
Here’s how they compare on the Scoville Scale (the measurement of spiciness in peppers):
- Bell Pepper: 0 Scoville Heat Units (SHU)
- Poblano Pepper: 1,000–2,000 SHU
- Jalapeño Pepper: 2,500–8,000 SHU
If you prefer a milder alternative, green bell peppers make a great substitute.
To sweat or not to sweat?
What is sweating a poblano pepper? To sweat a poblano pepper is to put it in a plastic or silicone bag just after roasting it to make the burned peel easier to remove.
You can also put it in a glass or ceramic bowl and cover it with plastic wrap. This releases steam, which in turn makes the pepper easier to peel.
How to peel a poblano pepper?
I do not peel my poblano peppers after cooking them. You can scrape the skin off with a knife or wash it under running water to peel it. If you don’t want to peel it, don’t; the burnt flavor of the chili is vibrant.
🔥TIP The chile ancho is a dry ripe poblano chili. When the poblano peppers mature, they turn almost completely red. When they get to this point they dry them to become ancho peppers.
Frequently asked questions
Other Mexican chiles
- Chile guajillo– Mild, slightly fruity, commonly used in sauces.
- Chile ancho– Dried poblano, deep and slightly sweet.
- Chile pasilla– Earthy, smoky, and used in moles.
- Pickled jalapeños– A tangy, spicier option.
vegan poblano peppers recipes
- Mexican vegetable soup. This soup has corn, zucchini blossoms, sliced poblano pepper, and diced zucchini. You serve it with freshly made tortilla strips.
- Poblano pepper filled with quinoa salad.
- Poblano pepper cream with corn chips.
- Grilled vegetables with poblano pepper cream.
- Corn chowder with poblano peppers
- Poblano peppers with quinoa
- Rajas with vegan cream
- Stuffed poblano pepper
- Wrapped stuffed poblano pepper
How to Cook with Poblano Peppers
Ingredients
Instructions
Roasted
- Roasting poblano peppers brings out their smoky, slightly sweet flavor. There are two common methods:
- On the stove (direct flame or comal) – Place the poblanos over an open flame or a hot comal, turning until all sides are charred.
- In the oven – Roast at 400°F (200°C) until the skin blisters and blackens.
Rajas (Strips)
- Poblanos are often sliced into strips (rajas) and used in stews, soups, or sautéed with onions and cream (rajas con crema).
Stuffed Poblanos
- Cut them in half, remove the seeds, and stuff them with fillings like quinoa, rice, beans, or cheese.
information
Nutritional information of this recipe is only an estimate, the accuracy for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Mi enfoque está en recetas que reúnen a las personas alrededor de la mesa, haciendo de cada comida un momento sencillo, delicioso y significativo. También soy autora de Yo Cocino Latino, y mis recetas han sido destacadas en varias revistas y publicaciones en línea.
¡Sígueme en mis redes sociales para inspiración diaria, tips y recetas deliciosas! Y si alguna vez pruebas una de mis recetas — o tienes una receta familiar favorita — ¡me encantaría saberlo! Mándame un DM en Instagram y hablemos de comida. 🍽️✨
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