Last Updated on April 4, 2022 by
Do you like cooking and eating poblano peppers? If the answer is yes, you may also wonder are poblano peppers hotter than jalapenos? The answer is no! These delicious and large peppers are great and used in many recipes, however, they do not have a big kick of spice.
Throughout this blog post, you will learn the answer to are poblano peppers hotter than jalapenos while also diving into basic information about both peppers. Before we can compare them, we should know the pros, cons, and differences between both options!
Table of Contents
What Are Poblano Peppers?
So, what exactly are poblano peppers? These are a vibrant green pepper that can grow to be as thick as four inches and as long as eight inches. This long and green pepper has a mild flavor that differs drastically from a hotter pepper.
They grow to be large enough so that you can cook with them! The recipes are endless when it comes to incorporating poblano hot peppers.
What Are Jalapeno Peppers?
Jalapeno peppers are more popular, but they have a similar history and general story that poblano peppers have in Latin America. These peppers have grown and been consumed for years and they are even easier to grow!
These peppers emerge from beautiful white flowers, and can be many sizes! There are hundreds of varieties that grow in different mediums and to different sizes. For example, did you know that you can grow jalapeno peppers inside of your own home as long as you have a space set up?
The Biggest Differences Between Poblano And Jalapeno Peppers
There are more differences then similarities between the poblano and jalapeno peppers. Poblano peppers, for example, are thick and long. The thickness is perfect for when it is time to cook authentic and traditional Mexican food like stuffed peppers with meat and cheese.
Another huge difference is the outer layer and pepper skin. If you have ever had the misfortune of ever running your eyes after cutting a jalapeno plant, you know that it can be painful and uncomfortable. The outer layer of a jalapeno pepper is covered in oils with natural heat!
The chemical component is so hot, that it can actually leave scarring as well as burn marks. Try your best not to touch jalapeno or poblano peppers with your hand as they can cause issues. The same goes for eating various jalapenos at once when you are not used to it. It takes our bodies time to grow accustomed to the heat.
Are Poblano Peppers Hotter Than Jalapenos?
So, here we are at the big question ‘Are Poblano Peppers Hotter Than Jalapenos? The short answer is no! Poblano peppers have thick walls or ‘skins’, which make them easier to cook and enjoy! The thick walls also diminish the heat as oils don’t secrete out as easily as they do with other peppers like jalapenos.
Jalapenos do have a kick, but they are not the hottest pepper either! A lot of people can eat jalapenos without blinking an eye or even reacting! It is easier to get used to poblano peppers though as they are mainly cooked for flavor, which explains the question of are poblano peppers hotter than jalapenos.
Recipes That Use Poblano Peppers
Poblano peppers are super common in dishes authentic and traditional Mexican dishes that date back at least thousands of years ago. One of my favorites is stuffed poblano peppers with meat and cheese. A white sauce is created, mainly made out of walnuts, cream, and cheese that is drizzled over the peppers.
Inside of these thicker peppers sits meat, usually shredded steak, and some kind of melted cheese. Then, the peppers are fried into the white sauce with hot oil and placed in the oven for thirty minutes with more cheese and stuffed ingredients.
There are other ways to also eat poblano peppers though! Since now you don’t have to worry about the question are poblano peppers hotter than jalapenos, you can focus on finding recipes to your liking! Rajas en crema is another favorite recipe often enjoyed by families on cool nights.
Rajas con crema is another recipe that mainly uses steak meat that is shredded and poblano peppers that are also shredded. Although you can substitute out for any other meat, steak meat has a flavor and tenderness that pairs well with poblano peppers.
Both of these ingredients are cooked into a thick white sauce and towards the end of the process, you can add vegetables and greens like spinach and cilantro. surprisingly, this recipe takes barely any time to try!
How To Substitute Out Poblano Peppers
Poblano peppers are not the easiest pepper to substitute out, but it is not impossible either! If you want to mimic the flavor and heat levels, I recommend starting with a sweeter pepper. The thing about jalapenos, serrano, and habanero peppers is that they are hot and it is hard to lower their heat!
However, if you want to go with the theme of are poblano peppers hotter than jalapenos since you enjoy spicier peppers, you can use serrano, jalapeno, or habanero peppers in your cooking. Personally, I would use a jalapeno pepper since the overall thickness is similar.
Did you know that you can also enjoy sweet peppers, but add a small kick of seasonings and hot sauce? Since you now know the answer to are poblano peppers hotter than jalapenos (no), you know that poblano peppers are light in flavor!
Conclusion
Now you won’t have to wonder anymore Are Poblano Peppers Hotter Than Jalapenos since we have given you the answer and resources! Did you learn anything new or interesting? Personally, I have always enjoyed cooking with poblano peppers more as the heat does not bother my eyes.
One tip I recommend while cooking jalapenos is to do so either with goggles or looking away from the steam! The hot oils secreted naturally from the peppers can cause irritation, even in the form of vapor. Know anyone else who wants to know Are Poblano Peppers Hotter Than Jalapenos? Share this article!
FAQs
Are poblano peppers really hot?
Poblano peppers are actually not hot at all. They rank low of the heat scale and are lighter then a jalapeno pepper.
Can you substitute poblano for jalapeño?
The answer to this question depends on the recipe! The flavor of both of these peppers is drastically different! Some recipes also call for large poblano peppers as they are stuffed with meat and cheese, which is hard to do with the thinner jalapeno pepper.
What pepper is hotter than a jalapeño?
Jalapeno peppers are almost 3x hotter then a poblano pepper.
Do poblano peppers get less hot when cooked?
Yes! When any hot pepper is cooked, the components and particles that create the heat and spice break down.
Casia is a passionate home cook who loves to share her love of Mexican food with the world. She has been cooking since she was a child, helping her grandmother in the kitchen and learning the traditional techniques used to create delicious Mexican dishes. Casia loves to experiment with new ingredients and flavors, always looking for ways to make her dishes even more flavorful. She is also passionate about teaching others about Mexican cuisine and its rich history. When she is not in the kitchen, Casia enjoys exploring new cultures, traveling, and spending time with her family.