What's The Best Poblano Pepper Substitute? 15 Options

Have you ever wondered what substitutes there are for poblano peppers when making Mexican dishes? Many dishes can be made using peppers of different colors and sizes. This list contains 15 options for substituting poblano peppers that are widely available at grocery stores, Hispanic markets, and farmers' markets.

Jump to:

• What Is A Poblano Pepper?
• 1. Anaheim Pepper
• 2. Bell Pepper
• 3. Hatch Chile Pepper
• 4. Jalapeño Pepper
• 5. Pasilla Chile Pepper
• 6. Guajillo Chile Pepper
• 7. Mulato Chile Pepper
• 8. Ancho Chile Pepper
• 9. Chipotle Chile Pepper
• 10. De Arbol Chile Pepper
• 11. Serrano Pepper
• 12. Tabasco Pepper
• 13. Habañero Pepper
• 14. Cubanelle Peppers
• 15. Cayenne Peppers
• People Also Ask [FAQs]
• Wrap Up: Poblano Pepper Substitutes
• Recipe

What Is A Poblano Pepper?

The poblano pepper is a variety of chili pepper that is typically used in Mexican cuisine. They are large and mild, with a slightly sweet flavor. Poblano peppers can be roasted and used in a variety of dishes, including soups, stews, and sauces.

If you don't have poblano peppers on hand, you can substitute another type of chili pepper, such as ancho or bell pepper. Just be sure to adjust the amount you use according to the chili pepper's heat level.

We have put together a list of the 15 best Poblano Pepper Substitutes, that are closely related to Poblano Pepper in taste along with some useful tips, and they are not as hot as the other hot peppers.

1. Anaheim Pepper

Anaheim peppers are a great substitute for poblano peppers. They have a similar taste profile, with a slightly sweeter flavor. They can be used in the same way as poblano peppers, and are a good choice for dishes where you want a little more sweetness.

• To replace one poblano pepper, use two Anaheim peppers.
• Anaheim peppers can be roasted, grilled, or sauteed.
• They can be used in soups, stews, sauces, and salsas.
• Anaheim peppers can also be stuffed and baked.

Bell peppers are a great alternative to poblano peppers. They have a similar taste profile and can be used in the same way. The only difference is that bell peppers are not as spicy as poblano peppers.

2. Bell Pepper

Bell peppers are a great alternative to poblano peppers. They have a similar taste profile and can be used in the same way. The only difference is that bell peppers are not as spicy as poblano peppers, different colored bell peppers have no effect on the heat levels.

3. Hatch Chile Pepper

Hatch chile peppers are actually a generic name for New Mexican peppers and are a good substitute for poblano peppers because they have a similar taste profile. Both peppers are mild and have a slightly sweet flavor. However, hatch chiles are slightly spicier than poblanos. In addition, hatch chiles are more widely available than poblanos.

• When substituting New Mexico chile for poblanos, use one pepper per poblano called for in the recipe. If you want the dish to be spicier, you can add extra pepper or two.
• When using fresh peppers, roast them over an open flame until the skin is blackened. This will soften the flesh and make it easier to remove the skin. If you are using canned peppers, there is no need to roast them. Simply drain and rinse the peppers before adding them to the dish.

4. Jalapeño Pepper

When it comes to chili peppers, there are a lot of different options to choose from. One popular option is the jalapeño pepper. Jalapeño peppers are a good substitute for poblano peppers because they have a similar taste profile. They are also a good choice for those who want a little bit of spice in their dish but not too much.

• When substituting jalapeño peppers for poblano peppers, use one jalapeño pepper for each poblano pepper.
• If you want your dish to be extra spicy, you can leave the seeds in the jalapeño peppers. If you want it to be less spicy, remove the seeds before adding the peppers to your dish.
• Jalapeño peppers can be used in a variety of dishes, including soups, stews, chili, and even salads.

5. Pasilla Chile Pepper

Pasilla chile peppers are slightly sweeter and less spicy than poblano peppers, making them a good choice for dishes that call for poblano peppers. Additionally, pasilla peppers can be used in the same way as poblano peppers, so they are a versatile ingredient to keep on hand.

• To substitute pasilla chile peppers for poblano peppers, use one pasilla pepper in place of one poblano pepper. If you want to increase the spice level of your dish, you can add more pasilla peppers or add some crushed red pepper flakes.
• To use pasilla chile peppers, roast them over an open flame until the skin is blackened. Once the skin is blackened, remove the pepper from the heat and let it cool. Once it is cool enough to handle, peel off the skin and remove the seeds. The peeled and seeded pepper can then be chopped and added to your dish.

6. Guajillo Chile Pepper

If you're looking for pepper with a little more heat than a poblano, but with a similar flavor profile, the guajillo chile pepper is a great option. Guajillo peppers are about twice as hot as poblanos, with a Scoville rating of 2,500-5,000. They're also slightly sweeter and fruitier than poblanos, making them a great choice for dishes where you want a little extra sweetness to balance out the heat.

• When substituting guajillos for poblanos, you'll want to use about half as many peppers.
• Guajillos are typically sold dried, so they'll need to be rehydrated before using. To do this, simply soak the peppers in boiling water for about 20 minutes. Once they're soft, remove them from the water and proceed with your recipe.

7. Mulato Chile Pepper

The Mulato Chile Pepper is a dried Poblano pepper with a Scoville rating of 500-2,500. That's hot enough to give your dishes a nice little kick, but not so hot that it'll blow your head off. The Mulato Chile Pepper has a deep, smoky flavor that pairs well with meats and stews. It can also be used in sauces and salsas for a little extra flavor.

• If you're looking for a replacement measurement, one Mulato Chile Pepper is equivalent to two Poblano peppers.
• Soak the pepper in hot water for 30 minutes before using it. This will soften the pepper and make it easier to work with.
• Remove the seeds and veins before using the pepper. This will help to reduce the heat level.
• Chop or dice the pepper into small pieces so that it will better absorb the flavors of your dish.

8. Ancho Chile Pepper

The Ancho Chile Pepper is a type of dried chili pepper that is commonly used in Mexican and Southwestern dishes. It has a mild, earthy flavor with hints of chocolate, and its Scoville rating is between 1,000 and 1,500. Poblano peppers have a similar flavor profile, and with similar Scoville rating of 1,000 to 1,500.

• When substituting Ancho chile peppers for Poblano peppers, it is important to keep this difference in heat level in mind.
• Anchos can be used whole, or they can be ground into a chili powder. They can also be rehydrated and used in sauces or stuffing.
• When substituting Ancho chile peppers for Poblano peppers in a recipe, use the following measurements: 1 Ancho = 2 Poblano peppers. If you want to add more heat to a dish, you can always add more Anchos.
• If you find the dish too spicy, you can add more tomato or cream to balance out the heat.
• To rehydrate the peppers, soak them in hot water for about 30 minutes.
• Remove the seeds and veins before using them.

9. Chipotle Chile Pepper

The Chipotle chili has a smoky flavor that pairs well with many Mexican dishes. It also has a similar Scoville rating to the Poblano pepper, making it a good choice for those who want to add some heat to their food.

• When substituting Chipotle chiles for Poblano peppers, it's important to use the same measurements.

10. De Arbol Chile Pepper

If you're looking for pepper with some serious heat, the de Arbol chile pepper is a good choice. This pepper has a Scoville rating of 15,000 to 30,000, which makes it significantly hotter than the poblano pepper.

• The replacement measurements for the de Arbol chile pepper are as follows: ½ teaspoon of ground chile pepper for every one tablespoon of Poblano pepper, and one whole chile pepper for every two Poblano peppers.

11. Serrano Pepper

Serrano peppers are a good substitute for Poblano peppers because they have a similar taste profile but with a very high Scoville rating.

• Replace Poblano peppers with Serrano peppers in dishes that call for roasted, diced, or pureed peppers.
• For every 3 Poblano peppers, use 1 Serrano pepper.
• If you want the dish to be less spicy, remove the seeds and veins from the peppers before using them.

12. Tabasco Pepper

If you're looking for pepper with a little more heat than a poblano, tabasco pepper is a good substitute. This chili pepper packs quite a punch, with a Scoville rating of 30,000-50,000. That means it's about 10 times hotter than a jalapeño! Despite its high level of spice, tabasco peppers also have a complex flavor profile that includes notes of chocolate, cherry, and tobacco.

• When substituting tabasco peppers for poblanos, keep in mind that you'll need much less than half as many tabasco peppers to achieve the same level of heat.
• Remove the seeds and ribs before cooking to reduce the heat.
• If you want more spice, leave some of the seeds in.
• To tame the heat, pair tabasco peppers with cooling ingredients like yogurt or sour cream.
• Use tabasco peppers in sauces, stews, soups, and marinades.
• Roasting tabasco peppers will mellow out their flavor.

13. Habañero Pepper

Habañero peppers are one of the hottest chili peppers in the world. They sit firmly in the extra-hot zone of the Scoville scale, with a rating of 100,000 to 350,000 Scoville units. That makes them about 50 times hotter than a jalapeño pepper and 10 times hotter than cayenne pepper.

Poblanos have a Scoville rating of just 1,000 to 1,500 units, making them much milder than habañeros. Habañeros have a fruity, citrusy flavor that can add a welcome touch of sweetness to dishes. However, their heat level can also be overwhelming for some people.

• When substituting poblanos for habañeros, it's important to keep in mind that the two peppers have different flavors.
• Therefore, you'll likely need to adjust the other ingredients in your recipe accordingly.

14. Cubanelle Peppers

Cubanelle peppers have a similar taste profile but are not as spicy. They have a Scoville rating of 500-1,000. They can be used in the same dishes as Poblanos.

• Chop or slice the peppers and add them to salsa or guacamole.
• Roast the peppers and use them as a topping on tacos or nachos.
• Make a batch of roasted pepper soup or chili.
• Stuff the peppers with rice, beans, and vegetables.

15. Cayenne Peppers

Cayenne pepper is a good option. It has a Scoville rating of 30,000 to 50,000. The flavor profile of the Cayenne pepper is also fairly versatile. It's got a bit of sweetness to it, as well as some earthiness and fruitiness. When it comes to using Cayenne pepper as a substitute for Poblano pepper, here are some helpful tips:

• When substituting in recipes, use one Cayenne pepper for every two Poblano peppers.
• If you want your dish to be spicier, you can always add more Cayenne pepper. Start with small amounts and taste as you go.
• When cooking with Cayenne pepper, be sure to wear gloves and avoid touching your face. The capsaicin in chili peppers can cause irritation if it comes into contact with your skin or eyes.

People Also Ask [FAQs]

Wrap Up: Poblano Pepper Substitutes

• Any type of pepper can be substituted for one another in many dishes.
• The substitutes for poblano peppers listed in this article include Bell peppers, Poblano peppers, Serrano peppers, Tabasco pepper, Habañero pepper, Cubanelle pepper, and Cayenne pepper.
• Each of these substitutes has a different taste profile that may work better in specific dishes.
• For example, if you are looking for a less spicy option than Poblano peppers, using bell peppers as a substitute is a good choice.

By following the tips discussed in this article, you should be able to successfully substitute poblano peppers. Let us know what is your favorite substitute in the comments below.

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