Hatch green chiles, known for their Scoville heat unit (SHU) range of 1,000 to 8,000, are a culinary staple in Southwestern cuisine and Mexican recipes, cherished for their perfect blend of vibrant flavor and balanced heat. While these chiles are integral to various dishes, their limited availability can be a hurdle for enthusiasts and chefs alike. Addressing this, our exploration into eight dynamic substitutes brings to light a spectrum of flavors and heat levels, offering alternatives that align with the unique characteristics of Hatch green chiles.
Key Takeaways
- Anaheim peppers provide a milder alternative with a hint of sweetness, perfect for those seeking a gentler option.
- Poblano peppers offer a milder heat profile to Hatch green chiles, complemented by rich, earthy undertones.
- Serrano peppers elevate the spice level, ideal for dishes requiring more heat than usual.
- Jalapeño peppers serve as a familiar and moderate heat source, similar to Hatch green chiles, perfect for everyday cooking.
- Cayenne peppers bring a significant heat boost, catering to lovers of intensely spicy food.
- Bell peppers add sweet, crisp flavors to dishes, providing a no-heat alternative to Hatch green chiles.
- Banana peppers offer a mild, tangy flavor, suitable for a subtle spice enhancement in various recipes.
- Cubanelle peppers provide a mild heat and sweet flavor, ideal as a lighter substitute for Hatch green chiles.
This diverse selection of Hatch green chile substitutes spans a spectrum of flavors and heat levels, catering to various culinary preferences. From the mildly sweet Anaheim peppers to the significantly hotter cayenne peppers, these alternatives offer a way to adapt the distinctive taste and spiciness of Hatch green hhiles to suit any dish. Whether you’re seeking a milder heat profile with poblano peppers or a completely mild option like bell peppers, this list ensures your recipes maintain their intended flavor, even when Hatch green chiles aren’t available. Each substitute brings a unique taste, making them perfect for enhancing everything from traditional Mexican dishes to innovative culinary creations.
8 Hatch Green Chile Alternatives for a Diverse Flavor Spectrum
1. Anaheim Pepper
Anaheim peppers are 3 times milder than Hatch green chiles.
(on average, based on available data)
| Hatch green chile / Hatch pepper / Green Chile / New Mexico Chile | Anaheim pepper | |
| SHU | 1,000 - 8,000 | 500 - 2,500 |
| Median SHU | 4500 | 1,500 |
| Flavor | Earthy, smokey, slightly sweet, and mildly spicy | Mild, sweet and fruity, tangy |
| Species | Capsicum annuum | Capsicum annuum |
| Origin | Hatch Valley, New Mexico, USA | USA |
| Uses | Roasting, grilling, salsas, sauces, etc. | Grilled, stuffed, salsas |
Why are Anaheim peppers a good substitute for Hatch green chiles?
Anaheim peppers offer a milder, slightly sweet taste, ideal for Mexican dishes needing subtle heat without overwhelming the spicy flavor.
The Anaheim pepper, with a Scoville rating of 500 to 2,500 SHU, is excellent for those who enjoy milder spicy flavors. Its gentle heat and hint of sweetness make it a versatile substitute in Mexican dishes and stuffed peppers. Perfect for recipes that call for a chili pepper without overwhelming spiciness, it’s a staple in grocery stores, making it an accessible and adaptable choice for a range of delicious recipes.
2. Poblano Pepper
Poblano peppers are 4 times milder than Hatch green chiles.
(on average, based on available data)
| Hatch green chile / Hatch pepper / Green Chile / New Mexico Chile | Poblano pepper | |
| SHU | 1,000 - 8,000 | 1,000 - 1,500 |
| Median SHU | 4500 | 1,250 |
| Flavor | Earthy, smokey, slightly sweet, and mildly spicy | Mild, rich and earthy flavor |
| Species | Capsicum annuum | Capsicum annuum |
| Origin | Hatch Valley, New Mexico, USA | Mexico |
| Uses | Roasting, grilling, salsas, sauces, etc. | Stuffed, roasted, sauces |
Why are poblano peppers a good substitute for Hatch green chiles?
Poblano peppers offer a milder heat profile and rich, earthy flavor, making them suitable for Mexican dishes and spicy food.
Poblano peppers, ranging from 1,000 to 1,500 SHU, provide a heat level milder than Hatch green chiles, enhanced by a rich, smoky flavor. Their versatility in cooked dishes like chile rellenos and salsa verde makes them an excellent substitute. Their waxy texture and mild heat suit a variety of Mexican cuisine, offering a balanced spicy kick without overwhelming the dish’s flavor.
3. Serrano Pepper
Serrano peppers are 4 times hotter than Hatch green chiles.
(on average, based on available data)
| Hatch green chile / Hatch pepper / Green Chile / New Mexico Chile | Serrano pepper | |
| SHU | 1,000 - 8,000 | 10,000 - 23,000 |
| Median SHU | 4500 | 16,500 |
| Flavor | Earthy, smokey, slightly sweet, and mildly spicy | Crisp, bright, vegetable and notably hot |
| Species | Capsicum annuum | Capsicum annuum |
| Origin | Hatch Valley, New Mexico, USA | Mexico |
| Uses | Roasting, grilling, salsas, sauces, etc. | Salsas, sauces, pico de gallo, pickling, giardiniera, etc. |
Why are serrano peppers a good substitute for Hatch green chiles?
Serrano peppers provide a hotter spicy flavor, ideal for recipes requiring a stronger heat than Hatch green chiles.
Serrano peppers, with a Scoville rating of 10,000 to 23,000 SHU, offer a spicier alternative to Hatch green chiles. They are perfect for adding a spicy kick to salsas, hot sauces, and chili recipes. These fresh peppers maintain a crisp texture and vibrant color, enhancing dishes’ visual and taste appeal that call for a green chile substitute.
4. Jalapeño Pepper
Jalapeño peppers are about the same heat level as Hatch green chiles.
(on average, based on available data)
| Hatch green chile / Hatch pepper / Green Chile / New Mexico Chile | Jalapeño pepper | |
| SHU | 1,000 - 8,000 | 2,500 - 8,000 |
| Median SHU | 4500 | 5,250 |
| Flavor | Earthy, smokey, slightly sweet, and mildly spicy | Grassy, vegetale, slightly sweet, and moderately spicy |
| Species | Capsicum annuum | Capsicum annuum |
| Origin | Hatch Valley, New Mexico, USA | Mexico |
| Uses | Roasting, grilling, salsas, sauces, etc. | Salsas, guacamole, nachos, jalapeño poppers, etc. |
Why are jalapeño peppers a good substitute for Hatch green chiles?
Jalapeños offer a similar heat level to Hatch green chiles, making them a versatile and familiar substitute for various recipes.
The jalapeño pepper, with a Scoville rating of 2,500 to 8,000 SHU, is popular in many Mexican dishes. It has a balanced heat and grassy taste with a crisp, which complements various recipes, from tacos to stuffed peppers. They are widely available in grocery stores and an ideal substitute for Hatch green chiles in cooked dishes and salsas.
5. Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne peppers are 9 times hotter than Hatch green chiles.
(on average, based on available data)
| Hatch green chile / Hatch pepper / Green Chile / New Mexico Chile | Cayenne pepper | |
| SHU | 1,000 - 8,000 | 30,000 - 50,000 |
| Median SHU | 4500 | 40,000 |
| Flavor | Earthy, smokey, slightly sweet, and mildly spicy | Tangy, sligthly fruity, moderatly hot |
| Species | Capsicum annuum | Capsicum annuum |
| Origin | Hatch Valley, New Mexico, USA | French Guiana |
| Uses | Roasting, grilling, salsas, sauces, etc. | Hot sauces, salsas, spice mixes, curry dishes |
Why are cayenne peppers a good substitute for Hatch green chiles?
Cayenne peppers provide a much hotter spicy flavor, perfect for dishes requiring a more intense heat than Hatch green chiles.
Cayenne pepper, with a heat range of 30,000 to 50,000 SHU, is ideal for those who prefer a hotter, spicy pepper. It’s commonly used in hot sauces and spicy food preparations, adding both heat and a vibrant red color. In dried or powdered form, cayenne is perfect for recipes needing a spicy kick without altering the underlying flavors.
6. Bell Pepper
Bell peppers are significantly milder than Hatch green chiles.
| Hatch green chile / Hatch pepper / Green Chile / New Mexico Chile | Bell pepper | |
| SHU | 1,000 - 8,000 | 0 - 0 |
| Median SHU | 4500 | 0 |
| Flavor | Earthy, smokey, slightly sweet, and mildly spicy | Sweet and mild, with no heat |
| Species | Capsicum annuum | Capsicum annuum |
| Origin | Hatch Valley, New Mexico, USA | Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean and northern South America |
| Uses | Roasting, grilling, salsas, sauces, etc. | Raw or cooked in a variety of dishes, salads, etc. |
Why are bell peppers a good substitute for Hatch green chiles?
Bell peppers provide no heat but contribute a sweet and crisp flavor, ideal for recipes requiring less spiciness.
Bell pepper, with an SHU of 0, is an excellent choice for a mild chile substitute. It adds a sweet taste and rich flavor without any spiciness, suitable for stuffed peppers and salsa verde. Available in various colors, they bring visual appeal to delicious recipes where green chilis would overpower the dish.
7. Banana Pepper
Banana peppers are 18 times milder than Hatch green chiles.
(on average, based on available data)
| Hatch green chile / Hatch pepper / Green Chile / New Mexico Chile | Banana pepper | |
| SHU | 1,000 - 8,000 | 0 - 500 |
| Median SHU | 4500 | 250 |
| Flavor | Earthy, smokey, slightly sweet, and mildly spicy | Sweet and tangy, with a mild heat |
| Species | Capsicum annuum | Capsicum annuum |
| Origin | Hatch Valley, New Mexico, USA | South America (believed) |
| Uses | Roasting, grilling, salsas, sauces, etc. | Pickling, stuffing, roasting, grilling, salads, etc. |
Why are banana peppers a good substitute for Hatch green chiles?
Banana peppers offer a mild, tangy flavor, ideal for dishes needing subtler spice than Hatch green chiles.
Banana peppers, with a Scoville heat range of 0 to 500 SHU, offer a slightly sweet and tangy taste. Their mild heat and appealing color make them excellent for fresh salads and pickling. As a substitute for green chiles, they bring a delicate spiciness to Mexican dishes without being overpowering, ideal for green chiles as a substitute in cooked dishes.
8. Cubanelle Pepper
Cubanelle peppers are 8 times milder than Hatch green chiles.
(on average, based on available data)
| Hatch green chile / Hatch pepper / Green Chile / New Mexico Chile | Cubanelle pepper | |
| SHU | 1,000 - 8,000 | 100 - 1,000 |
| Median SHU | 4500 | 550 |
| Flavor | Earthy, smokey, slightly sweet, and mildly spicy | Mild and sweet, with a slight heat |
| Species | Capsicum annuum | Capsicum annuum |
| Origin | Hatch Valley, New Mexico, USA | South and Central America, but commonly grown in Italy too |
| Uses | Roasting, grilling, salsas, sauces, etc. | Salads, stir-fries, stuffing, sandwiches, etc. |
Why are cubanelle peppers a good substitute for Hatch green chiles?
Cubanelle peppers provide a sweet flavor with very mild heat, suitable for recipes requiring less spiciness than Hatch green chiles.
Cubanelle pepper, with an SHU of 100 to 1,000, is ideal for those who prefer mild heat and a sweet taste. Its versatility in Italian and Caribbean cooking complements many dishes, including stuffed peppers and salsas. As a good substitute for Hatch green chiles, it adds a slightly sweet flavor without the intense heat, suitable for delicious recipes in Mexican cuisine.