The Anaheim pepper is a mild chili pepper that gives a boost of flavor to any dish. Learn more about this versatile chile, then use it to give some dimension to dishes that are just a little bland.
What Are Anaheim Peppers?
As the name suggests, Anaheim peppers are named after a city in California. It’s a medium-sized pepper, averaging six to ten inches long. They are typically used in cooking when they are still green.
They’re found under a variety of names, such as New Mexico peppers, California chili, and Magdalena.
If the peppers are left on the plant, they will continue to ripen to a red color. Red Anaheim peppers are usually called California red chiles or chili colorado.
What Do Anaheim Peppers Taste Like?
Anaheim peppers have a smoky, sweet, and tangy taste. They do have a little heat, but not the kind that lingers such as in very spicy peppers.
When used in quesos, soups, and stews, they don’t have an overwhelming taste and instead add a great layer of flavor.
Are Anaheim Peppers Spicy?
Anaheim peppers are very mild. In fact, mild enough that many people enjoy eating them raw!
They rank from 500 to 1,000 SHU on the Scoville Scale. For reference, bell peppers are at zero while jalapeños can be as hot at 8,000 SHU. However, the heat level varies depending on where they are grown. The peppers harvested in California are not nearly as spicy as the ones grown in New Mexico.
Where Do Anaheim Peppers Come From?
Anaheim peppers are grown in both California and New Mexico. What’s interesting is that they both start as the same seed but because they are grown in two different environments, the taste and spice levels can vary.
They are virtually identical peppers; only the ones grown in New Mexico are considerably spicier than the ones grown in California. The peppers grown in New Mexico are known as New Mexico or Hatch chiles and the California-grown chiles are called Anaheim peppers.
How to Use Anaheim Peppers
Anaheim peppers are super versatile and are a great substitute for bell peppers when you want the slightest bit of heat and extra flavor. They add a nice pleasant kick to food that’s still kid and family-friendly, making them great to use in most of your favorite Mexican recipes. Here are a few ideas:
Garnish: Tone down the heat and use an Anaheim pepper in my roasted corn salsa.
Stuff them: Use Anaheim peppers instead of poblanos for chile rellenos, or this healthier baked chile rellenos.
Roast them: Roast Anaheim and other delicious ingredients to make green enchilada sauce or salsa.
Substitutes for Anaheim Peppers
- New Mexico/Hatch chiles: This is the closest substitution for Anaheim peppers. They are spicer, but you can remove the ribs and seeds and use them as directed.
- Bell peppers: Bell peppers are even more mild than Anaheim peppers but will give you a similar result.
- Poblanos: Poblanos have a richer flavor, but are a great substitute for Anaheims.
Where to Find Anaheim Peppers
Anaheim peppers are widely popular and can be found in most big-name grocery stores.
You can also find them at local Mexican grocery stores, just note they might be under the same of “chile california”, “magdalenas” or “chile del norte”.
How to Store Anaheim Peppers
You can refrigerate Anaheim peppers for up to 10 days for optimal freshness, or at room temperature for about 1 week. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months.
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