Chili peppers are one of the most important ingredients in dishes all over the world, especially Mexican cuisine, which is known for its varied flavors and tastes. Many different chili peppers, both fresh and dried, are essential when it comes to cooking, and Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine would be completely different without them. 

Some chili peppers have different names when they are dried, because their flavor is completely different from the fresh version. There are many different chili peppers used in Mexican cuisine, but here are the most commonly used.

Jalapeno

Jalapenos are very common in Mexican dishes. They are often used to add heat and flavor in sauces, salsas, meats and more. Jalapenos have medium spiciness that makes them great for adding some zest into all sorts of dishes. These peppers are one of the most versatile, which makes them very popular. They can be stuffed, fried, pickled, and more. 

At The Plaza Restaurant, they are the most popular pepper overall, and are found all over the menu. They come served in our appetizers, sauces, and even drinks, like the spicy jalapeno margarita and bloody Mary.

Poblano

Poblano peppers are similar to the jalapeno, but they are larger and have a deep, rich flavor. They are often used in Mexican stews, salsas, soups and sauces because of their unique taste. When poblanos are dried they turn into anchos. Anchos have more of a smoky, fruity flavor. Poblano peppers are commonly fried, stuffed, or used in sauces. 

One of the most popular dishes using a stuffed poblano pepper is a chile relleno. This pepper can be found in The Plaza’s Chef Combo, La Casa Especial, and The Plaza Especial.

Serrano

Serrano peppers are small, but they pack a lot of heat. Depending on their size and when they are picked, these peppers can be very spicy and are used in salsas or sauces for this reason. They are also mixed into pico de gallo and guacamole. This pepper can be found in The Plaza’s Avocado cream salsa.

Habanero

Even though they are small, habanero peppers are one of the hottest chili peppers. Depending on when they are picked they can have many colors, but the most common are red and orange. They can be mild or very hot depending on their size. They are mainly used in salsas, hot sauce, and pastes, to make them extra hot. If you’re looking to add some serious spice to your dish, this is the pepper for you.

Try Our Chili Pepper Dishes!

Most of these popular chili peppers can be found in a variety of our dishes, appetizers, and drinks on our Menu. Check out our Locations to find a restaurant near you, including in Amarillo, Lubbock, Borger, Pampa, Childress and Dumas, Texas and Altus, Oklahoma.