30+ Recipes Using Jalapeno Peppers

Whether you’re a jalapeno enthusiast or looking to use up a bounty of fresh peppers, this collection of 30+ Recipes Using Jalapeno Peppers offers a wide range of culinary options. From spicy condiments and crowd-favorite appetizers to zesty cocktails and even baked goods, these recipes are sure to satisfy jalapeno lovers!

Jalapenos are loved for their great flavor and mild-moderate heat, making them a versatile chile pepper for many cuisines.

They’re hot without being too hot, and are fantastic both in raw and cooked preparations.

This collection of 30+ Recipes Using Jalapeno Peppers focuses on recipes that use fresh jalapenos.  

First, as we get deeper into summer, jalapenos will be a prolific harvest if you grow your own.  If not, they’ll be all over the farmers markets! 

Second, because you can buy great jalapeno peppers all year long, so these recipes can be made at any time of year.

A chile pepper’s heat level is ascertained through its rating on the Scoville Scale.  

What is the Scoville Scale?

The Scoville Scale was created in 1912 by its namesake, Wilbur Scoville, a pharmacist that was using capsaicin from peppers in a painkilling cream.

The scale is used to measure how much capsaicin (a chemical compound in chile peppers) there is in different peppers, to identify how spicy they are.  

Capsaicin is measured in units called Scoville Heat Units, or SHU.

How hot is a Jalapeno Pepper?

The Scoville Scale puts the jalapeno pepper in at approximately 3,500-8,000 SHU. 

To compare, the serrano has about 23,000 SHU, and the orange habanero pepper has approximately 350,000 SHU.

The jalapeno recipes included in this list:

  • Tasty appetizers
  • Condiments (salsa, hot sauce, jams, jellies)
  • Hearty main courses 
  • Cocktails
  • Baked goods

You’re sure to find some great uses for your jalapeno peppers with this list!  Now, let’s dive in!

1. Roasted Tomatillo & Avocado Salsa

Roasted Tomatillo & Avocado Salsa

In roasted tomatillo & avocado salsa, fresh jalapenos, tomatillos, serrano peppers, and onion roast together, then get blended with ripe avocado and fresh cilantro.  A great salsa for eggs, chips, tacos, and more!

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2. Cheddar Jalapeno Taco Cheese Ball

This flavor-packed cheese ball is loaded with cream cheese that’s seasoned with taco-inspired spices, then rolled in a delicious cheese and jalapeno coating.  A great vegetarian appetizer that’s always a hit at parties and on game day!

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3. Jalapeno Cheddar Bread

Jalapeno Cheddar Bread

What’s better than a crusty loaf of bread?  A no-knead recipe that’s filled with cheddar cheese and jalapenos!  A perfect addition to soups or simply eaten by the slice with a little butter.

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4. Pickled Jalapenos & Onions

Pickled jalapenos & onions are the perfect addition to nachos, tacos, and anywhere you need a spicy kick!  These are refrigerator pickled jalapenos that will last several weeks in the fridge!

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5. Jalapeno Poppers

Jalapeno Poppers

These cheesy, creamy jalapeno poppers with a crispy panko topping will be the star of the show at your next gathering!  Better make a double batch, these will disappear!

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6. Sweet & Spicy Pineapple Jalapeno Mimosas

Sweet & Spicy Pineapple Jalapeno Mimosas

The ultimate brunch cocktail, the mimosa!  These champagne cocktails, however, are bumped up a notch with sweet pineapple juice and fresh jalapeno peppers!

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7. Slow Cooker Jalapeno Popper Chicken

Slow Cooker Jalapeno Popper Chicken

This jalapeno popper chicken makes excellent sandwiches on hamburger buns when it’s too hot to cook!  It also makes a tasty filling for homemade taquitos!

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8. Jalapeno Black Bean & White Bean Soup

Jalapeno Black Bean & White Bean Soup

Made with two types of beans and loaded with nutritious, healthy ingredients, this vegetarian soup is brimming with goodness!  Comfort food in a bowl!

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9. Jalapeno Hot Sauce

Jalapeno hot sauce is a great option for those looking for a balanced hot sauce that’s flavorful and not too hot.  Great on eggs, tacos, and on anything that needs a pop of spicy flavor!

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10. Jalapeno Peach Chicken Bites

Jalapeno Peach Chicken Bites

Made with fresh peaches, fresh jalapenos, and a quick peach sauce, this one-pan chicken dish is great for meal prepping or family dinner!  Serve with your favorite side.

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11. Strawberry Jalapeno Jam

Strawberry Jalapeno Jam

Made with just five simple ingredients, this strawberry jalapeno jam is an easy recipe for a delicious, homemade condiment that offers three preservation methods!

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12. Jalapeno Lime Shrimp

Jalapeno Lime Shrimp in a sauté pan

Jalapeno Lime Shrimp are a quick and delicious dinner that are perfect for adding to tacos, quesadillas, rice, or simply, with a loaf of crusty bread for dipping in the buttery sauce!

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13. Spicy Watermelon Jalapeno Salad

Spicy Watermelon Jalapeno Salad

Great for hot summer days, this watermelon jalapeno salad is spicy, juicy, and packed with super flavorful ingredients like lime juice, cilantro, fresh jalapeno, and feta cheese.

Get the recipe!

14. How to Make Hot Honey with 2 Ingredients

How to Make Hot Honey with 2 Ingredients

 

Love hot honey?  You can make your own homemade hot honey for a fraction of the price of store-bought varieties!  Made with just 2 ingredients (honey and jalapenos), you can whip this up anytime!

Get the recipe!

15. Slow Cooker Mexican Steak (Bistec a la Mexicana)

Slow Cooker Mexican Steak (Bistec a la Mexicana)

Made with ingredients the color of the Mexican flag (tomatoes, onion, jalapeno), this slow cooker beef dish makes the best tacos, burritos, and rice bowls!  Plus, the slow cooker does all the work!

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16. Jalapeno Paloma Cocktail

Grapefruit juice, lime juice, freshly muddled jalapeno, and a splash of club soda make Jalapeno Paloma Cocktails the perfect, refreshing drink for summer! 

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17. Baked Jalapeno Popper Wontons

Baked Jalapeno Popper Wontons

Everything you love about jalapeno poppers, baked into a crispy, crunchy, bite-size wonton wrapper.  A great appetizer that will definitely be a crowd-favorite!

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18. Chile de Arbol Tomatillo Salsa

Made with lots of fresh jalapenos, dried chile de arbol, and tomatillos, this fiery salsa is a great addition to your Mexican fiesta!  Fantastic with tortilla chips or topped on tacos!

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19. Spaghetti with Jalapeno and Serrano PestoSpaghetti with Jalapeno and Serrano PestoLove pasta and jalapenos?  This spicy spaghetti is made with a delicious homemade pesto that gets it heat from both jalapenos and serrano peppers.  A flavorful, fiery take on pesto pasta!

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20. Bacon Wrapped Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers

Bacon Wrapped Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers

The fan favorite appetizer, jalapeno poppers, but wrapped in bacon and cooked in an air fryer!  You can’t go wrong serving these at your next party!

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21. Vegan Jalapeno Cornbread

Vegan Jalapeno Cornbread

This jalapeno cornbread recipe uses plant-based ingredients to make it a healthier alternative to traditional cornbread.  Perfect side dish to a vegetarian chili!

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22. Freezer Jalapeno Pepper Jelly

Freezer Jalapeno Pepper Jelly

This jalapeno and red bell pepper jelly is great because it doesn’t require canning or water bathing, plus, it can be frozen for up to a year!  Great served with crackers and cream cheese!

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23. Spicy Jalapeno Basil Moscow Mule

Spicy Jalapeno Basil Moscow Mule

If you like traditional Moscow Mules, wait until you try this version with basil, jalapeno, and Absolut Peppar vodka!  Crisp, bright, and perfect for a hot day!

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24. Garlicky Shrimp in Jalapeno Butter

Garlicky Shrimp in Jalapeno Butter is a super easy shrimp dish that’s made with fresh jalapenos, tomatoes, garlic, butter, and seasonings.  It’s a flavorful one-pan recipe that’s perfect over rice!

Get the recipe!

25. Jalapeno Cheddar Waffles

Jalapeno Cheddar Waffles

This jalapeno cheddar waffle recipe is a great option for those that crave a savory breakfast!  Feel free to top your waffle with a fried egg as shown in the image!

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26. Pressure Cooker Jalapeno Honey Chicken

Pressure Cooker Jalapeno Honey Chicken

The spicy-sweet flavor combination in this jalapeno honey chicken is the perfect sidekick to the garlic mashed potatoes, this recipe also features!  

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27. Jalapeno Popper Pinwheels

Jalapeno Popper Pinwheels

These jalapeno popper pinwheels are made with puff pastry, cheese, cream cheese, bacon, jalapeno, and garlic.  A fantastic flavor combination that your guests will adore!

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28. Jalapeno Bacon Swiss Cheese Ball

Jalapeno Bacon Swiss Cheese Ball on a white plate with crackers

Jalapenos, bacon, and cheese – what combination could be better?  This flavorful cheese ball is always a crowd-pleaser at parties and holidays!

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29. Jalapeno Relish (for canning)

Jalapeno Relish for canning

A great way to preserve your harvest of fresh jalapenos, this jalapeno relish gets canned so it can be stored for much longer than traditional preservation methods.

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30. Jalapeno Popper Stuffed Chicken Breast

Jalapeno Popper Stuffed Chicken Breast

Chicken breasts stuffed with cheese, cream cheese, and jalapenos, then wrapped bacon – a chicken recipe the whole family will love!

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How to store jalapenos:

Tasting Table says to keep whole, fresh jalapenos in the refrigerator and if possible, in a paper bag.

If your jalapenos are chopped, keep them in an air-tight container for up to 3-4 days.  If they become mushy, toss them.

Jalapenos can also be frozen.  Freeze your chopped jalapenos in freezer-safe bags or containers for up to 3 months.

Thank you for reading 30+ Recipes Using Jalapeno Peppers!  I hope you found something delicious to try!

Love habanero peppers?  You’ll love 20+ Recipes Using Habanero Peppers!

Looking for more recipe collections?  Here are some favorites:

 

Did you make any of these recipes?  Let me know in the comments below!  

I also have a fun Facebook group for us foodies to share recipes and talk about food.  I’d love to have you!  Request to join HERE.  Cheers!



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