Cayenne pepper is one of the most popular chilies in the world, and not only for its life as a staple spice in your rack. In fact, if you use it only to spice your food, you are missing out on many practical – and often creative – uses of this hot pepper, whether that’s in fresh, dried, or powdered form. Here are nine top cayenne pepper uses that’ll give you a new take on this chili.
Matt Bray
Grilled Old Bay Salmon
Spiced just right.
If you’re like us and love spicy Old Bay seasoning, this grilled Old Bay salmon recipe is sure to be a keeper. The flavors pair perfectly – the rich, meaty salmon is bold enough to compliment the strong Old Bay spice, not be overwhelmed by it as some lighter fishes can be. Try it with some grilled asparagus or a light summer salad – it’s a quick and tasty meal!
Beginner’s Guide To Growing Cayenne Pepper
Easier than it looks…
Growing cayenne pepper is relatively simple, providing you manage a few variables carefully. Like many peppers, their biggest problems are temperature and water content of the soil. However, care and attention easily keep these problems from becoming your problems and allow for a good harvest.
Manzano Pepper Guide: Heat, Flavor, Uses
What are manzano peppers? There are few medium-hot chilies with true fruitiness. Most have a bright crisp flavor or an earthiness with a hint of fruit. The manzano pepper is one of the exceptions. Its apple-like shape hints at fruity, and it doesn’t disappoint with …
Chile De Àrbol Salsa
Smooth and deliciously nutty.
A surprisingly versatile chili – from decorative ristras to olive oil and beverage infusions – the chile de àrbol makes one tasty salsa too. There’s a nutty smokiness here that mellows the tomato tang and deepens the overall flavor of this smooth salsa. And it has a very eatable spicy kick – the chili falls nicely between the serrano and the cayenne pepper on the pepper scale. We love this salsa on tacos and burritos, and it’s savory enough to marinade steaks. Or just go simple and use it when you next need some tortilla chips and dip.
Dat’l Do It Hot Sauce: Sweet Sassy Molassy!
To say we were surprised by just how tasty Dat’l Do It hot sauce is would be an understatement.
Come on, ketchup is the first ingredient listed, so how good could it be? And how can you even call it a hot sauce being ketchup-based?! But once you get past these simple arguments and just try Dat’l Do It; it’s magic in a bottle. Sweet, with rich molasses undertones, and a tasty – and not overwhelming – datil pepper bite. It’s not your typical hot sauce, and that’s what makes it special. You’ll likely find yourself reaching for it more often than you’d ever imagine.
Red Pepper Flakes Vs. Crushed Red Pepper: PepperScale Showdown
The same or subtle differences? There are few food terms that cause more confusion than red pepper flakes and crushed red pepper. Are they the same thing? Are they similar, but with subtle differences? Do they use different chilies in the mix? All of these …
Small Space Spice: Growing Hot Peppers In Containers
You can grow chilies – even with little space. If you love heat in your culinary creations, you’ll be happy to know that growing hot peppers in containers is not only possible, but easy. It doesn’t matter what your chili of choice is – whether jalapeño, habanero, …
Cowhorn Pepper Guide: Heat, Flavor, Uses
What are cowhorn peppers? Chilies come in some unique shapes and sizes. You have those that take the shape of a carrot, others that taper to a scorpion-like stinger, and still others that are wrinkled and pocked like they were fire-kissed by the devil himself. …
Basic Cream Cheese Jalapeño Poppers
Cream cheese jalapeño poppers is one of those sizzling party standards that people simply love to eat. Creamy, spicy, and deep-fried, they satisfy so many cravings that it’s hard to have just one…or even two…or even five. It’s one of the reasons that jalapeño peppers are …