Sweet heat is nothing new, but this candied jalapeño recipe takes the classic sweet-and-spicy formula and layers in enough warm, savory spice to make it a genuine standout. It’s the kind of condiment that starts as a snack and ends up on everything from crackers …
Canned baked beans have their place, but they’re not even in the same league as this slow cooker ranch-style beans. Most of the recipe is slow cooker time, and the prep is mainly rehydrating your pinto beans and ancho peppers, so the effort needed for …
Macaroni and cheese is the ultimate comfort food, but even the classics can benefit from a little fire. This jalapeño mac and cheese takes that nostalgic, velvety cheese sauce and gives it a sophisticated, spicy upgrade. It’s rich, decadent, and balanced by the bright, grassy …
Looking for a side dish that walks the line between comfort food and bold, spicy flavor? This jalapeño creamed corn recipe delivers both. It’s creamy, cheesy, and rich — everything you love about traditional creamed corn — but with a lively jalapeño twist that adds …
Guacamole is tasty as-is, but for us spicy food lovers, anything tastes better with a little more heat. So why not spice up that guacamole with a little serrano pepper? That’s what powers this simple spicy guacamole. If serrano chilies (10,000 to 23,000 Scoville heat …
Potato wedge platters are one of those quick-to-make sides where the taste way outpaces the effort. And we love this one a ton: this piri piri potato wedge platter pairs African bird’s eye pepper (via piri piri — or peri peri — salt or seasoning), …
Quick, easy, and moreish, these spicy potato fritters are a hugely popular street food in northern India and Pakistan. Our aloo tikkis are fired up with serrano chilies and served with a date and tamarind chutney that’s deliciously hot, sharp, sweet, sour, and seriously simple …
Spiced apple chutney is simply delicious, but how about spiced spicy apple chutney? Now that’s a taste bud explosion of the best kind. In this recipe, traditional chutney savory spices (cinnamon, allspice, and the like) are paired against jalapeño pepper and a healthy dose of …
Planning a special dinner and want stuffing with something different to it? Jalapeño stuffing turns the traditional side into something a little edgier. You still get that “warm and fuzzy” homey stuffing feel, but with an added kick. The recipe calls for (of course) jalapeño peppers, which provide a very eatable …
Roasted Brussels sprouts – one of our favorite sides- are made even better (in our book) with the addition of a little heat. That crunch and texture are brought to even more life with a little minced fresh chili (red jalapeño or serrano are terrific) …
Free printable
Get the free PepperScale Scoville Heat Chart
25 chilies ranked from sweet to scorching — free and printable. Join the newsletter and we’ll send it to your inbox.
Subscribers get 15% off any PepperScale ebook — code in welcome email.
No spam — just Wicked Wednesday recipes and occasional extra dashes of chili pepper inspiration. Unsubscribe anytime.