Sides – Page 10 – PepperScale

Spicy Corn On The Cob

Golden sweet meet spicy…

We can dive into corn on the cob any day of the week, especially fresh oven- or grill-roasted corn. But our love for the golden sweetness of corn takes another important step when those delicious ears are made fiery. There’s so much flavor in this spicy corn on the cob recipe to go along with the fun crunch and texture of the eating experience.

Our spicy corn on the cob relies on cayenne pepper for the heat. Cumin provides a little earthiness – like you’d get in chili powder. In fact, if you’d like a lesser-heat version of this recipe, simply remove the cayenne powder and substitute in a chili seasoning. The cilantro and lime zest provide a Mexican flair – a little tangy freshness. You can go there – or simply enjoy the earthy fire of the core recipe. These are perfection on the grill, but you can oven-roast them any time of the year to enjoy whenever you want.

If this spicy corn on the cob recipe is right up your alley, don’t miss our Mexican corn on the cob recipe as well. Its mix of paprika, chili powder, and cojita cheese is reminiscent of Mexican street food in all the right ways.

Smoky And Spicy Baked Beans

by Matt Bray

Sweet BBQ flavor, smoky chipotle heat…

We love adding heat to BBQ sides, particularly baked beans. They already have that sweet barbecue flavor that’s so ready for a spicy injection to amp things up. In this spicy baked beans recipe, we opt for chipotle pepper – arguably the most perfect barbecue chili around. Chipotle peppers deliver that jalapeño-level heat, but with that delicious smoky flavor to boot that pairs with sweet barbecue sauce so well.

We like using Sweet Baby Rays BBQ sauce in this recipe as it has just the right amount of sweetness, but feel free to use your favorite barbecue sauce or make your own. You can also temper the heat by adjusting the amount of chipotle used, though you’ll also lose some smokiness in the bargain.

Jalapeño Hushpuppies

by Matt Bray

Crunchy, slightly spicy, and packed with flavor…

It’s hard to eat only one hushpuppy when they’re made with a plain dough, but when adding in jalapeño peppers and a little Old Bay seasoning, it’s like holding back the biggest food craving ever. Expect these to be gone soon after you place them out. They’ll quickly become a family favorite, perfect as an appetizer or side.

Jalapeño Mashed Potatoes

by Matt Bray

Turn the temp up on your mashed…

There are so many ways to make mashed potatoes tasty, but – of course – one of our faves is simply layering in delicious jalapeño pepper. The jalapeño’s bright flavor and low-medium heat work very well with potato earthiness. And mixed in as a paste, the flavor is consistent with every bite.

Jalapeño Cranberry Sauce

by Matt Bray

The turkey won’t know what hit it…

Yes, a jalapeño cranberry sauce is the perfect side for a spicy Thanksgiving meal, but it can be oh so much more than that. We love it on pork chops or as a tangy grilled chicken topper with a twist. If jalapeño heat isn’t quite enough, try using serrano peppers instead. They can double the spiciness while still maintaining that crisp bright taste that pairs perfectly with cranberry.

Sriracha Slaw

by Matt Bray

Coleslaw with Sriracha heat? Yes please.

It’s true. Sriracha works with near everything. At least in our book, it’s a go-to seasoning just like Old Bay or cayenne powder. This Sriracha slaw is a good example – an everyday side is turned just a little more special with a few tablespoons of Rooster Sauce. Try it with BBQ or as a sandwich side. It’ll warm you up just right.

Spicy Cucumber Salad

by Matt Bray

Spicy and light – a tasty barbecue side.

There’s an Asian flair to this spicy cucumber salad provided by the light coating of rice vinegar, sesame oil, and soy sauce. And it’s brought to spicy life by a sprinkle of crushed red pepper or cayenne powder. It may look unassuming, but there’s a lot of flavor here. It works either as an appetizer or side, and we love pairing it as a complementary dish against savory barbecue. As different as the flavors are, they just work together.

Habanero Guacamole

by Matt Bray

Bring on the guacamole extreme! So you want to experience new heights of heat in your homemade guacamole? Get ready for this. Habanero guacamole may look like your normal appetizer dip or Mexican side, but underneath all that smooth green is an explosion just waiting …

Cilantro Jalapeño Hummus

by Matt Bray

A Mediterranean spicy kick! Hummus and chili peppers, like jalapeños, go very well together. It’s the combo of beans and lime juice – the earthy and tart – that go so well with the spice. Best of all, creating a delicious spicy dip, like this …