Six JalapeƱo Powder Uses To Spice Up Your Kitchen

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JalapeƱo peppers are known for their fresh, bright flavor and medium kick. Fresh jalapeƱos, of course, are the cooking go-to, though jalapeƱo powder is coming on strong as a spice rack alternative. This green powder has the same medium-heat and a surprising amount of flavor (bright, grassy, and slightly sweet), making it an excellent substitute for fresh jalapeƱos in a pinch. But there are times when jalapeƱo powder comes into its own in the kitchen – offering an optimal experience to the fresh chili. Check out these terrific use cases to spice up your everyday cooking with jalapeƱo powder.

Table of Contents

Try it as a replacement for black pepper

Because it’s relatively mild compared to the spice rack likes of cayenne pepper, jalapeƱo powder makes a unique substitute for black pepper.

Black pepper is typically used as an all-purpose seasoning. It is a way to add very mild spiciness that works well with a wide range of dishes. JalapeƱo powder offers more heat (of course) and a distinct bright flavor. So the flavors aren’t similar, but if you’re looking for something different, give the substitution a whirl.

JalapeƱo powder can act as a finishing spice as well. You can sprinkle it over cooked foods at the table in the same way that you would sprinkle black pepper. Add it to scrambled eggs or use it as an alternative to hot sauce on your tacos.

Replace your hot sauce with jalapeƱo powder

Jalapeno powder is a great substitute for hot sauce when you want the flavor of jalapeno without all of the moisture. Plus, its heat level (2,500 to 8,000 Scoville heat units) is comparable to many popular hot sauces. For instance, it shares a similar range with Tabasco Original Red Sauce (2,500 to 5,000 SHU.)

Jalapeno powder also lasts longer than bottled hot sauce, so it’s a great option for long-term storage. Think of it like chipotle powder, which technically is a jalapeƱo powder as well – just made from dried, smoked red jalapeƱos.



Use it in jalapeƱo bread recipes for more consistent heat

The jalapeƱo flavor is a perfect complement to a range of foods, including different types of bread – like jalapeƱo cheese bread and jalapeƱo cornbread. Most of these recipes require you to stick sliced fresh jalapeƱos on top of the dough before baking or to mix it into a batter. While this can make for an attractive presentation, the jalapeƱo flavor is not always evenly distributed.

When you add the jalapeƱo in the form of a powder, the flavor is consistent throughout, and you can increase or decrease it without affecting the amount of moisture in the bread.

Create spicy, yet smooth barbecue sauces

Barbecue sauce is supposed to have a smooth, consistent texture. You want it to coat the meat evenly and cling to its surface. To preserve the consistency, powdered spices are typically used.

When making your own barbecue sauce, consider jalapeƱo powder as a way to gently increase spiciness and add a stronger pepper flavor than you get from cayenne powder (which is more neutral in taste.) It will pair well with the sweetness of barbecue sauce without affecting the texture.

Go green with a homemade chili powder seasoning

Chili powder typically consists of ground red chili peppers, along with cumin, garlic, and other spices. JalapeƱo powder can be used as the chili pepper component to give a unique color spin to the normal seasoning mix. It also makes for a milder overall flavor that’s a perfect complement to fresh garden salsas.

Try jalapeƱo salt as a rim seasoning for margaritas

Mix together salt and jalapeƱo powder together to give your margarita glass some extra oomph! Match it with muddled fresh jalapeƱos in the margarita itself for some seriously extra spicy cocktails.


UPDATE NOTICE: This post was updated on August 31, 2022 to include new content.
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Phillip Minyard

How much jalapeƱo powder equals 1 jalapeƱo chile?