Poblano peppers are known for their mild heat and earthy flavor, and they’re very versatile because they are large with thick walls. They are perfect stuffing peppers for those looking for something a little bolder than a bell pepper. If you end up with extra poblanos, there are many fun ways to use them up. Here’s what to do with poblano peppers that are taking up space in your kitchen.
Roast them
Roasted poblano peppers are tasty on its own with no further steps, but the peppers are often ingredients in other dishes. To be roasted, the peppers are placed over an open flame or under a broiler. The open flame/broiler blackens the skin and makes it easier to peel. At the same time, the roasting process brings out the earthy and lightly fruity notes in the pepper’s flavor profile.
Dry them (if you have red poblanos)
Note this works best for ripened red poblanos. Fresh green poblanos do not dry well.
Yes, you could dry those ripe red poblanos yourself for future use via rehydrating. Dried red poblanos are called ancho peppers, and they are a staple of Mexican cuisine, including the popular Mexican mole sauce.
–>Next step: Make a homemade mole sauce that uses ancho powder
There are many ways to dry poblano peppers. Take a look at our best methods for drying chilies post to consider your best options. And learn the best way to rehydrate peppers for when you want to get the most flavor.
Make a poblano cream sauce
Poblano cream sauce is a fast and easy way to use up extra poblanos, and the cream sauce provides a lot of versatility in use. Try it over chicken or turkey. It’s delicious, too, over white fish. And, of course, adding it to pasta is always a tasty option.
Our poblano cream sauce recipe uses six poblano peppers, so it’s a great way to use quite a few in one go.
Whip up a poblano corn chowder
Homemade vegetable soups of any type are a great way to use up extra poblanos. Really any soup that calls for bell pepper is an option for poblano use instead. That said, poblano corn chowder is one of our favorite ways to use up some extra chilies quick. It’s rich, earthy, and hearty – perfect for cold days (or any day where comfort food is a must!). Take a look at our recipe here.
Make a Chilean pebre sauce
While not traditionally Mexican, pebre sauce is a really tasty way to use up extra poblanos, especially if you’re looking for a topping for grilled meats. Think of pebre sauce like a pico de gallo designed for Chilean barbecue. It has a fresh, earthy tang that just works. Give our recipe a try.
Make an enchilada sauce (also great as a dipper)
Don’t get stuck on the name here. Enchilada sauce can be used for a lot more than enhancing enchiladas. It’s also delicious on tacos, burritos, and other Tex-Mex cuisines. Plus, it’s perfect as a tortilla dip.
Green poblanos are perfect for making a green enchilada sauce. See our recipe here that matches tomatillo with both fresh jalapeños and poblanos.
Must-read related posts
- Here’s What To Do With A Lot Of Jalapeños: Another common (yet quality) problem! Whether your plants produced more than expected or you simply picked up way too many from the store, we have ways to use these chilies.
- What’s The Best Poblano Substitute? If you’re reading this post, you likely don’t need this now. But be prepared for when that bumper crop of extras could turn into a lack!
- Poblano Vs. Jalapeño Showdown: These are both popular Mexican chilies, but how much are they alike? Different? We go into it.