You will love these 30+ AMAZING Jalapeno recipes! If you’re wondering what to do with jalapenos, these tips and recipes will help.
Recipes with Jalapenos
Jalapeno peppers provide a lovely spicy kick without being too outrageously hot! These little peppers easily improve our salsas, soups, even quiches with barely any extra work. This is one of those great “bang for your buck” ingredients that can turn any average recipe into a memorable meal that family and friends ask about later!
What do jalapenos taste like?
A green, smooth jalapeno pepper is like an “amped up” version of a bell pepper… It packs a bigger kick, but it has the same generally bright, fresh flavor. If the jalapenos are left a bit longer, you may seem them turn red. This is when the peppers at at they’re spiciest! They do develop an interesting sweet flavor about them, but the spice is what really hits you. If the jalapeno has corked (grown striations or scarring), that likely means it’s quite spicy.
Can you freeze jalapenos?
If you don’t have time to cook up these recipes, you’re in luck! Jalapenos freeze easily and can be used in numerous recipes months after the garden has stopped producing. Wash and prepare your peppers (leave them whole for stuffed peppers, or you can go ahead and slice or dice them to toss into other recipes). Pat them completely dry–Any moisture can lead to freezer burn!
If you’re worried about the peppers freezing together, you can flash freeze them (single layer, not touching one another on a plate or baking sheet) for a couple of hours. Then transfer to a freezer bag. If protected from moisture, these can be good to eat up to a year!
Important Note: I do not recommend using a reusable plastic or silicone container! The capsaicin in jalapenos tends to seep into porous material (which is why it can burn your skin!), and it’s difficult to remove. This could affect any foods you put in the container in the future, so it’s best to either use glass or use a disposable bag.
Help! My skin burns after cutting jalapenos!
The dreaded “jalapeno hands” can hit hours after you’ve sliced peppers! The capsaicin (the compound that causes the spicy flavor) in peppers can irritate our skin and cause terrible stinging sensations. While this doesn’t cause actual tissue damage, it can be incredibly painful. Here are some ways to prevent this or treat it if it’s already happened:
How to prevent jalapeno burns
- Wear nitrile gloves – These are the powder-free, disposable, chemical-resistent gloves that will help keep the oil off of your skin.
- Use vegetable oil – If you don’t have any gloves but just really need your jalapeno kick, you can remove the pepper oil with another oil (like olive oil, coconut oil, canola oil, etc.). Pour a quarter-size drop of oil onto hands, rub to coat (including under nails), then wash hands like usual. You may want to repeat this to be careful!
- Wash with dish detergent – Dish detergent is formulated to remove oils, and this includes hot pepper oil! Pour detergent onto hands, then only apply a couple drops of water. This is important because you don’t want to dilute the detergent too much. Spread it through your hands and fingers, scrubbing under nails with a toothbrush.
How to treat jalapeno burns
If you’ve been in contact with oil from the peppers and now are experiencing stinging and irritation on your hands, face, or other areas you’ve touched, there are several household items that will be able to help.
- Wash with dish soap – This is the step you’re going to come back to again and again! Scrub well, don’t dilute the soap, and use a toothbrush to get under and around your nails.
- Dairy milk & yogurt – The proteins in dairy milk help breakdown the capsaicin, and it provides TONS of relief. Dip hands into milk, or soak paper towels in ice cold milk and apply to areas affected (including eyes). As the milk warms, you won’t get as much relief, so consider cooling it down with ice as necessary. Milk won’t damage your skin or eyes, so it’s safe to continue applying cold milk for relief as necessary.
- Alcohol – If you have rubbing alochol or a high-proof vodka (anything with a very high alcohol content), pour some into your hands and rub it in. The alochol can help dissolve the capsaicin. Do not use this near your eyes.
- Aloe Vera Gel – The cooling effect this has on a sunburn also applies to the hot oil burn your skin is dealing with! This works best when the aloe vera is very cold. Apply a layer of aloe and let dry, then repeat as needed. Do not use this near your eyes.
- Baking Soda – Made a thick paste with water and baking soda, then apply to hands and allow to dry. Repeat as needed. Do not use this near your eyes.
Breakfast Recipes with Jalapenos
If you like to start your day with some mild heat, these jalapeno breakfast recipes will have you covered!
Jalapeno Dip Recipes
A little spicy dip, cream, or sauce can turn regular store-bought chips into an appetizer that everyone will love! When you aren't dipping veggies or chips into these jalapeno recipes, you'll want to drizzle them on nachos, tacos, and so much more!
Jalapeno Appetizers & Side Dishes (and a drink)
Who doesn't love a little spicy side dish to keep your meals interesting?! These jalapeno recipes are great for fun party appetizers or dinner sides to stretch a meal to feed a crowd.
Easy Jalapeno Dinners
These dinner recipes get a great flavor boost from tasty jalapenos!
This hearty Keto Chili recipe features tons of meat, peppers, spices and tomatoes! At about 8 net carbs per serving this low carb, no bean chili will become a family favorite! If you prefer cooking it in the Instant Pot, there's a recipe for that, too!
These Chicken Fajitas are packed with flavor for an easy, healthy meal! The chicken is flavored with a homemade marinade, then grilled to perfection.
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