21 Flavorful Types of Peppers to Ignite Your Cooking

Types of peppers for cooking provide an exciting variety of flavors, colors, and heat levels that add depth to dishes. From mild and sweet to bold and spicy, these peppers bring a unique touch to countless recipes.

Many options are versatile, allowing them to be roasted, stuffed, grilled, or used fresh to enhance meals. Each type of pepper offers a different intensity and aroma, making them valuable for adding both flavor and visual appeal.

Peppers are also packed with nutrients, making them a healthy addition to various cuisines. Explore 21 types of peppers for cooking and discover new ways to spice up your meals:

21 Popular Pepper Varieties for Cooking You Should Know

From sweet to spicy, peppers come in all shapes and heat levels. This list covers 21 varieties to add flavor to your meals.

Birds Eye

Bird's eye pepper is a fiery ingredient that packs a serious punch in cooking.

Originating from Thailand, this small yet potent chili delivers heat comparable to cayenne and habanero peppers.

Often found enhancing the flavors of authentic Thai dishes, it’s primarily used to create zesty hot sauces or vibrant chili powders.

With Scoville Heat Units ranging from 50,000 to 100,000, you can expect your palate to experience an intense warmth that adds depth and character without overwhelming other ingredients.

Piquillo

Piquillo peppers are small, sweet Spanish varieties renowned for their deep red color and slightly smoky flavor.

Often found jarred or canned in specialty markets, these versatile peppers lend themselves to various culinary uses such as stuffing with cheese or blending into savory sauces.

Their heat level can fluctuate significantly but typically falls within the range of mild to moderately spicy, making them a delightful alternative when compared to poblano or Anaheim peppers.

Incorporating piquillo peppers into your dishes not only enhances taste but also adds an appealing visual element.

Bell Peppers

Bell peppers are a versatile ingredient renowned for their sweet flavor and crisp texture. These non-spicy peppers can be enjoyed raw, making them perfect for snacking with dips like hummus or ranch dressing.

In the kitchen, bell peppers shine as an ideal choice for various recipes, including stuffed variations that cater to both vegetarian preferences and meat lovers alike. They serve as colorful additions to salads or stir-fries, enhancing not only taste but also visual appeal in your dishes.

With zero Scoville Heat Units, these peppers offer a delightful crunch without any heat.

Yellow Chile

Yellow chile peppers are a unique addition to the kitchen, known for their surprising range of heat that can vary from mild to fiery. Their glossy yellow skin and smooth texture make them visually appealing, adding vibrant color to any dish.

These versatile peppers lend themselves beautifully to various cooking methods; whether you roast them for zesty salsa or stuff them with savory fillings, they deliver an exciting punch. Enjoying these chiles raw in salads brings a fresh crunch, while pickling enhances their tangy flavor profile.

With Scoville Heat Units ranging from 100 to 15,000, yellow chiles offer something special for every palate in your culinary adventures.

Cubanelle Pepper (Cuban Pepper)

Cubanelle peppers are a versatile ingredient known for their mild sweetness and bright green color, making them an excellent choice in various dishes. Often enjoyed fried, these peppers add a delightful crunch and subtle flavor to meals without overwhelming heat.

Their low Scoville rating makes them ideal for those who prefer gentler spice levels while still wanting to enhance their culinary creations. You’ll find cubanelle peppers shine in recipes that traditionally call for bell peppers or as stand-alone delights on your plate.

With their unique profile, these sweet peppers can elevate everything from stir-fries to salads effortlessly.

Piri Piri

Piri piri peppers are a fiery addition to many dishes, originating from African and Portuguese kitchens. Their intense heat level, ranging from 50,000 to 175,000 Scoville Heat Units, makes them a favorite for those who enjoy bold flavors.

Often featured in marinades and sauces, these peppers bring both spice and character to meals. You might encounter them in grilled chicken or seafood recipes where they enhance the dish's overall taste profile with their zesty kick.

Adding piri piri can instantly elevate your cooking by introducing an exciting layer of heat that engages the palate without overwhelming it.

Shishito

Shishito peppers are small, flavorful gems that bring a delightful surprise to any meal. Often enjoyed roasted, their mild taste can occasionally pack an unexpected punch of heat.

Their unique character makes them ideal for appetizers or as a tasty addition to various dishes. With Scoville heat units ranging from 50-100, they offer just enough spice without overwhelming your palate.

These versatile peppers effortlessly elevate casual gatherings and make for enticing finger food at dinner parties too.

Serrano

Serrano peppers are a flavorful ingredient in various dishes, delivering a moderate heat that enhances your meals without overpowering them. Their spiciness sits comfortably between jalapenos and habaneros, making them an excellent choice for those who appreciate warmth but prefer milder options.

Often dried after ripening to a striking red hue, these versatile chiles add depth to salsas when paired with other varieties like tabasco or hatch peppers. Chopping serranos into guacamole introduces just the right kick while complementing creamy textures beautifully.

With Scoville Heat Units ranging from 8,000 to 22,000, they bring an enticing spice level that's sure to please many palates.

Poblano Pepper

Poblano peppers are a versatile addition to your culinary repertoire, known for their mild to medium heat and rich flavor profile.

These peppers transform into ancho chiles when dried, offering an interesting dimension in dishes.

Roasting poblano enhances their natural sweetness, making them ideal for stuffed recipes like chile relleno.

With a Scoville Heat Unit range of 1,000-1,500, these peppers provide just the right kick without overwhelming the palate.

Habanero

Habanero peppers are some of the spiciest options in the pepper family, often sought after by those who crave intense heat.

Renowned for their fiery punch, these vibrant fruits also surprise with a subtle sweetness that balances their scorching nature.

You'll frequently encounter habaneros in salsas and sauces, adding depth and character to dishes while bringing a tantalizing kick.

With Scoville Heat Units ranging from 100,000 to 350,000, they deliver an exhilarating experience for spice enthusiasts eager to explore bold flavors.

Banana Pepper

Banana peppers are a versatile ingredient known for their mild sweetness, making them a favorite in various dishes.

Often referred to as sweet banana peppers in the southern United States, they add an inviting flavor to pizzas and antipasto salads commonly found at Italian eateries.

While these peppers typically lean towards the sweeter side, there's always a chance of encountering one that surprises with its slight heat.

With Scoville Heat Units ranging from 0 to 500, you can use banana peppers confidently without overwhelming your palate.

Guajillo

Guajillo peppers are a versatile addition to various dishes, known for their mild heat and rich sweetness.

With a Scoville rating comparable to jalapeños, these dried peppers bring depth without overwhelming spice.

Frequently ground into powder, guajillos serve as an essential ingredient in traditional mole sauce and other Mexican recipes.

Their unique flavor profile enhances everything from soups to marinades, making them a must-have for any home cook looking to elevate their meals with complexity.

Anaheim Pepper

Anaheim peppers are versatile and widely used in various dishes, known for their mild heat that typically ranges from 500 to 2,500 Scoville Heat Units.

These peppers often serve as the go-to choice when you reach for green canned chiles due to their commonality.

While similar in spiciness to poblano peppers, Anaheim varieties shine particularly well in salsas and Mexican soups, enhancing flavors without overwhelming heat.

Interestingly enough, hatch chiles are actually a hotter variant of Anaheim grown specifically in Mexico.

Pepperoncini (Sweet Italian Pepper)

Pepperoncini are sweet Italian peppers known for their mild heat and tangy flavor.

Often found in salads, sandwiches, or as a zesty addition to antipasto platters, they bring a delightful crunch that enhances various dishes.

While frequently mistaken for banana peppers due to their similar appearance, pepperoncini offer slightly more spice on the Scoville scale.

With a range of 100-500 heat units, they add just enough kick without overwhelming your palate.

Cayenne

Cayenne pepper is a fiery addition to your spice collection, known for its intense heat and vibrant flavor.

Often found in both red and yellow varieties, this pepper can elevate dishes with its distinctive kick.

Ground cayenne is frequently used in various cuisines, enhancing everything from chili to soups with a burst of warmth.

Its Scoville Heat Units range between 35,000-50,000, ensuring that just a dash brings an exciting level of spiciness to meals.

Scotch Bonnet

Scotch bonnet peppers are known for their fiery heat and distinctive fruity flavor, making them a staple in Caribbean cuisine.

Their unique taste brings depth to dishes like jerk chicken and spicy sauces, offering both warmth and complexity.

The Scoville scale reveals just how hot these peppers can get, ranging from 80,000 to 400,000 heat units.

If you love bold flavors that pack a punch in your cooking, incorporating scotch bonnets will surely add an exciting kick to your meals while enhancing the overall experience of each dish.

Pasilla

Pasilla peppers are a staple in Mexican cuisine, particularly known for their role in creating rich mole sauces.

These dried chilaca peppers offer a subtle heat that ranges from mild to moderate, making them an excellent choice for those who appreciate flavor without overwhelming spice.

With Scoville Heat Units between 500 and 2,500, you can use pasilla peppers to add depth and complexity to your dishes without overpowering other ingredients.

Their smoky undertones enhance everything from stews to salsas while inviting you into the world of traditional cooking methods.

Pimento Pepper

Pimento peppers are a versatile ingredient known for their mild sweetness and color.

Commonly recognized as cherry peppers, these small, round delights add a distinct flavor to dishes like pimento cheese.

Often mistaken for red bell peppers due to their appearance, the unique taste of pimento elevates recipes with its subtle warmth without overwhelming heat.

With Scoville Heat Units ranging from 100 to 500, they provide just enough kick while remaining accessible for everyone in your kitchen adventures.

Rocoto

Rocoto peppers are a striking variety that resembles bell peppers, but their heat can surprise the uninitiated. Renowned for their fiery profile, these vibrant fruits pack a punch comparable to habaneros and add depth to any dish you prepare.

Just a small amount elevates salsas and sauces with an intense flavor that lingers on the palate. They bring not only heat but also rich undertones that enhance your cooking adventures.

With Scoville Heat Units ranging from 30,000 to 100,000, they offer versatility for those who appreciate spice in their meals.

Jalapeno

Jalapeño peppers are a staple in kitchens across North America, Central America, and South America due to their versatile flavor profile. Known for adding just the right amount of spice without overwhelming heat and with Scoville Heat Units ranging from 2,500-8,000, these peppers have found a special place in Mexican and Tex-Mex dishes.

Their mild version developed by Texas A&M University allows you to enjoy the signature taste while keeping it gentle on your palate. Stuffing jalapeños with cheese creates an irresistible appetizer, but they also shine in salsas, chilis, soups, and more.

Interestingly enough, when smoked; they transform into chipotle peppers which bring another dimension to various recipes with rich smokiness.

Fresno

Fresno peppers are a flavorful variety known for their sweet yet slightly spicy profile, making them an excellent choice in many dishes. Typically red with firm flesh, they offer a medium thickness that holds up well during cooking.

These versatile peppers shine in Latin-inspired meals like soups and stews, adding depth to dips as well. Their unique taste allows you to fire-roast them or substitute them seamlessly for jalapeño peppers in your favorite recipes.

With Scoville Heat Units ranging from 2,500 to 10,000, Fresno peppers can enhance your culinary creations without overwhelming the palate.