Originating in New Mexico, Anaheim Peppers were brought to Anaheim, California, which is where they got their name.
These peppers are commonly sold fresh, but you can also buy them in a can.
Anaheim peppers are mild, and their Scoville Heat Units (SHU) range from 500 to 2500. They are highly versatile, and you can use them in various dishes to add a bit of kick or enjoy them raw.
Continue reading to learn more about this flavorsome pepper and ways you can incorporate it into your diet.
Vitamins & Minerals in an Anaheim Pepper
Anaheim peppers grow between six and ten inches (15 and 25 cm) long, so they are considered medium-sized chilis.
The most common types are dark green with a slight reddish tinge when ripe, while other varieties are completely red when ripe.
Above adding flavor to your dishes, they are packed full of the following nutrients:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin B6
- Vitamin K
- Fiber
- Potassium
These chilis are also low in calories but high in moisture content.
All in a Name
The Anaheim pepper was brought to California from New Mexico and was named after Anaheim city in California, but this chili has a few other names.
In New Mexico, they are called ‘New Mexico Chilles’ or ‘Hatch Chili Pepper” when they are grown in the Hatch area.
They are also called California Chili and Magdalena.
In northern Mexico, when dried, they are called ‘Chile Seco del Norte,’ although they are rarely used in traditional Mexican dishes.
When ripe, the red peppers are called Chili Colorado or California red chilies.
Raw or Cooked Anaheim Peppers Are a Treat for Your Tastebuds
Since Anaheim peppers are pretty mild, you can eat them raw without setting your mouth on fire.
Raw green Anaheim peppers are crunchy, refreshing, and mildly spicy, but the spicy taste won’t linger on your palette.
When cooked or roasted, expect a sweet, tangy, smoky flavor with a slight punch.
Consider the Color Before Adding Your Anaheim Pepper to a Dish
Before adding your Anaheim chilies to a recipe, take note of the color.
Green Anaheim peppers have a slight peppery taste and are spicier than red peppers.
The longer an Anaheim chili stays on the vine, the sweeter it tastes, so your red, mature pepper will be sweeter and almost fruity in taste.
There Are Lots of Ways To Use This Versatile Pepper
Most of the time, people eat and cook Anaheim peppers when they’re green, but you can also use them when they are red. They can be baked, roasted, or grilled.
When you’re looking for a bit more heat in your dish, use Anaheim peppers instead of bell peppers or chop them up and use them as a topping on your nachos or salad.
Anaheim peppers are also great for stuffing. Try stuffing them with cheese or ground meat for a tasty snack or appetizer.
Another popular way to enjoy them is to fire-roast them until the skin is charred.
The skin is then removed, and you’re left with the flesh that’s tender and packed with flavor.
It is then chopped and can be added to many things, including:
- Soups
- Stews
- Sauces
- Salsa
- Pasta
This list is not exhaustive; experiment with flavors by adding Anaheim peppers to any of your favorite dishes.
They can be used in a few Mexican dishes such as Machaca, Birria and Chiles en Nogada just to name.a few.
Apart from foods and snacks, Anaheim peppers can also be used in cocktails like the popular Mexican drinks, Margaritas and Palomas to add a spicy bite.
The Heat Can Leave You Guessing
The SHU of the Anaheim pepper ranges from 500 to 2500, which leaves you not knowing what to expect when it comes to heat.
One way to determine how hot your Anaheim pepper will be is to look at where it was grown.
Anaheim peppers grown in California are milder than those produced in New Mexico.
The varieties grown in New Mexico can be as hot or sometimes hotter than jalapeños.
Grow Your Own and Keep a Stash on Hand
Anaheim Peppers are easy to grow, provided you have enough space.
Plant them in an area where there is enough space because if they are overcrowded, they produce fewer peppers.
They grow in abundance when given enough space, so you’re likely to have more peppers than you can use, but this doesn’t mean they have to go to waste.
Anaheim chilis freeze well, so pop them into a Ziplock bag or airtight container and store them in the freezer.
Other ways to preserve them include drying or canning them.
If stored correctly, they will be good to use for about a year and are great to have on hand to add flavor to your recipes.
Final Words
Anaheim peppers are fantastic to have in your pantry as they are highly versatile.
They are mild in flavor with just a hint of spice.
You can add them to a variety of dishes, eat them raw or use them as a topping.
They are also great in cocktails.
Read: 13 Mexican Peppers for a Fiery Flavor Fiesta
Sources
- Chili Pepper Madness: Anaheim Pepper: A Popular Mild California Chili
- Isabel Eats: Anaheim Pepper: A Mild and Versatile California Chili
- Chili Pepper Wiki: Anaheim Pepper
- Bon Appetit: Why You Should Really Be Cooking with Anaheim Peppers
- Specialty Produce: Green Anaheim Chile Peppers Information, Recipes and Facts
- Pepper Scale: Anaheim Pepper Guide: Heat, Flavors, Uses
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Jorge Garcia is the founder of AmigoFoods, where he has spent over 20 years helping readers discover authentic Latin American and Spanish cuisine. Raised in a Cuban-American household, Jorge learned to cook at the hands of his mother and grandmother, carrying forward generations of family recipes. That heritage, backed by his family’s four-generation history in the Latin food industry, inspired him to launch AmigoFoods in 2003. With more than 1,000 published articles on recipes, ingredients, and food culture, Jorge’s mission is simple: make authentic Latin cooking approachable for home cooks everywhere while honoring the traditions behind every dish.