11 Best Fresno Pepper Substitutes

BySarah

In this guide, we’ll cover the list of the best Fresno pepper substitutes, which are highly effective at mimicking the taste and aroma of the real thing. You can use these pepper substitutes to spice up your food or add a bit of flavor to your food. 

The best thing about these pepper substitutes is that they are available in all grocery stores. All you have to do is buy the ingredients, mix them, and voila!

Best Fresno Pepper Substitutes

11 Best Fresno Pepper Substitutes

We’ve compiled a list of the top 11 best Fresno pepper substitutes, which you can use to create your homemade version of the famous Fresno peppers.

1. Chinese Five Spice

Chinese five-spice is a spice blend that is commonly used in Asian cooking. The blend consists of cinnamon, cloves, fennel, star anise, and Sichuan pepper. It’s an excellent substitute for Fresno peppers because it has similar flavors, such as citrus and floral notes. 

Chinese five-spice can also be used in place of other sweet chili sauces or sambal oelek in different recipes. You can use this spice to make dishes such as stir-fry, soups, and salads. The best thing about this spice is that you can find it in all grocery stores. 

2. Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne pepper is a hot chili pepper native to Central and South America. It’s most commonly associated with Cajun cooking, but it can also be used as a substitute for Fresno peppers in your recipes.

Cayenne peppers are about three times spicier than jalapenos, so use caution if you’re using them in sauces or recipes that call for Fresno peppers. If you want the heat without any added flavor, cayenne works well here!

3. Ancho Chilis

Ancho chili are dried poblano chilis, which means they have the same smoky flavor as roasted poblano. You can find the whole in a jar or ground into ancho chili powder at most grocery stores. Ancho chili are used in Mexican cuisine to add sweetness and depth of flavor to dishes like chili con carne (a spicy stew usually made with meat), and mole sauce (a richly flavored chocolate sauce that’s served over meat or fish), and salsa verde (tomatillo salsa).

4. Serrano Peppers

Serrano peppers are a type of chili pepper that originated in the state of Puebla, Mexico. They are relatively mild in heat and have a citrusy flavor. Serrano peppers are used in many dishes but are most commonly found in salsas and Mexican or Southwestern cuisine.

5. Jalapeno Peppers

If you like the flavor of Fresno peppers but don’t have any handy, it’s easy to substitute jalapenos in their place. One of the most commonly used pepper varieties, jalapenos, can be found in many dishes. They’re usually served fresh out of the garden or jarred and packed in vinegar.

Jalapeno peppers are small and round with bright green skin that turns orange when cooked (or sometimes red). Their taste is medium-hot; they’re not as spicy as cayenne peppers but hotter than habanero chilis.

6. Pimento or Cherry Peppers

Pimento peppers are a variety of sweet pepper that can be used as a substitute for Fresno peppers. They are often stuffed with cheese, used in salads and salsa, and added to sauces and pickled recipes.

Pimento peppers range from red to orange in color and have a sweet flavor. They are usually about an inch long but can also be smaller or larger depending on the variety. Pimentos are very versatile; you can eat them raw or cooked, but they lose some sweetness when they cook, so it’s best to add them at the end of cooking time if possible.

7. Pasilla Chilis

If you’re looking for a chili similar to Fresno chilis but not quite as spicy, then Pasilla peppers are the way to go. These dried chilis are smaller than Fresno chilis and have a smoky flavor that will add depth and complexity to your recipes. Pasillas are often used in mole sauces and other Mexican dishes, like salsas.

8. Chipotle Powder

Chipotle powder is made from smoked and dried jalapenos, which gives it a much more concentrated heat than fresh pepper. It’s a popular ingredient in Mexican, Tex-Mex, and Southwest cuisine.

In addition to its heat, the chipotle powder has a subtle smoky flavor that reminds some people of barbecue or brandy. If you wanted to make your version of Fresno Pepper Substitute, you could use chili peppers such as Hungarian wax peppers to infuse smoke into your dried peppers before grinding them into powder form.

9. Holland Chiles

Holland chilis are a variety of chili pepper that is similar in appearance to the Anaheim pepper but with a thinner skin and a milder flavor. They’re often used in soups or stews as well as salsas. A little bit goes a long way with this one, so use it sparingly!

10. Chili Powder

Try chili powder if you’re looking for a quick and easy alternative to Fresno peppers. Chili powder is a blend of dried chili peppers, cumin, garlic, oregano, and other spices. you can use it to give dishes with ground meat or poultry an earthy flavor that’s similar in strength to that of Fresno peppers

11. Hot Paprika Powder

If you’re looking for a Fresno pepper substitute that’s easy to find and will add the same spicy kick, consider using hot paprika powder. This spice is made from dried red bell peppers and is often used in Hungarian and Balkan recipes. It’s also common in Spanish cuisine, so it’ll work well as a substitute for Fresno peppers in your favorite recipes.

12. Thai Luang Peppers

Thai Luang peppers are a perfect replacement for Fresno peppers. They are packed with many flavors, but they are also very affordable. They’re made of two parts: the bell pepper and the jalapeño. You can use them as a garnish for your food, or you can use them to make a simple appetizer. You can also use them to make a salad dressing.

13. Thai Jinda Chilis

Thai Jinda chilis are an excellent substitute for Fresno pepper. They are made from red Thai Jinda chilis, a mild and sweet-tasting variety of chili. They are also very hot, making them perfect for adding a little kick to your food. 

You can use them as a spice or put them on top of your food. You can add Thai Jinda chilis to your salad or your favorite soup. You can use them to make a spicy sauce, or you can just add a pinch of it to your food.

14. Tien Tsin Peppers

Tien Tsin peppers are one of the best alternatives to Fresno pepper. These are also called Chinese chilis. They are small and round and come in various colors, such as red, green, and yellow. They have a pleasant aroma, and they are very hot. They are easy to use and available in most grocery stores. You can use them to make various dishes, including stir-fries, soups, salads, and chili con carne.

15. Red Chili Peppers

Red chili peppers are a variety of chili peppers. They come in many shapes and sizes, but they all have the same general appearance: red and shiny. Like Fresno peppers, these chilis are hot and usually dried and ground into powder. Red chili peppers are used in Mexican and Asian cooking and in making chili powder.

16. Habanero

Habanero peppers are a popular type of pepper. They are usually used to make hot sauces, and sometimes they are also used to make salsas. We have included a recipe for a habanero salsa below. It’s spicy, so be careful when you eat it. You might want to add some extra lime juice to reduce the spiciness.

17. Scotch Bonnet

Scotch Bonnet is a hot pepper from Jamaica and is related to the habanero. You can find it in the Caribbean, Indian, and Thai dishes. Its unique flavor makes it hard to substitute with anything else. If you’re looking for an alternative to Scotch Bonnets, consider using serrano peppers instead.

Best Fresno Pepper Substitutes – FAQs

Are Fresno Peppers the Same as Red Jalapenos?

No, the Fresno peppers are a milder variety of jalapenos, and they have a few key differences that make them stand out from their cousins. If you’re not familiar with them yet (or even if you are), it can be hard to tell if your eating is a Fresno pepper or just another kind of red jalapeno.

Is There Another Name for Fresno Chiles?

A Fresno chile is a type of chili pepper typically red and grows to about three inches in length. It is named after the city of Fresno, California, where it was first cultivated. Fresno chiles are used in many Mexican dishes, as well as in Southwestern and Tex-Mex cuisine. There is no other name for Fresno chiles.

How Spicy Is Fresno Pepper?

Fresnos vary in heat depending on their age and where they were cultivated but generally fall somewhere between milder chilis like serranos and habaneros on the Scoville scale (a chili pepper spiciness). In short: Fresnos aren’t as hot as jalapenos but pack more punch than many would expect from such small fruits.

What Is the Dry Substitute for Fresno Chili?

A dry substitute for Fresno chili is a chili that has been dried and contains no water. This type of chili is typically used in recipes that call for fresh chilis, such as salsa or chili con carne.

Conclusion

So, if you’ve got a recipe that calls for Fresno chili but doesn’t have any on hand or can’t find them at the store, look no further. Here are the best substitutes for Fresno peppers so you can quickly whip up your favorite dishes.

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