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    Home » Cooking Tips

    Chile Poblano

    Published: Dec 22, 2021 · Updated: Feb 28, 2022 by Mitch and Justine · This post may contain affiliate links

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    Poblano Peppers Pin

    The chile poblano (or poblano pepper) is one of the most utilized chiles in Mexican cooking. Learn everything you need to know about poblano chiles, including how to roast, peel, and deseed them in this detailed guide.

    Poblano Peppers on the Counter
    Discover more about poblano chiles
    Table of Contents
    • 📖 What are poblano peppers?
    • 🍴 Flavor profile
    • 🔥 Spice level
    • 🍎 Health facts
    • 📋 Recipe
    • 🍽 Poblano peppers dishes
    • 🌡️ Storage
    • 💰 Buying guide
    • ♻️ Substitutions
    • 🌶 More Mexican chiles
    • 💬 FAQ

    📖 What are poblano peppers?

    Poblano peppers are Mexican chiles that come from the state of Puebla where they were first grown — hence their name.

    Hard to miss, chiles poblanos are dark green and about 4 inches long. They look similar to Anaheim chiles and green bell peppers.

    You can find poblano chiles in many Mexican dishes as they provide a lot of flavor with a relatively mild heat. Poblano peppers are often roasted and cut into strips (rajas) to be used in recipes like rajas con crema.

    Note: watch the video of this post for more information on roasting poblanos.

    When poblano peppers are dried (in the sun or a dehydrator), they transform into ancho chiles. The dried version of poblanos can also be used in a wide array of Mexican dishes, providing a unique set of flavors.

    🍴 Flavor profile

    Poblano peppers have a garden-fresh flavor, similar to green bell peppers. The difference lies in the kick of heat chiles poblanos provide.

    When poblano peppers are cooked (roasted in most cases), they take on a sweet, fruity flavor with hints of smokiness.

    Chiles poblanos add a beautiful color and flavor to sauces (like espagueti verde), they make the perfect vessel for stuffing (chiles rellenos), and much more.

    🔥 Spice level

    The chile poblano is not considered very spicy, but the heat level from pepper to pepper can vary significantly. These chiles register in at about 1000-2000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU).

    This is mild compared to jalapeños, which are approximately 2.5-5x hotter on the Scoville Scale.

    Scoville Scale
    Poblano chiles are between Anaheim and jalapeño peppers

    🍎 Health facts

    Poblano chiles don't just bring flavor to recipes, they contain many health benefits too!

    Containing significant amounts of vitamin C and vitamin A, these green chiles contribute to both eye and skin health.

    Not only that, but the chile poblano also helps fight pain and inflammation (thanks to the capsaicin it contains).

    📋 Recipe

    Roasted Poblano Pepper

    How to Roast Poblano Peppers

    Mitch and Justine
    Learn how to roast, peel, and seed poblano peppers using three different techniques in this step-by-step recipe.
    5 from 41 votes
    Prevents your screen from going dark
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 10 mins
    Total Time 15 mins
    Course Cooking Tip, How-to
    Cuisine Gluten-Free, Mexican, Vegan
    Servings 4 poblano peppers
    Calories 10 kcal

    Equipment

    • Knife & cutting board
    • Ziploc bag
    • Baking sheet
    • Tongs

    Ingredients
     

    US Customary - Metric
    • 4 poblano peppers ($0.48)

    Instructions
     

    Pan Roast

    • Heat a cast-iron griddle or comal over high. Pan-roast the whole poblano peppers until all sides are blackened and blistered, about 10 minutes. Make sure to rotate the peppers throughout cooking.

    Broil

    • Turn your oven onto broil and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Spread the whole poblano peppers out evenly and broil for 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway.

    Flame Roast

    • Turn a gas stove burner onto high. Using tongs, roast the whole poblano peppers directly over the flame, turning throughout, until all sides are blackened, about 2-3 minutes per side.

    Steam & peel

    • Once they are roasted, transfer the poblanos to a Ziplock bag or bowl with plastic wrap over top to help loosen the skins. Let them steam for 5-10 minutes, then peel the skins off.
    • Open the peppers up and remove the seeds and veins, then slice them into thin strips or use them as-is for sauces, etc. Wash your hands well after handling them or wear gloves.

    Video

    Notes

    • Recipe cost calculations are based on ingredients local to us and may vary from recipe-to-recipe.
    • All prices are in USD.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1poblano | Calories: 10kcal | Carbohydrates: 2.3g | Protein: 0.4g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Trans Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 1.5mg | Potassium: 87.5mg | Fiber: 0.8g | Sugar: 1.2g | Vitamin A: 185IU | Vitamin C: 40.2mg | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 0.2mg
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    🍽 Poblano peppers dishes

    Poblano peppers are utilized in many different styles of dishes. They are perfect for roasting, boiling, stuffing, sautéeing, or simply eating fresh! Some of our favorite poblano pepper recipes are:

    • Rajas con crema
    • Molotes
    • Espagueti verde
    • Enchilada sauce
    Roasted Poblano Pepper on the Counter
    Try roasting your poblano peppers for a unique flavor

    🌡️ Storage

    Store fresh poblano chiles in the fridge for up to 6-7 days in the crisper drawer. If they are roasted and peeled, they will last you up to 2-3 days in an airtight container.

    You can freeze fresh or roasted poblano chiles for up to 6-12 months in a freezer-safe container or bag.

    💰 Buying guide

    If you're a fan of Mexican cuisine, finding the best poblano peppers is a crucial step in the cooking process. These tips will give you some ideas of what to watch out for.

    What to look for

    Choose poblano peppers that are shiny, firm, and have a uniform color. They should feel heavy and dense for their size.

    Avoid any wrinkled, bruised, discolored, or flaccid peppers.

    Where to buy

    You can find poblano peppers in most grocery stores in the fresh produce section.

    Open Poblano Peppers on a Counter
    Poblano chiles should be dark green and smooth

    ♻️ Substitutions

    If you have trouble finding the chile poblano, there are two noteworthy substitutions:

    1. Anaheim peppers. Although spicier and not as earthy in flavor, Anaheim peppers are still the best replacement for poblanos.
    2. Green bell pepper. With more garden-fresh (though less complex) flavors, a green bell pepper is a suitable substitute for the chile poblano. We would recommend pairing half a jalapeño with one bell pepper to achieve a similar spice level.

    🌶 More Mexican chiles

    If you're interested in learning about more popular chiles used in Mexican cooking, check out our other detailed guides:

    • Chile jalapeño
    • Chile serrano
    • Chile habanero
    • Chile ancho
    • Chile pasilla
    • Chile guajillo

    💬 FAQ

    Are poblano peppers spicy?

    As we mentioned, poblano peppers are considered a mild chile. However, some poblano peppers can be surprisingly spicy so watch out!

    Do I have to peel poblano peppers?

    If you are eating poblano peppers fresh, you don't need to peel the skin (although it is fairly tough). Much like roasted red peppers, roasted poblano peppers have papery, unappetizing skins so it's best to remove them.

    Are red poblano peppers safe to eat?

    When poblano peppers are left to ripen longer, they turn red. They are safe to eat and will develop a sweeter flavor. You're unlikely to find red ones at a grocery store, but you can if you're growing them yourself.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Cindy

      January 11, 2023 at 7:05 am

      Making chili. should I roast them before I cook them with the chili or add them raw? Looking for a bit of spice.

      Reply
      • Mitch and Justine

        January 11, 2023 at 7:08 am

        Hey Cindy!

        We recommend roasting them beforehand to impart smoky/spicy flavors. If the chili needs more spice, try adding a few jalapeños or serranos!

        Reply
    2. Justin Shapiro

      November 29, 2022 at 8:24 pm

      This site truly has all the information I wanted concerning this subject and didn’t know who to ask.

      Reply
      • Mitch and Justine

        November 30, 2022 at 6:30 am

        Hey Justin!

        That is so great to hear! We're glad you found the answers to your questions. If you need anything else, don't hesitate to ask!

        Reply
    3. Gay

      November 12, 2022 at 1:24 pm

      I have a poblano pepper that I left in refrigerator too long and it is wrinkled and soft. Can I still use it? How?
      Thanks!

      Reply
      • Mitch and Justine

        November 16, 2022 at 6:04 am

        Hi Gay!

        Yes, absolutely! Roasting it is actually a great way to use up a poblano pepper that is going wrinkly! Hope that helps.

        Reply
    4. Nora

      November 09, 2022 at 10:11 am

      5 stars
      I have never cooked anything with poblano peppers. Your recipe has inspired me! Thank you so much!

      Reply
      • Mitch and Justine

        November 14, 2022 at 6:31 am

        Hey Nora!

        That's so great to hear! You will love roasting poblano peppers!

        Reply
    5. Jerika

      November 08, 2022 at 10:06 pm

      Yay! It's my first time to roast Poblano Peppers!:) Can't wait to taste its sweet, fruity flavor and smokiness.:)

      Reply
      • Mitch and Justine

        November 16, 2022 at 6:05 am

        Hey Jerika!

        That's so great to hear! We hope you enjoy the flavors!

        Reply
    6. The Sudden Cook

      November 08, 2022 at 9:19 pm

      5 stars
      Enjoyed reading up on these peppers! Thank you for sharing:)

      Reply
      • Mitch and Justine

        November 16, 2022 at 6:05 am

        Of course! We are happy you enjoyed the information 🙂

        Reply
    7. Cami

      November 05, 2022 at 6:23 pm

      I think you meant tongs instead of thongs. At least I hope so. 😉

      Reply
      • Mitch and Justine

        November 07, 2022 at 2:08 pm

        Haha, you are so right 😂 Thanks for catching that!

        Reply
    8. Kaeen

      April 08, 2022 at 8:59 pm

      5 stars
      I didn't know l had to roast and peel the Plano pepper. I have stuffed them and baked them and they were good. Enjoyed reading your article. Thanks 😊

      Reply
      • Broke Bank Vegan

        April 09, 2022 at 6:05 am

        Hi Kaeen!

        We're so glad you enjoyed them!

        Reply

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    Hey, we're Mitch & Justine! We've been vegan for over 9 years, and we love to share feel-good plant-based recipes. Find out how a couple of RNs from Canada became full-time food bloggers! Tell me more →

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