In fact, the hottest serrano can be 9 times hotter than the mildest jalapeño pepper. But on average you are likely looking at a 3-time difference in heat. That can be enough to keep some sensitive palates from moving up the scale to the Serrano, but it’s definitely a heat most can enjoy.
A common inquiry we ran across in our research was “Which pepper is hotter jalapeno or serrano?”.
The answer is that simply put, serrano peppers are 2-4 times hotter than jalapeños. Serranos rate between 10,000-20,000 SHUs on the Scoville scale, while jalapenos come in between 5,000-8,000 SHUs. Don’t let the smaller size of serranos fool you!
You may be wondering “Is Serrano hotter than Jalapeno?”
Some sources claimed serrano is in fact, hotter than jalapeno. If you are interested in knowing the hotness meter of these peppers then keep reading this One, how To article, How hot is a Serrano pepper compared to Jalapeno . Looking at Serrano and jalapeno peppers, it is quite difficult to differentiate between the two.
Here is what my research found. jalapeño peppers, while technically medium in heat, really neighbor the mild end of the pepper scale, so when jalapeño is diluted with other ingredients in salsas and hot sauces, you’ll get a pretty mild eating experience.
Another frequent query is “How hot is a jalapeno pepper?”.
One source proposed while in the world of the pepper scale jalapeños aren’t overly hot , they are much spicier than poblano peppers. Jalapeño peppers reach between 2,500 and 8,000 Scoville heat units – a heat grade that places them at the low end of medium-heat peppers.
What is the difference between Serrano peppers and jalapeno peppers?
The difference is really in the heat . The serrano brings 10,000 to 23,000 Scoville heat units to the table. That’s a significant upgrade from the 2,500 – 8,000 SHU that the jalapeño pepper packs. That’s up to nine times spicier.
Hot wax peppers are usually eaten fresh or pickled, and are used to season sauces, soups, and stews. Serrano peppers, with their smooth and gloss dark green skin , are a slightly smaller version of a jalapeño, and almost as popular. They are good roasted, and are most often used in sauces, salsas, and as a garnish.
Can I use serrano peppers instead of jalapenos?
Just know that serranos are both hotter (2-4x spicier) and smaller than jalapenos. If you are making stuffed peppers, serranos may not be suitable . However, if you are just chopping peppers for salsa or guacamole, either pepper will work fine. See more jalapeno substitutes here.
The serrano has a bit of a brighter finish to it, but otherwise if you’ve tasted the jalapeño (most have), you know what you are getting in a serrano. That’s a major reason why the jalapeño pepper is a good substitution for the serrano, along with the overall availability differences. Are they available fresh in stores?
In terms of taste, the Anaheim is slightly sweeter, but there is still a crispness to it that makes it a decent alternative, especially when chopped fresh for salsas. The Anaheim is a much larger chili than the jalapeño. In fact, it also makes a terrific poblano pepper substitute .
What is the difference between Poblanos and jalapenos?
Poblanos are the peppers that are typically used in chile relleno. Though the pepper lacks heat, especially when green and less ripe, some poblanos (particularly ripened red ones) have been known to pack a surprisingly spicy punch. Jalapeños are a margarita’s best friend . They get along well with nachos, too, and guacamole, salsas, and pizza.