Jalapeño peppers are known for their fresh, bright flavor and medium kick. Fresh jalapeños, of course, are the cooking go-to, though jalapeño powder is coming on strong as a spice rack alternative.
This green powder has the same medium-heat and a surprising amount of flavor (bright, grassy, and slightly sweet), making it an excellent substitute for fresh jalapeños.
Try it as a replacement for black pepper
Because it’s relatively mild compared to the spice rack likes of cayenne pepper, jalapeño powder makes a unique substitute for black pepper.
Black pepper is typically used as an all-purpose seasoning. It is a way to add very mild spiciness that works well with a wide range of dishes. Jalapeño powder offers more heat (of course) and a distinct bright flavor. So the flavors aren’t similar, but if you’re looking for something different, give the substitution a whirl.
Jalapeño powder can act as a finishing spice as well. You can sprinkle it over cooked foods at the table in the same way that you would sprinkle black pepper. Add it to scrambled eggs or use it as an alternative to hot sauce on your tacos.
Replace your hot sauce with jalapeño powder
Jalapeno powder is a great substitute for hot sauce when you want the flavor of jalapeno without all of the moisture. Plus, its heat level (2,500 to 8,000 Scoville heat units) is comparable to many popular hot sauces. For instance, it shares a similar range with Tabasco Original Red Sauce (2,500 to 5,000 SHU.)
Jalapeno powder also lasts longer than bottled hot sauce, so it’s a great option for long-term storage. Think of it like chipotle powder, which technically is a jalapeño powder as well – just made from dried, smoked red jalapeños.
Key Takeaway: Jalapeño powder can replace hot sauce in recipes when you want flavor without the moisture. It also stores longer than bottled hot sauce.
Use it in jalapeño bread recipes for more consistent heat
The jalapeño flavor is a perfect complement to a range of foods, including different types of bread – like jalapeño cheese bread and jalapeño cornbread. Most of these recipes require you to stick sliced fresh jalapeños on top of the dough before baking or to mix it into a batter. While this can make for an attractive presentation, the jalapeño flavor is not always evenly distributed.
When you add the jalapeño in the form of a powder, the flavor is consistent throughout, and you can increase or decrease it without affecting the amount of moisture in the bread.
Create spicy, yet smooth barbecue sauces
Barbecue sauce is supposed to have a smooth, consistent texture. You want it to coat the meat evenly and cling to its surface. To preserve the consistency, powdered spices are typically used.
When making your own barbecue sauce, consider jalapeño powder as a way to gently increase spiciness and add a stronger pepper flavor than you get from cayenne powder (which is more neutral in taste.) It will pair well with the sweetness of barbecue sauce without affecting the texture.
Go green with a homemade chili powder seasoning
Chili powder typically consists of ground red chili peppers, along with cumin, garlic, and other spices. Jalapeño powder can be used as the chili pepper component to give a unique color spin to the normal seasoning mix. It also makes for a milder overall flavor that’s a perfect complement to fresh garden salsas.
Try jalapeño salt as a rim seasoning for margaritas
Mix together salt and jalapeño powder together to give your margarita glass some extra oomph! Match it with muddled fresh jalapeños in the margarita itself for some seriously extra spicy cocktails.
Now that we've covered some of the best uses for jalapeño powder, let's go over some additional details about this versatile spice.
Jalapeño Pepper Overview
The jalapeño pepper has become the most widely used chili pepper in North America. Its mild but detectable heat is most likely one of the reasons for this.
The name jalapeño comes from Xalapa or Jalapa, which is the capital of Veracruz in Mexico. The name came about in the 1950s and is used in Mexico for pickled jalapeños but not the fresh peppers. In the US, it is used to refer to both pickled and fresh peppers.
Modern technology has made it possible to dehydrate the peppers without the need to smoke them. So jalapeño powder retains the flavor and heat of the fresh pepper in an easy to use, shelf-stable form.
Jalapeño Powder Flavor Profile
Jalapeño powder offers a medium heat that is slightly less intense than that provided by cayenne powder. Along with its gentler pungency, jalapeño powder also offers a mild flavor similar to that of bell pepper – think more grassy and bright than the more neutral cayenne powder flavor.
It’s typically found green (ground from dried green jalapeños), though there is red jalapeño powder as well (dried from mature red jalapeños). The red jalapeño powder is typically more earthy and often slightly spicier since the heat of peppers increases with time on the vine.
Health Benefits of Jalapeño Powder
Jalapeño powder has several health benefits that come from the nutrients it contains, those nutrients include:
- Vitamin A: Carotenoids like vitamin A act as antioxidants and support eye, immune system, and reproductive health.
- Capsaicin: This is the compound that makes peppers spicy. It has anti-cancer properties and can promote weight loss.
- Dietary fiber: Jalapeño powder provides about 12% of your daily fiber needs per serving. Fiber promotes healthy digestion and heart health.
So by using jalapeño powder, you can add a spicy kick to dishes while also boosting your nutrient intake!
How Much Heat Does Jalapeño Powder Have?
If you are familiar with the pepper Scoville rating, fresh jalapeños fall into the range of 2,500-8,000 heat units. Jalapeño powder retains a similar level of heat even after being dried and ground. This makes it much hotter than mild spices like chili powder or crushed red pepper flakes.
When working with jalapeño powder, it's best to start with small amounts until you know your tolerance. Use about 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon at first, then adjust up or down to suit your preferences. Going light-handed is advisable, as the bright concentrated flavor means a little goes a long way!
How to Store Jalapeño Powder
To retain maximum freshness and heat, be sure to store your homemade or store-bought jalapeño powder properly:
- Keep in an airtight container in a cool, dark place
- Ideal storage temperature is below 68°F
- Will retain best flavor and heat for up to 1 year stored this way
Proper storage helps ensure you get the most out of this useful spice!
FAQs
How do you use jalapeño powder?
Jalapeño powder can spice up salsa, guacamole, chili, rubs, dressings, eggs, meats, popcorn and more. It provides heat and flavor wherever you'd use fresh jalapeños.
What dishes pair well with jalapeño powder?
The bright, vegetal taste complements pork, chicken, fish, shrimp, black beans, corn, cheese, potatoes, greens, and Tex-Mex classics like fajitas. It also livens up bloody marys, margaritas and spicy Micheladas.
Is jalapeño powder gluten-free?
Yes, pure jalapeño powder contains no gluten and is considered gluten-free. But always check labels if purchasing a commercial blend containing other ingredients beyond ground jalapeño.
Can you substitute jalapeño powder for fresh jalapeños?
Yes, the powder makes a convenient substitute for fresh jalapeños in many recipes. Just use about 1/4 tsp powder per medium jalapeño called for. The flavor will be similar but more concentrated in powder form.
Is jalapeño powder spicy?
Yes, it provides a similar level of heat to fresh jalapeños. Start with small amounts and adjust up or down depending on your heat tolerance. Removing more seeds before drying reduces heat levels.
Conclusion
Jalapeño powder is an extremely versatile way to add convenient spicy flavor to everyday cooking. With its concentrated bright notes and medium heat, a little sprinkle goes a long way towards livening up your favorite Tex-Mex classics, hearty chili, zesty dressings and more.
So next time you're cooking, consider keeping this flavorful powder within reach. Jalapeño powder helps make good food great!