Here are a few ingredients to use as poblano pepper substitutes. These are handpicked poblano substitutes listed for your convenience to make your stuffed pepper, salsa, or stew more original as possible.
Are you postponing a recipe just because you don't find poblano peppers on the shelves of grocery stores? No worries, you don't need to wait for the season to enjoy your favorite recipe.
There are a couple of similar peppers that can provide the same results. We have made a list that matches up with its heat profile or texture. The following list of poblano substitutes could provide you with a better idea.
Choose the best option depending on the recipe.
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What is poblano pepper?
These are one of the mild pepper varieties and one of the large pepper varieties. The matured poblano peppers are about 4 inch long and a width of 2 inch over its shoulder, which slightly tapers toward the end.
These have thick, glossy skin and a thick wall. Its seeds are clustered to the white membrane at the center, which acts like a rib of the pepper.
Understanding the essential characteristics of poblano peppers makes it easy to choose alternatives.
Bell pepper
If you are searching for a poblano pepper substitute for a stuffed pepper recipe, bell peppers are the first choice in everyone's mind.
These peppers are also huge, slightly similar to poblano peppers. They also have more space inside, an excellent advantage for a stuffed pepper recipe. On top of that, bell peppers can also hold the stuffing very well because of their firm flesh.
The only disadvantage here is that bell peppers lack the subtle heat that poblano peppers can provide. But the good news is that you can match up the heat by adding cayenne pepper powder or red pepper flakes.
Cubanelle peppers
Its heat is milder than that of the poblano peppers, which range from 100 to 1000 SHU on the Scoville scale. In contrast, the poblano pepper’s heat intensity ranges between 1000 and 1500 SHU.
On the other hand, its shape and the texture of the flesh are similar to the poblano peppers. Hence, this is a good choice of substitution when you're thinking of making your dish with little heat.
Banana peppers
Another great pepper with a mild heat, where its heat ranges between 0 to 500 SHU. It has a long elongated body with hollow space inside. And this property makes it great for substituting in the stuffed pepper recipe.
This pepper also has less heat than poblano peppers. Hence, it works great as a substitute in the stuffed pepper recipe and is also good in the salsa or chili recipe. You may add a quarter teaspoon of cayenne pepper to increase its heat level.
Anaheim pepper
This pepper has a mild heat and measures about 6 to 10 inches long. Its body is narrow, 1 inch wide at the shoulder, slightly bent on the lower part, and has a pointed tip.
They may not hold the same quantity of stuffing as poblano, but they still deliver good results.
This pepper works perfectly if you are making a dish with less heat. You may substitute poblano peppers with Anaheim peppers in stuffed pepper recipes, salsa recipes, or stew recipes.
Add red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper powder to increase the intensity of heat.
New Mexico chilies
These peppers are originally used in making authentic Mexican-style enchiladas and sauces. They have a rich aroma, mild heat, and a size between 4 and 6 inches long. Hence, they serve as a good substitute in a stuffed pepper recipe.
Also, these work well in salsa, sauce, chili, and other recipes.
Jalapeno
These are moderately hot chili pepper varieties, smaller in size than poblano peppers. Their heat measures between 2500 and 8000 SHU in Scoville scale units. That is, jalapenos are approximately five times hotter than poblano peppers.
If planning to substitute poblano peppers with jalapeno, remove the seeds and the rib(which holds most of the heat).
Ancho chilies
Ancho chilies are the dried version of poblano peppers. These have complex flavors and mild heat. Since both types have the same heat profile, they are good poblano pepper substitutes.
When using, soak the ancho chilies in hot water for 30 minutes. Then, use them in recipes like salsa, stew, or soup.
Cayenne pepper
They are very convenient as they are pantry-friendly. But ground cayenne pepper is an excellent substitute to match the heat.
But note that poblano pepper’s aroma, heat level, and taste are completely different. This works as a substitute only to match Poblano’s spice level.
Red pepper flakes
An all-time favorite, it is a handy tool to spice up everything. It has its own unique depth of flavor. This is perfect for increasing the heat in any dish, but it definitely would not bring up all the complex flavors of poblano.
Vicky
I don't usually have poblano peppers on hand so I am happy to learn about substitutions. I am interesting in incorporating more poblano peppers into my cooking because of the complex flavor.
Pepper Bowl
Thank you Vicky!
Anita
This is great to know. I love stuffed poblano and can only make the recipe rarely since it's not easy to find them where I live. Green bell peppers are easy to find though, so I know what to do now. 🙂
Pepper Bowl
Hi Anita! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Tavo
Great article; it comes very handy as it is challenging to find poblano peppers here in Italy! Thanks!
Pepper Bowl
I’m so happy that you enjoyed them, Tavo! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
Claudia Lamascolo
Great information I love the flavors and this was very helpful when I cant get poblano!
Pepper Bowl
So happy to hear that, Claudia!
Rika
This substitute list will come in handy! I've never seen the Cubanelle peppers in my area though and I'd love to try them out.
Pepper Bowl
Yay! Love hearing this!
Claudia Lamascolo
Very information and I appreciate the time you took for giving us these substitutes for the peppers.
Ieva
Great article! I've come across poblano peppers in quite a few recipes that I wanted to make but wasn't quite sure how to substitute them, as I have always struggled to find them in the UK. Great article! Very useful!
Tara
Such wonderful options for when Poblano peppers aren't available! I love how you detailed all the different varieties.
Maayke
Thank you this was very helpful!
Shadi Hasanzadenemati
Thank you so much for a great information and article.
Kushigalu
Love the post on substituting for poblano pepper. Thanks for sharing.
Erik
So informative! Now I'm ready to get my pepper on!
Whitney
We also stock up on bell peppers so they do work well as a poblano substitute!