Poblano pepper substitute

Here are 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 shelf of grocery stores? No worries, you don't need to wait for the its season to enjoy your favorite recipe. 

There are a couple of similar peppers that can provide you with the same results. We have made a list that matches up with its heat profile or its the texture. The following list of poblano substitutes could provide you a better idea. 

Choose the best option depending on the recipe. 

What is poblano pepper?

These are one of the mild peppers 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 a glossy thick skin, and a thick wall. Its seeds are clustered to the white membrane at the center that acts like a rib of the pepper.

Understanding about the basic characteristics of the poblano peppers make it easy to choose alternatives.

Bell pepper

If you are searching for the poblano pepper substitute for a stuffed pepper recipe, the bell peppers are the first choice that pops up in everyone's mind. 

These peppers are also huge, slightly similar to poblano. And also has more space inside is a great advantage for a stuffed pepper recipe. On top of it, bell peppers can also hold the stuffing very well because of its firm flesh.

The only disadvantage here is that bell pepper is missing with the subtle heat that poblano peppers can provide. But the good news is, you can match up the heat by adding cayenne pepper powder or red pepper flakes.

Cubanelle peppers

Its heat is milder than the poblano peppers, where its heat ranges from 100-1000 SHU in the Scoville scale. Whereas, poblano pepper’s heat intensity ranges between 1000-1500 SHU. 

On the other hand its shape and the texture of the flesh is 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 also has less heat when compared with poblano peppers. Hence these work great in substituting in the stuffed pepper recipe. And also good in the salsa or chili recipe. You may add a quarter teaspoon of cayenne pepper to increase their heat level.

Anaheim pepper

This pepper has a mild heat and measures about 6 to 10 inches in length. And have a narrow body of 1 inch as the width at the shoulder. Its body slightly bends on the lower part and has a pointed tip. 

They may not hold the same quantity of stuffing as poblano holds. But still they deliver good results.

If you are making a dish with less heat, this pepper works perfectly. You may substitute poblano pepper with anaheim peppers in the stuffed pepper recipes, salsa, or stew recipes. 

To increase the intensity of heat, add in red pepper flakes, or cayenne pepper powder.

New mexico chilies 

Originally, these peppers are used in making the authentic Mexican style enchilada and sauces. These have a rich aroma, mild heat, and look between 4-6 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 when compared with poblano peppers. These peppers have a heat measure between 2500-8000 SHU in Scoville scale units. That is, jalapenos are approximately 5 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 the types have the same heat profile, makes them a good poblano pepper substitute.

When using, soak the ancho chilies in hot water for 30 minutes. Then use them in recipes like salsa, stew, or soup.

Cayenne pepper

Very convenient as they are pantry friendly. But ground cayenne pepper is good to substitute to match the heat.

But make a 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

All time favorite, a handy tool to spice up everything. It has its own unique depth of flavor. This is perfect to increase the heat in any dish, but definitely it would not bring up all the complex flavors of poblano.