Habaneros are one of the best peppers out there. They’re versatile and hot but also sweet, and they come in perfect mini-pepper shapes that allow them to be used in anything. These are five awesome uses for these peppers!
Create Fantastic Chili
Chili is the most obvious answer, but it’s fantastic with habaneros. Make your chili how you usually do: but if you use chili powder, you should half as much as you usually put in. From here, add one habanero for every gallon result of chili. The acidity of tomatoes in chili will make the peppers taste hotter, so you want to make sure not to go overboard. If you like your chili really hot, you can add more!
Make Your Own Hot Sauce
Hot sauce and habanero peppers were a match made in heaven. Making hot sauce with these peppers is easy: but you should make sure to wear gloves and consider turning on your stove’s vent so you can keep the air sucked out of the room and circulating. Although you won’t get seriously harmed, making sauce requires some cooking to break it down, and when the oils are released into the air, they can be powerful for your lungs and eyes. It’s worth it, in the end, when you get to show off your homemade sauce!
Create Tangy Jelly
Jelly is one of the best ways to make your habaneros sing! When paired with fruit like apples or strawberries, these peppers develop a complex and gorgeous flavor that’s hard to replicate. If you’ve never made jelly before, find a recipe from one of your favorite cooking websites, and include two habaneros from every pound of fresh fruit. Habanero jelly is a dream come true and one of the best flavors out there.
Save the Seeds for Gardening
Gardening has seen a major rise since 2020: and seeds are getting more expensive. If you have a ton of habaneros with fantastic flavor, it’s time to save some seeds! To do this, remove as many seeds from your peppers as you can, and then rinse them with cool water. Immediately pat dry, and then set out on paper towels. It can take a couple of days to weeks to dry- depending on your climate- so set this somewhere that will keep them out of your way. After they’re dry, store them somewhere dry at room temperature, and plant them in the spring!
Pickle Them for Sandwiches
Pickled peppers are one of the best ways to add a spicy crunch to anything you’re eating. Whether you’re trying to make a sandwich, salad, or anything else: the tang of vinegar with the heat of the pepper is an incredible combination. You can make classic rings with these, or if you want to make them more interesting, julienne your peppers so they’ll be long lovely strips instead!
Habaneros Are Incredible!
If you have a ton of habaneros and aren’t sure what to do with them: you’re lucky! There are tons of recipes that can be accomplished with these fantastic peppers, don’t let your imagination limit you!
We love habaneros! We usually just make salsa with them. Thanks for the other ideas! I would love to try chili and jelly.