Name: 10 Best Fresno Chilies Substitutes
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: Jalapeño Pepper; Serrano Pepper; Thai Bird's Eye Chili; Poblano Pepper; Cayenne Pepper; Hungarian Wax Pepper; Anaheim Pepper; Cherry Pepper; Guajillo Pepper; Tabasco Pepper

Need a quick substitute for fresno chilies?

Not a problem! As a chef, I’ve worked with various chilies, including fresno chilies. They have a fruity flavor that is slightly spicier than a jalapeno.

Sometimes they aren’t available depending on your region, but luckily they have excellent substitutes.

But to find the best substitute for your recipe, it’s good to know a little about what you’re replacing.

What are Fresno Chilies?

They’re a type of chili pepper that originated in Fresno, California. They resemble jalapeño peppers in size and shape but are typically slightly hotter and have thinner skin.

Fresnos has a Scoville rating of 2,500 to 10,000, which places them in the medium heat range. Their flavor is fruity, making them a versatile chili to replace.

What to Think About When Substituting Fresno Chilies

When selecting a substitute for Fresno chilies, consider the following factors:

Scoville rating: Aim for a pepper with a similar heat level to maintain the intended spiciness of your dish.
Flavor profile: Look for a chili with a fruity flavor that will complement the other ingredients.
Texture: Consider the thickness of the chili’s skin and how it will impact the final texture of your dish.
Availability: Choose a substitute that is easily accessible in your local grocery store or market.

With these factors in mind, let’s explore some of the best substitutes for Fresno chilies.

Best Fresno Chilies Substitutes

1. Jalapeño Pepper (Scoville Rating: 2,500 to 8,000)

Jalapeño peppers are probably the most common and accessible substitute for Fresno chilies. They have a similar size, shape, and heat level, although their flavor is slightly less fruity.

You can use jalapeños in equal proportions to Fresnos in your recipe and then adjust to taste.

Jalapeños are widely available and can be used fresh or pickled, making them a very accessible alternative.

2. Serrano Pepper (Scoville Rating: 10,000 to 23,000)

Serrano peppers are a slightly hotter alternative to Fresno chilies, with a similar fruity flavor.

They are smaller and thinner than Fresnos, so you may need to adjust the quantity in your recipe accordingly. Start with a smaller amount and adjust to taste.

Serrano peppers are widely available and can be used fresh or pickled. They’re a great option for salsas and sauces, where the heat of the pepper is important.

3. Thai Bird’s Eye Chili (Scoville Rating: 50,000 to 100,000)

For those who prefer a spicier kick, Thai Bird’s Eye chilies can be an excellent substitute for Fresno chilies.

These small, thin peppers pack a serious punch, so use them sparingly and adjust to taste. Their fruity flavor is an added bonus, making them a good match for Fresno chilies.

Thai Bird’s Eye chilies can be found fresh or dried in most Asian markets. When using dried chilies, rehydrate them in warm water before incorporating them into your dish.

4. Poblano Pepper (Scoville Rating: 1,000 to 2,000)

Poblano peppers are a milder option, with a fruity and slightly earthy flavor. They are larger and thicker-skinned than Fresno chilies, so you may need to adjust the quantity and preparation method in your recipe.

When substituting Poblanos for Fresnos, you may want to use more to make up for the lower heat level.

Poblano peppers can be found fresh in many grocery stores and are ideal for roasting or stuffing. Their mild heat makes them a popular choice for dishes that don’t require a lot of heat.

5. Cayenne Pepper (Scoville Rating: 30,000 to 50,000)

Cayenne peppers are a hotter alternative to Fresno chilies, with a slightly less fruity flavor. They are thin and long, making them ideal for slicing or grinding into a powder.

Use cayenne peppers sparingly, and adjust the quantity to taste based on your desired heat level.

Cayenne peppers can be found fresh, dried, or ground in most grocery stores.

6. Hungarian Wax Pepper (Scoville Rating: 1,000 to 15,000)

Hungarian Wax peppers offer a wide range of heat levels, making them a versatile substitute for Fresno chilies. Their flavor is fruity and tangy, similar to that of Fresnos.

They are larger and thicker-skinned, which may affect the texture of your dish.

Hungarian Wax peppers can be found fresh or pickled, and are popular in Eastern European cuisine. They are well-suited for pickling, stuffing, or slicing into salads.

7. Anaheim Pepper (Scoville Rating: 500 to 2,500)

Anaheim peppers are a mild option with a slightly smoky, fruity flavor. They are larger and thicker-skinned than Fresno chilies, making them suitable for stuffing or roasting.

To maintain the intended heat level of your dish, consider using a larger quantity or combining them with a hotter chili.

Anaheim peppers are commonly found fresh in grocery stores, especially in the southwestern United States. They are often used in Mexican and Southwestern cuisine.

8. Cherry Pepper (Scoville Rating: 100 to 5,000)

Cherry peppers, also known as pimiento or pimento peppers, are a mild and sweet substitute for Fresno chilies.

Their round shape and thick skin make them ideal for stuffing, and their fruity flavor complements a wide range of dishes.

Cherry peppers can be found fresh, pickled, or canned in most grocery stores. They are popular in Mediterranean and Southern European cuisine, and great for antipasto platters and salads.

9. Guajillo Pepper (Scoville Rating: 2,500 to 5,000)

Guajillo peppers are a dried variety with a fruity, slightly smoky flavor. They have a similar heat level to Fresno chilies, making them an excellent substitute.

To use guajillo peppers in place of Fresnos, rehydrate them in warm water before incorporating them into your dish.

Guajillo peppers are widely used in Mexican cuisine and can be found in many Latin American grocery stores. You can use them in sauces, salsas, and stews.

10. Tabasco Pepper (Scoville Rating: 30,000 to 50,000)

Tabasco peppers are a hotter alternative to Fresno chilies, with a fruity, tangy flavor. They are small and thin, making them ideal for slicing or grinding into a sauce. Use tabasco peppers sparingly and adjust to taste, as their heat level is significantly higher than that of Fresnos.

Tabasco peppers can be found fresh or in sauce form in most grocery stores. They are the key ingredient in the famous Tabasco hot sauce, which can also be used as a substitute for Fresno chilies in a pinch.

Conclusion

There are many excellent substitutes to pick them. Each chili listed makes a great choice and each has there pros and cons.

If you want an easy-to-find replacement, jalapenos are great. For a milder choice, poblano peppers are a great pick. Then for a spicer chili, you can use Thai bird eye chilies or cayenne pepper.

I hope you found an excellent replacement for Fresno chilies, and if you have any questions, leave a comment.

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