Anaheim Pepper Scoville Scale: How Hot Is This Popular Chili?

When people talk about popular peppers for cooking, Anaheim peppers always make the cut. These chili (or “chile”) peppers are mild and incredibly versatile. They bring just enough heat to make any dish interesting, but not so much that you’re reaching for a glass of milk.

Originally from New Mexico, Anaheim peppers gained popularity in California, especially in the city of Anaheim, which gave them their name. Emilio Ortega, whose legacy lives on through the Ortega brand, helped introduce Anaheim chile peppers to Southern California.

What Is an Anaheim Pepper?

An Anaheim pepper is a long, mild pepper, loved by cooks worldwide. The Anaheim chile was first grown in New Mexico, where New Mexico chiles and Mexican peppers thrive in the hot sun and rich soil. In the early 1900s, Emilio Ortega brought these chiles to Southern California, grew them near the city of Anaheim, and made them famous.

Anaheim peppers are also known as 'New Mexico chilies' and 'Hatch chili peppers' due to their regional origins. Hatch chile peppers are a distinct variety grown specifically in Hatch, New Mexico, and are prized for their unique flavor and heat, which vary depending on the area's climate and soil. That’s how this mild, flavorful pepper earned its name.

Anaheim Pepper Scoville Rating: Heat Range Explained

From bell peppers at 0 SHU to New Mexico chiles that can climb higher, all the way up to the superhots in the millions, the Scoville scale is the universal heat guide. If you're trying to figure out which pepper brings the most heat, the Scoville Heat Units (SHU) scale gives a quick way to see how spicy each one is. It measures the heat level in all peppers, including Hatch chiles and Anaheim peppers (also called chile seco del norte).

How hot are Anaheim peppers? Anaheim peppers typically range from 500 to 2,500 SHU. The SHU lets everyone, from the gardeners who plant Anaheim peppers to the hot sauce fans alike, compare chile peppers on the same scale. The heat level can change based on things like the weather, the soil, and how they grow the peppers. For example, peppers grown in New Mexico are sometimes hotter than those grown in California.

Anaheim Peppers Scoville Rating

The typical Anaheim pepper Scoville rating falls between 500 and 2,500 SHU. That puts them firmly in the mild heat category. They’re spicier than bell peppers but way lower than jalapeños. 

How Anaheim Peppers Fit Into the Scoville Scale Spectrum

The full Scoville scale stretches from bell peppers at 0 SHU all the way to over 2 million SHU for the Carolina Reaper.

Anaheim Pepper vs. Other Mild Peppers

The Anaheim is often compared to other mild chili peppers that share its utility in Mexican dishes.

Pepper Type	Scoville Heat Units (SHU)	Comment
Bell Pepper	0	Bell peppers contain no capsaicin, so they register 0 SHU.
Anaheim Pepper	500–2,500	Anaheim peppers are mild, depending on how they’re grown.
Poblano Pepper	1,000–2,000	Poblanos are also very mild – often slightly hotter than the mildest Anaheims but with a narrower range.
Jalapeño	2,500–8,000	Jalapeños mark the start of medium heat, with the mildest ones overlapping the hottest Anaheims.
Serrano, Hatch chile peppers, and New Mexico chiles	10,000–23,000	There is a noticeable jump in heat, being several times hotter than jalapeños.

One Anaheim pepper is all it takes to introduce a gentle kick and subtle flavor to your soups, stews, and other dishes. That’s why so many cooks find Anaheim peppers perfect for family meals. They bring just enough heat to wake up a recipe without overwhelming your taste buds.

A More Detailed Breakdown 

Anaheim vs Bell Pepper

Anaheims are the upgrade from bells when you want mild heat without losing sweetness.

Anaheim vs Poblano

Anaheim peppers are more heat versatile in soups and lighter Mexican dishes. However, poblanos have a deep, smoky bite when you roast them. Generally speaking, they're comparable, but poblano peppers can have a meatier, thicker texture.

Anaheim vs Jalapeño

Jalapeño peppers are three to four times hotter than Anaheim peppers, which is why they’re often people’s first “real” taste of spice. Anaheim peppers are a great option for those who want to enjoy spicy food without overwhelming heat. Compared to Jalapeño, Anaheim chile peppers are laid-back with just enough heat to keep things interesting.

Anaheim vs Serrano

A single Serrano brings way more heat than an Anaheim chile, making Serranos better for those who love spicy foods. Anaheim peppers are a friendly chili – balanced, flavorful, and never overpowering.

Anaheim Pepper Flavor Profile

The Taste of Anaheim Chile

The flavor profile of the Anaheim chile is one of the main reasons it’s so loved. It tastes mildly sweet with an earthy depth, offering a gentle heat. These peppers bring a slightly sweet flavor with an earthy depth.

What Anaheim Peppers Feel Like in the Mouth

When you eat them raw, Anaheim chile gives you a Faint tingle – a light warmth that doesn’t overwhelm your dish. It’s more of a gentle tingle than a burn. Think of it as the perfect chili to introduce spice to people who aren’t big on spicy foods but still want a bit of excitement. If you prefer an even milder experience, removing the seeds and the white inner membrane will cool the heat by up to 70%.

There Are Two Types of Anaheim Peppers:

• Green Anaheims: Grassy, crisp, with mild heat.
• Red Anaheims: Ripened longer on the plant, often with more heat and even a hint of smoky flavor.

The Best Ways to Use Anaheim Peppers

You can cook Anaheim peppers in a variety of ways to improve the taste of different dishes. Roast, grill, stuff, or puree them: 

• Roasting: Roasting Anaheim peppers brings out a deep, smoky flavor, perfect for sauces and soups. The mild heat complements other dishes, such as tacos and stews.
• Stuffing: The Anaheim is ideal for stuffed Anaheim peppers, chiles rellenos, or a family-style rellenos casserole filled with cheese and meats.
• Substituting: These Anaheim chile peppers are a great substitute for poblano peppers or bell peppers in Mexican dishes, giving a delicate zing to any dish.

Anaheim peppers are available year-round, making them a flexible and consistent option for bringing gentle, mild heat to your soups and sauces. With their slightly sweet flavor and earthy undertones, Anaheim chile peppers shine in Mexican dishes like chiles rellenos and relleno casseroles. They’re also great in comforting soups such as chicken taco soup.

Adding Anaheim peppers to these dishes can increase their nutritional value. They’re delicious roasted, stuffed with cheese, or blended with tomatoes and onions for fresh salsa. 

Why Anaheim Peppers Are a Favorite in Cooking

Beginner-Friendly

These peppers are perfect for people who want to start eating spicy foods without going overboard. The mild heat makes them a safe entry point.

Family-Friendly

Anaheim chile doesn’t overwhelm a dish, so kids and adults can enjoy the same meal. Think of stuffed Anaheim peppers loaded with cheese — a guaranteed win.

Mexican and Southwestern Staples

From New Mexico peppers to Mexican chiles, the Anaheim stands tall in Southwestern kitchens. They’re baked into relleno casseroles, tossed into soups, or roasted for salsa.

Incredibly Versatile

They’re a great substitute for poblano peppers or other popular peppers in almost any recipe. They slide into mild sauces, homemade sauces, and classic Mexican dishes without clashing with other flavors. They're great for everything from stuffed Anaheim peppers and soups to tomatillo salsa and grilled Mexican dishes.

The Health Benefits of Anaheim Peppers

Packed with Nutrients

Anaheim peppers are loaded with vitamins A and C, which support immunity and skin health. They also contain fiber and antioxidants.

Mild Capsaicin Kick

Even though they’re in the mild heat range, they still contain capsaicin, the compound responsible for the heat in chile peppers. That means you get the benefits (like improved circulation and anti-inflammatory properties) without the intensity of hotter chili peppers.

Boost Without Burn

Eating Anaheim peppers can give a gentle metabolism boost, making them a nice addition to soups and other dishes where you want just enough heat. Unlike jalapeños or hotter Mexican chiles, you can enjoy Anaheims daily without feeling like you’re punishing your mouth.

Ready for More Heat? Try Elijah’s Xtreme

From Anaheim to Extreme: Level Up Your Heat Game

If Anaheim peppers got you hooked on flavor, Elijah’s Xtreme Hot Sauces are your next step. These handcrafted sauces use real chile peppers, fruit, and tomatoes without the extracts or fillers to deliver a delicious taste with controlled heat. Our Ghost Pepper sauce gives you that deep smoky flavor, while our Reaper sauce goes bigger for serious heat lovers. Our Hot Honey sauce brings some heat and all the deliciousness you need. Each bottle hits that sweet spot between flavor and fire.

Why People Love Elijah’s Xtreme Sauces:

• Made with fresh ingredients.
• Sauces for every level, from mild to wild.
• Award-winning balance of flavor and heat.
• Great on tacos, pizza, grilled meats, or even soups.

If you’re into Anaheim chile peppers but crave more heat, Elijah’s Xtreme brings the upgrade you’ve been waiting for.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Anaheim Peppers Hotter Than Jalapeños?

No, Anaheim peppers are significantly milder than jalapeños on the Scoville scale. Anaheim chili peppers typically register between 500 and 2,500 Scoville Heat Units (SHU), whereas jalapeños range from 2,500 to 8,000 SHU, meaning they have much more heat. Therefore, Anaheim peppers offer a mild heat, while jalapeños provide a noticeable spicy kick.

What Are Anaheim Peppers Best Used For?

Anaheim chile peppers are incredibly versatile and are best known for being excellent chile peppers for stuffing, such as in stuffed Anaheim peppers or a milder version of chiles rellenos. They are also commonly roasted for a smoky flavor or diced into sauces, soups, and Mexican dishes.

Which Is Hotter, Poblano or Anaheim?

Generally speaking, Anaheim peppers (500-2,500 SHU) are often slightly hotter than poblano peppers (1,000-2,000 SHU), though there can be overlap in their heat ranges. Both are considered mild chile peppers and are excellent for stuffed peppers and other dishes where you want flavor without intense heat.

Are Red Anaheim Peppers Hotter Than Green?

Yes, red Anaheim peppers are typically hotter than green ones because they are fully mature versions of the chile peppers. The fully ripened red Anaheim chili peppers tend to have more capsaicin and a sweeter flavor, often reaching the higher end of the 500-2,500 SHU scale.

Are Anaheim Peppers Hot?

Anaheim peppers are considered mild to moderately hot, registering between 500 and 2,500 Scoville heat units on the Scoville scale. While they do have some heat, they are far milder than many other chile peppers like jalapeños, making them a great choice for those who enjoy a subtle kick without intensely spicy foods.

What Pepper Is Closest to Anaheim?

Poblano peppers are often considered the closest match for Anaheim peppers due to their comparable mild heat, flavor profile, and similar culinary uses like making chiles rellenos. Other New Mexico peppers, such as Hatch chiles, are actually a regional variety of the Anaheim chile and share its characteristic flavor and heat range.

Conclusion

The Anaheim pepper is a fantastic place to start. Go ahead and perfect your chiles rellenos and your favorite Mexican dishes using these reliable, mild chili peppers.

But when you're ready to go beyond the 2,500 SHU ceiling of the Anaheim pepper scoville range, we invite you to take the next step with our hot sauces, created for flavor-packed meals, not just enough heat and fire.