25 Poblano Pepper Recipes and Buying, Storing, Growing Guide

25 Poblano Pepper Recipes showcases stuffed poblanos, chiles, dips and many other tasty ways to use mild poblano peppers. You’ll also find practical tips on growing poblanos, nutrition facts, storage and cooking methods to make the most of this versatile chili.

Growing up, chili peppers weren’t a regular part of our family meals, so I didn’t discover their appeal until later. Over time I came to love them and now enjoy cooking with milder varieties that my family will eat without complaint—shishitos, some jalapeños, Anaheim and especially poblanos.

Poblanos quickly became a favorite. They’re widely used in Mexican cuisine—think chiles rellenos—and they bring a rich, earthy flavor with only a touch of heat. I planted poblanos in my summer garden this year and found them remarkably easy to grow. After harvesting a handful of glossy, dark green peppers, I wanted to share inspiration for how to use them.

Poblano peppers in a bowl with green leaves attached

What is a poblano?

Poblano peppers are mild chili peppers that originated in Puebla, Mexico. They belong to the capsicum family, which includes bell peppers and other chiles. When dried, poblano peppers are commonly called ancho chiles.

Are poblano peppers hot?

Poblanos are among the milder chili varieties with a deep, slightly smoky flavor and gentle heat, making them family-friendly. On the Scoville scale they typically range from 1,000 to 2,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU). For comparison: jalapeños usually range from about 2,500–10,000 SHU and serranos 8,000–22,000 SHU. Occasionally an individual pepper can be hotter than expected, so use caution when serving children or people sensitive to spice.

Is there a poblano substitute?

Anaheim peppers are the closest substitute: they are mild and similarly sized, making them a good stand-in for many poblano recipes.

How to grow poblano peppers

Poblanos grow well from seed or transplants in full sun, whether in raised beds or containers. Use well-draining, nutrient-rich potting mix or garden soil and keep it evenly moist. If planting a young plant, set it deep so the lower stem is covered—this promotes sturdier growth. Expect plants to reach roughly 2½ feet and to begin producing peppers in about 65 days. Harvest when peppers are 4–6 inches long by snipping the stem an inch above the fruit.

Poblano pepper nutrition

Poblanos are low in calories and fat, modest in carbohydrates, and a good source of fiber, vitamin A, vitamin B6, potassium and iron. A single poblano pepper typically contains about:

48 calories
1.4 g fat
9 g carbohydrates
3.7 g fiber
410 mg potassium
69% Daily Value vitamin A
30% Daily Value vitamin B6

Choosing poblano peppers

Select glossy, dark green peppers that are smooth, firm and free from bruises or wrinkling.

How to store poblano peppers

Refrigerate poblanos in a paper bag or perforated plastic bag in the crisper drawer for up to one week.

Can you freeze poblanos?

Yes. Either chop and freeze raw, or roast first, then chop and freeze. Store in airtight containers or freezer bags for up to six months.

How to cook poblano peppers

The outer skin of poblanos can be a bit tough, so they’re most often roasted, blistered, sautéed or baked. Popular uses include stuffed peppers (chiles rellenos), roasted poblanos in sauces, soups, chilis, salsas and pasta dishes.

Teak bowl filled with poblano peppers with linen alongside

If you enjoy seasonal produce and recipe roundups, check out these guides:

August seasonal produce guide
Butternut squash recipes
Cabbage recipes
Leek recipes
Fennel recipes
Fig recipes
June seasonal produce guide
July seasonal produce guide
Radish recipes
Rhubarb recipes
Tomatillo recipes
Shishito pepper recipes
Swiss chard recipes

25 poblano pepper recipes

Poblanos are incredibly adaptable. Below are 25 recipe ideas that showcase their flavor—from stuffed peppers to soups, chilis, pastas and sides. These dishes highlight poblanos roasted, sautéed, baked or simmered to bring out their best.

Ground turkey and rice stuffed poblano peppers.

Southwest Stuffed Poblano Peppers

Ground turkey and rice fill roasted poblanos flavored with Southwest spices and topped with melted cheese for a hearty, family-friendly meal.

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Overhead view of a bowl of roasted poblano pasta with sliced chicken.

Creamy Roasted Poblano Pasta

Tagliatelle tossed in a smoky, creamy poblano sauce for a simple but elegant weeknight dinner.

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Chile Rellenos

A classic: roasted poblano chiles stuffed with cheese, battered and fried or baked, served with a rich Spanish-style sauce.

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Sweet Potato, Poblano and Chorizo Chili

A southwest-inspired chili combining sweet potatoes, spicy chorizo and roasted poblanos for bold, comforting flavor.

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Vegetarian Black Bean Tacos

Quick tacos loaded with corn, poblano, black beans, queso fresco and a fresh cilantro crema.

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Roasted Poblano & Chicken Soup

A light yet satisfying one-pot soup featuring roasted, pureed poblanos and tender chicken.

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Chicken and Black Bean Stuffed Poblano Peppers

Savory chicken, rice and black beans stuffed into roasted poblanos for a satisfying dinner.

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Roasted Poblano & Chorizo Egg Casserole

A low-carb egg bake with fire-roasted poblanos, spicy chorizo and melty Mexican cheeses—perfect for brunch or dinner.

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Slow Cooker White Bean Chicken Chili

A hearty slow-cooker chili spiced with several chile varieties including roasted poblano for depth and warmth.

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Chayote Chile Soup

A velvety green soup with chayote and roasted poblanos for a bright, comforting starter or light meal.

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One Pot Green Chili Chicken and Rice

A flavorful one-pot Tex-Mex meal with tender chicken, rice and a poblano-based green chili sauce—ready in about 30 minutes.

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Chile Relleno White Mac and Cheese

A creamy mac and cheese with a chile relleno twist—cheesy, comforting and a fun fusion dish.

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Cream Cheese Stuffed Poblano Peppers

Roasted poblanos filled with cream cheese and cheddar, then grilled or baked until gooey and golden.

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Mexican Chicken Pozole

A comforting pozole verde with hominy, tender chicken and poblano peppers for authentic Mexican flavor.

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Fire Roasted Poblano Queso Dip

Creamy, cheesy and slightly smoky—this roasted poblano queso is a perfect game-day or party dip.

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Mexican Chiles Rellenos with Chickpeas

A meatless take on chiles rellenos: roasted poblanos stuffed with chickpeas and topped with crema and fresh garnish.

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Poblano Corn Chowder

A creamy chowder with roasted poblano, Yukon gold potatoes and sharp cheddar—cozy and comforting.

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Slow Cooker Chicken Sofrito

An easy crockpot dish packed with a veggie-forward sofrito that includes roasted poblanos for vibrant flavor.

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Slow Cooker Roasted Poblano and Corn Soup

A slow-cooker favorite: roasted poblano, sweet corn and chicken combine for an easy, flavorful soup.

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Taco-Stuffed Poblano Peppers

Taco-seasoned filling stuffed into poblanos for a playful and flavorful alternative to tacos or standard stuffed peppers.

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Beef Poblano Black Bean Chili

A hearty chili with ground beef, beer, poblanos, jalapeños and black beans for depth and a hint of sweetness.

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Cajun Shrimp Stuffed Poblano Peppers

Poblanos stuffed with Cajun-seasoned shrimp, Manchego and goat cheese—an elegant, bold-flavored option.

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Summer Corn Salad

A bright summer salad with roasted poblanos, fresh corn, cilantro and a creamy dressing—great for BBQs and potlucks.

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Slow Cooker Chipotle Chicken & Poblano Street Tacos

Pull-apart chipotle chicken with poblano for smoky street tacos that are tender, juicy and easy to prepare.

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Healthy Stuffed Poblano Peppers

A lighter, low-carb stuffed pepper option that still delivers satisfying flavor without excess heat.

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See more of my produce guides here:

Corn
Fava beans
Fennel
Figs
Rhubarb

Sources:

Dr. Axe
Spruce Eats
Veggie Gardener
Wikipedia