25 Poblano Pepper Recipes with Roasting and Storage Tips

25 Poblano Pepper Recipes features stuffed poblanos, chiles, dips and many more delicious ways to use these mild chili peppers. You’ll also find a handy guide covering how to grow poblano peppers, nutrition details, storage and cooking tips.

Growing up, chili peppers weren’t a regular part of my family’s meals, so I didn’t cook with them until later in life. Over time I learned to appreciate their range of flavors and heat levels, and now I enjoy using milder varieties that everyone can share at the table.

I often choose mild peppers like shishitos, some jalapeños, Anaheims and poblanos. Poblanos quickly became a favorite — they’re a classic in Mexican cooking and are famously used in chiles rellenos.

This year I planted poblano peppers in my raised bed for the first time and was surprised at how resilient and productive the plants were. After harvesting a handful of glossy, dark green peppers, I wanted to highlight the many ways to cook with them, so I put together this guide and recipe collection.

Poblano peppers in a bowl with green leaves attached

What is a poblano?

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

Are poblano peppers hot?

Poblanos are on the mild end of the heat scale, which makes them a great family-friendly option. On the Scoville scale they typically measure between 1,000 and 2,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU). For comparison: serranos range from about 8,000–22,000 SHU, jalapeños about 2,500–10,000 SHU, Anaheims around 500–1,000 SHU, shishitos near 500 SHU, and green bell peppers register 0 SHU. Remember that individual peppers occasionally run hotter than expected, so taste cautiously if you’re serving children or people sensitive to spice.

Is there a poblano substitute?

Anaheim chiles make the best substitute for poblanos since they’re similarly mild and come in a large, easy-to-stuff size.

How to grow poblano peppers

Poblanos can be grown from seed or by transplanting a starter plant. They prefer full sun and do well in raised beds or containers with organic potting mix or well-amended garden soil. Planting a young poblano deeper helps the stem establish and supports heavy fruit loads later in the season. Expect plants to reach about 2½ feet tall and produce peppers in roughly 65 days from planting. Harvest when peppers are about 4–6 inches long by snipping the stem about an inch from the top of the pepper.

Poblano pepper nutrition

Poblanos are low in calories and fat, relatively low in carbs, and a good source of fiber, vitamins and minerals. Approximate values for one poblano pepper:

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 and storing poblanos

Select glossy, dark green peppers that are smooth and firm with no soft spots or wrinkles. Store poblanos in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator in a paper or plastic bag for up to a week. Poblanos can also be frozen: either chop and freeze raw, or roast, chop and freeze. Stored in an airtight container, frozen poblanos keep for up to six months.

How to cook poblanos

Because their skin can be a bit tough raw, poblanos are most often roasted, grilled, sautéed or stuffed. They shine in chiles rellenos, soups, chilis, sauces, salsas, dips and casseroles, adding rich pepper flavor with gentle heat.

Teak bowl filled with poblano peppers with linen alongside

If you enjoy seasonal produce, try these recipe roundups and 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 wonderfully versatile. Here are 25 ways to use them, from classic chiles rellenos to soups, tacos, pastas and creative stuffed pepper dishes. Each selection highlights how poblanos add smoky, vegetal flavor with mild heat.

Ground turkey and rice stuffed poblano peppers.

Southwest Stuffed Poblano Peppers

Stuffed with seasoned ground turkey and rice, these poblano peppers are finished with melted cheese for a satisfying, Southwestern-inspired meal.

Recipe source: Southwest stuffed poblano peppers (original site)

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

Creamy Roasted Poblano Pasta

Tagliatelle tossed in a smoky poblano cream sauce for a silky, flavorful pasta dinner.

Recipe source: Creamy roasted poblano pasta (original site)

Chile Rellenos

A step-by-step approach to classic chile rellenos: poblano chiles stuffed with cheese, lightly battered and fried, then served with a savory red sauce.

Recipe source: Traditional chile rellenos (original site)

Sweet Potato, Poblano and Chorizo Chili

A southwest twist on chili that pairs sweet potato and spicy chorizo with poblano peppers for balanced flavor and heat.

Recipe source: Sweet potato, poblano and chorizo chili (original site)

Vegetarian Black Bean Tacos

Black beans, corn and roasted poblanos make these vegetarian tacos full of texture and bright flavor, topped with queso fresco and cilantro crema.

Recipe source: Vegetarian black bean tacos (original site)

Roasted Poblano & Chicken Soup

A light yet hearty one-pot soup featuring roasted poblanos and tender chicken—ideal for weeknight dinners.

Recipe source: Roasted poblano & chicken soup (original site)

Overhead view of four chicken stuffed poblano peppers on a plate.

Chicken and Black Bean Stuffed Poblano Peppers

A Mexican-style stuffed pepper with seasoned chicken, black beans and rice—comforting and family-friendly.

Recipe source: Chicken and black bean stuffed poblano peppers (original site)

A slice of poblano egg casserole being held aloft.

Roasted Poblano & Chorizo Egg Casserole

A low-carb breakfast or brunch casserole that layers fire-roasted poblanos with spicy chorizo and melty Mexican cheeses.

Recipe source: Roasted poblano & chorizo egg casserole (original site)

A bowl of white bean chicken chili garnished with jalapeno and lime wedge.

Slow Cooker White Bean Chicken Chili

A hearty crockpot chili flavored with multiple pepper varieties, including poblanos, that develops deep, comforting flavor over time.

Recipe source: Slow cooker white bean chicken chili (original site)

A bowl of chayote chili garnished with avocado.

Chayote Chile Soup

A silky green soup made with chayote and poblano for bright, clean vegetable flavor and beautiful color.

Recipe source: Chayote chile soup (original site)

One Pot Green Chili Chicken and Rice

A quick Tex-Mex one-pot meal with chicken, rice and beans simmered in a flavorful green chili sauce featuring poblanos.

Recipe source: One pot green chili chicken and rice (original site)

Overhead view of a dish of chile relleno mac and cheese.

Chile Relleno White Mac and Cheese

Mac and cheese with a chile relleno twist—creamy pasta combined with roasted poblano flavor.

Recipe source: Chile relleno white mac and cheese (original site)

Cream Cheese Stuffed Poblano Peppers

Roasted poblanos stuffed with cream cheese and white cheddar, then baked or grilled until oozy and golden.

Recipe source: Cream cheese stuffed poblano peppers (original site)

Mexican Chicken Pozole

A traditional pozole made with hominy, chicken and peppers—poblanos contribute depth and character to the broth.

Recipe source: Mexican chicken pozole (original site)

A chip dunked in a dish of poblano queso.

Fire Roasted Poblano Queso Dip

Creamy, cheesy and slightly smoky, this roasted poblano queso is perfect for snacking or entertaining.

Recipe source: Fire roasted poblano queso dip (original site)

Four chiles rellenos in a white baking dish.

Mexican Chiles Rellenos with Chickpeas

A meatless take on chiles rellenos: roasted poblanos filled with a seasoned chickpea mixture and finished with crema and garnish.

Recipe source: Mexican chiles rellenos with chickpeas (original site)

Poblano Corn Chowder

A creamy chowder full of corn, Yukon gold potatoes, sharp cheddar and the mellow heat of poblanos—perfect for cool evenings.

Recipe source: Poblano corn chowder (original site)

Slow Cooker Chicken Sofrito

A hands-off, flavor-packed slow cooker dinner that uses a homemade sofrito full of vegetables and peppers, including poblanos.

Recipe source: Slow cooker chicken sofrito (original site)

Slow Cooker Roasted Poblano and Corn Soup

A comforting slow cooker soup combining roasted poblano, sweet corn and chicken for an easy, soulful meal.

Recipe source: Slow cooker roasted poblano and corn soup (original site)

A stuffed poblano pepper on a stack of white plates.

Taco-Stuffed Poblano Peppers

Taco-seasoned meat or beans make a flavorful filling for poblano peppers—an inventive twist on both tacos and stuffed peppers.

Recipe source: Taco-stuffed poblano peppers (original site)

A large bowl of beef poblano chili topped with sour cream, cheese, and cilantro.

Beef Poblano Black Bean Chili

A hearty chili of ground beef, black beans and poblanos with a subtle sweetness from the peppers that balances the savory spices.

Recipe source: Beef poblano black bean chili (original site)

Overhead view of four Cajun shrump stuffed poblanos.

Cajun Shrimp Stuffed Poblano Peppers

Poblanos filled with Cajun-spiced shrimp, Manchego and goat cheeses, and herbs—roasted or grilled until bubbling and fragrant.

Recipe source: Cajun shrimp stuffed poblano peppers (original site)

Summer Corn Salad

Sweet summer corn tossed with roasted poblanos, cilantro and a creamy dressing—an ideal side for barbecues and picnics.

Recipe source: Summer corn salad (original site)

Overhead view of three chicken poblano tacos.

Slow Cooker Chipotle Chicken & Poblano Street Tacos

Tender chipotle-chicken with poblano peppers, cooked low and slow and served as street tacos for a smoky, satisfying meal.

Recipe source: Slow cooker chipotle chicken & poblano street tacos (original site)

Healthy Stuffed Poblano Peppers

A lighter, low-carb version of stuffed poblanos, filled with nutritious ingredients and mild seasonings for a wholesome main dish.

Recipe source: Healthy stuffed poblano peppers (original site)

See more of my produce guides here:

Corn
Fava beans
Fennel
Figs
Rhubarb

Sources:

Dr. Axe
Spruce Eats
Veggie Gardener
Wikipedia