Looking to use up those jalapeños from your garden? Turn up the heat with 35 jalapeño recipes that go far beyond poppers, including appetizers, main dishes, fresh salsas, sweet and spicy jellies, pickled peppers, and even a cocktail!
My jalapeños are out of control this year (in a good way). They started producing way earlier in the season than usual, and I've been harvesting about a dozen a week (from just two plants)! I cook with jalapeños a lot, so I usually don't have any problem making my way through them. If I have extras, I'll freeze some to bring out during winter for chili. Since this year's jalapeño harvest has been more abundant than usual, I've been using them in recipes like crazy. I've given a bunch away and frozen some, too, and I still have a ton left. I set out to find more recipes I could make with them. This list should spark some inspiration if you're looking for more ways to use garden fresh jalapeños.
The recipes are divided into these categories:
Need tips for growing jalapeños? Check out How to Grow and Care for Jalapeño Peppers by The Spruce and How To Grow Jalapeños That Keep Producing All Season Long by Southern Living. Your local ag extension may also have information on its website specific to growing jalapeños in your area. In general, I find jalapeños to be easy to grow. They're one of the first things I started growing when I first took up gardening. Mine live in containers, which is a personal preference because I have limited space and like to be able to move them based on weather conditions.
Want more spicy food recipes? Check out the recipes at Chili Pepper Madness! He also has a post explaining why jalapeño heat levels vary from pepper to pepper.
Appetizers and Sides
Sourdough Jalapeño Popper Scones
Sourdough jalapeño popper scones are full of cheese, jalapeños, bacon, cream cheese, and spices. They really do taste like a jalapeño popper in scone form! This recipe is great for brunch, parties, or to serve as a side dish.
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Recipe from: Plum Branch Home
Jalapeño Cornbread
This jalapeño cornbread with cheddar cheese is an easy twist on classic cornbread.
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Recipe from: Mom Foodie
Corn Salad
Fresh corn, veggies (including jalapeños), lime, and fresh cotija cheese come together to make this great light summer side. This is a perfect quick side dish for a summer cookout or weeknight dinner!
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Stuffed Jalapeños
These stuffed whole jalapeños are filled with with creamy goat cheese and wrapped in bacon. They’re great for parties, game day, and cookouts.
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Recipe from: The Cookin' Chicks
Jalapeño Popper Egg Rolls (Air Fried or Deep Fried)
These jalapeño popper egg rolls are just the right amount of spicy, cheesy, and crispy. This is a great party app!
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Recipe from: Bites with Bri
Dynamite Lumpia
This crispy lumpia has spicy jalapeños, savory pork, and cheese for a great combination of flavor and heat.
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Recipe from: Chicken Fried Kitchen
Bacon Jalapeno Popper Cups
These bacon jalapeño popper cups pack all the creamy, cheesy, smoky, and spicy flavors of a classic jalapeño popper into crispy wonton cups for the perfect bite-sized appetizer.
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Recipe from: Moms Who Save
Jalapeño Popper Dip With Bacon (Air Fryer or Oven)
This dip is great if you love jalapeño poppers but don’t want to go through all the effort of stuffing peppers. It has all the creamy, spicy, and savory elements of a bacon wrapped jalapeño popper in an easy dip.
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Recipe from: Dinners Done Quick
Mexican Street Corn Dip
Mexican street corn dip packs all the bold, tangy flavors of elotes into a warm, cheesy dip. Made with roasted corn, crema, lime, cotija and Tajín, it’s the ultimate crowd pleaser with tortilla chips!
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Recipe from: Next Level Baker
Jalapeño Cheese Dip
This cheddar jalapeño cheese dip is creamy, cheesy, and mildly spicy. Ready in just 10 minutes!
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Recipe from: Plum Branch Home
Creamy Jalapeño Dip
This creamy jalapeño dip is quick and easy to make with just four ingredients and served cold. Great with chips or veggies!
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Recipe from: Mama Likes to Cook
Creamy Jalapeño Hummus
This jalapeño hummus goes with just about anything and is ready in about 15 minutes. Serve with veggies or crackers or spread on wraps or sandwiches!
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Recipe from: Shivani Loves Food
Jalapeño Pimiento Cheese Spread
Adding jalapeños gives pimento cheese a spicy kick. Serve with crackers or celery sticks as an appetizer. You can also add it to cheese grits or melt it on burgers!
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Recipe from: Little Black Skillet
Corn Fritters
These easy corn fritters have ultra-crisp edges and plenty of sweet corn, cheddar cheese, and jalapeño in every bite. They are ready in less than 30 minutes and easy to make in a skillet with fresh, frozen, or canned corn – no deep fryer needed.
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Recipe from: The Forked Spoon
Main Dishes
Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole
This creamy and delicious jalapeño popper chicken casserole combines all the flavors of cream cheese stuffed jalapenos with a classic pasta filled chicken casserole.
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Recipe from: The Cookin' Chicks
Chipotle Chicken Fajita Bowls
These chipotle chicken fajita bowls feature smoky chipotle chicken with peppers and onions served over rice with charred corn, jalapenos, cotija cheese, and avocado verde sauce. This recipe is great for meal prepping.
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Sweet Potato Taco Bowls
Shake up taco night with these vegetarian sweet potato taco bowls packed with nutritious and flavorful ingredients everyone will love.
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Recipe from: The Candid Cooks
Spicy Turkey Meatballs
These spicy turkey meatballs come together for a quick weeknight dinner with a punch. Also great for party appetizer!
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Recipe from: Fit As A Mama Bear
Dutch Oven Carnitas (One Pot Recipe)
These Dutch Oven Carnitas are mouthwateringly good and easy to make. Just throw all the ingredients into the Dutch oven and come back in four hours.
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Recipe from: Garlic All Day
Peach Salmon Skewers with Peach Jalapeño Crema
These marinated peach salmon skewers are topped with a spicy basil peach jalapeño crema.
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Recipe from: At the Immigrant's Table
Blackened Fish Sandwiches with Spicy Corn & Cabbage Slaw
These spice-rubbed, flaky fish sandwiches are served with creamy cabbage and corn slaw and a jalapeño lime dressing.
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Recipe from: Foodess
Jalapeño Cheddar Meatloaf
This jalapeño cheddar meatloaf is packed with veggies and cheese, topped with a unique ketchup glaze, and served with a lime sour cream.
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Recipe from: The Wholesome Spoon
Pulled Pork Tortilla Soup
Pulled pork tortilla soup is a flavorful way to repurpose leftover BBQ, simmering smoky shredded pork in a zesty tomato-chili broth with beans, corn, and spices. Topped with crunchy tortilla strips and fresh garnishes, it’s a hearty, satisfying dish that turns BBQ leftovers into a whole new meal.
Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup
This is a simple, one-pot soup that packs robust flavor for such an easy recipe. It's perfect for using leftover chicken and making ahead to reheat later!
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Salsas
Roasted Jalapeño Salsa Recipe
Roasted jalapeño salsa recipe includes tomatillo, jalapeño, serrano, onion, garlic, lime, and spices.
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Recipe from: Cinnamon Snail
Smoky Roasted Tomatillo Salsa Verde
This salsa verde is a tangy, smoky dip with roasted tomatillos. Great for dipping tortilla chips or serving on nachos or tacos!
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Recipe from: Cinnamon Snail
Pico de Gallo
Pico de Gallo is a chunky salsa packed with fresh tomatoes, onions, jalapeños and cilantro for bright flavor. Serve it with chips or spoon it over tacos, nachos, or your favorite Mexican dishes.
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Recipe from: Next Level Baker
Fresh Peach Jalapeño Salsa
This delicious Peach Jalapeño Salsa features juicy peaches, fresh red pepper, tomato, and red onion with the added kick of jalapeño and smoky chipotle pepper.
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Recipe from: A Taste for Travel
Jellies, Jams, & Syrups
Sweet and Spicy Pepper Jelly
This sweet, spicy, and tangy jelly is great for crackers, sandwiches and burgers, or your charcuterie board.
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Recipe from: Unique Cooks
Peach Hot Pepper Jam
Fresh peaches are simmered with jalapeños, sugar, apple cider vinegar, and lemon juice until thick and glossy, creating a versatile jam that's delicious on everything from toast to grilled meats.
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Recipe from: Cookin' Up Life
Texas Jalapeño Jelly Recipe
Sweet, spicy, and colorful, this jalapeño jelly recipe adds a little kick to biscuits, bread, chips, and more! The post also includes Cricut jar labels.
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Recipe from: The Soccer Mom Blog
Drinks and Drink Syrup
Spicy Jalapeño Basil Moscow Mule
This spicy jalapeño basil Moscow mule is the best summer cocktail. Absolut Peppar vodka & ginger beer make a refreshing, fun, & easy drink.
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Recipe from: The Short Order Cook
Jalapeño Simple Syrup
This spicy jalapeño simple syrup is the best way to add spiciness to any cocktail or drink! Easy to make in 15 minutes.
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Recipe from: The Littlest Crumb
Pickled Jalapenos
Taqueria Style Pickled Jalapeños and Carrots
This recipe for quick pickled jalapeños and carrots is bold, tangy, and sautéed for authentic escabeche-style flavor. No canning required.
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Recipe from: Becoming You With Julie
Quick Pickled Jalapeños
Quick pickled jalapeño peppers are the perfect condiment to add a tangy kick to any dish. Their sharp, spicy flavor enhances a variety of dishes.
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Recipe from: Peak to Plate
