Did you know that smoked chipotle peppers are actually smoked jalapenos? These smoked and dried peppers greatly enhance flavor to many meals.
Smoked peppers have a distinct taste. Their smoky hot flavor makes them delicious in salsas and so many more dishes.
When my son, Patrick, knows I'm making something spicy, he perks up! He's been that way since he was a teenager. Anything spicy will do.
But smoked Chipotle peppers? Well, in his eyes, they're really something special! The combination of spice and smoke is what does it.
While I make them, he hovers over me. It's kind of annoying, but kind of cute at the same time. Do you know what I mean?
Smoked Chipotle Peppers
This smoked Jalapenos recipe was inspired by my attempts at trying to track down smoked Chipotle peppers. Finding these flavorful peppers was not easy, and I grew tired of looking for them.
So, I decided to heck with it. I'll make my own, and to my surprise, they were easier to make that I thought!
How To Smoke Jalapeno Peppers
Only ONE ingredient is required to make smoked Chipotle peppers! The peppers themselves! A quick budget-friendly trip to the grocery and you're ready to rock and roll!
- red or green jalapenos
See the recipe card below for quantities.
Instructions
Just three simple steps is all it takes to make Smoked Jalapeno peppers.
Step 1: Preheat the smoker
Preheat the smoker to 220 degrees.
Step 2: Prepare the jalapenos
Stem the peppers, but don't seed them. Place peppers in a single layer on the grate.
Step 3: Smoke the peppers
Keep the smoke as dense as possible, and keep a very close eye on the heat. Check them every hour or so. They're ready when they have shriveled up and look like dark leather. Peppers take four hours to smoke.
Hint: no need for a pan when smoking these jalapeno peppers; just place them straight on the grill grate. Smaller, ripe, red jalapeno peppers (chipotle peppers) are smaller and might benegit from a tray.
Variations
Want to personalize this smoked jalapenos recipe? Here are a couple of my tried and true tips for changing up this recipe.
- Ground - Use regular or smoked jalapenos peppers and grind them up into powder
- Slices or Flakes - Create smoked jalapeno slices or flakes
- Chipotle Powder - Allow jalapenos to ripen in a warm sunny windowsill until red color and then dry in an oven, dehydrator or smoker before grinding
- Don't want charred? - place peppers in a foil pan and coat with olive oil, salt and pepper.
If you love recipes like this, you might also enjoy this smoked onions, smoked sweet potatoes and smoked carrots recipe.
Equipment
All you need is a smoker and pellets or wood for the smoker. With these two kitchen tools, the peppers will be done in a few hours.
- smoker
- pellets or wood for smoker
Storage
No need to freeze or refrigerate these peppers. They can store for years in a jar or storage bag. You can also grind the peppers up in a spice grinder, coffee grinder or food processor.
Use peppers for tacos, chilis, sauces, stews, soups and casseroles.
More Smoked Recipes
If you like smoked recipes, here are three recipes that might interest you.
FAQ
If you have questions about smoked jalapenos, here are some of the most commonly asked questions about this recipe.
Yes, you can freeze, but, there's no need since these peppers store well at room temperature.
The Chipotles are done when completely dried, brittle, very lightweight, and a dark, rich color.
We prefer to use apple or pecan with this recipe but all kinds of wood or pellets will work.
For 4 hours at 220 degrees.
Smoked Jalapenos
Ready to get cooking? Remember, you can print this recipe if you like.
Smoked Jalapenos
Equipment
- smoker
- charcoal and wet and dry wood chunks or chips. I use apple or pecan
Ingredients
- 2 lbs jalapenos
Instructions
- Wash jalapeno peppers.
- You can smoke jalapenos with their stems, seeds, and membranes intact, but I prefer to remove the stems or tops. Smoke is permitted inside each jalapeno to enhance flavor from the inside out.
- Start your smoker and set to 220 degrees. We prefer to use apple or pecan to enhance flavor but your favorite wood or pellets will work.
- Place the jalapenos on the rack in a single layer leaving a little space between each jalapeno. After placing your jalapeno peppers on the grill, close the lid.
- If using smaller Chipotle peppers (ripe jalapenos), you may want to use a grilling tray depending on the size of your grill grates.
- Check every hour for approximately 4 hours.
- Unless there are known hot spots, there's no need to move jalapeno peppers around or move them at all. I usually place jalapeno peppers around my hotspot so I don't have to move them at all.
- Jalapeno peppers will dry, turn black and look dark and leathery when fully smoked.
- Remove from smoker and place on platter.
- Chipotles are done in less time usually and look a dark rich color, are fragile and super light too.
- Store smoked Chipotle or jalapeno peppers in jars or storage bags.
- Grind them into a powder or simply break them up into flakes with your fingers to add flavor to other dishes. Enjoy!
cw says
Can I freeze these after smoking or will they keep in bags?
Karin and Ken says
Ideally store the smoked peppers inside a mason jar with a lid in a cool, dry place for up to 6 months without losing flavor. You can also use resealable plastic bags, but smoked peppers are very potent and are very smoky. The smoke smell may seep through plastic bags into your cabinet.
Freezing them will slow down decomposition and almost guarantee they keep their freshness, but due to the moisture content, the peppers must be used immediately after they are defrosted because they are vulnerable to mold. If you defrost them to make powders, they may clump. The clumps do not affect the flavor and can be broken up but it is best to make powders before freezing to preserve integrity. Basically if you will use within 6 months a jar is best to store your peppers in a cool dark place. I go through so much of this powder I don’t bother freezing anymore. Hope I’ve helped you and you’re enjoying this easy recipe. All the best. Karin
Anonymous says
These are awesome if you like a little bit of spice
Karin and Ken says
I could not agree with you more! We love this easy recipe too! All the best. Karin
Michelle says
Loved this recipe We left some peppers whole but most were made into flakes an powder I love this spice Adds so much flavor and Is great to have on hand Thank you for sharing this recipe
Karin and Ken says
As always you’re most welcome! We love this recipe too and I’m glad you can use it! Hopefully you find some other recipes on this site that you enjoy just as much! All the best. Karin