Types of Peppers – 10 Different Kinds of Peppers and Their Uses

These tiny peppers look and taste similar to bell peppers but are smaller, have less seeds to dig out and are often slightly sweeter. Use them as scoops for your favorite dip or roast or sauté them like you would a bell pepper.

SPICE LEVEL (SHU) – 0

Get the recipes for Sheet Pan Chickpea Chicken or Mediterranean Baked Cod

Also known as the Italian Frying Pepper, this sweet pepper packs a touch of heat. This light greenish-yellow in pepper is long, has a slight wrinkle to its thin skin and is widely used in cuisines of Cuba, Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic. Because of the thin skin they are ideal for quick frying, but they can be roasted as well. Up your pizza game by throwing a sliced one of these on top.

SPICE LEVEL (SHU) – 100 to 1000

Get the recipe for BBQ Italian Sausage and Pepper Pie

These peppers got their name for their long curved shape and yellowish hue. They are tangy but mild and are most often found pickled for piling on sandwiches.

SPICE LEVEL (SHU) – 0 to 500

Cherry peppers or Pimento (or Pimiento) are red, heart-shaped peppers that are mild, sweet and smell like a supercharged red bell pepper. They are most often found jarred, and can add sweet pepper flavor to a dish similar to roasted red peppers.

SPICE LEVEL (SHU) – 100 to 500

Get the recipes for Pimiento Cheese Finger Sandwiches or Pimiento-Cheese Deviled Eggs

Although hot, poblano peppers are on the mild end of the spicy pepper scale. Poblano peppers are thick and meaty just like a bell pepper, but have a slight kick. Because of their size, they are great for stuffing. They are also good for roasting, grilling and sautéing. They are one of Mexico’s most popular pepper — and when they’re fully ripened and then dried, they are anchos.

SPICE LEVEL (SHU) – 1000 – 1500

Get the recipe for Roasted Shrimp & Poblano Salad

They might look like a red jalapeño, but they are a bit more complex overall and have a bit more heat. Fresnos get a bit fruitier and smokier in terms of taste as they mature. If you are looking to switch things up, give these a go.

SPICE LEVEL (SHU) – 2500 – 10,000

Get the recipes for Cayenne Grilled Eggplant with Fresh Tomato Salad

These long, thin red peppers pack a clean, bright punch without sending you screaming. They have thin skins so if you decide to roast a bunch (I would!), you can chop them with the charred skins on, no need to peel. Add them to salads, salsa and chiles.

SPICE LEVEL (SHU) – 10,000 – 23,000

Get the recipe for Ginger Pork and Cucumber Salad

There are many many varieties of Thai pepper. You’ll most likely find the Bird’s Eye pepper in the grocery store, but all Thai peppers have a similar red color and for a tiny pepper, they pack some serious heat. They are most often used to add a hot kick to soups and stews

SPICE LEVEL (SHU) – 50,000 – 100,000