Jalapeño peppers and serrano peppers are both loved for their delicious flavors and moderate spice levels, but are they really that alike?
Serrano peppers and jalapeño peppers are about the same size – just a few inches long. Serrano peppers have an SHU rating of 10,000-25,000, whereas jalapeños are relatively mild at just 2,000-8,000. Both peppers share a sweet flavor with a hefty kick of spice. You can use them interchangeably depending on how hot you want your dish to be!
Read on for a thorough comparison between these two beloved sweet, spicy peppers!
Comparison – Differences between jalapeño peppers and serrano peppers
Jalapeños are arguably one of the most popular peppers out there. Between their subtle sweetness and relatively low heat, they’re bound to please just about anyone who isn’t completely opposed to a little capsaicin. If you’re looking for something with a little more kick though, that’s where the lesser-known serrano pepper comes in.
Let’s look at the similarities and differences between jalapeños and serrano peppers based on the following criteria:
- Jalepeños vs serrano peppers heat level
- Jalepeños vs serrano peppers flavor
- Jalepeños vs serrano peppers texture
- Jalepeños vs serrano peppers size and shape
- Jalepeños vs serrano peppers nutrition
- Jalepeños vs serrano peppers cost and availability
- Unique difficulties
- Substitutions
| Criteria | Jalepeño Pepper | Serrano Pepper |
|---|---|---|
| Heat level | 2,000-8,000 SHU | 10,000-25,000 SHU |
| Flavor | Sweet and bright | Spicy and sweet |
| Texture | Very smooth | Very smooth |
| Size | 2-3″ | 1-4″ |
| Shape | Rounded cones | Skinny |
| Nutrition (per 100g) | 29 Calories 144% DV Vitamin C | 32 Calories 50% DV Vitamin C |
| Substitutions | Serrano pepper | Jalepeño pepper |
Jalepeño peppers vs serrano peppers heat level (in Scoville heat units)
Serrano peppers are spicier than jalapeños.
Jalapeños range from 2,000-8,000 SHU, but serranos have a range of 10,000-25,000 SHU.
Jalepeño peppers vs serrano peppers flavor
Jalapeños and serranos are both spicy and sweet.
Jalepeño peppers vs serrano peppers texture
Both jalapeños and serranos are super smooth.
Jalepeño peppers vs serrano peppers size and shape
Serranos and jalapeños share a cone shape, but jalapeños are more rounded and serranos are skinnier.
Jalapeños are 2-3 inches long, while serranos are 1-4 inches long.
Jalepeños vs serrano peppers nutritional content
Jalapeños and serranos are both low in calories, high in Vitamin C, and high in capsaicin. They also have a decent amount of fiber.
Cost and availability
Jalapeños cost less than serranos because they’re easier to find.
Unique difficulties
You have to be careful when cooking with both jalapeños and serranos because you don’t want to get the spice in your eyes!
Can you substitute jalapeño peppers for serrano peppers or vice versa?
You can substitute jalapeño peppers for serrano peppers and vice versa. They are both sweet with similar spice levels.
Jalapeño peppers – a complete overview
Most people have at least tried a jalepeño in their lives, but have you ever give it much thought?
It’s not the spiciest pepper out there (that would be the terrifying Carolina Reaper), and it’s not even the most ubiquitous (even though they’re not spicy, bell peppers are still peppers!), but it may be one of the most popular.
Heat
Jalapeños have an SHU rating between 2,000 and 8,000. That means one random jalapeño can be 4 times as spicy as another random one!
Red jalapeños are the spiciest because they’re more mature. Capsaicin increases as peppers mature, which makes them spicier.
Unfortunately, size won’t help you know how hot a jalapeño is. You have to go based off color – or grow them yourself!
Flavor
Jalapeño peppers are both sweet and spicy.
Size, shape, and texture
Jalapeños are typically 2-3 inches long.
They have a rounded cone shape. Jalapeños are very smooth.
Nutritional content and potential health benefits
Some health benefits of jalapeños include:
- May aid in weight loss
- May relieve pain
- May prevent or fight cancer
- May prevent stomach ulcers
- May boost heart health
Meanwhile, the nutritional content of one raw cup of jalapeño peppers is:
- 26 calories
- 10% DV dietary fiber
- 177% DV Vitamin C
- 20% DV Vitamin B6
Cooking with jalapeño peppers
One great way to cook with jalapeño peppers is to stuff them – if you can handle the spice!
They’re very common in Mexican cuisine, but they’re been adopted all around the world due to their pleasant spice.
Substitutions for jalapeño peppers
Serrano peppers are a great substitute for jalapeño peppers. Mild serrano peppers are about as hot as spicy jalapeños.
Likewise, serranos and jalapeños are both enjoyably sweet.
Freezing, drying, and preserving jalapeño peppers
You can freeze, dry, can, or pickle jalapeño peppers.
If you enjoy pickled jalapeño peppers from the store, you should try making your own!
In addition, some people like to grind up their dried jalapeños to make chili powder.
Serrano peppers – a complete overview
Serrano peppers are hot without being overwhelmingly so and are sweet like jalepeños. They may not be as popular as their counterpart, but maybe we can change that!
Let’s take a deep dive into this spicy pepper!
Heat
Serrano peppers range from 10,000-25,000 SHU.
Flavor
Serrano peppers are sweet with a spicy kick in the butt!
Size, shape, and texture
Serrano peppers can range anywhere from 1-4 inches long, depending on maturity.
They look like skinny tubes with pointed tips and are very smooth.
As with many peppers, the riper a serrano is, the more heat it’s likely to have. Red peppers are also likely to have a softer.
Nutritional content and potential health benefits
One cup of raw serrano peppers contains:
- 34 calories
- 52% DV vitamin C
- 2g protein
- 3.9g fiber
Some potential health benefits of serrano peppers include:
- Decreased inflammation
- Anti-cancer properties
- Good for heart health
Cooking with serrano peppers
If you can handle the heat, serrano peppers are delicious stuffed.
Another great way to draw out their sweet and spicy flavor is to blister them!
You can also roast, grill, or saute serranos.
Substitutions for serrano peppers
Jalapeños are a good substitution for serrano peppers if you can get a jalapeño that’s on the spicier side.
Freezing, drying, and preserving serrano peppers
You can freeze, dry, can, and pickle serrano peppers.
Just like jalapeños, you can grind up dried serranos to make delicious homemade chili powder. Yum!
