In the mood for spicy food? These hot pepper recipes bring the heat!
24 Hot Pepper Recipes That’ll Spice Up Your Summer
Updated on Apr. 16, 2024
1/24
Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers
Total Time
30 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
There’s no faster way to get a party started than with these bacon jalapeno poppers. Make them ahead and bake just before serving. Even the those who are intolerant of hot peppers will love them. —Dawn Onuffer, Crestview, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1 stuffed pepper half: 66 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 15mg cholesterol, 115mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.
2/24
Chicago-Style Hot Giardiniera
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
I have been living in Chicago for many years and have grown to love the spicy giardiniera served at restaurants. So I developed my own to use at home. We love it on everything from eggs to sandwiches and even pizza! —Andrea Quiroz, Chicago, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
1/4 cup: 80 calories, 8g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 174mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein.
Find more of our top serrano pepper recipes.
3/24
Green Chile Shredded Pork
Total Time
6 hours 10 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Pork green chili made in the slow cooker always makes my hungry family happy. Getting creative with the leftovers is part of the fun. —Mary Shivers, Ada, Oklahoma
Nutrition Facts:
2 filled tortillas (calculated without optional toppings): 559 calories, 15g fat (5g saturated fat), 85mg cholesterol, 1032mg sodium, 62g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 42g protein.
4/24
Three-Pepper Guacamole
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
If you're serious about guacamole, use a molcajete. The lava stone makes a big difference on the pepper paste and is fun for guests. — Laura Levy, Lyons, Colorado
Nutrition Facts:
1/4 cup (calculated without chips): 76 calories, 7g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 82mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 3g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 fat.
5/24
Crisp & Spicy Cucumber Salad
Total Time
25 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Rice vinegar, sesame oil and cayenne create a sweet-hot Asian flavor that will light up your taste buds! —Alivia Dockery, Jensen Beach, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup (calculated without toppings): 96 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 51mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 3g fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 vegetable.
6/24
Spicy Beef Stir Fry
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Think of this stir-fry as your chance to play with heat and spice. I balance the savory beef with coconut milk and a spritz of lime. —Joy Zacharia, Clearwater, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 312 calories, 16g fat (5g saturated fat), 46mg cholesterol, 641mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 2g fiber), 26g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 fat, 1 vegetable, 1/2 starch.
7/24
Bulgogi
Total Time
30 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I first made this peppery beef with a recipe from my boss, who lived in Korea in the 1950s. Freeze the ribeyes and slicing's a cinch. —Linda McCane, Chesapeake, Virginia
8/24
Slow-Cooker Spicy Pork Chili
Total Time
6 hours 10 min
Servings
6 servings (2-1/2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
Tender pork adds extra heartiness to this slow-cooked chili. You can use pork tenderloin, boneless pork roast or boneless pork chops for the pork called for in the recipe. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
1-3/4 cups: 395 calories, 12g fat (4g saturated fat), 89mg cholesterol, 1055mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 8g fiber), 39g protein.
9/24
Sausage Stuffed Jalapenos
Total Time
35 min
Servings
44 appetizers
From the Recipe Creator:
If you like foods that pack a bit of a punch, you’ll love these jalapeno poppers filled
with sausage and cheese. This is one of my favorite recipes for parties. —Rachel Oswald, Greenville, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 appetizer: 56 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 13mg cholesterol, 123mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.
10/24
Mild Salsa Recipe for Canning
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
10 pints
From the Recipe Creator:
I got this salsa recipe from my sister, and my children and I have been making batches of it ever since. We pair pint jars with packages of tortilla chips for zesty Christmas gifts. When the kids give this present to their teachers, they can truthfully say they helped make it. —Pamela Lundstrum, Bird Island, Minnesota
Nutrition Facts:
2 tablespoons: 14 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 182mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 0 protein.
11/24
Mexican Breakfast Casserole
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Tomatoes and green chiles give color and zip to this extra-cheesy egg bake. It's a favorite for breakfast or brunch but it can be enjoyed for lunch or supper, too. —Mary Steiner, West Bend, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 421 calories, 27g fat (15g saturated fat), 382mg cholesterol, 856mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 31g protein.
12/24
Spicy Rice Casserole
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Stirring up pork sausage, wild rice and jalapeno to taste makes this a terrific side. Or serve it with cornbread to turn it into a main dish. It’s easy to make ahead and reheat for a potluck meal. —Debbie Jones, California, Maryland
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 473 calories, 25g fat (8g saturated fat), 61mg cholesterol, 1365mg sodium, 45g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 3g fiber), 18g protein.
13/24
Spicy Shrimp Salsa
Total Time
15 min
Servings
2 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
Radishes add a wonderful crunch to this colorful salsa that is also superb over grilled fish. There's just enough jalapeno to give flavor without much of the heat. —Mary Beth Relyea, Canastota, New York
Nutrition Facts:
1/4 cup: 38 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 43mg cholesterol, 119mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 6g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 lean meat.
14/24
Andouille Sausage and Peppers
Total Time
50 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I love to share my cooking, and this hearty sheet-pan dinner has built a reputation for being tasty. People have actually approached me in public to ask for the recipe. —Laurie Sledge, Brandon, Mississippi
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 257 calories, 11g fat (3g saturated fat), 65mg cholesterol, 759mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 3g fiber), 17g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 starch, 1 vegetable, 1 fat.
15/24
Spicy Peach-Glazed Grilled Chicken
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Simple chicken on the grill can’t compare with this wake-up-the-taste-buds version. It has just the right mix of spicy and sweet flavors. —Karen Sparks, Glendora, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 chicken breast half : 299 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 94mg cholesterol, 663mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (25g sugars, 0 fiber), 35g protein.
16/24
Grilled Jalapenos
Total Time
25 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
When barbecuing for friends at home, I also use the grill to serve up hot appetizers. These crowd-pleasing stuffed peppers have a bit of bite. They were concocted by my son. —Catherine Hollie, Cleveland, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 stuffed pepper: 97 calories, 9g fat (3g saturated fat), 17mg cholesterol, 179mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein.
17/24
Spicy Mashed Potatoes
Total Time
30 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
“While cleaning the freezer one day, I uncovered extra filling I had used in an appetizer. I decided to add it to the mashed potatoes for dinner…and it became an immediate favorite,” relates Laurie Balcom of Lynden, Washington.
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 341 calories, 13g fat (9g saturated fat), 39mg cholesterol, 257mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 15g protein.
18/24
White Chili with a Kick
Total Time
35 min
Servings
9 servings (2-1/4 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
Store-bought rotisserie chicken makes this spicy chili easy, but you could also cook your own. We like it with various combinations of sour cream, green onions, cheese and salsa on top. —Emmajean Anderson, Mendota Heights, Minnesota
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 424 calories, 21g fat (11g saturated fat), 113mg cholesterol, 896mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 5g fiber), 31g protein.
19/24
Jalapeno Jelly
Total Time
30 min
Servings
7 half-pints
From the Recipe Creator:
A jar of this sweet and spicy jelly is always warmly appreciated. To add an extra southwestern accent, I trim the lid with a snappy bandanna print fabric. —Lori McMullen, Victoria, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
2 tablespoons: 92 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 1mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (23g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein.
20/24
Queso Fundido
Total Time
35 min
Servings
6 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
Dig in to this one-skillet dip and enjoy the gooey cheese and the spicy kicks from chorizo and pepper jack. —Julie Merriman, Seattle, Washington
Nutrition Facts:
1/4 cup: 161 calories, 12g fat (6g saturated fat), 38mg cholesterol, 365mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 9g protein.
21/24
Grilled Cheese & Pepper Sandwiches
Total Time
20 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is a tasty and wholesome sandwich to make for one or two. It’s a nice twist on a grilled cheese, very tasty and filling and especially good with rye bread. —Arline Hofland, Deer Lodge, Montana
Nutrition Facts:
1 sandwich: 470 calories, 28g fat (13g saturated fat), 53mg cholesterol, 690mg sodium, 39g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 6g fiber), 17g protein.
22/24
Mexican Beef-Stuffed Peppers
Total Time
5 hours 15 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I grew up eating stuffed peppers and thought my husband would immediately love them as well. He didn't at first, but then I created this slow-cooked recipe. Because he loves fajitas and tacos, I created these peppers with all his favorite flavors tucked inside. —Nicole Sullivan, Arvada, Colorado
Nutrition Facts:
1 stuffed pepper: 646 calories, 37g fat (19g saturated fat), 133mg cholesterol, 1241mg sodium, 39g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 5g fiber), 40g protein.
23/24
Jalapeno Poppers
Total Time
40 min
Servings
about 2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These creamy stuffed jalapeno poppers have some bite. They may be the most popular treats I make! My husband is always hinting that I should make a batch. —Lisa Byington, Johnson City, New York
Nutrition Facts:
1 popper: 94 calories, 7g fat (4g saturated fat), 20mg cholesterol, 167mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
24/24
Crab-Stuffed Avocado
Total Time
20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These boats are wonderful with tortilla chips, beans or rice. You can also cover them, pack them on ice, and take them to a picnic or potluck. Straight from the oven or cold, they're always delicious. —Frances Benthin, Scio, Oregon
Nutrition Facts:
1 filled avocado half: 325 calories, 28g fat (6g saturated fat), 57mg cholesterol, 427mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 6g fiber), 13g protein.
