What are Habanero Peppers?

Habanero Pepper: (CC BY 2.5) Fir0002  

The habanero chili pepper is one of the hottest peppers in the world and is a very popular recipe ingredient for sauces and salsas. If you were to eat one whole, you may think that it is the hottest pepper, but in reality there may be one or two that are a little hotter. It is a variety of the species of Capsicum chinense peppers and has an intense flavor. Ripe and mature habanero's may range in colors from orange to red. Less frequently, you may find peppers in pink and brown shades.

Hot Chicken Wings with Habaneros

See below for some fantastic ways to make hot chicken wings with habaneros. The recipes shown are simple and delicious. One nice thing about cooking and adding spicy heat with a habanero pepper is that you can get the kick with a mild pepper punch, or you can bring the heat by adding more chili peppers to match your fowl taste. Get to cooking and dig in!

Barbecue Habanero Chicken Wings    

Just the name conjures up visions of scrumptious looking plates of BBQ. This relatively simple grilling recipe will knock your socks off with heat! Personally, I love grilling and barbecue. It is a match made for culinary success.

Papaya Habanero Salsa

See below for a tasty papaya and habanero salsa recipe that is hot, easy to make and fun to eat.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups of papaya cut into small chunks
• 1 to 2 habaneros, seeded and chopped fine
• 1/2 fresh squeezed lime
• 1/2 fresh squeeze lemon
• 1 cup red bell pepper diced
• 1 cup diced tomato
• 1 clove garlic chopped 
• 4 tbsp cilantro chopped fine
• 3/4 tsp light brown sugar
• 2 tsp olive or canola oil
• add salt and pepper to taste

How to Make Habanero Salsa

Making great tasting salsa using habanero peppers is easy and there are a multitude of different recipes you can use when creating your own masterpiece. See below for some examples and to get a basic knowledge of some of the best ways to make salsa. One of the benefits of using a variety of fruits and ingredients such as mangos, pineapple and others, is that there is no one set way that you have to make your dish. You are free to experiment and integrate your own ideas. This means you could make a different salsa with chili peppers every time you create a new recipe. View the various videos below and learn some new techniques to elevate your cooking.

Video: Habanero Salsa - how to make it spicy    



The cook shows a recipe that would be great for meat tacos, carnitas and other Mexican dishes. She shows cutting and preparation techniques to help you create an effective dish.

Chili with Habaneros

If you like spicy hot chili, then try a tasty recipe with habanero peppers to kick it up. Chili dishes can be prepared with different meats and spices, but this hot pepper makes the dish stand out in a class all of its own. Prepare to have a steaming good eating time with this dish. The classic stew and soup creation adored by millions of people just got escalated to a sizzling pot of goodness with the addition of habaneros. It will be hot!

Habanero Chili with Meat  

Ingredients:

• 1 pound of ground beef
• 1 pound beef stew meat cut in 1 inch chunks
• 3/4 pound pork sausage
• 1/2 pound of bacon
• 1 habanero pepper, take out stem and seeds, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1 tsp of light brown sugar
• 1 cup of sweet onions chopped
• 2 celery stalks chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped into small chunks
• 1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
• 2 tsp cumin
• 1 small can tomato sauce
• 2 cans stewed tomatoes
• 1 can black beans (14 to 15 oz can)
• 1 can light navy beans
• 1 can dark navy beans

How to Make Habanero Hot Sauce

While there may be a few different ways to make great habanero hot sauce, it really comes down to the peppers and a few basics within the recipe. See below for some excellent recipes for those who want to take on the task of making their own hot sauce with habaneros. Watch how some of these are made. As you experiment with your classic rendition, you can also modify the ingredients to adjust your base and compose your flavors.

Video: Pepper Sauce Recipe    



The video shows colorful peppers and ingredients that go into a wickedly hot and savory recipe. View as the narrator takes you through the ingredients and shows how to make the sauce that uses red habaneros. Some of the ingredients include garlic, paprika, allspice, molasses and cilantro. The cook also includes a 'secret' ingredient that makes it pop. The pepper images make your mouth water, as I am sure so will the dish.

Mango Habanero Salsa

A deliciously made mango habanero pepper salsa recipe is one that lets the natural flavors of the ingredients shine through while also setting your mouth on fire. Although, probably not the neatest dish you have seen, the vibrant colors of the fruits and peppers will make your taste glands water for a big bite. Try out the salsa recipes, and also do not be afraid to alter the ingredient profile some to suit your heat meter.

Salsa Recipe with Mango and Habaneros     

List of ingredients:

• 2 to 4 habaneros, remove stem and seeds
• 2 ripe mangos, peel and dice into cubes
• 1/3 cup green onions fine chop
• 1/8 cup of apple-cider vinegar
• fresh squeezed lime juice, ( 1 lime)
• 1/2 cup sweet onion, chopped
• 1/4 cup red onion, chopped
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
• dash of salt, or, to taste
• add water for desired thickness