Jalapeño: The Complete Guide (3K–8K SHU)
3K–8K SHU · bright and grassy · Mexico
2x hotter than a jalapeño
Quick Facts
Heat & Flavor Profile
The Jalapeño registers 3K–8K Scoville Heat Units (SHU), placing it in the Medium tier (1K–10K SHU). That makes it roughly 2x hotter than a jalapeño.
Flavor notes: bright and grassy.
Substitutes for Jalapeño
Closest match: Chipotle. These peppers share a similar heat range or flavor profile and work well as substitutes in most recipes.
Jalapeño vs. Other Peppers
See how the Jalapeño stacks up in these detailed side-by-side comparisons.
Habanero vs Jalapeño
Jalapeño vs Serrano Pepper
Jalapeño vs Poblano Pepper
Cayenne Pepper vs Jalapeño
Data from USDA FoodData Central, the Chile Pepper Institute at NMSU, and USDA Agricultural Research Service. Species classification: C. annuum — based on published botanical taxonomy.