Hatch chile peppers are a generic name for New Mexican peppers that are grown and harvested in the Hatch Valley region, New Mexico. Learn more about the Hatch chile pepper from Chili Pepper Madness.
Scoville Heat Units: 1,000 - 8,000 SHU (or hotter)
What are Hatch Chile Peppers?
Hatch chile peppers are actually a generic name for New Mexican peppers that are grown and harvested in the Hatch Valley region, New Mexico.
Located in the heart of the Rio Grande agricultural territory, Hatch, New Mexico, is often referred to as the Chili Capital of the World.
The name "Hatch peppers" often refer to the type of chilies the area has brought to fame, regardless of where they were actually grown, though to be authentically called a Hatch pepper, the pods must be grown in the Hatch region.
Hatch chilies grown today (in fact all New Mexican peppers) owe their genetic base from cultivars first developed by Fabián Garcia at the New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts, now known as the New Mexico State University, in 1894.
The annual Hatch Chile Festival occurs each Labor Day weekend and draws up to 30,000 people from around the world to the tiny town of less than 2,000 residents.
They are an important part of the culture for anyone who lives in New Mexico.
Legislators passed a law in 2012 that prohibits the sale of chili peppers with the label "New Mexican" unless actually grown in New Mexico, or they must include a disclaimer label of "Not Grown in New Mexico".
History of the Hatch Chile Pepper
New Mexican chili pepper pod types were developed starting in 1894. Fabian Garcia from the New Mexico State University crossed several local pod types with a goal of improving them for the region. He sought larger, smoother peppers that were better for canning.
After several years of crossing and growing, he released a variety called New Mexico No. 9 in 1913. All New Mexican chili peppers owe their genetic base to these peppers. Today, chili pepper studies continue at the Chile Pepper Institute in New Mexico, founded by Paul Bosland in order to study New Mexican peppers and others from around the world.
How Many Types of Hatch Peppers Are There?
There are many varieties of Hatch Peppers. Here is a list of some of the most popular:
- NuMex Big Jim
- NuMex Sandia
- NuMex Joe E. Parker
- New Mexico 6-4
- NuMex Heritage 6-4
- NuMex Heritage Big Jim
- Barker Extra Hot
- NuMex R Naky
How Hot Are Hatch Chile Peppers?
Most Hatch peppers are about a third as hot as a typical jalapeno pepper, or they can be about as hot as your typical jalapeno. Because there are different types of chili peppers that can be categorized as Hatch Chile Peppers, there heat levels can vary from a fairly mild 1,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU) to around 8,000 SHU. Learn more about the Scoville Scale Here.
Some Hatch peppers can be even hotter, again depending on the variety. I've been told some can be on par with habanero pepper heat.
What Do Hatch Chile Peppers Taste Like?
Hatch peppers are hugely popular in the New Mexican and surrounding region, but they are becoming very popular through the entire U.S. They are quite earthy in flavor, similar to the Anaheim chili pepper. Some say their flavors are said affected positively by the rich regional soil in which they are grown, though others argue that the soil is irrelevant, and that they taste great wherever they are grown.
They can be eaten raw, offering a crisp, spicy flavor and a mild pungency similar to an onion, though they are typically roasted which gives them a smoky, rich, earthier, sometimes buttery flavor.
Hatch green chiles offer a bit more bite, while aging them to ripened red Hatch chiles mellows them and the heat they deliver from an initial bite to more of a blooming back heat.
What Are Hatch Chiles Used For?
Hatch peppers are used in a wide variety of dishes across the U.S., particularly in New Mexico. They are used to make soups and stews, sauces, chopped and cooked into chilis and other daily dishes. They are also very popular for making stuffed peppers. Roast chile is massively popular. Fresh Hatch peppers are great for many dishes, but the flavors really bloom with roasted Hatch green chiles. Red as well.
How To Cook with Hatch Chile Peppers
Cooking with Hatch peppers is certainly an art form, and one of the most oft asked questions in the New Mexican region is simply, "Red or Green?", which refers to the color of your preferred sauce.
Locals enjoy cooking and eating their Hatch peppers as either a pureed red chili sauce or a green chili sauce, and I can tell you from personal experience that both versions are extremely flavorful.
Hatch Chile Recipes
Looking for recipes for cooking with Hatch peppers? Here is a list of recipes I have on the site. Contact me with any requests!
Can I Grow Hatch Chile Peppers?
Of course! You can grow the different types of Hatch peppers from seed or purchase seedlings and grow them in your own garden anywhere that chili peppers can be grown. However, as they won't be growing in Hatch, New Mexico, they can't actually be called "Hatch Chile Peppers".
When is Hatch Chile Season?
Hatch chile peppers have a very short cultivation season, as they are larger peppers with very thick walls. They are typically harvested in August and September each year, though the season can be extended a couple weeks on either side, depending on the weather.
This is referred as Hatch chile season.
Where Can I Find Hatch Chile Peppers?
It used to be that you couldn't get Hatch chile peppers outside of the Hatch, New Mexico region, but they are quickly becoming more and more available at local grocery stores of through online retailers. I have personally ordered roasted Hatch chile peppers online and had them delivered frozen.
They are easily preserved and extremely delicious this way. I enjoy both roasted Hatch chile and fresh chile.
What Can I Substitute for Hatch Chiles?
If you are unable to obtain Hatch peppers, Anaheim peppers make a good substitute. Cubanelle peppers can work as well.
I've used poblano peppers as a substitute and was quite happy. You really want to find a good thicker walled chili pepper to sub in for Hatch chiles, something with a milder level of heat.
Where Can I Buy Hatch Chile Peppers?
Here is a list of recommended resources for where you can purchase flavorful, authentic Hatch chile peppers from New Mexico online, shipped straight to your door.
Where Can You Buy Hatch Chile Peppers? Here are my recommendations.
Got any questions? Ask away! I’m happy to help. I hope you’ll leave a comment below. Also, please share it on social media. Don’t forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I’ll be sure to share! Thanks! — Mike H.
This post was updated on 7/30/19 with new information and photos. It was originally published on 9/20/13.
Heather Jones says
Good evening I love your chillie recipes but what name are they called in England, or can you suggest a substitute. The 2 you suggest i don't think I would be able to find them. Thank you
Kind regards
Heather
from Chester, England
Mike Hultquist says
Heather, some good substitutes include Anaheim peppers, Cubanelle, or poblanos.
Henrietta Burdsall says
I'm so excited! Saved seeds from some grocery store Hatch chili peppers last fall. Planted them inside in February and coddled them through a long Wisconsin winter. Moved to huge pots outside in late May. They have blessed me with a bumper crop of wonderful chilis. With all the political blah, blah below I plan to call mine The Green Bay Packer Chili Pepper 'cause that's where they were grown--up in Green Bay. GO PACK GO!!
Mike Hultquist says
Haha, there you go, Henrietta! I love it! I'm glad the seeds propagated for you. I love to hear it!
Sands says
Go Pack Go!!
Michael Lacy says
I am from Las Cruces, NM and have enjoyed green chile grown in the Mesilla Valley all of my life!! I was somewhat amused when the chile from the Hatch Chile Festival was imported by Gringos, a mexican restaurant in Houston, and they started calling it Hatch Green Chile, even though it was grown throughout the valley. Now all chile from NM is called Hatch Green Chile!!
The Jazz Chef says
Your article needs correction. Hatch, after the lawsuit with Hatch Brand (now Hatch “Select”) led to a appellation designation for the Hatch Valley. So you will see both “New Mexico Chiles” which refers to products with multiple sources within New Mexico, or chiles grown in other areas outside of Hatch.
Can you grow a “Hatch” chile outside of Hatch. Correct answer is NO, aside from the appellation designation. Chiles are what they eat. Soil composition, and the weather in a particular growing region, has a lot to do with the flavor. A “Big Jim” grown in Sandia, Northern Mexico, or in Hatch may all taste similar, but they will be markedly different in flavor, because of the soil compositions from which they grow.
The only way to grow something similar, that we’ve found, is to use a soil sample and create a liquid nutrient, with the same chemistry, applied in a root-spray hydroponics system, where you can best control water to simulate annual rainfall.
In a planter, with potting soil? They’ll taste a lot more like a bland Anaheim.
Mike Hultquist says
Holy Moly. Sure, I'll publish this one. UGH.
maryblushes says
bought some Hatch chili pepper wine, just tasted like white wine to me, not much pepper flavor. Bought some hatch chili cheese slices and found them to be very very mild, just tasted like a white cheese with a tiny touch of pepper flavor, also no heat.
Mike Hultquist says
Sorry to hear. I've had some products like that. I wish they'd up the chili pepper flavor!
Judy cooke says
absolutely love hatch chiles, however right now my hatch are very small on the plants and are turning red way too early. never happened before. what is wrong?
Mike Hultquist says
Judy, it's hard to control the ripening of peppers, though keeping a proper balance of nutrients in the soil and proper watering can help control this. Factors can vary from year to year.
Carolyn W Creasy says
How do roast the hatch chili peppers medium. Can I use the in making fajitas?
Mike Hultquist says
Carolyn, I have a post here on How to Roast Peppers: https://www.chilipeppermadness.com/preserving-chili-peppers/roasting-chili-peppers-how-to-roast-chili-peppers/. Yep, they're GREAT for fajitas. Enjoy!
Diana Jones says
Hi is it possible to dry green hatch chili peppers?
If so what’s the best process to dry them?
Mike Hultquist says
Diana, yes, I dehydrate peppers all the time. It is best with a dehydrator. See my page on Dehydrating Chili Peppers: https://www.chilipeppermadness.com/preserving-chili-peppers/dehydrating-peppers/. I'm also the author of "The Spicy Dehydrator Cookbook".
George Hatch says
I had a farm in Africa
Mike Hultquist says
Awesome!
Ken Haney says
We used to live in CO and every season we could find someone roasting fresh chili’s all over town. We now live in IA. How do I find out if a chili roasting event will be in our area? We can usually find fresh chilies at the store but getting them roasted on site is somehow magical and does a lot better job than I have ever been able to do. Now that I have become a senior citizen it is even harder. We like to buy a whole case, have them roasted, dice some and leave some whole minus the seeds and stem, and freeze enough to get us to the next season. We do use canned if we can find them but they are getting more and more scarce. Anyway, would just like to know if any locations in the Des Moines, IA area will be hosting a roasting event.
Mike Hultquist says
Hi, Ken. I wish I knew, but sharing this in case anyone has suggestions other than Google. You CAN always ship from New Mexico, which is what I have to do. You can see my Where to Buy Hatch Chiles page for sellers. https://www.chilipeppermadness.com/resources/where-to-buy-hatch-chile-peppers/
Lori Trimpe says
Hi Ken
Legit Hatch chile roasting and selling events are just starting here in Grand Rapids MI, through our Spartan /Family Fare/D&W grocery store chains. I see they operate in IA too so you should check them out. Raw chiles run about $2/lb, and from what I read they roast them for free on Saturday events that move around the state. My local Horrocks market carries the real deal too.
Good luck
Charlotte Ward says
I bought some dried Hatch red chili peppers. How do I use them?
Mike Hultquist says
Charlotte, you can either crush them into powders, but best is to rehydrate them and use them in soups, sauces, etc. See my post on How to Rehydrate Dried Peppers: https://www.chilipeppermadness.com/cooking-with-chili-peppers/how-to-rehydrate-dried-chili-peppers/. Enjoy!
Sheila says
How / or can you -freeze Hatch peppers for latter use?
Mike Hultquist says
Yes, you can freeze chili peppers, Sheila. I have a guide for that here - How to Freeze Peppers: https://www.chilipeppermadness.com/preserving-chili-peppers/freezing-chili-peppers/.
Ellen Lichtenstein says
Hi Mike, i like your Hatch History.
My son goes to NM often on biz. He keeps getting sick on these soecific chilis. Oddly not on Anneheim ot Pablano. Any insire you might have on this? Thanks, Ellen
Mike Hultquist says
Ellen, that's odd to hear. I have no idea how he might be getting sick on them, unless he's eating too much! Very strange.
Rob says
Dried peppers get new names, ie a jalapeño l becomes a chipotle. What does a dried hatch pepper become?
Thanks!!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
The names don't always change, Rob. Some types of Hatch peppers may, though I'm not aware. Some similar peppers do, like a dried Anaheim pepper is often called a California chili.
Sylvia B says
THERE IS NO SUCH VARIETY of Hatch Chile. There is Chile grown in Hatch valley, but it is grown up and down the Rio Grande valley. All our hard working farmers deserve support for this wonderful crop, not just those from Hatch. You correctly listed Sandia, Barker, etc. THOSE are the varieties. Hatch is a place, not a Chile.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Sylvia, I believe you may have misread the post. You essentially reiterated what is written and expressed in the post. If there is something you feel inaccurate, let me know. I agree, the hard working farmers deserve support for this wonderful crop, and I applaud your passion. Best to you.
Robbin Burton says
Do the seeds die once they’ve been roasted? I didn’t think about saving the seeds until after I roasted them!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Robbin, it is best to grow from fresh seeds. You'll get the best results that way. Cooked seeds are highly unlikely to germinate.
Amanda S. says
Hi! I have never had hatch chilies before, but just picked up a bunch of fresh ones at the store to see what the buzz is all about! Trying to figure out though....can you freeze fresh peppers? Or should they always be roasted before freezing? I can't find anything online explicitly saying so, but a few articles seem to suggest you should only freeze peppers that have been roasted. Any thoughts? Thanks for the informative article!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Amanda, I have a post here for How to Freeze Peppers (https://www.chilipeppermadness.com/preserving-chili-peppers/freezing-chili-peppers/). Also see:
How to Freeze Roasted Peppers: https://www.chilipeppermadness.com/preserving-chili-peppers/freezing-roasted-chili-peppers/
lori wesolowski says
Hi - just bought a plant full of peppers and harvested them all. Will it produce any more after first harvest? Thx.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Lori, some pepper plants will keep producing for you, sometimes several times through the season. Some people like to harvest pods early to coax the plant into producing more. I hope this helps!
Christine says
As a Canadian transplanted into Arkansas I needed to know what all the buzz was about this week. Thanks for the informative post!
I wonder though why New Mexico went ballistic and needed the name change. I mean, who would know (or even care) about France if it weren't for the fries?
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Glad to help, Christine! =)
Matt says
Michael,I grew some Hatch plants from seed six months ago. The leaves look fine, but some of the peppers are becoming necrotic toward the ends. Any ideas ? I water every 2-3 days and fertilize every two weeks. Am I overdoing it ? Thanks, Matt
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Matt, it sounds like blossom end rot, which is usually from the soil starting out wet then going dry, also resulting in a calcium deficiency. Be sure to not overwater your plants, but maintain consistent levels of moisture, and look for a calcium supplement for the soil.
Gary Hilton says
Here in Kansas City area, you can find canned Hatch green chilis that are chopped. Walmart....
Price Chopper sometimes has roasted Hatch Chilis...if you call the local store manager, maybe they will order some...if enough people call, they will figure out they will corner the market.
Tanja says
I found some Hatch peppers at my local Kroger and made a Hatch Green Chili. The fam loved it so much I ordered a 5 pound box from a grower in NM for $35. I now have a freezer full of Hatch chiles that will (hopefully) last the rest of the year!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Wonderful!! Yes, they are quite delicious.