20 Easy Jalapeño Recipes to Spice Up Your Week
Party dips, poppers, and even a margarita with a kick!
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Ree Drummond isn't one to shy away from a little spice. She turns to peppers to add heat to plenty of her dishes, especially her Mexican-inspired recipes like tacos and even a batch of margaritas. That's we we've rounded up the tastiest-ever recipes using perfectly spicy jalapeños. From breakfast to dinner, these recipes bring the heat!
If there's one token of advice that Ree can offer about cooking with jalapeños, it's to put on some rubber gloves before you start cutting them. While jalapeños may be relatively mild compared to other hot peppers (jalapeños range from 2,000 to 5,000 on the Scoville index) their heat shouldn't be undermined—jalapeño hands are downright unruly! The seeds and membrane are the spicy part of the pepper, and you can control the heat of a dish by removing more or less of those parts. Then, you'll be well on your way to munching on all of the jalapeño dishes here.
Finger foods like classic jalapeño poppers, piled-high nachos, and an array of hot and cold party dips are perfect for any potluck. Every Cinco de Mayo fiesta deserves bowls of zippy guac and smooth and creamy queso! Just don't forget plenty of tortilla chips for dipping. There's also subtly spicy casserole recipes the whole family will love and even some jalapeño-studded baked goods. Now, there's only one question: Can you handle the heat?
Breakfast Enchiladas
Enchiladas for breakfast?! Yep. These cheesy, Tex-Mex enchiladas are filled with spicy chorizo and eggs for the most delicious morning wakeup call.
Get the Breakfast Enchiladas recipe.
Cowboy Candy
Also known as candied jalapeños, you'll want to put these sweet and spicy sliced peppers on everything from burgers and franks to a block of cream cheese.
Get the Cowboy Candy recipe.
Best-Ever Guacamole
This easy guac is the first dip gone at every fiesta! Made with simple, classic ingredients like ripe avocado, lime juice, tomato, onion, and some jalapeño for spice, there's nothing complicated about it. It's a must for any taco night!
Get the Best-Ever Guacamole recipe.
Taco Spaghetti
This cheesy baked spaghetti is all your favorite taco flavors, in pasta form! A weeknight hero that's ready and on the table in only 45 minutes, it's topped with tasty taco toppings like pickled jalapeños, fresh tomatoes, and cilantro.
Get the Taco Spaghetti recipe.
Jalapeño Poppers
Go ahead and make a double batch—your guests will gobble these poppers up in no time! Filled with creamy cheese and topped with crispy panko and bacon, they're everything you want in a party snack.
Get the Jalapeño Poppers recipe.
Corn Salsa
This fresh summer corn salsa can be spooned over grilled fish, stuffed into your favorite tacos, or simply scooped up with tortilla chips! Grilling the corn and onion adds delicious depth of flavor.
Get the Corn Salsa recipe.
Jalapeño Popper Dip
Take the fuss out of jalapeño poppers and combine all the ingredients into one delicious dip! Serve with tortilla chips and toasted baguette slices for ultimate dip-ability.
Get the Jalapeño Popper Dip recipe.
Spicy Jalapeño Margarita
These margaritas with a kick are a sure fire way to spice up any happy hour! It takes about 24 hours for the jalapeños to infuse the tequila, so plan accordingly.
Get the Spicy Jalapeño Margarita recipe.
Taco Dip
Grab the tortilla chips! With a creamy base and medley of fresh taco-worthy toppings, this party dip is sure to kickstart any fiesta! You can customize the dip by sprinkling on your favorite combo of Tex-Mex toppings.
Get the Taco Dip recipe.
Jalapeño-Cheddar Scones
These savory scones are flaky, buttery, and topped with cheese—what could be better?! Dunk them in a bowl of warm chili or serve alongside bacon and eggs in place of a standard morning biscuit.
Get the Jalapeño-Cheddar Scones recipe.
Easy Queso Dip
Creamy, dreamy, restaurant-worthy queso is so easy to make at home! This dip can be made on the stovetop or in a slow cooker, plus you can give it an even spicier kick by sprinkling extra jalapeño on top before serving. Dig in!
Get the Easy Queso Dip recipe.
Jalapeño Popper Potato Salad
A little spicy, a little tangy, and oh-so-creamy, this delicious side is the perfect potluck dish to carry to summer barbecues and cookouts. If you love jalapeño poppers, you'll love this spin on classic potato salad.
Get the Jalapeño Popper Potato Salad recipe.
White Chicken Enchiladas
These aren't your average enchiladas. They're made with corn tortillas and smothered in a decadent, creamy sauce that sinks into every nook and cranny. A healthy sprinkle of cheese is the cherry on top!
Get the White Chicken Enchiladas recipe.
Jalapeño Cornbread
Fill your bread basket with sweet and spicy skillet cornbread. This cornbread is studded with sliced jalapeños that not only give it a kick of heat, they look pretty too! Serve with plenty of butter.
Get the Jalapeño Cornbread recipe.
Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers
Spicy, cheesy, totally dip-able jalapeño poppers just got easier thanks to the air fryer. These party-perfect bites take under 10 minutes to air fry! Don't forget the creamy ranch dressing for dipping.
Get the Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers.
Mango Salsa
Summer's favorite snack just got even more delicious! This sweet and spicy mango salsa is the ultimate poolside dip that's easy to make ahead of time. The fresh, juicy mango gives it some tropical flair and diced jalapeño offers a hint of spice.
Get the Mango Salsa recipe.
Easy Taco Salad
For a light and fresh take on taco night, whip up easy taco salads. Just cook the beef and set out the toppings and everyone can customize their own salads!
Get the Easy Taco Salad recipe.
Grits Casserole
Served for breakfast, brunch, or even dinner alongside a big, juicy steak, this grits casserole is pure comfort food. It's filled with creamy grits, melty cheese, crisp bacon, and a touch of fresh jalapeño for a spicy punch.
Get the Grits Casserole recipe.
Loaded Nachos
Is there anything better than a big, towering plate of loaded nachos? This recipe doesn't skimp on the toppings. There's seasoned beef, hearty beans, fresh diced onion, tomato, jalapeño, and plenty of cheese between layers of crispy tortilla chips.
Get the Loaded Nachos recipe.
Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Thingies
A Fourth of July favorite in Ree Drummond's family, these "thingies" are impossible to resist. A halved jalapeño gets stuffed with cream cheese, wrapped in bacon, and baked until the bacon is crispy and the cheese is melty. Yum!
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