21 Jalapeño Recipes For People Who Like It Hot, Hot, Hot

Bring on the heat.

By

Updated on June 18, 2024

jalapeno popper dip — Photo: Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Melissa Gray Prop Stylist: Kay Clarke

Get the party started with these jalapeño laden dishes We have something to cover all your recipe needs with appetizers, from dips and grab-and-go bites to cocktails, sides, and salads. Whether you want all the heat or just a slight kick—you can easily adjust the spice level by removing the seeds or adding more peppers to any recipe. These jalapeño dishes are made for any occasion.

01 of 25

Texas Twinkies

Southern Living Texas Twinkies on a platter to serve — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Don't be fooled into thinking these Twinkies are sweet! This spin on a jalapeño popper is stuffed with brisket and bacon-wrapped!

02 of 25

Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread

Southern Living Jalapeno Cornbread with a slice cut out of the skillet to serve — Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

This kicked-up cornbread is even better when served with honey butter for a sweet-and-spicy treat!

03 of 25

Spicy Ranch Water

Southern Living Spicy Ranch Water in glasses to serve — Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Ranch Water is a summertime favorite, and we think this spiced-up version brings even more fun!

04 of 25

Jalapeño Poppers

jalapeno poppers — Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox

It doesn't get better than jalapeños stuffed with cheese and bacon. Top them with a buttery breadcrumb mixture before baking for a perfectly crispy top and melty inside. This fan-favorite recipe is sure to win you bonus points when you bring it to any gathering.

05 of 25

Quick-Pickled Jalapeños

Southern Living Quick Pickled Jalapenos in a jar to serve — Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell

This simple recipe is super easy- no canning equipment required! An overnight chill in the refrigerator will give you perfectly tangy and spicy peppers to use anywhere.

06 of 25

Creamy Corn Jalapeño Poppers

Southern Living Creamy Corn JalapeÃ±o Poppers on a blue platter to serve — Antonis Achilleos, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Andrea Fanning

We think this mash-up of creamed corn and jalapeño poppers just might be the perfect summer appetizer!

07 of 25

Candied Jalapeños

Southern Living Cowboy Candy in a jar and on top of cream cheese with crackers to serve — Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke

Whether you use these candied peppers on a sandwich, as a drink garnish, or atop a block of cream cheese for the easiest-ever appetizer—they're a tasty way to take anything from ho-hum to positively delicious.

08 of 25

Jalapeño Popper Dip

jalapeno popper dip — Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Melissa Gray Prop Stylist: Kay Clarke

No matter the type of gathering, this cheesy, creamy, and spicy baked dip will be gone in the blink of an eye. If you like jalapeño poppers, this ultra-rich dish with a mix of pickled and fresh jalapeños will be your new favorite.

09 of 25

Cranberry-Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip

Cranberry Jalapeno Cream Cheese Dip — Photographer: Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Emily Neighbors Hall Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

No matter if it's wine night or a holiday spread, this sweet and spicy appetizer will take your cheeseboard to the next level.

10 of 25

Party Poppers

Party Poppers — Hector M. Sanchez Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

As a more robust take on jalapeño poppers, these peppers are filled with chicken, cream cheese, and cilantro before being wrapped with bacon and baked to perfection.

11 of 25

Cheesy Chorizo-Stuffed Chiles

Cheesy Chorizo-Stuffed Chiles — Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

Traditional stuffed peppers get an appetizer-friendly twist with chorizo in place of ground beef and jalapeños and Fresno chilies in lieu of bell peppers.

12 of 25

Spicy Guacamole

Southern Living Spicy Guacamole in a bowl to serve — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

This go-to appetizer is ready in just 8 minutes and has the ideal level of heat thanks to fresh jalapeño and habanero peppers that bring a vibrant and moderate flavor to the dip.

13 of 25

Afterburners

Afterburners — Stacy k. Allen, Props: Josh Hoggle, Food Stylist: Melissa Gray

These pop-in-your-mouth bites deserve a spot on the table no matter if it's for a tailgate, summer cookout, cocktail party, or just no occasion at all. Rather than being filled with gooey cheese, this lighter take on a jalapeño popper has peeled and deveined shrimp tucked within the peppers.

14 of 25

Pineapple-Pepper Slaw

Pineapple-Pepper Slaw — Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford; Food Styling: Torie Cox

This colorful pepper slaw is not short in the crunch or flavor department. Shredded cabbage, thinly sliced peppers, cubed pineapple, and minced jalapeños are tossed with a sweet and tangy vinaigrette to create the perfect, punchy slaw.

15 of 25

Spicy Strawberry-Goat Cheese Crostini

Spicy Strawberry-Goat Cheese Crostini — Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

This impressive yet simple recipe will easily become your new favorite. While jalapeños and strawberries might be an unexpected combination, the flavors complement each other for an appetizer that is as tasty as it is beautiful.

16 of 25

Corn and Jalapeño Dip

Corn and JalapeÃ±o Dip — Hector Manuel Sanchez

Though this recipe calls for frozen corn kernels, if you're making it in the summertime use sweet, in-season corn for fresh flavor. Just toss all your ingredients in a slow cooker and you'll have a cheesy, creamy dip ready in a few hours.

17 of 25

Cucumber Salsa

Southern Living Cucumber Salsa in a bowl to serve with tortilla chips on the side — Antonis Achilleos; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

A twist on your classic tomato salsa, this refreshing version with cucumbers, green apples, red onion, jalapeños, cilantro, and lime juice comes together in just 10 minutes.

18 of 25

Spicy Avocado Dressing

Spicy Avocado Dressing — Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch

This one-step dressing gets its spice from two seeded jalapeño peppers. Just toss everything in a food processor and you'll have a creamy dressing ready to go for salads and tacos alike.

19 of 25

Beef Fajitas

Beef Faijitas — Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist Christine Kelly

Brine from a jar of pickled jalapeños might not be something you see on your ingredient list often, but it adds a subtle kick to these steak fajitas. If that's not enough heat for you, toss a few whole peppers on the grill as well.

20 of 25

Spicy Pineapple Slaw

Spicy Pineapple Slaw — Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Kellie Kelley; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

Serve this versatile spicy slaw on tacos, as a side, with barbecue, or even just your favorite grilled main like shrimp or chicken. Unlike traditional slaws, this one doesn't have mayo making it extra light and fresh.

21 of 25

Charred-Vegetable Guacamole

Southern Living Charred-Vegetable Guacamole in a bowl to serve with tortilla chips — Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

This vegetable enhanced guacamole includes a few fiery peppers making the dip anything but boring.

22 of 25

Creamy Jalapeño Dip

Southern Living Creamy JalapeÃ±o Dip in a bowl to serve with vegetables. — Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Your friends and family will love you for bringing this to the next potluck or party. It's a great dip for crudités and tortilla chips.

23 of 25

Pineapple Ranch Water

Southern Living Pineapple Ranch Water in glasses to serve, garnished with a pineapple wedge — Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

A fun twist on our classic Texas Ranch Water recipe, this one includes a fresh pineapple making it even more refreshing and delicious.

24 of 25

Sweet And Spicy Barbecue Sauce

Sweet-and-Spicy Barbecue Sauce — Hector Sanchez

You get a little taste of everything in this sweet and spicy sauce. Garlic, jalapeños, crushed red pepper, and Worcestershire give this sauce its kick, while brown sugar, honey, and ketchup cool it down.

25 of 25

Tortilla Soup

Tortilla Soup served with sliced chips and cheese — Stacy Allen

This one's perfect for those chilly winter nights when you need something warm and comforting.

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