The Complete Guide to Mexican Chiles

    From mild anchos to fiery habaneros — learn which chile to use for every dish.

    Heat Scale:
    Mild (1–3)
    Medium (4–6)
    Hot (7–8)
    Very Hot (9–10)

    Dried Chiles

    Guajillo

    Chile Guajillo

    3/10

    2,500–5,000 SHU

    Sweet, tangy, and berry-like with hints of green tea.

    salsa rojapozoleenchilada saucebirria

    Ancho

    Chile Ancho

    2/10

    1,000–2,000 SHU

    Sweet and fruity with prominent notes of raisin, dried plum, and a hint of chocolate.

    moleenchilada saucechiliadobo

    Chipotle

    Chile Chipotle

    5/10

    5,000–10,000 SHU

    Deeply smoky with moderate heat, a subtle sweetness, and an almost meaty depth.

    adobo saucesalsasmarinadesstews

    Pasilla

    Chile Pasilla

    3/10

    1,000–4,000 SHU

    Rich, earthy, and herbaceous with notes of dried berries and cocoa.

    mole negrosalsasenchilada saucetable sauce

    Chile de Árbol

    Chile de Árbol

    7/10

    15,000–30,000 SHU

    Sharp, clean, direct heat with a slightly grassy, nutty undertone.

    salsa de mesainfused oilstable salsassoups

    Morita

    Chile Morita

    5/10

    5,000–10,000 SHU

    Fruity and smoky with a softer, more approachable smokiness than chipotle meco.

    salsasadobostewsmarinades

    Cascabel

    Chile Cascabel

    3/10

    1,500–2,500 SHU

    Nutty and mildly smoky with a slight acidity and woodsy undertone.

    salsasstewstamale fillingssoups

    Mulato

    Chile Mulato

    2/10

    500–2,500 SHU

    Rich chocolate and licorice notes with a subtle dried cherry sweetness.

    mole poblanocomplex saucesadoboenchilada sauce

    Fresh Chiles

    Habanero

    Chile Habanero

    10/10

    100,000–350,000 SHU

    Intensely fruity and tropical with floral, almost apricot-like notes — deceptively sweet aroma before the extreme heat hits.

    Yucatecan salsascochinita pibilpickled onionshot sauces

    Serrano

    Chile Serrano

    6/10

    10,000–25,000 SHU

    Bright, clean, crisp heat with a fresh grassy flavor.

    salsa verdepico de galloguacamolesalsas crudas

    Jalapeño

    Chile Jalapeño

    4/10

    2,500–8,000 SHU

    Grassy, vegetal, and slightly sweet with approachable medium heat.

    salsaspickled (rajas)stuffednachos

    Poblano

    Chile Poblano

    2/10

    1,000–2,000 SHU

    Mild, earthy, and rich with a subtle sweetness and vegetal depth.

    chiles rellenosrajas con cremamolesoups