Spice up your Cinco de Mayo with peppers that bring the heat!

From mild bell peppers to fiery habaneros, there’s a whole world of flavor waiting in our produce aisles. Whether you’re tossing them in fajitas or adding a kick to your salsa, peppers are a festive way to turn up the heat. Curious how spicy you’re going? The Scoville Scale measures pepper heat in Scoville Heat Units (SHU)—for example, jalapeños range from 2,500 to 8,000 SHU. So… how bold are your taste buds this Cinco de Mayo?

Green, Yellow, Orange, Red Bell Peppers Scoville Heat Units: 0 SHU Bring the color, not the heat! Green, yellow, orange, and red bell peppers may look fiery, but they’re all about sweet, crisp flavor—not spice. Also known as “Sweet Peppers,” bell peppers are the only peppers that contain no capsaicin—the compound that brings the burn—making them perfect for all palates. Fun fact: red bell peppers are just fully ripened green ones! As they mature, they turn yellow, orange, then red, getting sweeter with each stage. So whether you’re stuffing them, grilling them, or tossing them into a festive stir fry, there’s a bell pepper for every taste this Cinco de Mayo!

Shishito Peppers Scoville Heat Units: 50 to 200 SHU Add a little mystery to your fiesta with Shishito peppers! These mild, wrinkly green peppers may look unassuming, but they’re known to bring a fun surprise to the party—about one in ten packs a little unexpected heat! With a sweet, citrusy flavor and a touch of smokiness, Shishito peppers are perfect blistered on the grill with olive oil or tossed into your Cinco de Mayo stir fry. The name “Shishito” comes from Japan and means “Lion Chili Pepper”—but don’t worry, they’re more tame than wild. Just be ready for the occasional spicy bite!

Ajicito Peppers Scoville Heat Units: 0 to 1,000 SHU Looks like heat, tastes like sweet—meet the Ajicito pepper! Don’t let its habanero-like shape fool you—Ajicito peppers bring bold, fruity flavor without the fiery kick. Perfect for those who love the taste of spice but not the burn, this mild pepper shines in salsas, sauces, and Caribbean-inspired dishes. Its naturally sweet, smoky aroma adds depth to any Cinco de Mayo creation without overpowering your palate. All the flavor, none of the fire—¡sí, por favor!

Italian Long Hot Peppers Scoville Heat Units: 100 to 1,000 SHU Turn up the flavor with a Northeast favorite—Italian Long Hots! These long, wrinkly peppers bring just the right amount of heat to your Cinco de Mayo dishes. Fried, roasted, or tucked into a sandwich, Italian Long Hots offer a mildly spicy kick with a touch of sweetness that keeps you coming back for more. With shades ranging from green to red, they’re as colorful as they are flavorful. Looking for something bold but not too fiery? This fan favorite strikes the perfect balance!

Italian Pepper Scoville Heat Units: 100 to 1,000 SHU Sweet, sizzle, and all-around delicioso—meet the Italian (Cubanelle) Pepper! Mild with just a whisper of heat, this pepper is all about flavor. Known for its thin walls and natural sweetness, the Cubanelle shines when sautéed or fried—just a touch of olive oil brings out its best. Traditionally loved in Italian sausage and pepper sandwiches, it also makes a fun, unexpected twist on your Cinco de Mayo pizzas, soups, or skillet dishes. Not too hot, but definitely not boring!

Pablano Peppers Scoville Heat Units: 1000 to 1,500 SHU Poblano Peppers: A mild kick from the heart of Mexico! A true staple of Mexican cuisine, the poblano pepper hails from Puebla and is beloved for its rich flavor and thick, hearty walls—perfect for roasting or stuffing (hello, chile rellenos!). Falling right between a bell pepper and jalapeño in terms of heat, the poblano is your go-to if you’re craving a gentle kick without going overboard. It’s bold, flavorful, and ready to elevate your Cinco de Mayo dishes with authentic flair.

Anaheim Peppers Scoville Heat Units: 500 to 2,500 SHU Anaheim Peppers: West Coast heat with a twist! Named after Anaheim, California, this pepper brings a mild, versatile heat to the party. But don’t be fooled—Anaheims grown in New Mexico can bring some serious spice, nearly matching a jalapeño! With a slightly sweet taste and tender skin, they’re perfect for salsas, chili, or as a zesty bell pepper swap. Whether you’re grilling, stuffing, or simmering, Anaheim peppers add just the right kick to your Cinco de Mayo menu.

Jalapeno Peppers Scoville Heat Units: 2,500 to 8,000 SHU The classic crowd-pleaser! No Cinco de Mayo celebration is complete without the beloved jalapeño! Known as the gold standard of spice, this popular pepper delivers just the right amount of heat—enough to wake up your taste buds without overwhelming them. Whether you’re making jalapeño poppers, slicing them into tacos, or adding a fiery twist to your guacamole, this kitchen staple always brings the flavor. Mild to moderate on the Scoville Scale, jalapeños are a must-have for any spicy spread.

Hungarian Wax Peppers Scoville Heat Units: 5,000 to 10,000 SHU Bright, bold, and packing heat! Love jalapeños but want just a little more fire? The Hungarian Wax Pepper is here for it. With similar heat and a distinctive waxy skin, this pepper might look like a banana pepper—but don’t be fooled! One bite and you’ll feel the difference. Great for pickling, slicing into salads, or giving your tacos a surprise zing, this pepper brings color, crunch, and serious flavor to your fiesta.

Serrano Hot Peppers Scoville Heat Units: 10,000 to 23,000 SHU Ready to graduate from jalapeños? Take it up a notch! Serrano peppers turn up the heat—up to five times hotter than your average jalapeño. Often used in fresh salsas and spicy sauces, these slim green peppers deliver clean, sharp heat that varies with growing conditions. Whether you’re chopping them raw or roasting them for depth, Serranos are your next spicy obsession this Cinco de Mayo.

Thai Green/Red Chili Peppers Scoville Heat Units: 50,000 to 100,000 SHU Now we’re in serious spice territory, for the bold and brave! Thai chili peppers—also known as Bird’s Eye or Thai Dragon chilies—can be up to 23 times hotter than a jalapeño. Used in everything from hot sauces to chili flakes, these tiny peppers pack major punch. Add them to salsas, marinades, or any dish that needs fiery flavor—but maybe keep some milk nearby, just in case. Spice lovers, this one’s for you!

Scotch Bonnet Pepper Scoville Heat Units: 100,000 to 350,000 SHU Sweet, fiery, and full of island flavor! A Caribbean classic with serious heat, the Scotch Bonnet is not for the timid! Packing 12 to 140 times the punch of a jalapeño, this pepper gets its name from its resemblance to a Scotsman’s bonnet—but don’t let the cute name fool you. With a fruity, slightly sweet flavor that sets it apart from its cousin, the habanero, Scotch Bonnets are often used in Caribbean hot sauces, jerk marinades, and fiery stews. This Cinco de Mayo, try it if you’re feeling brave—and craving bold.

Habanero Peppers Scoville Heat Units: 100,000 to 350,000 SHU Welcome to the upper echelon of pepper heat! Heat lovers, this one’s for you! The habanero isn’t just extremely hot—it’s also loaded with flavor. With its signature citrusy sweetness and intense burn, it’s a favorite in hot sauces, rubs, and salsas that don’t hold back. There are plenty of habanero varieties—from the smoky Chocolate Habanero to the blazing Caribbean Red—so if you’re looking to bring explosive flavor to your Cinco de Mayo fiesta, the habanero is your fiery best friend.

Ready for the Scoville Challenge?

Find your closest Market Basket to pick up these awesome peppers to discover how much heat you can handle! Here’s a convenient chart to see visually how hot each peppers are!